Are FedEx HAZMAT Fees a Scam?

[Dusty Devil Dale]

I ordered some primers (over $1,000 worth) from Natchez SS in Tennessee; paid the +-$25 HAZMAT fees.  (As you read this littany, remember that a signature was required for HAZMAT delivery, so my other activities away from home had to be curtailed for each scheduled delivery date.)

 

Natchez shipped the same day by FedEx, and the parcel arrived cross-country in Tracy, CA late the following night.  (WOW!  so far, so good).  Tracking showed delivery 2 days later.  On day 3, they arrived in Fresno, Ca at my local FedEx distribution center.  But on day 4, instead of delivery, they were sent  back to Tracy.  On day 5, they returned to Fresno.  Tracking showed next day delivery (again).  No delivery occurred.  They sat in Fresno until Day 9, at which time they shipped back to Tracy.  On Day 10, they came back to Fresno (remember, this is a "HAZARDOUS" shipment).  They sat in the Fresno Distribution Center until Day 16, when tracking showed them "On Truck for Delivery" --but again, no delivery occurred.  The following day, tracking showed "Shipment is Delayed" (No Kidding!)

You guessed it-- they sat in Fresno for four more days, then went back to Tracy on Day 21.  On Day 23, they arrived back in Fresno (4th time).  They sat in Fresno until Day 26, when THE MIRACLE DELIVERY OCCURRED !

 

A compact sedan with private license plates drove into my long driveway and a friendly young man in plain clothes stepped out.  He wore no uniform, but had a FedEx name tag and a FedEx tablet, which I signed, then he handed me my long-awaited primers.    I asked about the delays and he replied, "That's not too surprising.  Things at FedEx are in shambles"

 

I asked him how he came to deliver my "HAZARDOUS" parcel in his private car.  He said he is a US Postal Service employee, and FedEx contracts with him and lots of other USPS moonlighting  people for parcel deliveries on weekends.   

 

So that is the special handling financed by my FedEx HAZMAT fees.  No special vehicle placards.  No special employee training.  No company vehicles, and as far as I can see, very poor service.  

 

In relating this story to others in our local club, several others described similar experiences with FedEx.  From now on, I cannot do much about the HAZMAT fees,, but I will specify another carrier.  

 

 

[Abilene Slim SASS 81783]

Maybe I'm missing something. I don't see where HAZMAT procedures had anything to do with the delay, nor am I aware that HAZMAT implies expedited handling/delivery. This could have happened to any parcel. 

[Alpo]

Not just FedEx. Hazmat fees in general are a scam.

 

UPS invented it. They started charging $3 for hazardous materials, because it is so dangerous to handle them. And people paid it. And FedEx, and all the other carriers, paid attention to this.

 

"If UPS can charge this fee and get away with it, we should be able to also."

 

So other carriers started charging hazmat fees. And the fee increased. And it increased. And it increased.

 

And the funny thing I have noticed lately is that different sellers charge different hazmat fees. Natchez might charge $15 while Midway charges $18, etc. It's not all the same price. If it was an actual government mandated fee - which I always thought it was - it would be the same price.

 

It's a scam. Like UPS having to mail pistols overnight. It's just another way to get some more of our money.

[Lawdog Dago Dom]

A UPS driver told me HazMat boxes are lumped in with all the other boxes. So "scam" gets my vote.

 

Class action lawsuit?

 

That's a long way out of my wheelhouse to comment but I would support one!

[Yul Lose]

Hazmat fees are another profit generator, IMHO, of course.

[Bart Slade]

The problem is that carrying companies (like Fedex) are subject to more regulation when hauling hazmat.   Requires a lot of extra documentation, tracking, and training.    So yes, it's more expensive for them.

