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Amazon Blocks Sellers from Using FedEx Ground for Prime Shipments

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Re: Amazon Blocks Sellers from Using FedEx Ground for Prime Shipments

#41
post #35

Funny thing, though. If it were possible, I'd have Amazon block their own shipping service, for the same reasons. I've asked, and it isn't permitted. In my area, USPS/UPS have been rock solid, but ever since they largely switched to their internal FBA, I've had late packages at least monthly. It's clear they're buckling under the Christmas load, too. I've had over a dozen items delayed thus far.

I've had some utterly ridiculous situations, like having an CCTV capture a package being delivered, the driver taking a picture of the delivered package for tracking, and then the driver leaving with it. I've also had them deliver packages to the wrong apartment numerous times, taking pictures of floor mats that don't even exist within a mile of me.

Yeah it's pretty clear the pictures is so Amazon can shrug when you say something wasn't delivered. Like it's smart of them as I'm sure package theft costs them a boatload of money.

But boy do their delivery people suck. The number of times they've called me asking where I live... that's their job to figure out, not mine.

Kinda laughed the other day as my amazon delivery person was also delivering postmates at the same time. No wonder they're not hitting their deadlines.

Re: Amazon Blocks Sellers from Using FedEx Ground for Prime Shipments

#42
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> No one blames FedEx for their late package these days, they blame Amazon. As they should. FedEx's customer in this instance is Amazon, not the receiver of the package (who is a customer of Amazon, and Amazon alone). If anyone has the clout these days to hurt FedEx economically if they don't improve, it's Amazon. Amazon should be pushing FedEx (and their other shippers) to be more accountable for late, damaged, and…

We (my employer, Refund Retriever) has caught them just outright lying about deliveries before. https://www.refundretriever.com/blog/FedEx-Tracking-Error

I've had plenty of flat-out lies from Amazon delivery before (e.g. they claim delivery attempted at HH:MM PM, while I was in the living room five feet from the door, and yet somehow I must have "missed" their knock), FedEx and UPS alike, although I've never been able to prove it. With the proliferation of people with Ring video doorbells, however, I am surprised that someone does not send footage.

"Oh, you tried to deliver at 3:13 PM? Well gee, my front door camera sure doesn't seem to show anyone approaching my door at that time!"

But again, you're already dealing with people that will lie to your face, so I can't imagine why video proof would compel them to change their strategy.

Re: Amazon Blocks Sellers from Using FedEx Ground for Prime Shipments

#43
post #30

Funny thing, though. If it were possible, I'd have Amazon block their own shipping service, for the same reasons. I've asked, and it isn't permitted. In my area, USPS/UPS have been rock solid, but ever since they largely switched to their internal FBA, I've had late packages at least monthly. It's clear they're buckling under the Christmas load, too. I've had over a dozen items delayed thus far.

At my address, UPS usually ring the doorbell; FBA never does. Given proximity to a major street and risk of theft, it's nice to know to bring packages inside when I'm working from home.

Sounds like more customer buy-in or system capability would save Amazon a few seconds and packages stolen.

Possible process: FBA driver scans box and carelessly tosses box towards front door.

Ring or Amazon app push a notification that the package has been delivered, saving about 20 steps for the driver.

Customer (hopefully) lets the package sit fewer minutes reducing the risk of theft.

Amazon pushes notifications from their app, but I much prefer not having their app on my phone.

Re: Amazon Blocks Sellers from Using FedEx Ground for Prime Shipments

#45
I worked for Fedex ground for a while and I can't blame Amazon for this decision. Fedex contracts their ground delivery out and the quality of service is greatly affected by that. Some areas are great and some are awful. My experience was working under an awful contractor who was near abusive in his work requirements. If anyone has any questions I'm open to answer.

