FedEx Federal Express ripoff stealing packages by not scanning them in...BEWARE! Lansing Michigan

The Lansing location of FedEx (Enterprise Dr.) 'lost' (I prefer the term 'stole') my package. BEWARE! I had a DirecTV HD receiver that I was shipping back to DirecTV. On 11/19/05 I purchased a box and tape at the aforementioned FedEx location. I packaged my expensive HD receiver while in the store and placed the prepaid label (provided by DirecTV) on the box. I also wrote the RMA number on the package. I then handed the package to the lady behind the counter...that was the last time anyone (apparently) saw the package.

Six weeks after I shipped the package, DirecTV contacted me stating they never received the unit. Unfortunately, 5 weeks after shipping the package I disposed of the airbill, assuming the package had reached it's destination (DirecTV gave me 7 days to return the unit...I waited 5 weeks). It turns out that it doesn't matter even if I had my copy of the airbill...it's still my word versus theirs! Luckily I was able to work out a compromise with DirecTV to avoid the $400 they were trying to charge me.

The tracking number of the shipment (obtained via DirecTV) shows that it was never initially scanned in. I opened a lost and found case with FedEx...needless to say they couldn't locate my package. I then filed a police report with the Lansing PD...needless to say it's not high on their list of priorities. Finally, I filed a claim with FedEx...needless to say it was rejected despite my credit card receipt showing that I purchased the box and tape for my package and the fact that I filed a police report (why would I risk filing a false police report?) Heck...I'll even take a lie-detector test!

My belief is that someone saw me packaging the receiver and decided to steal it. If the package was never initially scanned in (and the FedEx airbill carbon is never filed), it's as if I never dropped off the package. The Lansing PD doesn't consider it a crime since I voluntarily handed the package to FedEx...they said it is now a civil matter.

The moral of the story is that there is no action one can take through FedEx and/or a police department if your package is never initially scanned in...therefore every day is Christmas at FedEx. If you see something you like, take it w/o scanning and it's yours!

I will never use FedEx again...if you have to, make sure they scan in the package before you leave the store!

Peter
Mason, Michigan
U.S.A.