Who at Apple makes money from Fedex - General Discussion Discussions on AppleInsider Forums (2024)

Well EmAn at least UPS tracks thier packages.

I ordered a FW case from Cal-Optic last Tuesday and it arrived via UPS on Saturday. Their tracking even updated on Thanksgiving day when it took off from LAX. I have had some bad experiences with UPS but much fewer than with FedEx.

I use Airborne Express when I send packages. But that is mostly because they have a drop-off right down the street. I have never had a complaint using them yet.

I hope others have had better experiences with FedEx. I'm still waiting for a first.

[ 12-01-2002: Message edited by: MrBillData ]</p>

FedEx has the one virtue of being cheaper (in general.)

They don't deliver to P.O. Boxes however, so I must use my town address, which they don't like since my house is outside of the city limits (209 S. State rather than RR 1 Box 12, and no, those aren't my exact addresses, just giving you an idea. )

I've been using fedEx for years. I actually find their tracking information better than UPS actually.

Not just that, but I find their quality of service a lot better. One of my B&O stereos was shipped to me via UPS Ground, and the driver attempted twice to deliever it to the building at address 33 Park Drive instead of 35 Park Drive. When I finally got the package (and it was damaged) it clearly read 35 Park Drive.

The last bike I was sent via UPS came with a tremendously large gaping hole in the box. An overnight package arrived three days later once.

I ordered a digital camera once, and it came via UPS. Made it to my state... sat at the hub there for three days. Then it got sent back out to Washington State. This was when I finally checked the tracking info. So UPS sent it back to me via Ground. They wouldn't even upgrade it to a faster shipping method.

This doesn't include the two packages of mine UPS has lost, and their customer support people are lousy. They called me and said they had foundthe package, so I make the 30 minute trek down to the location, and upon arrival, it was lost again. This happened a second time and they finally decided to give up.

I've never experienced these issues with FedEx. But it seems to be a regional thing. Some people swear by UPS in certain regions. I, unfortunately, cannot say I have had such luck here in Boston.

To answer the question though, companies like Apple get a shipping deal with the carrier they choose. And yes, they make a nice profit margin, and so does the shipping company. All hail capitalism.

FED EX Express is fine. It's their Ground service that's horrible. When I ordered my cube, It was delivered with a damaged box and with pieces missing.

UPS is always great here. They deliver very fast and their tracking system is great.

Airborne is the best by far. Very cheap and VERY VERY fast and reliable.

FedEx gets the nod from me. Not having up to the minute tracking on a package is one thing. Watching your package zig-zag needlessly across the country is another. Many UPS packages go through a gigantic sortiing facility called the Chicago Area Consolidated Hub (CACH.) Imagine the Monster's Inc. scene with all the doors zooming around. This facility tends to send your packages to the wrong part of the country all the time. I had a package sent to me via UPS 2nd Day Select get flown to the SF Bay Area a week late pnly to see it fly to the CACH, then back again.

FedEx is definitely better than UPS from a consumer's point of view too. Their internet shipping process is 100x easier, and they have more drop-off locations all over the country. In addition, FedEx Ground and Overnight is generally cheaper than UPS's equivalent service. The only sweet spot for UPS is the 2 or 3-day service.

I have bought some stuff online, everyone seems to ship with FedEx. I used the online tracking (was a little off) and received my package in the estimated amount of time.

I would defiantly not want to use Airborne Express, they have a terrible reputation in Upstate New York. <img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" />

I kind of liked Airborne's tracking services. They had me sign on a palm looking device downstairs, and as soon as I got back upstairs to my apartment, the tracking information had already been updated with my name as the person who signed.

Also, fedEx sorts all their express packages at their HQ in Tennessee. They have their own airport that all Express planes fly into. All packages are unloaded, sorted, and reloaded onto the appropriate aircraft.

I don't know how their ground operation works.

!!!! NEWS FLASH !!!!

The FedEx site updated the tracking.

My now 5 day old Overnight package is now in Newark NJ. Only FedEx and God know why. I would never have thought that any place in NJ was a convenient mid-point between Rancho Cordova California and Cape Coral Florida.

I can only assume that my newest PM (a 1.25 GHz) won't be arriving tomorrow either.

[quote]Originally posted by Spart:

<strong>They don't deliver to P.O. Boxes however, so I must use my town address, which they don't like since my house is outside of the city limits (209 S. State rather than RR 1 Box 12, and no, those aren't my exact addresses, just giving you an idea. )</strong><hr></blockquote>

I could be wrong, but I think that only the US Post Office will deliver to a PO Box. After all th ePO atands for Post Office

[quote]Originally posted by iDude:

<strong>FED EX Express is fine. It's their Ground service that's horrible. When I ordered my cube, It was delivered with a damaged box and with pieces missing.</strong><hr></blockquote>

It should be noted that FEDEX Ground and FEDEX Express are effectively two different companies. FEDEX Ground is what used to be RPS or Roadway Package Systems (kinda like a smaller UPS as I understand it). Whereas FEDEX Express is the ORIGINAL FEDEX (which has long had and EXCELLENT reputation).

Not an excuse. Only a possible explanation.

Chris Cuilla, I wouldn't make much of it. RPS ceased to exist as a separate company about 6 years ago and was still heavily reliant on FedEx's facilities even before the buyout.

--

As for Airborne's reputation in upstate New York...??? Of all the packages I've received over the years...I don't think I've gotten a single Airborne package later than I expected. Admittedly I don't use them much. For a time Apple pretty much relied on Airborne for most of its Apple Store shipments.

I think FedEx is far better than the others. I've never had a problem with a shipment or their tracking options (Ground or Express). Personally, I always choose Express when it comes to shipping electronics (not into having LCDs and HDs bopping around town for days).

My new TiBook was ordered, shipped and received in 3 days (from Taiwan) via FedEx and the tracking info was right on from the beginning.

More FedEx fun.

FedEx now claims that my new 1.25 DP PM was signed for BY ME today in Bethlehem PA.

HELLO McFLY... The shipping label should say Cape Coral FL. and I'm no where near Pennsylvania.

I'm about to call Apple, maybe there is a logic reason for all of this.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.

[quote]Originally posted by Eugene:

<strong>As for Airborne's reputation in upstate New York...??? Of all the packages I've received over the years...I don't think I've gotten a single Airborne package later than I expected. Admittedly I don't use them much. For a time Apple pretty much relied on Airborne for most of its Apple Store shipments.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Um... FedEx Ground (I didn't say express) and Airborne are actually franchises which work with the parent company and others. I know that for a fact.* They buy territory to cover. So Eugene your service may be better because the enterprise which owns your Airborne is better than mine.

*Over the summer there was a big problem because some nut ran over a bunch of people at the hospital and he was a Fed Ex ground driver using a FedEx truck. The people wanted to sue the parent company, but they couldn't because it was the franchises fault for not doing a good background check.

[ 12-02-2002: Message edited by: Mac Man 020581 ]</p>

[quote]Originally posted by MrBillData:

More FedEx fun.

FedEx now claims that my new 1.25 DP PM was signed for BY ME today in Bethlehem PA.

HELLO McFLY... The shipping label should say Cape Coral FL. and I'm no where near Pennsylvania.

I'm about to call Apple, maybe there is a logic reason for all of this.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled programming. <hr></blockquote>

Another AI member in SWFL ? :eek: Who'd a thunk it?

I live near Sanibel. Send me a private message, maybe we could grab a beer or a coffee sometime.

And, keep us posted on the FedEx follies

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