O/T RANT.........

[pettyfan43]

I sent a package to a member of this board, and it was going to a friend of his, It made it to the board member FINE on UPS.

He Fed Exed it to its final destination, and that bunch of morons busted it up pretty bad apparently. It was a model of the guy's car and it was pretty nice, not perfect but pretty nice! And apparently the box looks like they walked around on it.

The board MEMBER is DEFINITELY NOT at fault! Apparently Fed Ex has hired Jim @#$%^ Carrey to do its deliveries!

I'm building the board member a model of his Charger, which is involving a LOT of work to get RIGHT. Now I am very concerned about how this thing will get to the new owner without ending up like this poor Challenger!!!

MAN I DON'T do stupid well and this was ABSOLUTE stupidity!!! This thing was packed like it was going off to war!  NO DAMN WAY they could have done damage like that without knowing, and then to just deliver it like everything was just fine!   

These idiots STILL managed to tear it all to pieces..  I wish the idiot who broke the thing KNEW WHOSE car he broke, he's have probably taken better care of it!

OK Rant mode off, I will NEVER  EVER EVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE send ANYTHING through FEDEX again!!! MORONS!   

[69bronzeT5]

That sucks man! Its a shame, you build reallllyyy nice models too? Got any pictures of it before and if the board member is here, any after pics?

[pettyfan43]

That sucks man! Its a shame, you build reallllyyy nice models too? Got any pictures of it before and if the board member is here, any after pics?

Well I have before pics, but the car was going to someone kinda famous and I am not one to brag about things like that. It can put the board member in an awkward position, if people start driving him nuts about it.

I just had to vent about it is all! Hopefully I can get pics of it and maybe help the guy get it back together OR paint some new parts and send them to get the car back together, OR maybe get him to UPS it back to me and see what I can do. I Just really hate it happened cause the guy was REALLY excited about the car and was REALLY looking forward to getting it.   

And THANK YOU for the compliment!! I DEEPLY appreciate that.

[69bronzeT5]

And THANK YOU for the compliment!! I DEEPLY appreciate that.

No prob man! I wish my models were as nice as yours

[Daytona R/T SE]

Fed Ex SUCKS!

I had two boxes of parts sent to the house-ebay purchases, kinda heavy-maybe 40 lbs each. It was snowing the day they arrived, there was a set of tire marks in the snow, but NO FOOT PRINTS, they had actually backed the truck halfway up my driveway and KICKED the boxes out  in the snow about 15 feet from the house.

[69bronzeT5]

It was snowing the day they arrived, there was a set of tire marks in the snow, but NO FOOT PRINTS, they had actually backed the truck halfway up my driveway and KICKED the boxes out  in the snow about 15 feet from the house.

There was a thread on Moparts. Somebody ordered brand new chrome trim for their Mopar. They came home to find the Fed EX box with the trim inside sitting on the porch really beat up. He took the trim out to find the trim really beat up. One was even bent in half!

[Forza]

Yeah I've seen that kind of crap happen alot. Couple months ago I was waiting for a package and seen the Fed-Ex truck pull up. I waited at the door and what's the bastard do? As I'm at the door he steps out of the truck and kicks the package 10-15 feet and turns around to get back in the truck. He was wrong, needless to say I doubt he will do it again. At least not at my house.

[Old Moparz]

Having worked in the packing & shipping industry, I have seen first hand what happens to packages at times & it's ashame. If a box is small enough, & light enough to be tossed through the air, guess what? It will be tossed through the air. A close friend of mine used to work for UPS & he said some of the guys sorting & loading packages didn't care, & sometimes damaged packages intentionally. If someone was chewed out by a manager, or pissed off about something that UPS did, a package marked fragile would be dropped, & then suddenly they announced "Ooops, that'll cost UPS a few buck." Their idea of getting even.

It also doesn't really matter which company is used, because damages will happen just about anywhere. (Although I am sure some are worse than others.) I've read here, & on other forums, negative comments on "all" shipping companies including Fed/Ex, UPS, DHL, USPS, & others, including the truck freight companies. The best way to protect something is to overpack the item. Yeah, it will be more expensive to wrap & ship, but depending on what is being shipped it might be worth the extra cost. I know damn well that people rarely get compensated for damages without putting up a big fight to prove it.

