Predicting the downfall of FedEx (in Off-topic)

Ok, in my job I often receive items and ship items, at least 20 or so packages a day. By doing this I've worked with UPS, FedEx, Spee-Dee, and DHL a lot more than most would. What have I noticed? That FedEx has horrible business practices. When it comes to convenience and just plain old common sense UPS, DHL and Spee-Dee are light years ahead of FedEx. To start, FedEx Ground, and FedEx Express operate completely separately, so much so that there is a refusal to intertwine the services. This usually isn't that big of a deal, it just means having FedEx stop by 2 to 4 times a day (FedEx Express does not make all deliveries in one trip). UPS, DHL and Spee-Dee all only stop by once per day.
When shipping items this becomes more of a problem, because if FedEx Ground comes and you are shipping an Express package they will not pick it up. In fact at times I have convinced my driver to do so, but it actually bothers the Express drivers (although all he does it drop it off at their facilities). I have always considered this asinine, because this makes this use extra fuel and man power, not to mention the way the average customer must feel about this. Today another thing came up though, FedEx Express stopped by twice this morning, and although I have an outgoing box for FedEx Express both drivers refused to take it with them. One was apologetic saying he just "couldn't" while the other just said to call it in and walked away. So when I call it in I inquire about this phenomenon (because my regular FedEx Ground driver almost daily picks up packages when he drops off the daily shipments). Their explanation? Since it hasn't been called in, and thus isn't yet in their system they can not pick it up and make record of it. Yes that's right, although they all carry a handy little hand held scanner thing that connects with a wireless network they have an inability to scan un-scheduled pickups. Funny that UPS, DHL, and Spee-Dee have all figured out how to do this with their programming specialists...FedEx on the other hand? Nope.

There's my rant, I just wanted to point that out, so I could be on record predicting the downfall and slow but steady demise of FedEx, that is unless they have some major overhauls in the way their handle the packages.

The best way to benefit from such a prediction would be to short their stock. You going to put your money where your mouth is? *smile*

The only reason I like FedEx is because they are close to my house, and if I miss a package I can pick it up same evening. UPS usually has a day wait, or you have to wait until really late depending on the truck that drives your route.

Your observations are good ones, though. Sound slike they could use some housecleaning...

My step-dad works in a warehouse and hates FedEx, but when I order from NewEgg.com all i will use is FedEx because they get my products here in hurry and wont just leave my items on the front step.

Fedex is almost always cheapest to ship (other than international). Plus is you open a free account you get a 13% discount and can print your own labels free. Many fedex drivers are independant contractors who get a per package bonus. You can usually talk with your carrier and they will even come and pick up your packages for free. Excellent!

Sound to me that they are trying to get a government exclusive contract. ;)

Carp, on a side note I do work at a State University, and we have no account with FedEx (only use them if the company is paying for shipping, and they choose FedEx) although we do have an account with UPS and use them for about 4 packages per day...Also I did know about the contractor status of FedEx drivers, I believe that's only the Ground drivers. Oh, one other thing, do other shipping companies ask you to pay for package pickup? Maybe that's a rural thing, because we have pickups all the time, and have yet to be charged a cent from any delivery service...except for freight.

AZ, the reason FedEx Express and Ground are seperate, is that a couple years ago, FedEx bought another company RPS, and turned it into FedEx Ground. Infact, while I was working at RPS with some friends of mine, RPS got bought, and when they finally made the transition to FedEx Ground, all of a sudden this very efficient workforce of dependable workers turned into just simply high-turnover labor. The executives running the place now didn't care much for helping employees, the number of packages handled increased significantly, yet the pay did not. What you are seeing with FedEx Ground is a slow progression into Corporate culture of get it done yesterday, but with no great incentive to do so.

Besides all of that, they hired on atleast 10 or 20 undocumented workers. When the government finally decided to check up on their operations they had to fire them all, work-load for the employees increased dramatically, pay did not. Also they induced a culture of "work until it gets done" without breaks or lunch or anything.

I wish I could say that was all, but the morale-busting doesn't end there. Two people were permanently injured working there with their mass of conveyor belts, and yet very little was done to address safety issues.

Sound like you need Tom Hanks to come and sort out your local depot, before he gets marooned on a desert island for four years.

I like FedEx...They make good cookies....=q*

I believe they provide great building material for furniture...