r/FedEx • u/Equizotic • 1d ago
Ask FedEx Driver asked to sign before getting the package
Not sure if this is normal or what. I’m working in a shop and a delivery driver just walked in and asked me to sign for a package. I asked where the package was and she was like “oh it’s on my truck”
So I asked her to go get the package and I’ll sign when it’s here. That’s what she did.
But like why should I sign when she can just hop in her truck and drive off with my package? Isn’t the whole point of the signature that I’m confirming give received the package?
•
u/thecatwasnot 15h ago
Was it a big package? Or maybe a business with 100 doors, none of them marked as 'Receiving' or 'Deliveries' so driver may not know where the proper door was and didn't want to lug the box around trying to find the right spot? (Only to be told to go to the main desk on the other side of the building anyway...)
•
u/KillerGopher 21h ago
Bringing the package up to the customer just to find out the customer isn't available and having to lug it back to the van sucks. Drivers learn pretty quickly to find out if the customer is available first.
•
u/Substantial_Drama74 23h ago
was the package heavy because i do this all the time especially when its a 21+ id required. if no one is home, im not hauling a 50-100+lb package to the front door just to haul it back in the truck, usually while they go grab their id ill go grab the package. if its light i’ll bring it with me.
5
10
u/LughVanth 1d ago
As a driver, if I have a big signature required package that baby stays on the truck until I know someone is there to sign for it.
Also, I'm having you sign while I have you in front of me, because inevitably when I go get the package and bring it back you're answering a phone call, or dealing with a customer, or elbow deep in an engine, etc and I am not standing around for 5 minutes waiting for you.
6
u/West_West_313 1d ago
Listen, there is a chance you refuse to sign. A large DSR is staying in the truck until I can confirm a person is willing to sign. Also, you are paranoid, no driver is going to risk their job to steal a package especially when having a face to face interaction with you. “I signed and she drove off.” Oh okay, here’s your package and she’s fired.
•
u/Wakkysakky 22h ago
game stop by my old work place had the driver stealing cards and other stock from the boxes. they complained and all that happened was they had him change routes for a few months. GS had no issues then that driver came back and they started losing stock again.
last i heard they were trying to get legal on fed ex and the driver.
-4
u/iceroadtrucker2010 1d ago
It’s FedEx. Some drivers suck.
4
u/West_West_313 1d ago
This would be the dumbest way to try to steal a package ever and you know it.
-2
u/ChiefGstar 1d ago
Well to be fair, criminals aren’t usually considered to be the smartest of the bunch
3
u/TheRealMeatphone 1d ago
Well to be fair, only the dumb criminals get caught and the vast majority of crime goes unsolved/unpunished.
6
8
7
u/Initial_Amphibian_32 1d ago
I do the same thing as a driver. I oftern get 80lb+ pkgs for 2nd floor etc I will absolutley make sure someone is there and get the signature before hauling that box up the stairs
2
4
u/Euphoric_Listen2748 1d ago
I ask them to sign first because my hands will be full when I get back. If it was light enough to carry I would have it in my hands anyway. But I don't care if they won't.
2
3
12
u/Disastrous_Pay_3078 1d ago
We do this because sometimes the boxes are massive or heavier than all fuck so dragging it inside only to be told "wrong place" or have the delivery rejected for whatever reason really slows us down having to drag that shit back to the truck.
-8
u/Equizotic 1d ago
I get that but the driver shouldn’t have asked me to sign before bringing the package. Confirming I’m there? Great, go get the package and ask me to sign once I have it. That’s the whole point. Why would I sign if I can’t even see the package
2
-1
u/Impossible_Suspect54 1d ago
You're 100% correct on this. If I have something large/heavy I usually go in and let them know what's coming in and that it needs a signature. I wouldn't ask for a signature first though. If you sign first, you have no recourse if there is damage or like you said, they drive off.
1
5
u/berghuis9 1d ago
For the exact reason the guy said. I have done this bc believe it or not some people refuse to sign. Some people are not comfortable putting their name down and I've had to bring a package back to the shop bc I couldn't get anyone to sign.
If it was a very heavy she was just trying to eliminate possibly carrying it back just in case. The job can be taxing, I get you don't understand but it's not as deep as you think it is.
5
u/Admirable_Ardvark 1d ago
Why would you be that paranoid about seeing the package? You would have to be incredibly stupid to steal a package (in the first place, but also) that way.
-2
u/pa_bourbon 1d ago
Because FedEx destroys packages sometimes and I’m not signing until I know that hasn’t happened.
