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Old 20 August 2019, 03:34 PM   #1
mrs_LA
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FedEx asking what I'm shipping

Seems like every branch of FedEx I've been to is asking me what I'm shipping. I have three branches in close proximity that I drop off packages. I've consecutively been asked "What are we shipping today?" at three different locations in each visit.

Is there new protocol for FedEx now? What do you usually say?

My husband dropped off a package for me today, and he told the lady "don't know, my wife must have sold something off of eBay..." without further questions.
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Old 20 August 2019, 03:51 PM   #2
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Old 20 August 2019, 10:27 PM   #3
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It was the same when I dropped a package off at FedEx a few months ago.

The old “I don’t know, my wife/husband asked me to drop it off” is a good solution.
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Old 20 August 2019, 10:33 PM   #4
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They are just doing their job. Some things can't be shipped. I tried to buy some shaving stuff from the US and was told they won't ship it to Asia because it contains alcohol.

I usually just lie if I ship something that is harmless like cologne, but I don't fault them for doing their job correctly.
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Old 20 August 2019, 10:42 PM   #5
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I went through this when shipping to DavidSW, he suggested if they ask tell them it is a computer part. They may possibly handle with more care knowing it is a delicate electronic part, they would not be interested in stealing an incomplete item they do not have knowledge about, I thought it was a pretty creative solution.
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Old 20 August 2019, 10:43 PM   #6
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Isn't asking whats in the box, normal due diligence to avoid shipping banned items?
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Old 20 August 2019, 11:03 PM   #7
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Old 20 August 2019, 11:04 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mrs_LA View Post
Seems like every branch of FedEx I've been to is asking me what I'm shipping. I have three branches in close proximity that I drop off packages. I've consecutively been asked "What are we shipping today?" at three different locations in each visit.

Is there new protocol for FedEx now? What do you usually say?

My husband dropped off a package for me today, and he told the lady "don't know, my wife must have sold something off of eBay..." without further questions.
tell them nothing on the banned item list, beyond that no need to encourage theft
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Old 20 August 2019, 11:16 PM   #9
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Old 21 August 2019, 01:18 AM   #10
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Machine parts.
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Old 21 August 2019, 02:50 AM   #11
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I say a darkroom timer.
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Old 21 August 2019, 03:09 AM   #12
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Old 21 August 2019, 03:48 AM   #13
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Non-prosecutorial Agreement which UPS and FedEx etc all signed around 2013(?) are now being more heavily enforced.

It primarily stems from states suing pharma , tobacco, liquor companies for state to state tax avoidance, and illegal drugs capture. The shipping co's don't want to be caught in the middle of the legal.

Its now become a standard upsell probing question to remind shippers that the min insurance won't cover total losses, and verbally asking supports the signature on the document nobody reads, or can read.

Its clearly explained on the interwebs.
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Old 21 August 2019, 04:10 AM   #14
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I do ship and receive wine weekly, it's illegal and it's part of the reason they ask, I have become a manufacturer of gourmet "fish-sauce" which answers the question of the liquid noise bottles make and keeps them from wanting to peak inside strangely enough...
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Old 21 August 2019, 05:09 AM   #15
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Tell them it's a camera.
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Old 21 August 2019, 07:40 AM   #16
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Interesting. Ship with FedEx 1-2 times a week and have never been asked anything other than what value I want to insure it for.
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Old 21 August 2019, 08:28 AM   #17
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Old 21 August 2019, 04:23 PM   #18
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Car part.......I don't trust carriers. I don't normally get asked but always am suspicious when they do ask.

If you are honest with them about what's in the box and then think something might not happen to your $20k watch that you are shipping (especially when Fedex only is liable for $1k max), you are crazy. I've seen plenty of stories before. Pretty sure a lot of people in need might be willing to risk a criminal charge for a $20k windfall, too.
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Old 21 August 2019, 09:48 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by greggsiam View Post
They are just doing their job. Some things can't be shipped. I tried to buy some shaving stuff from the US and was told they won't ship it to Asia because it contains alcohol.

I usually just lie if I ship something that is harmless like cologne, but I don't fault them for doing their job correctly.
I work in Logistics specifically airfreight. Cologne is a flammable liquid. Don’t lie about Dangerous Goods. Undeclared dangerous goods can result in a fine for yourself or possible prison time. With also your package will be offloaded and told for you to come pick it up.

