don't use fedex ground unless you want extra cash!
Hi world. I know it's been a really long time and we really need to catch up. But that has to happen later, because right now I feel the need to share how ridiculous things are today.
Back in July I visited Ithaca. While I was there I shipped some old stuff of mine to myself that I had placed in storage. The major item was a server to move negaverse. Yeah, it was old and kind of junky, but it was a server nonetheless. Not really knowing how to properly pack it, or possessing any sort of packing materials, I paid the experts at FedexKinkos(tm) to pack it for me.
Five days later, I'm anxiously awaiting my package here in Portland. It arrives with that 'adult signature required' label and my 7 year old stepson (more on this later?) signs for it. Hey, he's just learning how to sign in cursive. He enjoyed the experience. I was at the doctor's for an appointment for my messed up leg.
I arrive home to find my package looking like it had either been rammed repeatedly with a forklift or used for hockey practice by a bunch of angry teenagers. The server's 1/8" steel frame is bent. Even with insane tool usage I am unable to bend it back.
I file a claim with Fedex, who show up the next day to pick it up. They insist that I pack the package *exactly* how I found it. Complete with all the stuff that didn't end up destroyed. After arguing about it, they take it away with just the bent server. For a week I battle them on the phone, them arguing that it's not their fault it was packaged improperly. They told me I'd have to sue kinkos. They told me the original invoice did not match the item (it had the serial number on it!). They, of course, did this through letters, which are quite slow. Then, yesterday, I get a check for $635.59, refunding what they decided it was worth and the shipping charges.
Great, I say. I won! But where's my busted server? I call and they say it was returned two days after the pickup inspection. But ha! Even their OWN internal tracking system says it was never delivered.
That's right... they LOST my DAMAGED PACKAGE. This greatly amuses me. Also, they're going to have to pay me another $1000, the original insured value.
So, the moral of the story: Don't ship anything you really care about using fedex ground. They'll break it and then lose it. But hey, it gets you extra cash.
Back in July I visited Ithaca. While I was there I shipped some old stuff of mine to myself that I had placed in storage. The major item was a server to move negaverse. Yeah, it was old and kind of junky, but it was a server nonetheless. Not really knowing how to properly pack it, or possessing any sort of packing materials, I paid the experts at FedexKinkos(tm) to pack it for me.
Five days later, I'm anxiously awaiting my package here in Portland. It arrives with that 'adult signature required' label and my 7 year old stepson (more on this later?) signs for it. Hey, he's just learning how to sign in cursive. He enjoyed the experience. I was at the doctor's for an appointment for my messed up leg.
I arrive home to find my package looking like it had either been rammed repeatedly with a forklift or used for hockey practice by a bunch of angry teenagers. The server's 1/8" steel frame is bent. Even with insane tool usage I am unable to bend it back.
I file a claim with Fedex, who show up the next day to pick it up. They insist that I pack the package *exactly* how I found it. Complete with all the stuff that didn't end up destroyed. After arguing about it, they take it away with just the bent server. For a week I battle them on the phone, them arguing that it's not their fault it was packaged improperly. They told me I'd have to sue kinkos. They told me the original invoice did not match the item (it had the serial number on it!). They, of course, did this through letters, which are quite slow. Then, yesterday, I get a check for $635.59, refunding what they decided it was worth and the shipping charges.
Great, I say. I won! But where's my busted server? I call and they say it was returned two days after the pickup inspection. But ha! Even their OWN internal tracking system says it was never delivered.
That's right... they LOST my DAMAGED PACKAGE. This greatly amuses me. Also, they're going to have to pay me another $1000, the original insured value.
So, the moral of the story: Don't ship anything you really care about using fedex ground. They'll break it and then lose it. But hey, it gets you extra cash.