 

I'm in trucking (manage a trucking depot in Seattle), and we haul enough hazmat that it's a PITB.   All our drivers have to have special endorsements on their drivers licenses (which cost about $150 a year), every employee that touches a hazmat shipment (whether physically handling it or just processing the paperwork) has to have hazmat training, and has to go through an 8 hour class every three years to renew their credential.     Route plans and communication plans have to be generated.   We have to have emergency response and cleanup plans and services in place before handling hazmat.    A driver has to have different safety equipment on board for hazmat (has to carry larger fire extinguishers for example).

 

So hazmat fees are not a profit generator.

[LawMan Mark, SASS #57095L]

I get an email from FedEx most every day saying deliveries will be delayed in some portion of the country due to some event.

 

I also had almost $200 worth of 22 lr ammo made it to within 20 miles of my house when UPS declared the shipment "Damage Reported"  and advised I'd have to contact the shipper.  Waiting impatiently to hear from Federal on that.

[Buckshot Bear]

I posted an expensive camera lens to a buyer recently, I had to pay Australia Post insurance.....just in case THEY lose it......

[Dr. O. R. Vet]

DDD,    I almost hate to comment because I know how it feels to be WAITING, AND WAITING for your package.  Especially a firearm related package.

 

I have been shipping with FEDEX for probably 15 years and shipping LARGE boxes (52x27x7in) which contains a player piano kit.  Last fall I had a kit shipped from near Boston MA to a small little town in Alabama.  They took 14 days--5 of which were spent in the FEDEX distribution center in Cincinnati.  It finally made it but my dealer was getting very anxious--he was on a strict deadline.

 

This last week I had one shipped from the same place in MA to me here in MO.  Same size package, same weight.  It left on Wednesday and arrive in MO on Friday!   

 

There's just no explaining FEDEX!

 

Dr. O. R.

 

[Tall Tale Todd]

Had almost the same experience after ordering from Natchez. Even they admitted FedEx was a disaster. 

[Dusty Devil Dale]

2 hours ago, Bart Slade said:

The problem is that carrying companies (like Fedex) are subject to more regulation when hauling hazmat.   Requires a lot of extra documentation, tracking, and training.    So yes, it's more expensive for them.

 

I'm in trucking (manage a trucking depot in Seattle), and we haul enough hazmat that it's a PITB.   All our drivers have to have special endorsements on their drivers licenses (which cost about $150 a year), every employee that touches a hazmat shipment (whether physically handling it or just processing the paperwork) has to have hazmat training, and has to go through an 8 hour class every three years to renew their credential.     Route plans and communication plans have to be generated.   We have to have emergency response and cleanup plans and services in place before handling hazmat.    A driver has to have different safety equipment on board for hazmat (has to carry larger fire extinguishers for example).

 

So hazmat fees are not a profit generator.

Thank you for your well-informed response.   At one time, before retirement, I was myself HAZMAT 1st Responder trained, so I am aware that trucking companies like yours are carefully regulated and have to do all of the costly things that you described. 

 

But my question pertained mainly to the driver who delivered my "HAZMAT" parcel in his personal car (and carried it on the passenger seat next to him).  He was pleasant enough, but he appeared to be aware of none of what you described. 

 

I think there could be differences in how companies comply with regulatory requirements, making risk assessments depending on their financial situation at the time and who is making the choices.  But the fees don't vary, so the company gets reimbursed for costs whether or not the costs are actually incurred.  I've had many times when the required signature on delivery was never done.  And that was, I understood,  a critical part of the chain of custody, needed to assure that delivered HAZMAT materials don't fall into the hands of children or other people who are not allowed to buy or possess the materials.  But there is obvious laxity out on the ground, legal or otherwise, with some carriers.  I point out that my OP was not an isolated event.  FedEx is becomming well known for its generally poor handling systems and  lack of diligence.   In their case, at least, the extra costs paid for HAZMAT compliance do not appear to be incurred. 

[Dusty Devil Dale]

3 hours ago, Abilene Slim SASS 81783 said:

Maybe I'm missing something. I don't see where HAZMAT procedures had anything to do with the delay, nor am I aware that HAZMAT implies expedited handling/delivery. This could have happened to any parcel. 

