OT: FedEx Ground strikes again, 914 parts delivered to someone else - again! Options

[arne]

I don't know how it is other places, but for me, the "deliver with no issues" rate for FedEx Ground service is maybe 65%. I've had packages misrouted, packages that sit for as much as 48 hours in a distribution center somewhere along the way, and packages that the route driver "delivers" somewhere else.

The last is the worst, because then I have to contact FedEx to have them contact the driver to figure out whose front door he left it by. FedEx initiates the contact with the driver (who is not a FedEx employee, but an independent contractor), but he has 2 days (?) to respond. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif)

To those of you who are vendors and ship via FedEx Ground, why? Are they that much cheaper than UPS? Trust me, I would pay a couple bucks extra to not have to deal with FedEx Ground.

OK, rant over...

[daytona]

We ship everyday and almost exclusively with FedEx ground and air, as well as FedEx freight.
We have no issues with the local route workers and for the most part we receive good service from FedEx when shipping and receiving. However, in coming freight from overseas is another issue. When they screw up they will not admit it. They lie, miss inform, and have a bad attitude.
Right now we are fighting with FedEx about a pallet that they picked up in Italy on the 8th (13 days ago) and still not here. According to their website the product cleared customs last Tuesday, and it is still sitting at the same terminal. To top it off they will not commit to when it will be delivered.
I have no issues with the local workers, it is the corporate attitude and those that work the phones that irritate me to no end. They just lie. I do not trust the company. Unfortunately for the commodity that we ship, FedEx is the best solution...for now.
The moment we figure a different way to ship they are history.