We recently had a conversation with a UPS shipper that had a nasty surprise on his recent UPS invoice. Upon reviewing the invoice, we found nearly $500 in charges in the...
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FedEx recently announced the 2019 general rate increase that will go into effect January 7th, 2019. FedEx will increase express shipping rates by an average of 4.9% for domestic and...
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Understand how a FedEx Agreement is Organized The black and white details of a FedEx contract can often look like a foreign language even to the savviest of shippers and...
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Shipping items with FedEx is getting more expensive. FedEx announced an average general rate increase of 4.9% starting January 7, 2019. This is the same average increase FedEx implemented in...
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Many shippers really have no clue on how FedEx and UPS minimum package charges affect their overall shipping spend. Most companies do not realize there is a minimum charge that...
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Last year we published a blog on where exactly to find specific zone charts for your location. Zones are very critical to know for all FedEx shippers in an everyday application as well as each time you negotiate a new agreement with the carrier. Here is a list of all the FedEx…
Many times customers come across abbreviations on FedEx weekly invoices and agreements yet have no clue as to the meaning of them. Here is a list of common abbreviations that might come in handy. OB: Outbound prepaid packages picked up at your facility IB: Packages received by and billed to…
Many times angry customers will demand a refund for shipping charges because their delivery was made past the guaranteed delivery date. It is very important to keep a customer happy...
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FedEx Billing Online is an efficient and streamlined way for your business to handle your FedEx invoices. This free and easy tool allows your business to view, manage and download invoices, dispute charges, plus make payments. Your FedEx shipping charges can be applied directly to a company credit card or…
During the 2018 holiday shipping season, FedEx will temporarily suspend the money back guarantee for these dates. Other than the dates listed below, each and every ground, home delivery and...
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Business owners as always looking for ways to reduce shipping costs. One new way to reduce your FedEx shipping spend easily was recently introduced by American Express. Businesses can earn 15% back as an AMEX statement credit each time they use an enrolled business card to purchase qualifying services with…
FedEx recently announced general changes to surcharges on unauthorized shipments and packages that require additional handling; these higher fees go into effect September 3, 2018. FedEx’s Unauthorized Package Charge will more than double, from $300 to $675. The additional handling surcharge for packages weighing greater than 70 lbs. will increase…
Small parcel shippers will contact Refund Retriever because their current auditing company just isn’t getting the job done. The rate of late delivery credits fluctuates from week to week but there are some ways to ensure that your business is getting all of the guaranteed service refunds that your FedEx…
Shipping is an essential part of business operations for companies small and large alike. In fact, it was reported that FedEx and UPS collectively ship nearly 12 Billion packages each year… and this number is rising as each day passes. Keeping this in mind, it’s no surprise that these shipping…
The pace of parcel is fast and furious with the fine-print details of carrier contracts often changing just as quickly. Keeping this in mind, how can businesses keep up with the rapid speed of parcel changes that directly impact their businesses? In order to best support shipping efficiency and expenses,…
With FedEx rates rising each year, we help many small parcel shippers evaluate current contracts and discount rates. One of the most commonly asked questions, “Would Smart Post be an option to lower shipping costs?” There are many pros and cons to take into consideration. Customer expectations, additional customer service…
Looking ahead to 2018, it’s becoming increasingly clear how vital data is to a shipper’s business. Through data, you can identify how much you ship, when you ship and what your costs are for shipping in addition to identifying where opportunities are to save money on your parcel overhead –…
Effective January 22, 2018, FedEx will apply dimensional weight pricing with a dimensional divisor of 139 and a per pound rate to all packages over 71 lbs on all SmartPost packages. Dimensional weights are of course (length x width x height) divided by a DIM factor, which is set by…
Effective January 1, 2018, FedEx Express package standard list rates will increase an average of 4.9% for all domestic services. This rate increase will effect the following domestic services: first overnight, priority overnight, standard overnight, 2 day AM, 2 day, and express saver. The rate increase as announced is 4.9%…
Last month FedEx announced that they will be their raising shipping rates once again in 2018 for FedEx Ground, FedEx Express, and FedEx Freight by an average 4.9%. FedEx Ground Multiweight and Smartpost rates will also change. Since there are many changes in rates, we will split these…
FedEx recently sent out an email to account holders to remind users that FedEx is not adding additional holiday residential surcharges as UPS is doing. However, there will be increased charges on Additional Handling, Oversize and Ground Unauthorized Surcharges during the holiday season to express and ground packages. You can expect…