If the item is something that isn't rare & irreplaceable, or not very fragile, then over packing doesn't make sense. If the item is a hard to find part, or very fragile like a car model with many hours of work into it, then over packing it is the best way. One thing I do see often with things I receive, is improper packing. I don't mean a flimsy box, I mean how the item rests in the box. Certain things can be wrapped in cardboard or bubble wrap & be well protected, but other things, like a plastic model, or a grille for a car, must be "floated" inside the package. It can't be wrapped tight or held in place firmly, & must have "some" movement to prevent it's own weight from destroying it.

I know damn well I'm not perfect, but I do know how to prevent damages by the knuckle dragging Neanderthals in the shipping industry. I can brag about being able to pack "anything" & have it arrive undamaged. I worked in my family's business years ago wrapping, packaging, & crating antiques & artwork, & NEVER had anything that I worked on get damaged, even what was inside a wooden crate that fell off a forklift while being loaded onto a truck.

Something I can recommend on the next car model you ship, is to wrap the finished model in some protective paper or material that won't ruin the paint. I used to use a paper-like material that was a cross between wax paper & tissue paper, for things with delicate finishes. Probably not easy to find, so maybe the tissue paper in a gift box will work. Then it can be wrapped in bubble wrap, but not tightly where the wrap is stretched, just tight enough to seal it in.

Get a box large enough to leave a minimum of 5 to 6 inches completely around the car & place Styrofoam pellets in the bottom. Set the wrapped model on the pellets, then fill around & on top to fill the entire box. Make sure it isn't packed tight, but just enough to keep it in the center of the box. It it needs "some" room to move so it can absorb the shock of being "accidentally dropped" on the ground. Here's the overkill part. Get a larger box & one that is made from sturdy cardboard, not the same cardboard you get from "Made in China" stuff. You will be putting the smaller box with the car inside the larger one. Again, make sure you have several inches around all sides & do the same with the pellets.

One last thing I do, depending on the weight, is to seal the box with plastic packing tape. You can even use the stronger "filament" filled tape that has unbreakable nylon threads in it. I loop the tape around the entire box to keep it from splitting open. The seams of the box are vulnerable to tear, so make sure they are sealed. Delivery people may even grab a box at the seam to use as a handle, & this will gradually weaken the closure or open the package. If the item has a chance of getting ruined from water, I wrap the entire box with packing tape to seal it completely. It also gives the shipping stickers a good, smooth, clean surface to stick to.

Sorry to be so long winded, but I know how frustrating it is to get a package that is obviously trampled.

[moparstuart]

 remember the old samsonite suitcase commercial with the gorilla and the suitcase, thats our UPS loading dock here !   

[NYCMille]

Heys Guys -

This is a REALLY crappy situation to be in because the model was simply AMAZING - I should know because I sent it out to it's final destination. The model was, as Chris said, packed like it was in a vault and even the outside packaging was marked with FRAGILE on all sides. I've complained to fedex and filed a complaint about it as I sent it out from work as I have done loads of times and they simply said that if I didn't take out insurance on the box that there was nothing they could do... they basically said to GF myself. It was totally my fault about not putting the proper insurance on it and it will be a mistake I will not do again.

As for overpacking the item - honestly it was. I was packed in the orginal box that it was shipped to me in and them put in a box twice that size with peanuts around it to ensure it would arrive safely. I was told that it looked as though someone had either stepped on or sat on the box. I just don't understand the incompetance of fedex and that they take absolutely no responsibilty for it.

I apologize to Chris for this as I can't even imagine the amount of time and skill it takes to construct these cars.

Mike

[69bronzeT5]

I can't even imagine the amount of time and skill it takes to construct these cars.

Mike

It takes me 2-3 months to make a decent model Charger...I cant imagine how long it takes him......