The issue isn't about the delays.  It is about how the HAZMAT parcel was handled.  I realize the added fees are not for expedited treatment, but wouldn't you think a company would want to avoid repetitive unnecessary hauling and extended on-site storage of presumed "hazardous" materials?  And wouldn't you think they would transport them in a properly equipped company vehicle, rather that the unknown conditions of a contractor's private car?  So the question in my OP is about whether or not the fees ACTUALLY reflect added safety related costs, or are just pocketed by FedEx (and I was specific to FedEx). 

[Pat Riot]

I learned my lesson with FedEx and their BS of needing a signature for hazmat items. I will only allow UPS shipping of my goods and if the seller won’t send it UPS then I do not order from them. Simple. 
 

I played silly cat and mouse games twice with FedEx trying to get primers delivered. Never again. 

[Eyesa Horg]

The odd thing here has been.... I get a call as well as an e-mail from Fedex informing of the delivery and needing a signature. The same day the package appears on my porch with NO signature a day earlier than expected. I have never signed for a single delivery ever. The hazmat cost varies greatly. I recently questioned the amount from a vendor and was told that UPS charges them $40 plus shipping charges, then why don't they charge everyone the same $40?

[bgavin]

Considering the price of primers relative to the hazmat + shipping fee... one is better off to buy locally even at a higher price.
A $70 brick from the internet is no cheaper than a $100 brick from a scalper, face to face.

Then there are the train robberies as shown in L.A. recently, where thousands of packages are strewn along the train tracks by the thieves that LA will not prosecute.

[Eyesa Horg]

38 minutes ago, bgavin said:

Considering the price of primers relative to the hazmat + shipping fee... one is better off to buy locally even at a higher price.
A $70 brick from the internet is no cheaper than a $100 brick from a scalper, face to face.

Then there are the train robberies as shown in L.A. recently, where thousands of packages are strewn along the train tracks by the thieves that LA will not prosecute.

It's Cali, they will pass a law and charge the rest of us instead. Remember it's criminal justice, we can't go charging them for what they do. Go after the law abiding. Gawd I'm cranky today!

[Pat Riot]

Well, how’s this for irony. I am expecting an order of 4# of W244 powder from Midsouth Shooters. I specifically requested UPS and not DedEx due to FedEx BS with signatures. The nice lady at Midsouth accommodated me. It turns out UPS tried to deliver today but no one was home to sign for the package!

It appears that Midsouth requires a signature from the delivery service. Grrrrr….

 

I left a note on the UPS sticky note that I will be home by 2pm tomorrow. There tracking says delivery will occur between 2 and 6pm. 

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

Right now if you order something and you get it at all you gots no gripes.  Everything is pretty screwed and is only getting worse.  I have been sitting by my computer looking out the window at my front door waiting for deliveries when I have gotten email notices my packages have been delivered and nothing, nada.  And I was there watching at the time.  That is when you have a gripe.  On one recent shipment from Midway got the notice, looking out the window nothing there.  Went to UPS the next morning and they said it was dilivered and that if there was a problem the shipper had to initiate a claim.  I sent a note to Midway they said to wait 24 hours and if I did not get it to let them know.  24 hours, nothing, Midway shipped replacment items.

[Pat Riot]

I will gripe if I want to. 

[Lawdog Dago Dom]

"I have not yet begun to gripe!"

 

John  "Pat Riot" Paul Jones

 

[Pat Riot]

I just received a notification from UPS about my delivery. I was able to sign in and change from “Signature Required” to “Shipment Released” to authorize delivery without a signature  

 

Hopefully it works. 
 

 

[Buckshot Bob]

On 1/24/2022 at 7:49 PM, Pat Riot, SASS #13748 said:

I learned my lesson with FedEx and their BS of needing a signature for hazmat items. I will only allow UPS shipping of my goods and if the seller won’t send it UPS then I do not order from them. Simple. 
 

I played silly cat and mouse games twice with FedEx trying to get primers delivered. Never again. 

