Damn Fedex

[Jeff H]

So I placed an order with Powder Valley and checked their shipping policy and it says that they ship UPS. Cool. I get a confirmation that it shipped the next morning with a Fed Ex tracking number. W T F! Signature required!!!

So I leave my FedEx driver a note asking him to leave the package. He used to do that, but not anymore because he didn't leave it. Day two and the same thing happened.

A little annoyed at this point I read the door tag says I can have it left at a convenient Fed Ex store for pickup so I opt for that option since those of us who work aren't usually home during the day.

Well, the website says that they won't leave it at a store because it is a Haz-Mat shipment...

So I get on the phone with Fed Ex and ask them how in the heck am I supposed to get this package? They can't deliver it because I am not home, they won't deliver it later in the day when I am home and they won't leave it at a store for me to pick up.

So as I explain all this to the lady on the phone she looks it up in the computer and says: well sir, we can't do any of those things because it is a HAZMAT package!!

I (as calmly as I can) explain that I know it is a hazmat package; I am well aware of what I ordered. The problem remains: how do I get this package. Well the lady finally tells me that it can be left at their regional distribution site about 45 minutes away. I can pick it up there. Great, now there is a waste of time and gas!

I took a long lunch to get the package today. Never again. No more Fed Ex. No more Powder Valley if they ship Fed Ex.

 

[Kyle M.]

I also will not order anything shipped fedex the few time I have I've ended up having to drive an hour and a half one way to pick up my package. I wonder if you can order by phone from powder valley and request ups?

 

[MtnCreek]

Only thing worse is when the leave a 'long' box that was shipped adult sig required... leaning against your fence right beside the road.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

From Powder Valley's homepage:

SHIPPING: UPS/FedEx Surcharge of $27.50 Per Package on Hazardous Materials. Powder and Primers are Hazardous. FedEx requires a signature on all hazardous material packages. UPS may require a signature when delivering your package. Please make sure someone will be available to sign for your package when delivered. See NOTE above to help save money! Bullets, brass and other non-incendiaries do not come under HAZMAT. We will ship via the best method to save you money. Shipping will be calculated and added to your order. Our typical shipping charges are based on the subtotal of your order. Subtotal <$150.00, shipping $9.95; <$300.00, $13.95; <$600.00, $15.95; >$600, $19.95. Please use this as a guide only. Freight for Wads, shot, media and cast bullets are subject to increased freight charges. We can ship shot, bullets and brass via the U. S. Postal Service for $14.00 per box up to 60 pounds, subject to size requirements. Please contact an associate for assistance.

Simply put, they are going to ship the cheapest way possible unless you request a certain shipping method/carrier. If you absolutely must have UPS it would probably be best to call your order in and request it like you suggested.

 

[Otto]

My last order from PV was over $300. I don't want UPS leaving it on the porch and driving off.

 

[Jeff H]

From Powder Valley's homepage:

SHIPPING: UPS/FedEx Surcharge of $27.50 Per Package on Hazardous Materials. Powder and Primers are Hazardous. FedEx requires a signature on all hazardous material packages. UPS may require a signature when delivering your package. Please make sure someone will be available to sign for your package when delivered. See NOTE above to help save money! Bullets, brass and other non-incendiaries do not come under HAZMAT. We will ship via the best method to save you money. Shipping will be calculated and added to your order. Our typical shipping charges are based on the subtotal of your order. Subtotal <$150.00, shipping $9.95; <$300.00, $13.95; <$600.00, $15.95; >$600, $19.95. Please use this as a guide only. Freight for Wads, shot, media and cast bullets are subject to increased freight charges. We can ship shot, bullets and brass via the U. S. Postal Service for $14.00 per box up to 60 pounds, subject to size requirements. Please contact an associate for assistance.

Simply put, they are going to ship the cheapest way possible unless you request a certain shipping method/carrier. If you absolutely must have UPS it would probably be best to call your order in and request it like you suggested.

From their website in your shopping basket as you are checking out:

Orders are shipped by UPS Ground (up to seven days). You can request UPS next day air, UPS 2nd day air, UPS 3 day select or United States Postal Service and COD is available by calling 800.227.4299

Next time I'll specifically call and request UPS, there is nothing in the checkout portion of the website that would lead you to believe that Fex Ex was an option.

 

[788Ham]

I'm going to second the harassment on UPS today!! On Sun. Oct.21, I ordered over the net to Midway, nothing big, I've had good luck with them. "UNTIL the last 2 orders!" The pkg. shipped out Sun. night/Mon. morning, headed for my home:20, Yippee. Then today when I checked on the delivery, supposed to be today at the end of the day, "Label missing/illegilble" can't deliver. I go online with some dunce who tries to tell me they know where to deliver it to, then why the hell don't you?? He stated, "They have to wait until it gets to the delivery section in the city it goes to, then they put on a new label." When I asked him how they knew which city to bring it to, "Oh we go by the zipcode too." Mr. Dunce had no more smart comments when I asked how he got the zip code with no label! LOL I also know the USPS leaves a lot to be desired, it took them 3 weeks to deliver a small pkg. from the same shipper.... conspiracy maybe?
Good luck getting your shipment, I'm still waiting on mine.

 

[Otto]

At check-out, Powder Valley presents an overlay with a disclaimer addressing signatures. Even UPS may require a sig.

