FedEx asked what I was shipping?

[Beachkid23]

Has this happened to any of you? I wanted to ensure the package for $700. The guy told me I could do that as long as I told him what was inside of it. Lolololol. What? No... I said it's collectible stuff. He asked I need to know exactly what's inside of it or I cannot insure it.... So I told him that I would take it to the post office thank you very much have a good day...

What doesn't matter what's inside of it. He said collectibles was not a good answer he needed to know exactly what it was. I was not going to tell him it was over 2 pounds of sterling silver... there was no way. His exact words " in order for us to continue this process and be able to ship this package I need to know exactly what is inside of it" I have never had them ask before. Even the lady at the refinery said she's never heard of them asking either. All of their customers never have a problem sending him anything. But this guy had to know!

 

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[dieselram94]

Probably was going to steel the contents. As a whole I'm not impressed with Fedex and the quality of their workforce.


Sent from a empty soda can!

 

[meanpc]

He already knows it's something valuable because you are claiming a small box is worth $700. How much extra information would you really be giving him? I guess you could protect yourself at that point by disclosing the contents, taking a quick video of the FedEx guy sealing the package and showing the scale reading. Tough one - I can understand you anxiety shipping high value precious metals.

 

[pong12211]

You should have just said a human head

 

[Iron Patch]

Fedex has policies of what they will and won't insure so it's pretty obvious why he would need to know. I think it's total paranoia to think he's asking so he can rip you off, and the way you laughed at him as if he was crazy, I laugh the same way at this post because I have signed things over to Fedex worth as much as 5k and never thought twice... other than hoping I was not one of the very unlucky ones where something went wrong. The alternative is dude just says cool, $700 insurance, it goes missing and then Fedex says they don't cover those contents, and shows you a policy saying so. Then you have to fight like hell to try and recover your money.

 

[jerseyben]

I just cant relate to the way many of you handle situations like this... Truly bizarre.

 

[dieselram94]

He already knows it's something valuable because you are claiming a small box is worth $700. How much extra information would you really be giving him? I guess you could protect yourself at that point by disclosing the contents, taking a quick video of the FedEx guy sealing the package and showing the scale reading. Tough one - I can understand you anxiety shipping high value precious metals.

I don't think videoing him would have gone over well at all. On the other hand fedexs insurance is probably more solvent than usps!


Sent from a empty soda can!

 

[dieselram94]

You should have just said a human head

Lol!


Sent from a empty soda can!

 

[trdhrdr007]

If you are sending precious metals to a refinery through USPS you will have a hard time collecting insurance unless you ship registered mail.

 

[Beachkid23]

I don't know I just have shipped a couple thousand packages before a couple of them over $1000 I've never had anybody ask what was in them. And not to mention I don't know I just felt uncomfortable with the guy basically. when I took it to the Postal Service and they asked how much insurance I said $700 and she said okay puts it on there, and went about her day. I guess basically I've never been asked before so that kind of threw me off.

 

[VERMONTPACKRAT]

I have shipped MANY items, with some reaching about $800. I have never been asked by the USPS. I try to avoid FED-EX if I can. I think there service is terrible. A few years ago I had to drive to a fed-ex terminal to pick up a package because they said that they could not deliver because my road did not exist. This was a 60 mile round trip!

VPR

 

[NHBandit]

I don't know I just have shipped a couple thousand packages before a couple of them over $1000 I've never had anybody ask what was in them. And not to mention I don't know I just felt uncomfortable with the guy basically. when I took it to the Postal Service and they asked how much insurance I said $700 and she said okay puts it on there, and went about her day. I guess basically I've never been asked before so that kind of threw me off.

Good luck actually collecting on the insurance claim from the US Postal Service if something goes wrong. Ask me how I know... You went with an option that will likely result in you losing your money if the package goes missing rather than simply tell the Fed Ex guy what was in the box ? Seriously ?

 

[HenryWaltonJonesJr]

I would have said, collectible dolls, rare, one of a kind, numbered...dolls. They are dolls dude, dolls with pink outfits.

