Rayt
Nonplayer Character
I got my Visa CC info stolen the first time I used it at this website. It took my bank 2 months to refund the over US$30000 unauthorised charge. Someone bought a lot of stuff with it from Neiman Marcus. I have bought stuff there since when I had no other options like for certain Heliopan filters and AMEX tend to be safer.
sjones
Established
Just another anecdotal contribution, but this must be a Chicago thing in particular (though not exclusively). A few months ago, I ordered speakers from an audio vendor. For nine (9) consecutive days, Fedex Ground claimed that it had attempted to deliver the speakers, but I was supposedly unavailable to sign for the package---nine separate times! This was an outright lie.
Firstly, as with many of us now, I work from home; I was there at all of the reported times of their purported attempts. Secondly, to access my apartment building (or me), there is an entrance intercom that is linked to my phone. That is, I could be in a different state, and if someone needed to access the lobby area, I would receive their call and I could ‘buzz’ them in (I’ve actually done this from a different state!). They never called up, not once, and my phone carrier has a verifiable record of this fact. They also claimed that they left door tags, but this was not true either. Besides, if they did leave tags, then why didn’t they use the adjacent intercom.
They simply lied and dragged out a remarkably infuriating situation for nearly two weeks. Numerous calls to customer service were futile, of course. I finally managed to reach a local manager, and we agreed to send the speakers to a nearby Walgreens, which has pick up service. Nearby, as in on the same damn block---they could do one but not the other: too exhausted to argue further. I quickly learned, however, that the speakers were left off at one of their shipping centers, which I could not reach because I don’t have a car.
Finally got the speakers to the Walgreens, but as I had actually feared pretty early on, they were markedly damaged. Had to return. And yes, I did inform the audio store about this mess as it developed. They were apologetic but nothing more. Not too pleased about that either.
I understand that everyone has horror stories from every carrier, but I never experienced anything this deliberately corrupt. And since then, I’ve had somewhat similar experiences from Fed Ex Ground in that they once again claimed I was not available (although in these recent cases, they succeeded by the third attempt). Still, just in principle, to put the onus on the customer for a failed delivery when it is demonstrably untrue is inexcusable. I’ve had no issue with any other carriers at this location; none.
Was this a phone order or online?
Fedex is not the company they used to be. In the last week, I had two inbound shipments, one air, one ground. They both were delayed without notice, in fact, tracking said they were on time up until about 10pm of the promised dates, until tracking then changed to "pending delivery."
One arrived the next day, the other took 2 more days.
This has happened routinely over the past couple of years, if not more; seems to be the norm, not the exception.
henryp
B&H Photo-Video
I am very sorry for your dissatisfaction. Based on your description I believe this order was placed around 5:30pm on 06/03/21 and the rush item was shipped on 06/04/21. FedEx says it was delivered on 06/07. Ironically the other package was delivered on 06/05. As a courtesy I have asked customer service to refund the s&h fee originally applied to this transaction.
bluesun267
Well-known
My experience with Fedex is opposite of some here. I've had great luck with them over moves to 4 different cities in the past 6 years (LA, Milwaukee, Denver, Tucson). Fedex always deliver packages early in the day, their drivers have been friendly and courteous. A couple times I even got ground deliveries on Sat or Sun when the due date wasn't until Monday. I agree their tracking site could be better and their rough handling of packages can lead to disaster if you don't pad--and pad some more after that (but that's common to every carrier). UPS on the other hand doesn't deliver here until late, very late. I see their poor drivers out at all hours after dark, clearly overworked, racing to the next stop, and in general struggling. I figure they have too much business and need a break.
If a business only offers UPS, I will look for an alternative.
Now the reason I don't use B&H any more is their prices went up on film, and they no longer offer single rolls of 120 Kodak or Fuji. Freestyle has no problem breaking up multi packs and even without the free shipping they suit my needs better
If a business only offers UPS, I will look for an alternative.
