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Absolutely, Positively Unacceptable

Along with many of you, we've seen the video showing one of our couriers carelessly and improperly delivering a package the other day. As the leader of our pickup and delivery operations across America, I want you to know that I was upset, embarrassed, and very sorry for our customer’s poor experience. This goes directly against everything we have always taught our people and expect of them. It was just very disappointing.

However, from the customer's perspective, I am pleased to let you know that the matter has been resolved in a very positive way.  We have met with the customer face to face and they already have a  replacement monitor at no cost to them.  They have accepted our apology and say they are fully satisfied with what we've done in response to this unacceptable delivery.  They've made it clear, though, that they prefer not to be identified in any way, and in this case as always with customers, we fully respect their privacy.

I know you recognize that this absolutely does NOT represent the professionalism and dedication of the 290,000 FedEx team members worldwide. It is one person and one package. While many people are publicly speculating about what will happen to the employee, FedEx takes care to protect team members' privacy as well as our customers' privacy.  We do take this matter extremely seriously, and have initiated action in accord with our disciplinary policy, while respecting privacy concerns. Without going into detail, I can assure you that this courier is not delivering customer packages while we are going through this process.

This matter is an unfortunate exception to the outstanding service FedEx team members deliver every single day.  Our customers know and value that service. We have been doing this almost 40 years, and if we weren't doing it right, we wouldn't have gained the widespread respect we have enjoyed.  As a matter of fact, we have a very simple motto we try to live by – the Purple Promise: “I will make every FedEx experience outstanding.”  

While this delivery fell way short of those high standards, we are already using it as a learning opportunity. We’ve shared this video internally to remind everyone that every single package is important to you, our customers, and that actions like this are totally unacceptable. We are also going to build this into our training programs as a constant reminder of the importance of earning -- and keeping -- your trust with every single delivery.  We hope that you, like the customer involved in this incident, will see it as an unfortunate exception that proves the rule that our company cares for its customers.

Matthew Thornton III
Senior Vice President
US Operations
FedEx Express

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I dont understand why people are complaining about Fedex couriers not getting signatures when the shipppers are not PAYING for one. It doesnt matter if you are home or not. Getting a signature takes more time and affects productivity. The company offers a signature required service for those who need it. This employee's actions were a disgrace. Keep in mind though that he is in the public eye so everything he does is potentially monitored. How many of you would be clean if you were in the public eye all the time when you do your job. I doubt very many. He should be punished an possibly terminated but frankly its none of your business whether he is or not. If you dont feel comfortable using Fedex after this incident try another delivery service. Do you honestly think the Post Office or UPS handles their freight better than us? As for the broken tvs, they are very fragile and should be packaged with more than the packagint that they are in for purchase in a store. When you ship a package overnight it MUST be packaged very well to withstand the crush of millions of other packages, conveyor belts, chutes and shifting cargo in trucks and planes. Shippers do not package them properly so why should Fedex take the loss. Ive worked for Fedex for many years and am very proud. This incident hurts. I can honestly say though that this type of actions are not typical. Your packages are not handled with kids gloves, gently picked up and put down by everyone. There is a reasonable amount of care taken when handling each package to get it from one place to another very quickly. If you want more why not pay for extra packaging for the tvs and other fragile items which you are shipping so they will defintely arrive ok. Something tells me many of you dont want to pay for that. As much as im disgraced by this courier I am appalled by many of the posts here. Fedex has an incredible repuation, most know one employee does not represent everyones actions. If you disagree with this then im sorry for you!! Happy Holidays

This unacceptable attitude has hurt me before when I used fedex for moving my stuff in June . All my boxxes arrived crashed and torn and nobody was sorry and the claim department refuse to pay what the appresal company estamate for loss. if you are intetrested to see how boxes arrived I can e mail you the photos or upload the videos. It is typical of fedex

I find it quite humorous that all you read here is people praising FedEx when the truth of the matter is Fedex has allot of issues just as other carriers do. We have had major problems with FedEx yet the problem has never been addressed. I have provided plenty of info about it yet the people who are in the positions to fix the problems seem to not care. I have provided my contact info to the people who run this blog but seriously doubt I`ll hear from Fedex in regards to them. After all, FedEx wouldnt allow any constructive criticism on their own blog.

I think it's unfortunate what had happened, but I wish the "Fedex Motto" also included employees also! I'm glad the customer accepted Fedex's apology.

In a way, I am happy that this incident occurred. Perhaps the company will improve it's customer service. A comment by Candy yesterday echoes my sentiments exactly. I have had packages dropped off with only a ring of the doorbell. Thankfully, someone was home each time. I have had a few boxes not arrive in the best of shape, so I tend not to trust FedEx or UPS with fragile items. One FedEx incident that sticks in my craw involved a package that had an expensive motorcycle plastic fairing in it. The box arrived with obvious signs that it had been partially crushed, despite fragile stickers all over it. The CBR1100XX plastic fairing, which was custom painted and cost nearly a thousand dollars, was broken in three places. Although the package was insured, I never received compensation. The vendor referred me to FedEx for the claim and FedEx stated I would have to pursue the matter with the vendor because they determined that the item was not packed properly (an arbitrary decision to evade responsibility, in my view).

Dear Candy, When a package ships with no signature required, it can be dropped off at the front door. Ringing the doorbell is a courtesy to make you aware the package is there. There are a couple of options that could help you address your concerns regarding the potential for stolen packages. The first, is "Signature Required", and includes options requiring your signature, the signature of anyone in your home, or the signature of a neighbor. Another option is Hold at Location. You can select a FedEx Office location in your vicinity and be notified when the package is available for pickup at that location. Again, this would be with Signature Required. I hope this will help to address your concerns in the future.

What makes me mad when I watch that video is that I have been out of work for quite a while and I would change places with that guy in a heartbeat. Nothing gets to me more than poor customer service. FedEx you are far from alone on this. Especially now that I am unemployed (laid off teacher) I notice how some companies tolerate poor customer service, both on the phone and in person. I don't understand how people can deliberately do such a lousy job and why their managers put up with it. FedEx, if you really want to make a difference in my eyes, call me for an interview. I spent several years as a logistic coordinator for a regional wholesaler, have a bachelor’s degree and most recently was an elementary school teacher.

No the delivery man isn't working with customers any more, but that doesn't mean he isn't throwing packages around a warehouse somewhere. Most of us would be fired for doing something like that. Fed Ex, you are hurting your other employees by keeping one who does such public relations damage to your company.

Where is Fred Smith on this problem?

I agree that this incindent doesn't reflect the treatment and service I get from FedEx. However,a better video would of been FedEX security throwing the driver over the fence.

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