Btw Chris, you got a PM

[RECHRGD]

Dang!  I don't like hearing stuff like that.  My new aluminum heads are in route from Vermont to Washington state via FedEx.  I know they're not considered fragile, but if they were to be dropped or just kicked out of the back of the truck, who knows what could happen.  It's supposed to be snowing on the arrival date.    Bob

[Old Moparz]

Heys Guys -

This is a REALLY crappy situation to be in because the model was simply AMAZING - I should know because I sent it out to it's final destination. The model was, as Chris said, packed like it was in a vault and even the outside packaging was marked with FRAGILE on all sides. I've complained to fedex and filed a complaint about it as I sent it out from work as I have done loads of times and they simply said that if I didn't take out insurance on the box that there was nothing they could do... they basically said to GF myself. It was totally my fault about not putting the proper insurance on it and it will be a mistake I will not do again.

As for overpacking the item - honestly it was. I was packed in the orginal box that it was shipped to me in and them put in a box twice that size with peanuts around it to ensure it would arrive safely. I was told that it looked as though someone had either stepped on or sat on the box. I just don't understand the incompetance of fedex and that they take absolutely no responsibilty for it.

I apologize to Chris for this as I can't even imagine the amount of time and skill it takes to construct these cars.

Mike

That really sucks. 

One last resort to make sure it isn't damaged, is to make a wooden crate. Yeah, I know it sounds like a pathetic overkill, but I sold a bunch of NOS trim & lenses for a '70 GTX a few years ago for $1700 & decided I didn't want anything to happen to it. None of it was avaialble repro & I assured the guy it would arrive safely. I think the one box was about 18 inches square & weighed less than 15 pounds, & the second box for the wheel lip trim was larger & about 35 pounds.

You can make a small wooden crate from scrap wood almost free & the shipping wouldn't be much higher at all.

[terrible one]

Reminds me of when my cousin sent me some pictures in an envelope that said "PICTURES! PLEASE DO NOT BEND!" It arrived having being intentionally folded up 4 different ways, needless to say ruining the pictures. This was USPS. Dicks. 

[pettyfan43]

Heys Guys -

This is a REALLY crappy situation to be in because the model was simply AMAZING - I should know because I sent it out to it's final destination. The model was, as Chris said, packed like it was in a vault and even the outside packaging was marked with FRAGILE on all sides. I've complained to fedex and filed a complaint about it as I sent it out from work as I have done loads of times and they simply said that if I didn't take out insurance on the box that there was nothing they could do... they basically said to GF myself. It was totally my fault about not putting the proper insurance on it and it will be a mistake I will not do again.

As for overpacking the item - honestly it was. I was packed in the orginal box that it was shipped to me in and them put in a box twice that size with peanuts around it to ensure it would arrive safely. I was told that it looked as though someone had either stepped on or sat on the box. I just don't understand the incompetance of fedex and that they take absolutely no responsibilty for it.

I apologize to Chris for this as I can't even imagine the amount of time and skill it takes to construct these cars.

Mike

Hey dude, You didn't do it, it was the untrained gorillas!  You don't owe me a THING!!

[pettyfan43]

Having worked in the packing & shipping industry, I have seen first hand what happens to packages at times & it's ashame. If a box is small enough, & light enough to be tossed through the air, guess what? It will be tossed through the air. A close friend of mine used to work for UPS & he said some of the guys sorting & loading packages didn't care, & sometimes damaged packages intentionally. If someone was chewed out by a manager, or pissed off about something that UPS did, a package marked fragile would be dropped, & then suddenly they announced "Ooops, that'll cost UPS a few buck." Their idea of getting even.

It also doesn't really matter which company is used, because damages will happen just about anywhere. (Although I am sure some are worse than others.) I've read here, & on other forums, negative comments on "all" shipping companies including Fed/Ex, UPS, DHL, USPS, & others, including the truck freight companies. The best way to protect something is to overpack the item. Yeah, it will be more expensive to wrap & ship, but depending on what is being shipped it might be worth the extra cost. I know damn well that people rarely get compensated for damages without putting up a big fight to prove it.