 

[rbernie]

I have learned to put 'No delivery signature required or provided' in the special instructions block, and that seems to head off most of this silliness.

 

[CraigC]

I'm completely outdone with FedEx. I had ordered a book about three weeks ago. It's one of Skeeter Skelton's books that has been out of print for years and they usually go for $100-$150. I found one for $40 on Amazon and ordered it. It was due on a Tuesday. Monday AND Tuesday we saw a FedEx truck on our street. Never showed up. Checked tracking, said "incorrect address". Well now, I order stuff from Amazon all the time and have NEVER had an issue getting something delivered. Mapquest certainly knows where I live. Long story short, their customer service reps gave me the runaround for a week, their local customer service guy acted like he did not care. Then the same driver delivers packages my wife ordered, after being assured that the package was on the truck for delivery Friday, it wasn't on the truck. Talked to the driver, she called the same counter monkey I talked to and they FINALLY delivered the package on Saturday. I got my book but what a stupid hassle!

 

[floydster]

My last order from PV came two weeks ago, came UPS, I was home but didn't have to sign anything, I ask the driver--he said nope, don't have to sign.
This HaxMat is all a bunch of crap anyway.

Smokeyloads

 

[RustyFN]

Same problem here. Now when I order I request it to be shipped UPS.

 

[Hungry1]

My last powder order from PV came by UPS within 4 days, they dropped it on the doorstep. Which I'm okay with.

My first powder order from Midway is still coming by by UPS also. Right now it's "lost". Has been for weeks

 

[EddieNFL]

My last order from PV was over $300. I don't want UPS leaving it on the porch and driving off.

I have everything shipped to work.

I deal quite a bit with both UPS and FedEx and know several employees from both. Rummage through a dumpster at a distribution center and you are almost guaranteed to find at least one package. If a package is "lost" for some reason, it will be tossed so blame cannot be assigned.

A couple of weeks ago I was waiting for parts being delivered by FedEx. The tracking number indicated they had been delivered. Contacted FedEx and they found they had indeed been delivered...to a house three miles away. Street names not even close. I sent someone to pick it up. He said it was an empty house and there were several packages by the door...all with different address labels.

 

[oneounceload]

UPS won't leave it either, so maybe you need to have it delivered to work or a friend's house who is home;

 

[Double Naught Spy]

So not a Fedex issue. Sounds like they did as instructed.

 

[Shuler13]

They did as instructed, but the point I believe is a delivery service should find a way to deliver. A house where people work normal hours should be able to get a delivery. If nobody is home from 9-5 and the delivery requires a signature then a delivery attempt should be made after 5. Signature required deliveries make up a fraction of the deliveries so something could be done for these exceptions.

 

[oldreloader]

Another thing to remember.. I just sent a pistol back to the factory for repairs. They sent it back FedEx. My wife is out of town so no one was home to sign. I had them hold it at the facility until I could get there to pick it up. In conversation with the attendant I found out that from the day they get it they give you FIVE business days. If it isn't delivered to you or picked up by you in five days it goes back to the shipper, no excuses. I was lucky and made it with two days to spare.

 

[Ehtereon11B]

The shipping hazmat charges are the main reason why I haven't even attempted to buy powder or primers online. If I were in a little bit more remote area I would bite the bullet (no pun intended) and pay the charges but thankfully a sporting goods store has good prices on components.

 

[Crashbox]

I had the same issue with respect to FedEx and not being able to pick up in person.

Several weeks ago I ordered a keg of Herco and a case of primers from PV and FedEx attempted to deliver on a Friday afternoon before I was home from work. Called up FedEx and asked if I could pick up in person and they said no-go due to the hazardous materials inside the package. GRRRRRRRRR! (IMO this is a stupidly insane policy, a signature is a signature!)... Fortunately, I have every other Friday off and so they were able to deliver the goods the next week.

 

[Captcurt]

HAZMAT is HAZMAT. It doesn't matter who the carrier is, they still have to follow governmental procedure. Thank Big Brother.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

They did as instructed, but the point I believe is a delivery service should find a way to deliver. A house where people work normal hours should be able to get a delivery. If nobody is home from 9-5 and the delivery requires a signature then a delivery attempt should be made after 5. Signature required deliveries make up a fraction of the deliveries so something could be done for these exceptions.

Fedex didn't order the signature required package to a home where nobody would be, did they? Why is it Fedex's problem for following directions? They aren't exception, but a specific paid for option. I think you have perceived the problem from the wrong angle.

 

[jim8115]

Last powder order I had -adult signature required- fedex just left it on the porch.... must depend on the driver. Certainly not Powder valleys fault

 

[angus6]

Fedex has always just left them in front of my garage and not knocked for a sig, but will see what happens tomorrow since this time no one will be home. Check about the hold at depot thing , not within a 100 miles even though Fedex warehouse is a 1.5 miles from work

 

[oneounceload]

They did as instructed, but the point I believe is a delivery service should find a way to deliver. A house where people work normal hours should be able to get a delivery. If nobody is home from 9-5 and the delivery requires a signature then a delivery attempt should be made after 5. Signature required deliveries make up a fraction of the deliveries so something could be done for these exceptions.

Those folks like to go home as well - How are they to know who works when? If you can't be there, you need to make different shipping directions or have it delivered to where you are going to be