FedEx Issue...

od017

So... FedEx attempted to deliver a package from the States, but no one was home so they left a card. I called to arrange redelivery, and asked them to leave it in the back garden, and gave instructions on how to open the back gate from the outside. They said I had to leave their card in the back garden and it must be signed otherwise they wouldn't redeliver the item [I'm signing it to say that I agree FedEx aren't liable for any loss or damage that results from where I've asked them to leave it blah blah blah...].

I taped the signed card to the outside of the kitchen door at the back of the house, and also wrote on it to leave it under the bench as it was quite a sunny day and the package was vinyl records [heat = warping]. Where the bench is gets no sun.

When I got home the signed card was still taped to the kitchen door, and it looked like the package was just chucked over the back gate, as it's dented. And it spent all day in the baking sun. These vinyl records are ltd edition new releases, so will no longer be available from the seller.

I've been told I have to speak to their international dept., and they're not open at the weekends. If anyone has any knowledge of my rights, etc. I'd be very appreciative. Of course I still have the card so I haven't "agreed" to where they left the package...

Many thanks in advance

daytona0

The key question is, are the items damaged? You haven't specified that yet..... What is the point in kicking up a fuss if they work fine, despite a bit of package denting?


Also, they may not have read your "keep out of the sun" letter for completely genuine reasons! Maybe, for one example, they were physically unable to enter the garden gate because it was stiff or stuck etc? Maybe your kitchen door is a bit "out of the way" and as such they didn't see it? In regards to the signing of the delivery slip, they would have been faced with the option of either delivering your item without the slip OR taking it back to the depot. As per your "leave in the garden" instructions, and the likeyhood of the item not saying "fragile" and a possible third factor (stiff gate) then it is going over the gate! They get paid for DELIVERING items, and your phone instructions were a bit of a green light for this action by any means necessary!

That isn't to say that you don't have rights. Simply report any ITEM damage to the retailer (sod the outer packaging, don't be a crank!) and report the actions of the courier. They should then refund or replace the item, and claim the money back from the courier.

As for it being a ltd edition item, you should have more sense to have someone in to collect the item! No matter how much you plan something (letters on doors etc) your item is being handled by a possible monkey who wants to make money! BESIDES, what is to stop a local undesirable from walking into your back garden and taking the parcel (after all, the gate is apparently accessible whilst you aren't in!).

od017

Thanks for your reply.

Evidently I neglected to mention that, yes, the items were damaged and warped due to being in the sun. My apologies.

I was happy to accept the minor risk of theft from having the package left in the back garden, as collection from their not-that-local-to-me depot is not possible, and someone is almost never here in the daytime on the days they deliver.

What I wasn't happy to accept, however, is any item damage. And I feel I took all possible steps to avoid this. When I arranged the delivery they specified that the item would categorically not be delivered if I didn't sign and the leave the card. The card contained the very simple request to leave the package under the bench in my puny garden. So my assumption was that if the driver couldn't open the gate [which isn't stiff, and is actually worryingly easy to open from the outside], and was therefore unable to collect the signed card w/ simple instructions, the item would not be delivered.

Thanks for the advice regarding reporting the incident.

visidigi

I'm sure FedEx will talk to the Shipper about it, as that's who has the contract. You don't have a contract with FedEx.

Contact your seller of the vinyl and ask for a refund, let the shipper deal with FedEx.