What percentage of my shipping costs are made up of accessorial fees? Accessorial fee surcharges for additional, supplemental or value added services can easily account for up to 40 percent of your overall FedEx or UPS invoice costs. After doing some research with our own data, we found something…
FedEx and UPS both include accessorial fees, there is no getting around them. Accessorial charges have rate increases each year just as the general rates. Accessorial fee surcharges for additional, supplemental or value added services can easily account for up to 40 percent of your overall FedEx or UPS invoice costs. When…
Refund Retriever sponsors and attends many trade shows each year. Twice a year we have a table at the Independent Retailer Conference within ASD Las Vegas and we are repeatedly asked what can be done about all the “extra fees” on UPS and FedEx invoices. These extra fees…
Everyone here at Refund Retriever weathered the storm and we are moving forward. We experienced no disruption in services, all FedEx and UPS parcel auditing was unaffected thanks to our brilliant programmers and infrastructure. Feel free to call us at 800-441-8085 if you have any questions. Some of us are…
FedEx and UPS have announced additional fees for packages shipped during these busy shipping seasons. FedEx will increase three surcharges and UPS will implement new peak season surcharges. UPS’s fees apply mainly to residential deliveries since they are inefficient due to homes being more spread out. FedEx The following…
Amazon will be holding the third annual Amazon Prime day on July 11, 2017, for Prime members. This year the event will last for 30 hours and be full of deals that are too good to resist. There are numerous deals available and since this event is lasting 30 hours…
Each year FedEx and UPS increase rates, everyone knows this but how much are the increases for each service and how can you be proactive to save money on your shipping? Let’s look at the true increases and what you can do to keep your shipping costs as low as…
What is a shipping zone? UPS and FedEx both use zones for each package you send. Shipping contracts are divided into zone pricing and each package is price based on the destination zone. You cannot get away from zones, so investigate what a zone really is and how to determine…
In just one trip to the National Hardware Show, discover thousands of brand-new products, see the biggest brands, and join the entire hardware & home improvement industry—under one roof. National Hardware Show is held once a year in Las Vegas and Refund Retriever will be there May 9, 2017 to May…
With FedEx and UPS increasing their rates each year, understanding your own shipping contracts is very important. Did the carriers create the complexity in these to increase their own profits, when was the last time you read through your carrier contract? With most FedEx and UPS contracts there are two…
Is your contract due for negotiation? FedEx Money Back Guarantee Waiver It’s true that FedEx and UPS guarantee the on-time delivery of your Ground and Express packages, but not every shipment is on time. If they deliver that FedEx Home Delivery package just 60 seconds late, you are…
Here at Refund Retriever we know accessorial fees are a huge part of a shippers invoice. We decided to take the FedEx list of delivery area surcharge and extended delivery area surcharge zip codes and map them all out. What percentage of the country has a zip code that either…
With Black Friday and the holiday season approaching, there is guaranteed to be an increase in packages stolen from your doorstep. Porch Pirates will closely follow a delivery truck and take the merchandise as soon as the driver is out of sight. A report from August Home Inc found nearly…
Are you insuring against lost or damaged FedEx and UPS packages? When you use the carrier’s declared value program, you’re most likely grossly overpaying. Let’s look at declared value fees and what you can do about it. Declared value of $101 for shipment, means you will pay for the first…
FedEx has announced shipping rate and surcharge changes for 2017 that do not match those announced by UPS on September 1st. Effective January 2, 2017 FedEx will increase shipping rates as follows: FedEx Express will increase shipping rates by an average of 3.9% for US services UPS services will increase…
The money-back guarantee for some of FedEx services has changed for this holiday season. Make sure to review the new terms, especially FedEx Ground and Home Delivery!! HERE’S A LINK TO 2017 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE AND CLOSURES. FedEx Ground Packages tendered to FedEx Ground for delivery on the day after Thanksgiving…
ASD Market Week is the most comprehensive business to business trade show that brings the world’s widest variety of retail merchandise together under one roof. ASD Market Week is held twice per year in Las Vegas and Refund Retriever will be there July 31, 2016 to August 3, 2016…
If you had visited the Refund Retriever booth at WooConf or Channel Advisor’s Catalyst this past year you had the chance to play a frustrating hook and ring game. It’s a fun little game we brought to provide some entertainment and we had a huge request from people to have…
Check out our other Amazon Prime Blogs! AMAZON PRIME GHOST DELIVERY NOTIFICATION Amazon Prime Misdelivery? Or was it…. Hardly a day goes by that I do not log into my Amazon Prime account to either place an order or to research prices. I turn to Amazon Prime for…
Refund Retriever started back in 2006 with one UPS and one FedEx account. We could have tracked and estimated a week’s worth of packages in a few hours by hand if we needed. Disputes were all done with a phone call. Of course now this is not necessary due to…
Here at Refund Retriever we are constantly improving our refund technology software to get the maximum amount of late delivery refunds from FedEx and UPS. Guaranteed service refunds (GSR) are available when the carrier delivers a package even 60 seconds late. Refund Retriever automates every step in the process….