If the item is something that isn't rare & irreplaceable, or not very fragile, then over packing doesn't make sense. If the item is a hard to find part, or very fragile like a car model with many hours of work into it, then over packing it is the best way. One thing I do see often with things I receive, is improper packing. I don't mean a flimsy box, I mean how the item rests in the box. Certain things can be wrapped in cardboard or bubble wrap & be well protected, but other things, like a plastic model, or a grille for a car, must be "floated" inside the package. It can't be wrapped tight or held in place firmly, & must have "some" movement to prevent it's own weight from destroying it.

I know damn well I'm not perfect, but I do know how to prevent damages by the knuckle dragging Neanderthals in the shipping industry. I can brag about being able to pack "anything" & have it arrive undamaged. I worked in my family's business years ago wrapping, packaging, & crating antiques & artwork, & NEVER had anything that I worked on get damaged, even what was inside a wooden crate that fell off a forklift while being loaded onto a truck.

Something I can recommend on the next car model you ship, is to wrap the finished model in some protective paper or material that won't ruin the paint. I used to use a paper-like material that was a cross between wax paper & tissue paper, for things with delicate finishes. Probably not easy to find, so maybe the tissue paper in a gift box will work. Then it can be wrapped in bubble wrap, but not tightly where the wrap is stretched, just tight enough to seal it in.

Get a box large enough to leave a minimum of 5 to 6 inches completely around the car & place Styrofoam pellets in the bottom. Set the wrapped model on the pellets, then fill around & on top to fill the entire box. Make sure it isn't packed tight, but just enough to keep it in the center of the box. It it needs "some" room to move so it can absorb the shock of being "accidentally dropped" on the ground. Here's the overkill part. Get a larger box & one that is made from sturdy cardboard, not the same cardboard you get from "Made in China" stuff. You will be putting the smaller box with the car inside the larger one. Again, make sure you have several inches around all sides & do the same with the pellets.

One last thing I do, depending on the weight, is to seal the box with plastic packing tape. You can even use the stronger "filament" filled tape that has unbreakable nylon threads in it. I loop the tape around the entire box to keep it from splitting open. The seams of the box are vulnerable to tear, so make sure they are sealed. Delivery people may even grab a box at the seam to use as a handle, & this will gradually weaken the closure or open the package. If the item has a chance of getting ruined from water, I wrap the entire box with packing tape to seal it completely. It also gives the shipping stickers a good, smooth, clean surface to stick to.

Sorry to be so long winded, but I know how frustrating it is to get a package that is obviously trampled.

Mike can tell you, You pretty much just described the way I packed the thing!!!!!!!!!!

[Steve P.]

Reminds me of when my cousin sent me some pictures in an envelope that said "PICTURES! PLEASE DO NOT BEND!" It arrived having being intentionally folded up 4 different ways, needless to say ruining the pictures. This was USPS. Dicks. 

Jackson, you saw how I pack things...  Those air bubble packs work wonders..

I think all shippers should have alarmed packages planted in their care. For every alarm that goes off they should lose. Money, more money then their job.

Our regular postman is great. No problems with him ever. He is off Saturdays. The woman that does this route in his place is a thief. Could not care any less about anyones mail or who's box she DOES OR DOES NOT put it in.  She still has a job...

[moparstuart]

Heys Guys -

This is a REALLY crappy situation to be in because the model was simply AMAZING - I should know because I sent it out to it's final destination. The model was, as Chris said, packed like it was in a vault and even the outside packaging was marked with FRAGILE on all sides. I've complained to fedex and filed a complaint about it as I sent it out from work as I have done loads of times and they simply said that if I didn't take out insurance on the box that there was nothing they could do... they basically said to GF myself. It was totally my fault about not putting the proper insurance on it and it will be a mistake I will not do again.

As for overpacking the item - honestly it was. I was packed in the orginal box that it was shipped to me in and them put in a box twice that size with peanuts around it to ensure it would arrive safely. I was told that it looked as though someone had either stepped on or sat on the box. I just don't understand the incompetance of fedex and that they take absolutely no responsibilty for it.

