Now A Rant About Verizon

[jyl]

Well, since I am in a ranting mood, I'm going to dump on Verizon now.

I went by the local Verizon store and ordered a Blackberry for my wife, along with a 1-year contract. The store didn't have in stock, so they said it would be sent from the warehouse. A week later, I called Verizon customer service to find out where the phone was. They said FedEx had left it on my front doorstep, per a signature waiver than FedEx said I had on file, so the loss of the phone was my problem. According to Verizon, I would have to buy another phone, at full $500 list (since I wouldn't be signing a new contract). Also according to Verizon, I couldn't cancel my contract, since I didn't have the phone to return to them. No, they didn't care that we've been with Verizon for 3+ years, during which we've paid them about $1,800/yr. Nor did they care that I would terminate my account and refuse to pay on the contract.

In the end, it worked out. I called FedEx and got them to admit that (1) they did not have a physical copy of the signature waiver, just an entry in their records, (2) the entry said "leave under mailbox at side door", (3) the driver's log said he had left this package on my front doorstep, and (4) that was not propoer under the (alleged) waiver. I brought that information to Verizon, who agreed to send me a new phone (to my office this time!) and to seek reimbursement from FedEx. Now I just have to figure out how to revoke any signature waiver that FedEx claims they have.

Moral: (1) Do not sign any signature waiver for a FedEx package, because FedEx may claim you've waived signature for all future packages, and (2) don't sign a contract with Verizon or any other cellphone company.

[stomachmonkey]

Ordered a computer for my sister. Wife is home all day. Call home on expected delivery day and ask if it's come yet, she says no and will call when it arrives. Don't hear from her and figure it'll show next day.

Get home and what's sitting in front of my door? The computer, for everyone to see and anyone to walk off with.

It's been there for 3 hours. Call UPS to b**ch and they tell me the guys not even required to ring the bell.

So if you ship/receive UPS ground the default is that no signature is required. You need to specify that you want the item signed for.

That was a coouple of years ago so it may have changed by now but better to be safe, require a signature and always insure it.

Scott

[Steve Carlton]

This sounds like it should be as much a FedEx/UPS rant as Verizon. You do get something in exchange for signing a contract with Verizon, and for now they do have the best quality service in the bay area. I would think you could cancel your contract with them, but be out the cancellation fee. From their point of view, they've invested in your Blackberry discounted price.

I went to Verizon this last weekend and picked up a Treo 600 for $250 net in exchange for a 2 year extension on my contract. The salesman even told me the Treo 650 would be out in a month or two in case I wanted to wait. He also said the only difference was bluetooth and it's slightly narrower. Turns out there are big differences between the 600 and 650, mostly in resolution, button operation, and processor power. So I called him back and he said no problem, I had 15 days to return it. This wouldn't have happened if he knew the true differences, but they're going to have a used Treo on their hands for free.

[Joeaksa]

John,

Totally agree and FedEx ground are the worst at this. Also you might make sure that you are not liable for any calls made on the stolen phone.

FedEx airborne will require a signature normally. I have had this happend before and I was out of town. Two tires purchased from a Pelican member. They were not there when I returned home.

Called FedEx and they said that I had signed for them when I was not even in the country. Finally found out that one of the tires had been dropped off and the driver forged my signature and the other delivery had been "self released" by the driver.

FedEx paid for new tires and they stopped leaving things at my door unless I was there.

Contact UPS, FedEx and everyone you get packages from and stop any "self releasing" of packages. Its just safer for all envolved.

Joe A

[jyl]

You're right, this is partly a FedEx rant. I suspect the driver stole the phone. He allegedly left it at 12:44 pm and my wife arrived home at 1:00 pm - hmm, a rather narrow window for anyone to steal the phone. My street gets very little traffic - maybe one pedestrian every hour.

But I was surprised at Verizon's attitude. Their marginal profit from me is about equal to the revenue. Doesn't make sense to lose a future profit stream of $1,800/yr, to save a one-time $500 or less. The phone companies talk about how sophisticated they are at maximizing ARPU and segmenting more vs less profitable customers - it is all BS, their customer service is as bad as ever.

This isn't a UPS rant. One difference between FedEx and UPS is that FedEx Ground drivers are not employees, they are low cost independent contractors. Morale among those drivers has been problematic, and we've noticed a lot of turnover. UPS drivers are employees and often career employees. We have had the same UPS lady for years, we actually know her by name and she always brings packages around to the side door and carefully stashes them.

[bryanthompson]

UPS and FedEx guys out here both have my garage key code so they just come in and leave it inside garage and close up when they are done.

I don't quite trust DHL yet though... something fishy about those guys

[Joeaksa]

John,

Also, forgot to add that the FedEx drivers are on a very short time leash. They have enough time to drop the package off at your front door then run to the next location, period. Any waiting for a signature or having to return a second time comes out of their personal time, so they really hustle.

I have emailed FedEx ground that as long as they keep their drivers on this plan I will use UPS. We all pay for service and the safe delivery of our goods and this "toss it and run" does not work for me.

My UPS guy brings the packages around to the back porch. The FedEx guy (when I am forced to use them) could care less...

JoeA

[Sonic dB]

Fed Ex sucks

[cantdrv55]

My Fedex guy is pretty good but he has been delivering stuff to me every Monday for 4 years now. I'm expecting Porsche parts via UPS tomorrow. I don't know the UPS dude so I'd better stay home and wait for him. The neighbor up the street has an SC also. I wouldn't want him to end up with my ducktail and front lip spoiler.

Verizon has been very good to me but I always go to the same Verizon store for everything phone related. John, check out the store on Crescent Drive in Pleasant Hill next time. I've been to the one in Berkeley....bunch of kids work there.

[ChrisBennet]

I worked for UPS over the holidays. They always get a signature if it's anything expensive. Anything from Dell for example. Even if you write a note that says "Leave the package in the garage." they won't.
-Chris

[jyl]

Just an update ot this rant.

Amazingly, I still don't have the phone. The Verizon rep who agreed to send out the new phone never did so, for unknown reasons. 1 week delay. The next Verizon rep sent out the new phone, this time to my office, but FedEx never delivered it. 1 week delay. The latest Verizon rep connected me directly with FedEx, who said their courier reported the address was invalid. I pointed out this is the same address that FedEx delivers to every day, twice a day (we get hundreds of FedEx letters and packages a week). So FedEx is going to redeliver. 1 week delay?

I initially bought and paid for this phone on 3/28. This is incredible.