Now the reason I don't use B&H any more is their prices went up on film, and they no longer offer single rolls of 120 Kodak or Fuji. Freestyle has no problem breaking up multi packs and even without the free shipping they suit my needs better
Sal Santamaura
Member
As the whining and inappropriate blaming of B&H continues, after Henry went above and beyond by refunding a shipping and handling fee even though B&H wasn't to blame, it bears re-posting what I said in this thread two months ago:
Timmyjoe
Veteran
Sal, it has everything to do with B&H. While I appreciate Henry saying he will refund the cost of next day shipping, that does not change the fact that B&H has made the choice to ship solely via FedEx (and FedEx Home Delivery in particular) knowing full well that FedEx and FedEx Home Delivery have serious problems with shipping items, at least to some parts of the country. I have repeatedly asked B&H to go back to shipping with UPS, at least for items I purchase (as UPS has been golden for where we live for over 20 years), and B&H refuses to do so. So yes, this is on B&H, they are choosing to continue to use a delivery company that has serious problems with delivery.
Best,
-Tim
Coldkennels
Barnack-toting Brit.
Can I give a little perspective from a retailer's point of view?
I run an e-commerce business here in the UK selling specialist skateboard products. I offer a few different options for domestic (i.e. within UK) shipping - Royal Mail, Hermes, and DHL. In an ideal world I'd have everyone using DHL (faster delivery, better service), but most people don't want to pay the premium. But none of them are perfect - they weren't perfect before the pandemic, and they've all suffered a bit since the pandemic hit. Packages are moving slowly, things are getting held up, and nothing is predictable.
For instance, I send stuff into the US from time to time, and I use a few couriers - mostly FedEx, DPD and "Landmark" (who, I believe, pass on parcels to USPS at the US end). FedEx have always been pretty reliable. When the pandemic hit, all sorts of weirdness started happening. I remember watching the tracking of one FedEx parcel to the US bounce around European airports - from the UK, to France, to Germany, and back to France - as they tried to find cargo space in a transatlantic flight. When that stopped happening, sometimes things would just sit in a depot for a week at the US end while staff were trying to sort through everything.
The sad fact is that all the couriers are stretched thin right now. My DHL account manager told me last week that they're moving more parcels right now than they typically do during the Christmas period. I can believe it. The couriers who handle pickup at this end look absolutely fried. I don't envy them one bit.
I run an e-commerce business here in the UK selling specialist skateboard products. I offer a few different options for domestic (i.e. within UK) shipping - Royal Mail, Hermes, and DHL. In an ideal world I'd have everyone using DHL (faster delivery, better service), but most people don't want to pay the premium. But none of them are perfect - they weren't perfect before the pandemic, and they've all suffered a bit since the pandemic hit. Packages are moving slowly, things are getting held up, and nothing is predictable.
For instance, I send stuff into the US from time to time, and I use a few couriers - mostly FedEx, DPD and "Landmark" (who, I believe, pass on parcels to USPS at the US end). FedEx have always been pretty reliable. When the pandemic hit, all sorts of weirdness started happening. I remember watching the tracking of one FedEx parcel to the US bounce around European airports - from the UK, to France, to Germany, and back to France - as they tried to find cargo space in a transatlantic flight. When that stopped happening, sometimes things would just sit in a depot for a week at the US end while staff were trying to sort through everything.
The sad fact is that all the couriers are stretched thin right now. My DHL account manager told me last week that they're moving more parcels right now than they typically do during the Christmas period. I can believe it. The couriers who handle pickup at this end look absolutely fried. I don't envy them one bit.
rolfe
Well-known
If you will read the whole thread, it is not a problem with Fedex Express, it is a problem with Fedex Home Delivery, aka Fedex Ground, which for all intents and purposes is a separate company. It is in direct competition with UPS and is apparently offering big customers such as B&H an offer it can't refuse. Depite the fact that it is royally pissing off its customers.
Rolfe
kshapero
South Florida Man
If only I still had a local Camera store...........LUCKY!!!!!!!
D
Deleted member 65559
Guest
We're still griping about B&H & Fedex since April?.... it's a good way to get an ulcer. 