Re: Amazon Blocks Sellers from Using FedEx Ground for Prime Shipments

#46
post #9
post #6

It’s to the point where I can’t blame Amazon for actions like these. The consumer has come to expect guaranteed overnight or 2 day shipping. When they don’t get that, they get really upset. Amazon doesn’t want its customers to get upset, and it can’t trust its shipping partners because they don’t have the burden of the consumer sentiment. No one blames FedEx for their late package these days, they blame Amazon. Heck,…

>>I can’t blame Amazon for actions like these. >>The consumer has come to expect guaranteed overnight or 2 day shipping Amazon created that expectation.

True, but UPS/USPS/Fedex all helped to enable that expectation. It pains me (almost physically) to give the benefit of the doubt to Amazon, but if the carriers couldn't reasonably fulfill the 2-day delivery expectation the way Amazon wanted, they wouldn't have attempted it, and the expectation wouldn't be set.

Re: Amazon Blocks Sellers from Using FedEx Ground for Prime Shipments

#47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Amazon should be pushing FedEx (and their other shippers) to be more accountable for late, damaged, and lost packages. sounds like, they are - by taking a LOT of business from them.

Fedex mentions this is not a material amount of business. How Amazon operates it's last mile logistical network is unsustainable. These people will eventually churn out of the open air sweatshop that is delivering last mile for Amazon (Fedex's requirements are much less onerous on the ground/home delivery side, based on my conversations with both Amazon delivery drivers and Fedex ground and home delivery drivers). Ve…

After running the numbers from Amazon's presentation on starting your own delivery company, I came away thinking its a nice JOB. In order for it to be a good profitable business that allows you a life of leisure, you end up having to manage around 400 drivers and 200 trucks, and I'm not sure if that is possible to scale that high with their model.

Re: Amazon Blocks Sellers from Using FedEx Ground for Prime Shipments

#48
post #9
post #6

It’s to the point where I can’t blame Amazon for actions like these. The consumer has come to expect guaranteed overnight or 2 day shipping. When they don’t get that, they get really upset. Amazon doesn’t want its customers to get upset, and it can’t trust its shipping partners because they don’t have the burden of the consumer sentiment. No one blames FedEx for their late package these days, they blame Amazon. Heck,…

>>I can’t blame Amazon for actions like these. >>The consumer has come to expect guaranteed overnight or 2 day shipping Amazon created that expectation.

Yes Amazon has upped the game and everyone has to match them. You seem to think it's a bad thing?

Re: Amazon Blocks Sellers from Using FedEx Ground for Prime Shipments

#49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Fedex is the absolute worst. They're never on time and I can't even go to a Fedex location to pick up my own fedex packages. They more or less simply get returned to sender if they require any kind of signature. I'm glad Amazon is finally putting a stop to it.

> Fedex is the absolute worst. Here in Canada we have Purolator - the gov't (Canada Post) subsidiary that is a FedEx competitor. Their systems are ancient, their entire operation is pathetically slow and inefficient. E.g. a recent undelivered shipment that was to arrive last Friday still had the 'expected delivery date' unchanged two days later. When it finally changed it also noted that the package hadn't even left…

Purolator? Wow - even the name is unbelievably bad - what imagery were they trying to invoke?

Re: Amazon Blocks Sellers from Using FedEx Ground for Prime Shipments

#50
post #6

It’s to the point where I can’t blame Amazon for actions like these. The consumer has come to expect guaranteed overnight or 2 day shipping. When they don’t get that, they get really upset. Amazon doesn’t want its customers to get upset, and it can’t trust its shipping partners because they don’t have the burden of the consumer sentiment. No one blames FedEx for their late package these days, they blame Amazon. Heck,…

> reviews that only gripe with the shipping time or condition

I was thinking of just this (i.e. who is held responsible nowadays by customers of mishandled deliveries) while I was watching, a few days ago, a UPS worker actually throwing boxes out of the back of his truck onto the concrete ground while it was raining.

Hopefully none of those boxes were electronics, which would not have survived such poor handling unscathed.

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