>We have not had troubles with the Ferret Store, but sure have with Fed Ex,
 
Sukie, are you sure it is FedEx you are talking about?  Perhaps it was
another service that made these mistakes?
 
FedEx is the most reliable, careful, and efficient carrier I know.  Their
policy is to never leave a package without a signature.  If the sender has
not signed a release, or if a recipient doesn't have a release on file with
them and has not specifically given this instruction when placing an order,
FedEx will keep the package if no one is there to receive it and leave a
note on your door allowing you to sign a release for re-delivery the next
day or give you the option of picking up the package at their office.  And
I have never known a FedEx driver to make an error in judgement like you
described, only cases where they were too careful and I wished they had
left the package instead (like when I had a new computer delivered, and
they wouldn't leave it because the driver recognized the value and
possibility of theft).
 
FedEx also has an extremely efficient tracking system, unlike the much
larger company UPS.  From the moment (literally) the package is picked up
by the FedEx driver or dropped off at a FedEx office, you can use the
tracking number to find out precisely where it is enroute (by phone or
through their website).  I've even been able to get this information when
I didn't have a tracking numer; FedEx will make every effort to help you if
you can at least give them the origin and destination of the package.  On
the other hand, I have had nightmares with UPS deliveries being misrouted
in transit, with UPS having absolutely no idea where the package is or
what went wrong.  I have to add that most of the time, UPS deliveries go
quite smoothly.  But in those instances where they don't, the sender and
recipient are left clueless, with no idea when the package will show up,
if ever.  I used to do a lot of work on trade shows, where I was dependent
on goods and materials arriving on time.  My colleagues and I would ALWAYS
choose FedEx over any other carrier (at least domestically) for
reliability.
 
Not that FedEx is perfect or never makes a mistake, but the company has a
far better track record than any of its competitors that I've used, in
every part of the country I've had experience with them - primarily the
New York/New Jersey area, but with deliveries going to or arriving from
all over.
 
(Note: I don't work for FedEx, don't know anyone who does, and have no
affiliation with the company other than as a customer.  The above is
simply my personal experience.  I felt compelled to speak up because of
my positive experience with FedEx over the years, and I don't like to see
a good company maligned.)
 
Nancy and critters
 
PS - No troubles with TFS deliveries either, other than one package that
arrived a couple days later than expected.
 
[Moderator's note: I think FedEx is great too, but note that Fedex GROUND
is quite different -- FedEx basically purchased RPS and turned it into
FedEx Ground.  I personally have more RPS horror stories than I do good
experiences, so perhaps it will take a while until the ground services
are up to usual FedEx standards.  BIG]
[Posted in FML issue 3508]