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
I am surprised at the reports of poor service from FedEx. I like using FedEx for shipping heavy items or when I need an item professionally packed. Delivery times here in St. Louis have been exemplary. And I like that FedEx delivers on Saturday, which UPS does not. I suppose the differences in our experience might have to do with our being in different regions of the country.
Sal Santamaura
Member
You still miss the point. B&H offers shipping costs (substantially free) that customers love. It does that by having made the best deal with FedEx. FedEx and FedEx Home Delivery have serious problems with shipping items, at least to your part of the country. UPS has the same problems in this part of the country.
Put yourself in B&H's shoes. In order to make you happy by negotiating a deal with UPS comparable to the one it has with FedEx (should that even be possible), it would then piss off those of us who live in areas where FedEx is generally reliable and UPS has been atrocious. Or if, in an attempt to please everyone, it foregoes a blanket deal and offers customers their choice of carriers, thereby becoming unable to ship most orders for free, it will piss off almost everyone.
I continue to maintain this is not a B&H problem. It's a regional FedEx problem. For B&H, insofar as Chicagoland customer are concerned, it's a no win situation.
RObert Budding
D'oh!
Bad customers are a real thing. And they carp endlessly about minor problems. Learn to plan ahead if you need to have items delivered. Delivery takes time, particularly during pandemics.
Bike Tourist
Well-known
I'm going through the same thing. FedEx has lost my B&H check. Fingers crossed.
Timmyjoe
Veteran
You know it's easy to snark on an internet forum, but most companies would love a loyal customer who gave them tens of thousands of dollars of business over a 29 year period. A customer who bypassed Amazon and other places he could have gotten things cheaper (and delivered reliably) because he felt a loyalty to a group of folks he'd been doing business with since 1992. I spoke with B&H Customer Service numerous times over the last few years (this issue pre-dates the pandemic), trying to find some way where they would ship items with UPS, and it's not that I was asking them to ship for free, I was willing to pay for the shipping. And they refused. So I shared my experience here.
Best,
-Tim
bluesun267
Well-known
I completely agree with you Timmyjoe. Even though I have no problem with Fedex, to not offer UPS at customer cost is not acceptable. I guarantee they receive deliveries from UPS so sending things out that way is not asking for the moon. The elimination of single roll sales of 120 film is a decision in the same vein; I've seen companies start down this road of economic "streamlining" at the expense of their customers. Whether or not this makes a difference to their long-term health only time will tell
Canyongazer
Canyongazer
Bike Tourist
Well-known
B&H just mailed my new check USPS so I don’t care what FedEx does with the old one. B&H still has my confidence.
ColSebastianMoran
( IRL Richard Karash )
I have a lot of confidence in B&H and appreciate Henry Posner's continuing attention to online chatter (I've noticed this since back in the usenet days. Thanks Henry!
FedEx. That's another story:
- Our favorite "meal-kit" company ships FedEx Ground. On time delivery is about 50%
- Son-in-law off to a snowboarding competition. FedEx didn't deliver his boards.
- Ground driver here posts outright lies. "Attempted delivery" when they didn't.
- Packages left at wrong addresses. We have a neighborhood collaboration helping people find each other's packages.
- And this: Woman here, wedding dress coming from the bridal shop for the big day. FedEx Ground reports it delivered... But, she doesn't have it. Delivered instead to some other address. Seriously. Community panic ensued, eventually ended well, but this we don't need!
FedEx. That's another story:
- Our favorite "meal-kit" company ships FedEx Ground. On time delivery is about 50%
- Son-in-law off to a snowboarding competition. FedEx didn't deliver his boards.
- Ground driver here posts outright lies. "Attempted delivery" when they didn't.
- Packages left at wrong addresses. We have a neighborhood collaboration helping people find each other's packages.
- And this: Woman here, wedding dress coming from the bridal shop for the big day. FedEx Ground reports it delivered... But, she doesn't have it. Delivered instead to some other address. Seriously. Community panic ensued, eventually ended well, but this we don't need!