Secrets That Fedex Employees Do Not Want You To Know

There Are Certain Things They Just Won't Ship

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Just because something is sealed up in a box doesn't mean that delivery drivers are happy to take anything! There are obviously illegal things that won't be shipped, but there are also other particulars that may need approval. They're not allowed to ship animals and things like dry ice needs approval!

You'd Best Not Ignore That Missed Delivery Notification!

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Those pesky 'missed delivery notes' are easily ignored when you're so busy - you might just rip it off the door and then wait for them to try again. But they'll only try again a certain number of times, and if you don't bother to call or reschedule, they'll just send your package back to the shipper.

You Can Actually Save Time And Money By Prepaying

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Shipping parcels can get mighty expensive, but did you know you can actually save money by buying shipping ahead of time? You can also save by buying package labels in bulk rather than individually per item. You might get a 20% discount if you prepay for your items.

Drivers Might Decide To Skip Your House

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Drivers can - and will - use their own gut instinct when it comes to a delivery address. If a neighborhood looks shady or if your home just doesn't look safe, they can choose not to even try and deliver. If you feel like they might do this, you can arrange an alternative delivery address!

Drivers Also Don't Have To Come Inside, Even If You Ask Them To

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Certain delivery companies will bring large items inside for you - like if you're getting a couch delivered - but FedEx drivers aren't obliged to come into your home, even if the package is a big one and the recipient can't carry it themselves. If you refuse delivery  because the driver won't carry it inside, they'll just take it back.

Sometimes Boxes Can Accidentally Open

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The unfortunate fact is that 'discreet' packaging isn't always foolproof - it's still a cardboard box, after all, and mistakes can happen. Especially if your parcel is going back and forth a bunch of times because of missed deliveries, it might be that the box accidentally opens and the drivers see what's inside...

Certain Drivers Might Disappear During The Summer

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Do you have the same FedEx driver all year round apart from the summer when they're suddenly replaced by someone new? Well, this is actually because summer vacation time is given to the people who have worked there the longest or have seniority. So it might be that a newbie is filling in while the usual person has a nice summer vaycay.

Recycled Boxes Are Their Worst Nightmare

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It's really great that people are doing their part for the environment and re-using a cardboard box is a good idea - except when it's not. Because second hand boxes can be weaker and risk opening or breaking because they've already been used, FedEx drivers hate to see it.

They Really, Really Don't Want To See A Dog

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Ah yes, the age old delivery person versus dog. It's understandable why FedEx drivers might get a little nervous around anxious looking dogs. But if a FedEx driving is pulling up to a property, they really do not want to see a dog! They might not even get out of the van if the dog won't let them.

Tracking Is Made In Real Time (It's Pretty Impressive)

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FedEx actually use a pretty dependable tracking system (even if you're not happy about where your package is at) and it's more than just 'your package is on its way' and 'delivered'. They use a real-time tracking system which logs every single stop and provides updates.

Being Strong Is Actually Sort Of A Job Requirement

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It doesn't matter if you only ever seen scrawny FedEx delivery drivers and none that look like Arnold Schwarzenegger, they're still strong even if they don't look it! That's because being strong is sort of a job requirement, because they need to be able to pick up around 75 pounds on their own.

There Are Certain People They Won't Give Packages To

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If a package needs the signature of over 21 years old, drivers may refuse to leave your package with someone they don't trust. Even if that person opens the front door and is happy to take the package, if they can't provide ID, then the driver is going to have to say no!

Drivers Are Allowed To Chat On Their Phones

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Obviously not while they're driving! But they are allowed to have their phones on them during their shifts, and they're allowed to chat on them, too. You might think this wastes time while they have a hectic delivery schedule, but we guess that's what handsfree is for!

They Probably Won't Wait For You To Answer The Door

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We've all been there - you hear the doorbell and you sprint to the front door within 0.0001 only to see a 'sorry we missed you' card. Most of the time, these drivers aren't going to wait for you to answer - and that's because they have a certain number of deliveries to make in one day.

And They Usually Sprint Back To Their Truck

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Not only do these drivers not seem to have any time to even wait for you to open the door, they apparently don't have time to walk at a normal pace back to their truck, either. Most of the time drivers will be sprinting back to their truck after ringing your doorbell!

