Delay in Christmas shipments from FedEx disappoints customers

25 Feb 2019

Delayed Christmas shipments from FedEx disappointed some people, for not delivering their packages in time for the holidays. The shipper said that some FedEx employees volunteered to work on Christmas, to deliver the pending packages.

Some customers in the Southeast were unable to place their gifts under the tree on Christmas Eve due to the delayed shipments. FedEx emailed a statement saying that it was running an expanded operation and delivering “the remaining delayed shipments along with our normal Saturday volume.” Priority is being given to residential shipments on Friday, the company added.

“FedEx is doing everything possible to get customer shipments delivered by Christmas in spite of slight delays due to heavier than planned last-minute shipment volumes and severe weather outbreaks in some areas of the U.S.,” said FedEx spokeswoman Rae Lyn Rushing.

Customers expressed their frustration over social media on Thursday and Friday, for ruining their holiday. The hashtag #FedExfail was trending on Twitter, with many calling the company the “Christmas Grinch.” Though rival United Parcel Shipments Inc. faced some delay in shipments, it seemed to be less impacted b the severe weather. Peggy Gardner, spokesperson for UPS said that there may be some individuals who had some delayed packages, but overall, most people got their packages they were promised.

FedEx Express stations were open across the US until 1 p.m. for customer pickups, and drivers made deliveries on Friday. Both companies failed to keep up the pace during the holiday season due to the surge in last-minute orders. Several discount on orders and shipping costs pushed the holiday sales.

The National Retail Federation has forecast a 3.7 percent increase in holiday spending this year. HRC Advisory reported that 90 percent of retailers were providing free shipping on deliveries, compared to 78 percent in 2014. Two years ago, UPS faced a similar situation, for failing to deliver the shipments on Christmas.

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