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mrpcss · ‎01-27-2021

Hello,

I'm just curious if other are having issues with FedEx damaging their packages recently? I've been shipping with them for about a year, but in the last two months alone they have destroyed three shipments. Obviously I've filed claims, but they are just denying them and ignoring subsequent emails (even though they say you can email them to provide more evidence).

My packing methods have not changed in this time and have always been sufficient before (and no issues so far now that I've switched to UPS) so I'm left wondering what exactly are they doing? One of the items damaged was an old computer with a steel frame/case, and they severely bent it. They bent steel!

How?

Is anyone else having these problems?

no_zero369 · ‎01-27-2021

I think you have a "business problem." Looks like FedEx has rough handling procedures. I suspect they denied claims because they think the packaging was inadequate. Just because you got lucky in the past and nothing was damaged, doesn't mean it was adequate packaging, does it? So now 3 examples are telling you that packaging has the potential to fail. So what will you do? Argue past performance is and indication of what should happen in the future? Or will you adjust you packaging?

But if you think UPS is going to be better in the long run? Just about everything I get that is shipped by UPS has damage to the box it is in, if not the item itself. So I wouldn't count on that as a fail safe.

Try double-walled or triple walled boxes. I often make my own. each successive layer needs to have the grain 90-degrees to the prior grain to give added strength. Then use the 'kick the box off the top of the stairs' test to see how good your packing is done and the likelihood it will hold up falling off a conveyor at a sorting center.

mrpcss · ‎02-01-2021

Those are good suggestions which is why I already use thick boxes and plenty of protective packaging; however, even the best packed box won't be able to handle severe abuse. From the photo I posted previously, you can see that the abuse is severe. Even if it were completely unprotected, it would be difficult to cause that kind of damage.

I'm not worried about UPS as I've never had a shipment issue with them personally or professionally.

I've done about 50% of shipments though FedEx and the rest through UPS or USPS without a single issue from the latter two (all same packaging). So it really remains a FedEx issue.

no_zero369 · ‎02-01-2021

Hey OK. I'll add a comment cause packaging is a fetish for me. Thick boxes are one thing, but on something HEAVY like a CPU unit, I would prolly triple wall the box myself.

Point is that even double walled boxes have a "grain" to them and will bend along those grain lines. By turning each successive layer 90-degrees to the prior layer and gluing the two layers together you eliminate the weakness along the grain. Then the packing inside the box has to be rock solid and tight! I shake the heck out of things and if there is even the slightest of movement, then I repackage.

On that computer I'd have it in a thick layer of bubble wrap and then at least 2-in of peanuts,pillows or tightly packed bubble wrap on all six sides.

But hey, you prolly already know most of this. I just over pack things (even books) so I know there is no potential for damage. Haven't had packaging failures yet! Fingers crossed!

Hope your switch of carriers is the solution!