They Get A Bonus For Not Smashing Anything!

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You might think it goes without saying not to smash anything - they shouldn't be rewarded for doing the bare minimum, right? But the drivers do have a nice little bonus incentive to make sure nothing is smashed during transport - but you wouldn't think that with all the packages tossed over fences, would you?

Drivers Can Actually Take Part In Sting Operations

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This doesn't mean that all FedEx drivers are working undercover - it just means sometimes they can be asked to help the police out. If the police find suspicious packages through sniffer dogs, the drivers might be asked to still deliver to the recipient so the police can then take over at the address!

Not All Drivers Are Actually Employed By FedEx

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In a world of companies using contracting work more and more, some FedEx drivers are not technically employed by the company - they might have been outsourced and then paid as a contracting crew to deliver the necessary packages. They're known as 'FedEx Ground' crew.

It Might Really Annoy Them If They Can't See House Numbers

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It can be helpful for drivers if you put in a description for delivery of what your front door looks like if you don't have a house number - because on a very, very long street, they don't like having to try find it. This also applies to people who sometimes only put the street in, and not the number!

They're Targeted By Thieves

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A FedEx van driving around is like a beacon to thieves who know that it's loaded up with the day's valuable packages. That means that FedEx vans are targets for thieves. This could also apply to thieves trying to steal a package once the driver is out of the van and walking to the address!

And Drivers Can Usually Tell When They're Being Followed

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FedEx drivers aren't oblivious to this, though. They can usually tell when their van is being trailed if a certain vehicle has been stuck behind them for a long time on their route. Being forewarned is always a plus, but it still doesn't stop package theft, unfortunately.

They Know About Holiday Package Fraud

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Holiday package fraud is sadly something that happens all the time, but FedEx are well aware of it - and do their best to try to stop it. They'll flag something up as suspicious, such as if a huge order has been requested to be picked up rather than delivered - as this is usually a thief with a stolen card.

They Know When There's Something Valuable Inside

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If it's one of those rare occasions where a company doesn't

plaster all over the box what's actually inside, FedEx drivers can usually still tell when something valuable is inside a plain box. They've seen every sort of package, so even if something expensive has tried to be disguised in a recycled box, they'll still be able to tell!

Those FRAGILE Stickers Probably Won't Help

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The one thing that FedEx puts above anything else is speed - and this is often at the cost of anything fragile. With so many packages coming down the line and being packed into vans, it's actually unlikely half the time for drivers to notice a fragile or handle with care sticker!

There's One Type Of Delivery Service That's Less Reliable

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As you know, with FedEx, you get a nice range of delivery options to choose from. And you may have thought you'd get the same level of service, no matter which one you pick, right? Wrong! Apparently the FedEx Ground service is the least reliable - that's the one we just mentioned about independent contractors, so you can guess why!

A Delivery Time One Day May Change The Next

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You might have had a FedEx delivery at 2pm one day and expecting a couple more packages that week. Well, don't expect them to show up at 2pm again! The delivery time will change no matter what the day or even if it's the same address, because routes change so often.

Seasonal Weather Will Make All The Difference!

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We all know how hard it is driving in tough weather conditions, and that's just one way to work! So imagine what FedEx drivers have to deal with battling with icy and snowy conditions, trying to get those massive vans up and down steep streets. So as you can imagine, that's going to make a huge

difference as to whether your package shows up or  not.

Package Tracking Might Be Messed Up On Really Hectic Days

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You know how we said earlier about how great the real-time tracking updates are for FedEx? Well, on really, really hectic days, you can probably forget it. Drivers will be so insanely busy it might be more of a job to try and keep up with where packages are!

They Really Appreciate Tips - And Don't Think They Get Enough

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Did you even know that you could tip your FedEx driver? If you didn't, your address is probably one they've flagged up for being not very generous with tips! FedEx drivers' jobs are very difficult, particularly during the busy holiday season, so they really, really appreciate a festive tip!

And A Good Tip Might Actually Affect The Service

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This doesn't mean drivers are going to kick your package around like a football if you don't give them a tip, but giving a tip means that driver may actually try to give even better service to your address because they're so grateful! They'll definitely remember those who gave a tip!