5 of 6

Write now Article Tools

In my personal experience, Fed Ex is more efficient. But, actually, all courier companies have their problems. My worst experience was through UPS, when I needed to send a very important package internationally. It was a Tuesday, and I was given a guaranteed delivery time of Thursday morning. As the package was for immigration purposes and its intended recipient an embassy, I needed absolutely no stuffing around! So the word "guaranteed" was of paramount importance.

On Thursday, when my Internet tracking attempts afforded nothing but blank results, I panicked and contacted the office to find out what was going on.

"Oh, yeah", the woman replied, "I forgot to fill out a form and so the package hasn't left yet. But the truck will come and pick it up today".

Then she added, breezily, "Don't worry, it will definitely arrive by tomorrow".

Well! You can just imagine my fury. "Tomorrow" I cried, "is Friday! You guaranteed that it would arrive TODAY! And you are telling me that it hasn't even LEFT your office yet!?"

Needless to say, the package arrived on Friday, one day later than originally promised. No apology was forthcoming and I, inevitably, lost my faith in UPS.

Courier companies, such as UPS and Fed Ex, have a tendency to promise big things. UPS, for example, promises "guaranteed time-definite and day-definite delivery worldwide based on your shipment's destination". Fed Ex promises something similar with its commitment to delivering quality service, especially when "you need support".

The problem with these types of companies is that many of their base level employees, that is to say, the staff responsible for entering your data into the computer and getting your package sent on its way, are not given the training necessary to understand the importance of their jobs.

Let's face it, you don't need a college degree or even brains of any kind to get a base level job at a courier company. So, unfortunately, whereas management might feel the passion to deliver on "guaranteed time", the incompetence that occurs far more often than it should, usually takes place at the face of the company.

Staff at all levels of such a company should understand that sending packages via courier, especially internationally, is expensive. Depending on what and where you are sending them, they can be SUPER expensive. It goes without saying then, that the item is of obvious importance. Otherwise we would all just use normal mail!

I guess we are human at the end of the day, and errors are inevitable, even in companies with such ambitious objectives. However as a consumer, I would rather put my faith in Fed Ex and hope for the best!

Learn more about this author, Isabellasong.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Why UPS is better than FedEx?
We want to hear your view. Write now!