Fedex Nightmare (please read)

Joseph Barcus · Post by **Joseph Barcus** » 27 Nov 2009 7:50 am

I feel I must share this story with fellow steel players to keep you from making the same mistake I just made. I had a tour lined up with Lucky Tubb out of Texas. had to meet up with them Tuesday in St Louis. I called ups Tuesday and ask them If I could get my amp, guitar, & seat to Texas by Monday I was told no they could not. so I called Fedex and ask the same question and they said yes they could and even gave me the nearest location to drop my stuff off for (faster servive) cost 220.00 to get my stuff there. I went ahead and got me a bus ticket for Monday going to st louis plan was stuff was going to be at Lucky's house he load it in the trailer and they take off and meet me in St Louis. came home looked up the tracking everything looked fine until this morning. tracking said nothing would make it till Tuesday ( that wont work) I called them and was told there was nothing they can do to help me, no even stop it where it is for me to just take off and pick it up. that it could be there by monday to wait and see but most likely Tuesday. again this wont work I sent everything I needed to play with out. I told them that if the items did not make it as promised I would bring charges for lost wages plus any expense involved to get my items back that will include a 1400 mile drive to Texas to get it.because as of Tuesday there wont be anyone there at Lucky's to sign for the items. I hope that I can talk a few friends out of enough stuff to have a friend drive me out to st louis ( another expense) but there is not that many players around here and plus I myself would hesitate to let my 3500.00 guitar take off for 12 days. well I vented enough and all I can do is hope for the best I wont let Lucky down for they have always been nothing but kind to me and always paid well. but for the future I will never ship anything Fedex, some might ask why not take the stuff with you on the bus, the steel,amp both weigh over 70lb and they wont let anything over 50lb go. post office wont ship anything over 70lb ok Im done

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 27 Nov 2009 9:28 am

Another horror story. That's awful!

Jim Lindsey (Louisiana) · Post by **Jim Lindsey (Louisiana)** » 27 Nov 2009 11:33 am

Wow, Joseph, that's horrible ... and further illustrates why I would never choose FedEx again. A very similar thing happened to me when I was with Ty Herndon. We had a "fly date" and couldn't take everything on the flight. So, as usual, everyone else got to take their rigs and it was left up to me to get my stuff there as best I could if I wanted to use it.

We called ahead and the opening act had a steel player and he generously offered to let me play through his rig (and I still appreciate the gesture). The only problem was that not only were his knee levers reversed from mine, but he also played the Day pedal setup whereas I played the Emmons pedal setup.

Now, I could play a whole show on a Day setup, or I could play a whole show with a reversed knee lever setup, but the thought of playing an entire show on a guitar where both the knees and pedals were reversed to what I was used to sent chills of dread down my spine.

Thus, I consulted FedEx and they assured me that they could have my equipment there on time, ready and waiting for pick up. Cost for shipping my guitar, pack seat, effects rack and two Nashville 400s in a wooden crate was $425.00 (this was from Dallas TX to Los Angeles CA). Part of that cost was for the crate and the tons of bubble wrapping packed in to cushion everything ... there seemed to be enough bubble wrap to crash land a small plane on.

Well, we saw my stuff stuff on FedEx, proceeded to the airport and flew out about three hours after my equipment was to have left. Upon arrival we got on the bass player's laptop and hooked up online to track where my stuff was and nearly had heart failure. Instead of Los Angeles, my stuff was recorded as having arrived at Seattle WA!

I couldn't believe it ... $425.00 to ship something same day air from Dallas to Los Angeles and it goes to Seattle instead.

Needless to say, I gratefully used the borrowed equipment that night and, despite a few mistakes here and there resulting from the reversed setup on that guitar, survived the night. Getting my stuff back was another story and a battle I don't even wish to recall.

I really feel your pain, Joseph. Been there, done that. Like you, it's a mistake I'll never make again.

Joseph Barcus · Post by **Joseph Barcus** » 27 Nov 2009 12:34 pm

Jim
you know its a shame that you cant take someones word to help you out and plus you pay them enough to make it right.
A higher up did make contact a while ago and said as soon as it hits a fedex station they are going to get it and place it on overnight. but we will see how well that works. I will keep everyone posted. I have two options left to make it work. wow the work involved just to play music lol. Joe

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 27 Nov 2009 12:54 pm

Joe,

I know you're PO's and you have a good reason to be. However, you can forget about the lawsuits, etc... all FedEx is liable for is a refund of your money, and probably not a full refund, if they do actually get it there a day late. If you read your receipt you'll see what I mean.

I have shipped a lot of stuff on Greyhound, and it's pretty cheap. I don't see why you couldn't pay a fee and let the gear go with you on the bus.

Hope it works out okay for you.

Joseph Barcus · Post by **Joseph Barcus** » 27 Nov 2009 12:58 pm

Rick
I would say youre right I am thinking I got in touch with someone at greyhound that didnt know their job when I said over 70 pounds they said no it had to be 50lb or less, same for amtrac train was told the same line about the weight thing as well. for what I got tied up in it I should had went ahead and rented the car one way. but I talked myself out of that thinking save money but in the long run you dont save but spend more.

Joseph Barcus · Post by **Joseph Barcus** » 27 Nov 2009 1:00 pm

rick if all works out I will be in Knoxville on the 12th at a place called 4620 reinvented. Joe

Roual Ranes · Post by **Roual Ranes** » 27 Nov 2009 1:28 pm

FedEx............talk to WILSON

Joseph Barcus · Post by **Joseph Barcus** » 27 Nov 2009 1:51 pm

lol I remember Tom Hanks talking to wilson

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 27 Nov 2009 2:41 pm

Joe, If I'm in town, I'll try to get down to listen to you. If your steel doesn't catch up with you by then, you'll welcome to my Emmons, etc...

