Detailed parcel tracking at intergalactic prices (FedEx)

Member Name: moo2moo

Product:	FedEx
Date:	24/10/09 (72 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Relaible, full tracability, free insurance

Disadvantages: Horrifically expensive

FedEx is the modern hip and trendy name for a company that rebranded in 2000 after years of its actual name being abbreviated to this from Federal Express.

FedEx do one thing and one thing only and they do it well. They are a shipping agent. They collect a package from a customer in person and transport it to a specific recipient in person. No trips to Post Offices or collection points. FedEx come to you (unless you choose to go to them and make prior arangements to do this). Unfortunately as an irregular user you have no control over precisely when this will be beyond it being on a specified date betwen 7am and 7pm. If on the other hand you use the services of FedEx on a daily basis then you'll have a regular collection time.

For small items FedEx aren't cheap but they do track the shipment over its entire journey and make these details available to the end user so that you know if your parcel is in transit and if so from which branch. You also know if its out for delivery and most importantly when it has been delivered an electronic signature is almost immediately available. The system is constantly updated.

Finding out prices is however like getting blood from a stone. Without an account pricing information isn't available. Even once you've set up an account the prices vary dependant upon size, weight and distance and most importancy the volume of parcels you send via them The more you use them the cheaper they become which isn't great news if you're only an occasional user. Some of the figures they come up with are astronomical. It would in some instances be cheaper to drive the item in question the 50 miles or so in person.

Like all things theres usually a cheaper and a simpler answer. If you use the services of a intermediary like Parcel Monkey (£1 per transaction cashback from Quidco), Parcel2go or Interparcel then you get the bulk user discount and a fixed price immediately availble plus a choice of shipping agents to enable you to find the most suitable service for your needs at anything up to a third of the cost you'd pay using them direct.

Summary: Worth using for large and heavy items