Okay, yes, I know it sounds crazy, but FedEx wound up losing one of my iPhones for a month, which I had sent in for warranty repair.
After numerous calls, and complaints, I was about to give up and create an anti-FedEx web site. Apple pointed the finger at FedEx, FedEx said Apple wasn’t giving them the info they needed.
I dropped off my package in a FedEx drop box, right before for leaving for CTIA (that was at the end of March). That, apparently, was the last anyone saw it. No was activity on the tracking number (which, took me over an our to get Apple to cough up… they tried to say they didn’t keep track of return tracking numbers).
Actually, I almost didn’t get my iPhone back. See, it had been so long that by the time Apple got my broken iPhone… they had closed the old Dispatch/Repair ID. So, they opened a new one. Problem was… Apple then screwed up, and got it mixed up with another Repair ID.
The result? My finished iPhone got sent to Lyndhurst, New Jersey (a good 3,000 miles away from my home in California). Luckily (and purely luck), the recipient wasn’t there, and after three attempts… it got sent back to Apple. Apple, then realized their error, and called me (Thursday). That was when I started to piece everything together.
So, Monday, I get back my iPhone. Lessons learned:
1) Write down the return tracking number. It will save you an hour pulling teeth to get it out of Apple.
2) Don’t use the drop boxes at FedEx. Hand it to someone with a name. Write that name down next to the tracking number. Do this so that you can say “I gave you that package… now where is it?”
3) Repeat steps 1 & 2 for every single package you ever use with FedEx.
Hey Chris – I live about 15 minutes from Lyndhurst – I definitely would have gone and picked it up for you. Next time, man.
Sucks for you and your phone. FedEx rocks it out getting my stuff anywhere. I guess you where in the 0.5% or so that have issues with shipping. Actually my experiences with Apple have been poor as well so glad to see I’m not the only one.
what’s the point in writing down the employees name.. once it leaves the station they don’t know what’s going on with it..just a thought
Well, Your Stupid, there is a simple answer to that.
If you hand a package to someone, and FedEx loses it, they will ask you a bunch of questions during their investigation. One of which, is where and when you dropped off the package. If you can identify the exact person that you handed the package to, that helps make the case that you not only did indeed give them the package… but that you remember the individual that you gave it to.
Can FedEx still claim ignorance, and say that you are a liar? Sure, but if you were to sue FedEx over it, they would then have to spend the money to haul that person into court to testify, and usually at that point they’re willing to settle.
Hi Chris,
I visit your web becuase Fedex! I bought a iphone 32Gblack for my friend. Once I received the package from Apple store, I gave a check and it’s here everything is just fine. Then I called up Fedex folks to collect it and send it to Korea. Once the tracking said it’s arrived in Korea to my freind, the package inside is gone! Only a empty box and packing that my friend is received. We both give phone call to the local Fedex, then they said they will try to investigate and bla bla bla, after all , you can claim it back, you can claim base on the “weight” and the max you can claim is US$100 dollar, WOW. I am send the gift to a thief mate! Sometimes ago, they totally lost my package… Can I do anything about it? Any suggestions? Pls help for any any input. Thanks!