If you are really worried about what’s in your package just say “consolidated”.
No more questions will be asked.
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Old 21 August 2019, 10:07 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tyler1980 View Post
tell them nothing on the banned item list, beyond that no need to encourage theft
This ^^^

I took a watch to FedEx with a prefixed waybill from a TS here, and the agent insisted on knowing the package contents. The waybill said “precision instrument” (I believe), but that wasn’t good enough and they wanted me to fill out another form. He asked my point blank if it was a watch, and I felt pretty uncomfortable.

What further complicated the matter for me was customs and my worry that the package might potentially inspected.

In the end it just wasn’t worth the hassle.
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Old 21 August 2019, 10:07 PM   #21
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Originally Posted by kearez View Post
I work in Logistics specifically airfreight. Cologne is a flammable liquid. Don’t lie about Dangerous Goods. Undeclared dangerous goods can result in a fine for yourself or possible prison time. With also your package will be offloaded and told for you to come pick it up.

If you are really worried about what’s in your package just say “consolidated”.
No more questions will be asked.
What do people in your industry mean when they use the term "consolidated"?
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Old 21 August 2019, 10:21 PM   #22
kearez
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What do people in your industry mean when they use the term "consolidated"?
Just means it’s a mix of items. There will be no need to ask further questions.
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Old 21 August 2019, 10:28 PM   #23
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Old 22 August 2019, 02:14 AM   #24
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FedEx asking what I'm shipping

Quote:
Originally Posted by Qinhan View Post
What do people in your industry mean when they use the term "consolidated"?

In the strict construct it means multiple boxes/items packaged into one single box. When used in freight it means multiple items bound on a pallet or larger container.

In retail shipping it is not relevant. It doesn’t mean FEDEX will relent in their curiosity of the actual contents.

If I heard such an answer it would raise new concerns about the shippers integrity.

Suggest you describe it just the way you’d have to describe it if it went missing. If it’s a Rolex you don’t need to say Rolex - but saying “watch” insures you don’t have an issue if filing a claim later.


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Old 22 August 2019, 02:39 AM   #25
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The only time I was asked, I told FedEx that it was crystal whisky glasses.
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Old 22 August 2019, 01:42 PM   #26
mrs_LA
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Thanks for all your replies. I do know it's just part of their job, but I wonder if something had happened prior, as I was never asked this. They've started enforcing employees to ask the question perhaps?

Quote:
Originally Posted by brandrea View Post
I took a watch to FedEx with a prefixed waybill from a TS here, and the agent insisted on knowing the package contents. The waybill said “precision instrument” (I believe), but that wasn’t good enough and they wanted me to fill out another form. He asked my point blank if it was a watch, and I felt pretty uncomfortable.

What further complicated the matter for me was customs and my worry that the package might potentially inspected.

In the end it just wasn’t worth the hassle.
Hopefully the watch arrived to your TS safely.

Yep, I once went through this, and although I SHOULD have dropped it off at a retail location, I decided to go to a mom and pop shop that sent these international packages to avoid being questioned like you were. I heard that boxes sent internationally will always be opened and repacked. DHL even has packing tape that says the package has been opened and re-inspected.
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Old 23 August 2019, 01:46 AM   #27
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Fedex has always asked, but its more common now and they have mandated the employees at the front desk to ask due to the fedex bombings last year.

If you dont tell them, they will refuse the package. You have to tell them the truth...or lie and risk your insurance being voided.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_serial_bombings
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Old 23 August 2019, 01:56 AM   #28
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Fedex has always asked, but its more common now and they have mandated the employees at the front desk to ask due to the fedex bombings last year.

If you dont tell them, they will refuse the package. You have to tell them the truth...or lie and risk your insurance being voided.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_serial_bombings
its inconsistent then as ive never been asked.... if you have a prepaid label you can schedule a home pickup and the driver for sure isn't asking

I assume its more common when you go in and conduct a transaction vs a drop-off as that may be the difference in experiences

international shipments might also be a different thing entirely as you have to declare specifically what it is anyway
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Old 23 August 2019, 02:09 AM   #29
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I always tell them it is the "COLOSSUS".
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