Fedex " Shipment exception - Barcode label unreadable and replaced "

[mikescuriouscurios]

Anyone else had experiences with this tracking message from Fedex Smartpost: "Shipment exception - Barcode label unreadable and replaced" ?

 The last time I got it, last year on a shipment for a Christmas gift, The package ended up being returned to ME after it got within 15 miles of the intended recipient. I contacted them and they intercepted it about 200 miles from me, and it was rerouted back to the correct address via USPS. I wound up having a bad experience with the buyer due to them last time, so I never was able to find out what the package looked like when it actually arrived (damage, labelling, etc.) I swore off ever useing Fedex again. Couldn't even make a claim for 2 week late delivery as they claim their delivery estimates are ONLY estimates.

  Well, I had to ship a few in the meantime with them due to buyer request for lower shipping rates, and I switched to putting clear packing tape over all the bar codes for them to make sure there would never be a problem if they got rubbed in shipping or something,  and they got there okay (slow as all get out, but arrived perfectly safely. )
  We use a great, 3 month old, laser printer to print all the labels for them and the USPS and have never had an issue with USPS. Anecdotal responses have indicated the labels arrived looking like they had just been printed.

  Just got the same tracking reference (Shipment exception - Barcode label unreadable and replaced) two days ago, and the package has shown as still sitting in the same town about 200 miles from the final destination since then.  It shows as having left 3 times!

  Is it just me or does Fedex seem to have a serious issue with "SmartPost"? It wasn't even like the labels were on flimsy polybags in this case, they were on solid cardboard boxes and taped down. We usually put our labels across the box flaps that are then taped shut. Are they perhaps opening the packages for "inspection" and tearing the labels in the process (sneaky b*tards)?

  Any other similar experiences / resolutions with them?