Re: FedEx not what it's cracked up to be
 

Well UPS isn't donating hundreds of thousands of dollars in shipping fees. Just think--if you had to pay full freight costs for those robot crates how much more you'd have to pay.

We're getting most of this shipping for free (unless of course you ship to more than one regional, etc)--we shouldn't be bashing FedEx.

Re: FedEx not what it's cracked up to be
 

I am very grateful for the donated shipping by fed-ex. It will save my team thousands.

Re: FedEx not what it's cracked up to be
 

Ditto.

Jacob

Re: FedEx not what it's cracked up to be
 

yah well bongo guy is in on my team and the fedex truck for our pick up area, it only comes monday and thursday and when we first found out that our robot couldnt be shipped we freaked out but now that we talked to the fedex people and to the FIRST people they said that they will allow us to compete and fedex wiil come pick up our robot tomorrow so yeah we are way glad that we get to compete cause this is our first year of competition

Re: FedEx not what it's cracked up to be
 

Once again let's be fair here...the process of shipping via FedEx and the documentation is clear and accurate.

The FRC manual in Section 4, Robot Transportation details everything teams need to know to ship their robot.

The FIRST website also contained a sub-page, FedEx Online Shipping Administration, with good, concise documentation for shipping via FedEx.

Infact the specific document that leads you through the process of using the FedEx website has screenshots and field by field instructions for every step. In this very visual document, Step 9 cleary states, in a callout box, "* Select “Will contact FedEx” Please note that you will need to call FedEx at 1-800-332-0807 and ask for Express Freight to schedule your pickup."

Shipping in general can be problematic, there are many things that can and do go wrong, however, I think FedEx and FIRST have done an excellent job of improving the shipping process over the years.

Just my opinion...let's Rack and Roll!!

Re: FedEx not what it's cracked up to be
 

It is a lot to read and I can understand how this happens. It sounds like FIRST is giving consideration to areas of the country that don't have everyday coverage by Fedex. Thanks FIRST. Thanks Fedex.

Re: FedEx not what it's cracked up to be
 

It's good to hear that it got worked out. With things like this, part of the process is learning the ropes - as in how shipping will work in your area. It will be easier for you guys next year. One thing to do, which you may already be doing, is to make notes on some of things you want the team to be aware of each season. This shipping pick up on certain days is one of those things that directly impacts the team effort. Good luck during your competition - have fun!
Jane

Re: FedEx not what it's cracked up to be
 

At least you guys get service. The Navajo team lives in an area FedEx doesn't serve at all. Last year they had to wait 2 weeks to get their kit because it took that long to figure out where to ship it so they could pick it up, after a several hour drive.

You guys are Rookies and we'll cut you a lot of slack because of it. Especially for problems like this that come up because of a unique situation, like being miles from anywhere else. I'm glad it's all worked out.

Re: FedEx not what it's cracked up to be
 

Okay, well, I wasn't meaning to bash FedEx. They do tons and save all of the teams hundreds of dollars. It was just suprising and scary when we had called and everything was scheduled and we were told that they would be at the school at 1:00pm to pick up our Robot and come 3:00pm we get a call that says they won't be able to pick up our crate until Thursday. What's more, is that there was even a FedEx truck in town but they still would not pick up our crate.

Yes, we are a rookie team, FedEx is still a huge support for FIRST, and we would be a lot farther into our pockets without them. We called FIRST Headquarters and them approved our case or whatever and everything is gonna be alright. *whew*

Thanks guys,
Talon

Re: FedEx not what it's cracked up to be
 

Before you post basing a company that is such a huge support to FIRST. you need to calm down, and just make sure you really want to say what you mean.

I would like to say thank you to fed-ex.

Re: FedEx not what it's cracked up to be
 

While I am sorry about the confusion with FedEx and the shipping, I have a very difficult time saying they dropped the ball and that it isn't all that it is cracked up to be. FedEx is a major sponsor of FIRST and saying something bad about somebody whom is donating a massive amount of money to our group should never ever be critizied for a mix up. If it weren't for the genorsity of FedEx our team wouldn't even be able to compete. GRACIOUS PROFESSIONALISM. Please remember those words.:D