Fed X , left a CMP Garand on my front porch with no signature. Luckily the dogs alerted me someone was there, saw the truck driving out the driveway. In the email it said I sighed for it but no such thing happened. 
Where I live I seriously doubt it would have been a problem if I were not home as we’ve never had porch pirate problems and you can’t see my front door from the road , but it sure could be in some situations 

[Cypress Sun]

FedEx and UPS should merge. They've already made most people FedUp

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

I just plainly refuse to do any business with FedEx Period 

[Pat Riot]

9 hours ago, Cypress Sun said:

FedEx and UPS should merge. They've already made most people F’edUp

If I may…your idea is a good one, but you missed a small detail that I fixed for you. A small apostrophe is all that’s needed. 

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

What is a real PITA is when something is "supposed" to be delivered by the PO.  If it requires a signature and I am not home instead of leaving the package at my local PO they haul it to the package precessing center out in the middle of the desert far from my house.

[Finagler 6853 Life]

I'm pretty lucky in that I can have things shipped to work.  Since it is a regular stop for both everyday, I don't have much of a problem.  My wife OTOH is always getting things messed up in transit having it shipped to our house.  I feel your pain.

[Pat Riot]

49 minutes ago, Finagler 6853 Life said:

I'm pretty lucky in that I can have things shipped to work.  Since it is a regular stop for both everyday, I don't have much of a problem.  My wife OTOH is always getting things messed up in transit having it shipped to our house.  I feel your pain.

Ha! I work at a public transit agency. This would go over like a lead balloon. 

[Pat Riot]

I got my delivery. Apparently using their app and selecting “Shipment Release” allows the driver to deliver without a signature. Good to know. 

[Yul Lose]

I got some SG primers in this afternoon and they were delivered by a Mexican kid driving an older Chrysler mini van,  a FedEx contractor and I didn’t have to sign for them. I’ll stand by my earlier comment about it being a profit generator because they damned sure aren’t doing anything special.

[Pat Riot]

43 minutes ago, Yul Lose said:

I got some SG primers in this afternoon and they were delivered by a Mexican kid driving an older Chrysler mini van,  a FedEx contractor and I didn’t have to sign for them. I’ll stand by my earlier comment about it being a profit generator because they damned sure aren’t doing anything special.

I agree. All they need to do is label it and ground ship it. Just like lithium ion batteries. 

[Yul Lose]

1 minute ago, Pat Riot, SASS #13748 said:

I agree. All they need to do is label it and ground ship it. Just like lithium ion batteries. 

Yep, and this kid could barely speak English and didn’t know how to wear a baseball cap so I find it hard to believe he’s a highly trained HazMat specialist. I caught him dumping packages down by my gate one time and showed him how easy it was to drive up my driveway, I give him credit for that, he brings stuff right to my shop.

[bgavin]

I avoid buying internet hazmat materials unless I can buy in large enough quantities to diffuse the hazmat and shipping fees.

A few weeks back, I found a 1# jug of AA 5744 at my LGS for $45... same as the internet vendors.
I went back today, now $60 for the same 1# jug.

I passed.

[Smokin Gator SASS #29736]

As I pointed out in a recent thread I bought a 5 pound jug of Cleanshot, $117.50, plus shipping and hazmat came out to $150. If they'd allowed more or had other powder I wanted I could have maximized paying the hazmat. Still came to $30 per pound for just the one jug. 

[Pat Riot]

25 minutes ago, Smokin Gator SASS #29736 said:

As I pointed out in a recent thread I bought a 5 pound jug of Cleanshot, $117.50, plus shipping and hazmat came out to $150. If they'd allowed more or had other powder I wanted I could have maximized paying the hazmat. Still came to $30 per pound for just the one jug. 

I just received a 4# jug of W244. With price, shipping, hazmat and tax was just under $150. It took 3.5 weeks to get it. I had purchased 2# of W244 at an LGS in October and it was $36 a pound. The shipped powder came to $37.50 per pound. 

 

You just can’t win either way but at least I am shooting.