I apologize to Chris for this as I can't even imagine the amount of time and skill it takes to construct these cars.

Mike

here when you mark it fagile It's just asking for them the treat it badly 

[Forza]

I remember a few years ago when my sister was in Korea she asked us to send over her CD's, leather Air Force jacket, and some other things and we insured the box for like 500$. There was alot of stuff in the box and I think the jacket was probably the most valuable one. We packed it up and sent it off. About a month later she calls us and says thanks for sending some of the CD's but where's the rest of them.

We thought she was joking but one of the assholes actually took the time to open the box and sift through all the CD's for the ones they wanted. They stole her jacket & jewelry and home photo's and then repackaged what was left into a smaller box. The thing that really sucks is we had the box stamped U.S.A.F because it was supposed to be sent via the military. Never ceases to amaze me how greedy and untrustworthy the average person is.

The real kicker came when we went to make a claim on it and they postmaster said he couldn't do anything because he couldn't be sure if the claim was true. I guess we were supposed to take pictures of the box when we sent it or some other stupid shit.

[69bronzeT5]

We thought she was joking but one of the assholes actually took the time to open the box and sift through all the CD's for the ones they wanted. They stole her jacket & jewelry and home photo's and then repackaged what was left into a smaller box. The thing that really sucks is we had the box stamped U.S.A.F because it was supposed to be sent via the military. Never ceases to amaze me how greedy and untrustworthy the average person is.

What company shipped it?

[Forza]

I believe it was UPS, can't be for sure because it was at least 10 years ago. Wouldn't surprise me if it was Fed-X

[69bronzeT5]

 . Well 2 of my models, I got them from the UPS throw out bin. I used to live down the road from a UPS place (when I lived in Vancouver) and I found a 69 Superbee and a General Lee model....the boxs were really beat up

[justin1987]

FedEx has the most incompetent drivers in the world. I've probably gotten five things via FedEx over the past year and EVERY single time it is a new adventure. Either they have the wrong address, they deliver it to the wrong house, or they forget to deliver it because they didn't see it on the truck. I don't know how many times I've had to drive around the neighborhood looking for my box. The sad thing is my house's address is clearly marked. I guess some people can't read. 

I love UPS. I've never had a complaint with them. We've gotten so much stuff for the Charger over the past year that the UPS guy and my entire family are on a first name basis. 

[pettyfan43]

I found out just after this happened, Fed Ex isn't used where I work EXCEPT as an absolute LAST RESORT!  As in a Customer insists on using them when they have a shipper number account. Seems that a couple years ago, the Fed Ex guy that delivered there and the UPS guy that delivered there got into a fight!

The UPS guy was parked and unloading and the Fed X guy shows up and got mad because the UPS guy wasn't moving fast enough. He started an argument and it got ugly. Fed Ex was informed they wouldn't be used by us anymore!

There is a 15 dollar charge for Fed X to pick up at our place. We just don't use em.

[1969chargerrtse]

So check this out. I'm at the Mall yesterday ( I fix elevators and escalators)    and there is the UPS and Fed X guy talking, ( I know the UPS guy), so I come over and go well,  Look what we have here, the two competitions talking with each other.    The fed X guy makes some smart remark ( joking)  so I go, Well if your gonna break my chops let me tell you what I read about you guys and I tell him the story about the snow and no feet tracks and the box thrown way over there.  Of course he tells me the guy should be glad it even made it there as they don't have to walk in snow and the driveway should of been shoveled, on and on we went.    I park my truck next to both of their's and when I was leaving, ( not making this up)  the UPS guy had 3 large carts outside his truck and  a step stool.  He was walking up and down the stool and stacking the box's neatly on the carts.   The fed x guy was in the truck and throwing the box's out that back door into a huge pile on the mall lot,    never even came off the truck once until time to restack on the Dolly.  I was able to walk over to the UPS guy ( because the Fed X guy was deep in the truck throwing things)  and say, See!      Pm'd 69500 this morning, he's sending me some parts, he said he's gonna call Fed X or UPS, I wrote back, use UPS!