The special magic phrase to say at the FedEx counter
If you’ve ever had to hand carry a package to the FedEx drop-off point and you have half a brain you’ll know that as soon as the staff scans the barcode on the label, the package becomes their responsibility. You would also assume that if someone dropped off an item and it somehow failed to be scanned, and that package dropped into a black hole, FedEx would assume that such a package never even existed. Therefore if the package is especially time-sensitive (like perhaps you are willing to spend a bit of scratch to get it there overnight), or valuable, you’d probably want to make sure that the staff actually scan the package before you let it out of your sight. Unfortunately at all the drop-off locations I frequent, this is harder than it looks. In fact, in my experience none of these work:
Hi. Could you scan my package?
Would you scan my package please?
Please scan my package. No, I don’t mind waiting my turn.
I need you to scan my package first before I leave.
No, don’t get up out of your chair. Just lift that wireless scanner that is by your right hand, point it in the general direction of this very important package that I’ve placed right here in front of you on the scale, and pull the trigger.
I’ve had a package that I insured for several thousand dollars that had to go out that night for an early AM delivery. Because of the hour, I drove the package right to the airport’s staffed FedEx point and got into a shouting match with fscking asshole behind the counter because he did not care to scan the package in front of me. Then a “manager” swung by and told an obvious lie to cover for his minion. By that time I was on the phone with FedEx. I asked if there was any special magic words I needed to say to get the hired help to do their jobs without making the whole deal a pain in the ass. They were no help.
On a different trip, I discovered the secret. Someone in front of me in line said the special magic words, which are as follows:
I need a receipt for this package.
That’s it. They need to scan the package to give you a receipt. Absolutely no stress, no issues, and no attitude.
While comments are open, I’d especially like to invite comments from those who work at FedEx, either as management/customer service/public relations employees, or front line workers. Maybe there’s another side to the story on the “i don’t wanna scan the packages in the presence of my customer” issue.