 

[nathan104]

USPS DOES NOT COVER PRECIOUS METALS UNDER INSURANCE!!!

You can ship precious metals (gold/silver/coins) via USPS and pay for the insurance but if it is lost they WILL NOT pay out on an insurance claim. These items MUST be shipped via registered mail to be covered under insurance.

 

[Drmad7]

USPS DOES NOT COVER PRECIOUS METALS UNDER INSURANCE!!!

You can ship precious metals (gold/silver/coins) via USPS and pay for the insurance but if it is lost they WILL NOT pay out on an insurance claim. These items MUST be shipped via registered mail to be covered under insurance.

Did NOT know this!!!! Thanks for the info!!!

 

[tcornel]

Fedex gave me the same thing when I was shipping my metal detector back for repairs. They said unless it was the original shipping box and inside of one of their boxes they would not insure it for the 600.

Seriously? If I bought and packed it in their box they would insure. In my box, no way Jose! Their box was an additional 12 or so to the costs.

Went to the post office and sent it. slightly more expensive but there is no way I will ship Fedex packages again.

 

[mugsisme]

I had to ship an expensive wig to NY a few years ago. The guy asked me what was in the box. (It was insured for $1300.) He argued with me that the wig wasn't worth that much. I was floored! Dude, I deal with this; I know what I am talking about. Just because you never heard of it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

Another time at a different location the guy there argued my "religious item" wasn't worth a hundred dollars. How does he know, if he didn't even know what it is? (He kept asking me, what is it, and I said a religious item. I finally got annoyed enough, and said, IT'S A MEZUZAH. Like he knew what a mezuzah was. He didn't. And he had the gall to tell me I was trying to rip them off.)

IMHO, sometimes they don't know what they are talking about, and maybe they just want to feel important. I personally do like Fed-Ex better than any other company. UPS has said my address doesn't exist, after years of delivering to us. Or they say the driver couldn't find our house. Or they deliver it down the block, and refuse to help us find our package. USPS, don't get me started on them. They are a hoax. Only company in the whole world that can take money for a service, and then not do the service. When you complain, they say, well, you didn't take insurance, so it's your problem. Just include insurance and jack up the price.

 

[ivan salis]

so long as its insured fully or even over insured a bit --let them know that way if its lost --oh well you clean up

 

[diggummup]

Personally, I wouldn't use fedex to begin with myself... ever. Besides their prices being to high, they have too many prohibited items they don't/won't ship or insure. Items including jewelry and precious metals and many, many vintage/antique collectible items depending on how they want to interpret (uhh-umm, clears throat) their own rules.

Here is a (long and crazy) list of prohibited items (#'s 30, 38 and 40 pertaining to this thread) Prohibited & Restricted Articles | FXF Rules Tariff - FedEx -