They have some interesting acts at that club. "Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash", etc...

Here's a link:

http://4620reinvented.com/calendar.html

Joseph Barcus · Post by **Joseph Barcus** » 27 Nov 2009 2:44 pm

thanks for the link I will check it out and thanks for the steel invite as well

Jim Lindsey (Louisiana) · Post by **Jim Lindsey (Louisiana)** » 27 Nov 2009 3:12 pm

Ah, Rick ... good ole Greyhound and Continental Trailways ... I've traveled on both of them quite a lot (not to forget Kerrville and Jefferson bus lines, too).

When I was on the road, our bus driver's name was Dan and we called him "Lieutenant Dan" to get his goat, but what'd really get him is when I'd board the bus and say something like "Go Greyhound and leave the driving to us" or "Thanks for going Trailways, and have a pleasant trip".

I could almost see steam coming out of his ears when I'd say that.

Joseph Barcus · Post by **Joseph Barcus** » 28 Nov 2009 3:13 am

Follow up
well seems staying on the phone yesterday and keep on saying I want someone higher up to talk to pays off. my items will reach lucky tubbs on Monday as requested. to me this is good and must be pointed out same as the bad

Andrew Roblin · Post by **Andrew Roblin** » 28 Nov 2009 3:38 am

Hey, Joseph--

Sorry for the stress you had to go through.

Good for your for persisting and getting through to the higher-ups.

Take it easy on yourself, brother.

Ben Jones · Post by **Ben Jones** » 28 Nov 2009 5:56 am

I was a shipper for a decade and used to think all the companies were more or less as bad as each other.

lately however, fedex has outdone itself and taken the incompetance to a whole new level. There is something very wrong with their management at present. I am tryng to avoid using them whenever possible.

edit: Joeseph dont count the good until it actually happens. I have found their "word" to be very unreliable. I hope it works out tho.

Joseph Barcus · Post by **Joseph Barcus** » 28 Nov 2009 6:15 am

Ben
Yes I know where you are coming from on that dont take their word thing. I have my fingers crossed and they are getting cramps lol

Ronnie Boettcher · Post by **Ronnie Boettcher** » 28 Nov 2009 8:12 am

My daughter works for a fast service ground freight company. If you ever need something shipped fast, she might be able to help you out. I don't know if they do that for individuals, or just companies. It is Nations Express, based in Charlotte Nc. Her name is Mary, and her number is 440-234-4330. She is in the Cleveland Ohio area, but handles freight all over the USA. She has over 300 contacts, that have vans, or small box trucks. No worry about conveyor belts, or big semi's.

Joseph Barcus · Post by **Joseph Barcus** » 28 Nov 2009 10:10 am

thanks ron maybe bob would be nice and post this somewhere thats easy to have access to

Don Poland · Post by **Don Poland** » 28 Nov 2009 9:01 pm

http://www.nationsexpress.com/

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 29 Nov 2009 12:53 pm

I refuse to ship instruments by FedEx or UPS ..just week or so ago I took a drive all the way to Indiana to get some guitar trading done...it was well worth the trip, all the instruments were in perfect condition and undamaged..and no stress ...

Db

Joseph Barcus · Post by **Joseph Barcus** » 29 Nov 2009 12:59 pm

I will say this will most likely be my last time as well. but I had no other choice to get the stuff there if I wanted to play. but have learned a lesson that in the future will require a sooner notice in order to make better arangements. now fedex has on their page it will be there tomorrow and that will have to be something I have to wait on. I remember when I bought the guitar I did not want it shipped and drove all the way from wva to maine to buy it then turn right around and do the very thing that I was against for a few dollars. there is no work here where I am at all and in order for me to play have to come down to ways like this to play.

Pete Conklin · Post by **Pete Conklin** » 30 Nov 2009 10:09 am

Hey Joe - Sorry to hear of your troubles...what a pain, huh? but glad it seems to have worked out for ya..

Joseph Barcus · Post by **Joseph Barcus** » 30 Nov 2009 10:15 am

well its almost complete the amp & guitar made it ok but am told now the seat with contents in it wont be there till Wed thats too late for they are pulling out tomorrow. their excuse was that side of fedex that the 35 lp package went to dont work on Mondays, now why didnt someone tell me this when they were holding there hand out for my money. but I can get some chords and a volume pedal off some friends but might be hard to find a power supply for my boss se 70. if anyone knows the specs to that power supply let me know I may be able to dig something up. guess I will have to sit on a chair and we all know how bad that is to play steel. and I wont have any supply of extra strings. dont think I will put myself though this again.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 30 Nov 2009 11:02 am

Wow Joe....hate to hear about all the problems.

As for the Boss SE70 power supply, it is Boss model BRB 120. It is also AC power not DC 12V. It also has a hefty 1.5 amp output and a larger barrel plug....so it's not a common unit.

I tried one of the Boss BRC units on my SE70. It is a 1 amp unit and 14V. It powered the unit up, but it was noisy and got hot quick so if I were you, I'd be sure and use something close to the 1500 amp output for safety's sake.

Joseph Barcus · Post by **Joseph Barcus** » 30 Nov 2009 11:10 am

thanks for your help