I've had the same thing happen to me with hosta shipments and other shipments. Usually, it's UPS involved and frequently it's USPS. Both of them stink and neither of them cares at all. Fortunately, my delayed shipment of hostas was not affected by the delay; all were planted and have taken root and grown without any obvious ill effects.

Thanks Esther there is some comfort in knowing that. How long do you guys think the plants will survive inside a box, and why do I feel that the shipper of the plants should be handling this situation ?

I've had the same thing happen also. Fed Ex has been great so far, but the USPS sucks as does UPS. Living things are so fragile. I hope your hostas arrive in good shape at some point soon! A friend sent me some fig cuttings from Spain and it took them a month to arrive. USPS delivery and a slow boat ride probably. Luckily they arrived in good shape and one is now a baby tree. Good luck to you!

In my experiences, which have been in the hundreds, FedEx is 1000 times more dependable that the USPS and 10 times more likely to get your package to you undamaged than UPS. If the plants are in bad shape when they arrive I'd talk to FedEx and see what recourse you might have. I believe you're automatically insured for up to $100.

But what if the package is never found. The tracking information says it was delivered to my front door.

And I wouldn't be able to file a claim against them would I ? I believe thats the responsibility of the shipper ?

I paid through Paypal, but again tracking info shows it delivered, so I doubt I would win a Paypal dispute.

That's why you need to talk to FedEx.

Good luck with Fed Ex on the delivery part. Regarding other shipments where petioles were broken, I blame the nursery for poor packaging, as I've received other fully leafed out plants all the way here in CA. They were so well wrapped you could toss the package around the room or drop it from 6' and it wouldn't get damaged. It can be done, but it takes more time to tape things down, and probably more expensive too.

-Babka

I spoke with Fed Ex yesterday and they have said they will get back with me earn they contact the local driver.

Generally, I don't have a problem with Fed Ex, but I think the local Fed Ex home delivery driver is incompotent.

Unfortunately, in my experience, FedEx is the best of the "big three." USPS is the worst by a mile. I often have late, damaged boxes arrive. We have one of those community mailboxes and if a box does not fit inside, they will NOT try to ring your bell to leave it at your house. They will simply put a note in your box telling you to pick it up at the post office. Kind of defeats the point of delivery to me. UPS is mostly OK for me. More damaged boxes than FedEx, but typically reliable service. FedEx packages arrive intact and on time, IME.

Isn't FedEx a local franchise? (It seems I've read that on the truck.) If so, you would think the quality would vary a lot.

bk

Interesting, Bkay. I just Googled it and the domestic FedEx offices are wholly owned, BUT they contract out for local deliveries. Didn't know that. Thanks.

-Babka

I must say that Fed Ex corporate has handled the situation quickly. I received phone calls inquiring about the delivery minutes after the initial complaint.

There is bound to be a bad apple in every bunch. Like I said I received a package from them the same day through Fed Ex ground which was delivered and handled flawlessly. It's when I get to the delivery guy for Fed Ex Home is when I have issues.

I've unfortunately gone through (rather recently) that "the tracking shows it was delivered" garbage. Sure it was delivered, I told USPS, but to WHOM? Not me! That was a little gadget I got from eBay, and eBay made good on the refund. But it ticks me off that SOMEONE got a free little gizmo worth $15 and wasn't honest enough to return it or something. I bought the same thing from another vendor on eBay and got it promptly, a fairy-tale ending and all that.