Scotweb may wish to seek discount from FedEx

[unixken]

Maybe they think you ordered a couple of live bears for your nieces.

For all this delay, perhaps I should have. ;)

[madmacs]

Must be that free seal skin sporran they added as a freebie for such a big order...

[artificer]

Must be that free seal skin sporran they added as a freebie for such a big order...

The gift that keeps on giving!

ith:

[unixken]

I ♥ my Cat
I ♠ my Dog
I ♣ Baby Seals

Sorry... couldn't resist.

[madmacs]

I ♥ my Cat
I ♠ my Dog
I ♣ Baby Seals

Sorry... couldn't resist.

[unixken]

Finally got a proactive call from a FedEx manager, to relay status of my shipment. The status is ...wait for it... "No change in status."

The package is still waiting on Fish & Game, the manager didn't know the specifics but like me, expects the questions are about the shoes (which we've confirmed ARE documented as "bovine leather".)

So... not knowing what Fish and Game needs, to explain that cowhide is what it is, I expect no movement of my "priority service" package yet again, today. :/

[unixken]

Another day, another update. In another 6 hours, my package will have sat on the dock in Memphis, for one full week. That's 7 full days on the dock, with no action taken.

FedEx insists there is nothing they can do to prod US Fish and Wildlife to release the package. I suggested they open the box, remove the shoes, and send the rest along. I was told they can't do that. If I drive to Memphis, they will not allow me onto the dock to open the package myself as the dock is a secured area, and they cant bring the box to me outside the dock, until Customs releases it. I sense that FedEx is getting as frustrated as I am, but it seems they are getting frustrated with me... rather than with Customs. They are starting to push back as hard as I am pushing them.

So I asked what it will take to return the box to Scotland. I was told I only need to give the word.

I want to stress that Scotweb has been putting the pressure on FedEx from their end as well, and has amply demonstrated their support for my situation. So, I will call Scotweb tomorrow to discuss options.

I am thinking that if the box does not move by 5pm tomorrow, I may direct FedEx to return the box to Scotweb, where I will ask them to split up the order into several boxes and re-ship via another courier service.

If anyone ordering items of different types (leather and other animal products, fabric products, metallic/jewelry items, decanters and flasks, etc.) from the UK, in any single order from any vendor who ships via FedEx, I suggest the following. Ask the vendor to box like-items together in boxes separate from items of a different type... all leather items in one box, all fabric items in another... That way, if any one type of item gets hung up with Customs, at least the remaining boxes stand a chance of continuing on their way.

If the vendor will not ordinarily split a single order amongst multiple boxes, then I suggest the buyer place separate orders... all leather items in one order, all fabric items in another, and so on, each to be boxed, billed, paid, and shipped separately. If Fish and Wildlife wants to dick around with a pair of shoes, at least the non-animal products will not be subject to their touch.

I can understand the need for Customs, and the various agencies, to each do their jobs. And I have no issues with FedEx domestically. But I am also learning that the pair, together, need to be avoided, and that the system needs to be gamed a little.

[artificer]

Woah. In my experience USF&W move VERY quickly. I can't imagine what the hold up is.

What I would suggest is bypassing FedEx and contacting USF&W at the local port (Memphis?)

Memphis, TN
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
3150 Tchulahoma Road, Suite 6
Memphis, TN 38118
901-544-3694
Fax: 901-544-3696

HERE is a link to all of their offices if I'm remembering the port incorrectly.

If you have the customs # from Scotweb you may be able to speak directly to an agent and get things cleared up faster than FedEx's "Brokerage services".

It took all of ONE WEEK for me to: Get notice of a problem, speak to an agent in Chicago, apply for my Export License, RECEIVE my export license, have my package CLEAR inspection and be reposted to customs.

USF&W was the single easiest experience I've had dealing with Federal paperwork in my life. YMMV.

Best of luck, and keep us posted.

ith:

[unixken]

Artificer,

Thanks for the info. I'll add this to the list of calls I'll make tomorrow morning. If it proves fruitless, I'll proceed with a call to Scotweb to arrange a return, re-box and re-ship, via another courier.

[unixken]

I called US Fish & Wildlife, in Memphis. Thank you for the suggestion, Artificer!

The F&W agent there tells me that normally they receive an email from FedEx calling their attention to any package needing F&W clearance. The agent had no such email. But he kindly gave me his contact within FedEx, and they conferenced in another person, who then got the FedEx Customer Advocate on the line.

While everyone was investigating, one proposed option discussed was that I could file a claim for the lost shipment. I explained that I would not be satisfied with that option, as the apparel in the shipment was all custom-made, taking a few months to produce, and that re-ordering would take an equal amount of time.

With all eyes looking into the situation seeing the same thing (that no scans had occurred since the package was logged in, it is now theorized that *IF* the physical box was actually scanned (and not just some bar-code on a clipboard), they would have someone physically look for the box, on the dock at Memphis. However, it was noted that if the last scan from 12:32AM a week ago, was actually just a scan of the paperwork... then it is possible the actual box never made it on to the plane... ergo, it may never have left Scotland.

So... while FedEx tries to get someone *on the dock* in Memphis to actually look for the box, the Customer Advocate is simultaniously looking into who she can call at FedEx UK, to spur similar physical inspection at the sending end.

I have insisted that I be given daily phone calls for status, indicating that either the shipment has been found and is on its way, or that they are still looking and have not yet found it. I indicated that noon, my local time, on Monday, will be my deadline.

I do have to say, that this was the most productive call to date.

I have already spoken once today with Scotweb (prior to this latest marathon call with FedEx), and we already have a game plan, should the package be sent back to (or in this case, possibly found to still be in) Scotland.

So, the saga continues...