1. Prohibited Items
   You are prohibited from tendering the following items for shipment except for antique furniture described in NMFC Items 100240 or 100260, or pictures or paintings described in Items 100240, 100260 or 149420, the following property will not be accepted for shipment nor as premiums accompanying other articles:
   1. Money, cash, bank bills, coins, currency, paper money and negotiable instruments equivalent to cash, such as endorsed stocks, bonds, drafts and cash letters.
   2. Collectible coins and stamps.
   3. Postage stamps.
   4. All live animals and live Poultry.
   5. Live insects.
   6. Animal carcasses. (Taxidermy, animal heads and other parts for taxidermy may be accepted but must be properly packaged; however, they will not be accepted for any Intra Canada or cross border shipments.)
   7. Human corpses, human organs or body parts, human and animal embryos, or cremated or disinterred human remains
   8. Shipments or commodities that are prohibited by applicable local, state or federal law or require us to obtain a local, state or federal license for their transportation
   9. Shipments that may cause damage or delay to equipment, personnel or other shipments.
   10. Lottery tickets and gambling devices where prohibited by local, state, federal, provincial or national law.
   11. Hazardous waste, including, but not limited to, used hypodermic needles or syringes, or other medical waste.
   12. Packages that are wet or leaking.
   13. Pornographic and/or obscene material which is prohibited by law.
   14. Biological Products.
   15. Etiologic agents.
   16. Deeds.
   17. Household Waste, Industrial Garbage.
   18. Letters, with or without stamps, unless Consignor/Consignee is U.S.P.S.
   19. Liquids, in bulk, requiring special tank truck equipment.
   20. Nitrocellulose (Except UN3270).
   21. Notes.
   22. Revenue or Tax Stamps.
   23. Valuable papers of any kind.
   24. Tires that can be defined as used, defective, scrap, salvage, waste, or are otherwise other than new. Aircraft tires are expressly exempt from this prohibition and are not considered as restricted articles.
   25. Perishable foodstuffs and foods and beverages requiring refrigeration or other environmental control.
   26. Freight requiring refrigeration or protection from heat, excluding shipments protected by the Consignor.
   27. Carbon Black or fine powder particles demonstrating similar characteristics to Carbon Black.
   28. Fresh Foods: including Milk, Cream Vegetables, Fruits, and Meat.
   29. Envelopes or wrappers, government stamped, in shipments weighing 30,000 pounds or more.
   30. Articles of extraordinary value (extraordinary value is defined as items valued in excess of $50 per pound per package).
   31. Vehicles, Motorized/Self Propelled – Canada Import from US.
   32. Artwork, including any work created or developed by the application of skill, taste or creative talent for sale, display or collection. This includes, but is not limited to, items (and their parts) such as paintings, drawings, vases, tapestries, limited-edition prints, fine art, statuary, sculpture and collector’s items.
   33. Film (including moving picture films), photographic images (including photographic negatives), photographic chromes and photographic slides.
   34. Any commodity that by its inherent nature is particularly susceptible to damage or the market value of which is particularly variable or difficult to ascertain.
   35. Antiques or any commodity that exhibits the style or fashion of a past era and whose history, age or rarity contributes to its value. These items include, but are not limited to, furniture, tableware, glassware.
   36. Museum exhibits.
   37. Collector’s items such as sports cards, souvenirs and memorabilia. (Collector’s coins and stamps may not be shipped).
   38. Jewelry, including, but not limited to mounted gems or stones (precious or semiprecious), industrial diamonds, and jewelry made of precious metal.
   39. Furs and fur pelts.
   40. Precious metals, including, but not limited to, gold and silver bullion or dust, precipitates or platinum (except as an integral part of electronic machinery).
   41. Stocks, bonds, cash letters or cash equivalents, including, but not limited to, food stamps, postage stamps (not collectible), traveler’s checks, lottery tickets, money orders, gift cards and gift certificates, prepaid calling cards (excluding those that require a code for activation), bond coupons, and bearer bonds.
   42. Any commodity described in the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) as Class ‘0’. In those cases where the Carrier inadvertently picks up such commodities, the Carrier will apply rates equal to Class 300 to the shipment.
   43. Any item otherwise prohibited by federal, state or local law, rule or regulation.

Good luck actually collecting on the insurance claim from the US Postal Service if something goes wrong. Ask me how I know... You went with an option that will likely result in you losing your money if the package goes missing rather than simply tell the Fed Ex guy what was in the box ? Seriously ?

They would not have insured it anyway. Also, I filed an online claim with the USPS on Jan.7, I received my check in the mail yesterday the 15th. That's pretty good service if you ask me.

PS- There are 3rd party insurers you can use to insure your packages, just make sure you know what they do and don't insure regardless of who you use. Shipping Insurance Reviews

 

[Beachkid23]

Well so much for mailing my porno out to my younger brother... I don't use it anymore I thought he could!!!! Lol, can you imagine the guy at FedEx face. what's in there and it's my books of naked women and videos LOL. Dude there naked pictures of men would you like to check them out? Sir we need to open your box and make sure there's no toys in your box!!!! I'm sorry, that one made me laugh out loud because can you imagine the persons face if you open the box to have them look at it!!!