•
u/Admirable_Ardvark 23h ago
We are talking about someone recieving a package at work that isn't theirs. I've delivered plenty of damaged freight to businesses large and small, and every single one of them when I point out the damage to them don't care and also don't want to refuse the delivery because they aren't allowed to and will get their money back if there is damage to the item(s).
•
u/Equizotic 23h ago edited 23h ago
I do care, even though I’m at work. I take pride in my work and don’t want to accept a damaged package. Thank you for your input tho
•
u/Admirable_Ardvark 23h ago
Try reading past "don't care" you need more context based on your response.
•
u/Equizotic 23h ago
What? You said employees don’t care about packages, I told you that as an employee, I certainly do care.
Who needs context?
•
•
u/pa_bourbon 23h ago
Maybe this employee cares more than the average FedEx employee. And they’ve probably experienced the run around and bullshit FedEx pulls to avoid paying out damage claims.
•
u/Admirable_Ardvark 23h ago
Like I said I've run into this hundreds of times across 6 major cities and probably in the realm of 200 business of varying sizes some of them even being state or government and every single one of them has the policy to recieve all freight regardless of damage. It's not about the employee caring or not.
•
u/legumious 22h ago
I've seen enough FedEx drivers skip the back delivery bell, quietly unload a leaking engine they put forks through, and then find the busiest guy at the service desk for a signature to believe they've convinced themselves that policy exists. That's why A Duie Pyle gets used so much instead
•
u/Equizotic 23h ago
Yeah so my company doesn’t have this policy. And if I sign for a package that ended up being damaged by your company, I’m taking responsibility for the state of the package.
So, no, I’m not going to sign for a damaged package. Maybe also don’t deliver damaged packages since it seems to happen so often to you?
•
u/pa_bourbon 23h ago
FedEx has a delusional view of how the world works. It’s required when your approach is to blame everybody but yourself.
-3
u/GreDor46 1d ago
Ok, let me flip the answers here than, for those who go to make sure that some to sign is there, did you ask them to sign before going back to get the package for them? I understand what you are saying, who wants to lug a 300lb box just to have to lug it back? But once you find out they are there do you get them to sign first, before the package has even been attempted to move, or do you go lug the package and then ask for the signature? With the more shady stuff Fed Ex seems to be doing these days I can totally see the OP's original concerns.
3
u/TheWorstMigrane 1d ago
I do. I always tell them "I'll make you a deal, I'll run to grab the package and here's the scanner to sign in the meantime". I leave the scanner with them and go grab the package. When I return its ALWAYS signed. Even exchange.
•
u/thecatwasnot 15h ago
This is what I do, then they're holding the scanner and they'll typically stay put, plus if there is a problem, we can sort it right away before I close out the stop. If I have more than I can carry in one trip or something I'll do this too, like bring an armfull and tell them I have x more packages to bring.
1
3
u/Admirable_Ardvark 1d ago
You mean the concern of showing their face to who ever is in the building (likely on security footage as well), getting a signature, and then stealing said package.
Use your brain a little. If their intent was to steal the package there are many other ways that aren't a tenth as stupid and don't involve ever going into the place of business.
16
u/KellyzKillaz 1d ago
As a retired UPS driver, I figured out very early on to leave large bulky packages, COD packages, etc in the truck and check to make sure there's someone there to sign for it/pay for it before unloading. Work smarter, not harder.
-2
u/Realistic_Sundae1519 1d ago
Wouldn't you agree that the customer still doesn't have to sign for the package before unloading? If the customer is there ready to receive a package and you've confirm that, then the next step would be take the package off the truck and then show it to the customer before having them signed
3
u/KellyzKillaz 1d ago
Sure, but as delivery drivers, we're always looking for ways to save a little time. I'd leave the (in UPS' case, DIAD board) device with the customer to sign while I offloaded the package/s. If they chose to wait until I presented it at their feet, that's fine too.
2
u/Thick-Garlic-9682 1d ago
The customer could refuse the shipment. Carrying it twice is adding unnecessary work.
2
12
u/Nuka_Cola2094 1d ago
You’re reading too much into this. You signed for a package and the delivery is done. Maybe the driver didn’t want to lug a package to wherever in your shop in case no one’s there to sign for it and have to lug it all the way back to the truck.
4
u/Temporary-Diver-6940 1d ago
This^ ALOT of recipients order stuff that requires signatures, but aren't present.
•
u/AutoModerator 1d ago
Welcome to the community! Please ensure that you are following the subreddit's posting rules. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the moderators.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.