Once again, FedEx and UPS are on the same page and both made changes for additional handling charges on ground packages. FedEx and UPS have increased their surcharges to include a handling fee on packages that are longer than 48 inches, as opposed to the previous 60 inch threshold. On…
IRCE – Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition June 7-10, 2016 Chicago – McCormick Place West – Booth 1721 IRCE 2016 will take place in the city of Chicago, June 7-10, at McCormick Place West. If you use UPS or FedEx, plan to stop by Refund Retriever at Booth…
When it comes to small parcel shipping using companies like FedEx and UPS, one addition to the bill that you may have noticed is fuel surcharge. The cost of fuel and transportation impact delivery companies greatly. Fuel runs their trucks, vans, and planes, so the surcharge was designed to help…
No matter how good your product or customer service, a poor shipping policy is enough to drive anyone away. Too many businesses don’t spend enough time on their shipping policy and it can affect the business in a major way. Why? Firstly, you have to make sure that your shipping…
Come visit Refund Retriever from February 28 to March 2nd at ASD Market Week located in the Las Vegas Convention Center. If you use UPS or FedEx, you cannot afford to miss speaking with us. Each UPS and FedEx Ground, Express, or International package is guaranteed to arrive on time…
Here at Refund Retriever, we are constantly growing and building our business. We recently announced the addition of a full time marketing coordinator to the Refund Retriever team. In preparation of her arrival, we had to expand our office space as well as fill it with all the computer…
Here at Refund Retriever, we audit parcels and invoices for FedEx & UPS shippers in all types of industries. From ecommerce websites, law firms, Amazon & eBay sellers, to independently owned shipping centers, we find late deliveries and billing mistakes and save our customers millions each year in transportation cost…
You have 100% confidence in your product. The price can’t be beat. Customer service is off the charts. You receive a customer’s order and prepare products for shipping. And then it happens…the shipping process begins, and this is where your control ends. Or does it? Shipping can easily make or…
UPS and FedEx both provide amazing international delivery options. We decided to put each international service side by side to compare the estimate delivery dates for both carriers. The holiday season and cyber Monday are fast approaching, this is a general guide to determine when your package will arrive. For…
Fall is upon us – which means the holidays are not too far behind! USUALLY, each package you send out is guaranteed on time or it’s free, but the holidays have their own set of rules regarding GSRs. Here are some of the rules you need to know. FedEx money-back…
The price of shipping keeps rising. On September 15th, FedEx announced its rates for 2016 are going up by an average of 4.9% for U.S. domestic, U.S. export and U.S. import services effective Monday, January 4, 2016. FedEx Express, FedEx One Rate® , FedEx® Retail Rates, FedEx Ground, FedEx Home…
FedEx offers many domestic services with a variety of delivery commitments. Sometimes it can be overwhelming trying to figure out what service to use. Here at Refund Retriever we have put together a quick reference chart for each service with a delivery range. Enjoy! FedEx Service Delivery Commitment Range…
It’s never too early to start thinking about holiday shipping. Here are some links and dates for FedEx and UPS year-end holiday schedules. There are still delivery date guarantees on your packages, some have small blackout windows but Refund Retriever will still be hard at work getting refunds on the…
How do I know if a shipping address is residential or commercial, and why does it matter? The answer is simple: A residential delivery goes to a home or private residence, including a business operating out of a home. A commercial delivery goes to a business. Why does it generally…
UPS & FedEx guarantee on time delivery or its free. Even ground packages! If that package is one minute late you are entitled to a full refund. Refund Retriever can audit your invoices for these late packages and save you money. Ask around, we are leaders in our field. We…
Generally speaking, auditing companies charge a percentage of refunds secured as their payment for service. Unfortunately, many businesses use this percentage as the sole criteria for choosing an auditing company. Some businesses are enticed by a company that charges a lower percentage because they think it’s the only detail that…
A trend we are seeing in the ever-changing parcel negotiation world is carriers offering some sort of greater discount in exchange for foregoing the guaranteed service refund claims process. This exchange would obviously affect shippers differently depending on the types of services used the most. But, delivering packages on time…
Refund Retriever is always innovating to improve our UPS & FedEx late package refunds, shipment billing invoice mistake refunds and customer experience. We are happy to announce that we now accept Bitcoin as payment for your Refund Retriever invoice. What is Bitcoin? Bitcoin is a distributed, digital currency. It is…
How can Refund Retriever help you? Many third party negotiators (3PN) claim that their expertise lies in special analytical tools. At Refund Retriever, those same tools and reports are provided for you free of charge. Let’s discuss a few. In the previous blog post, we stressed how important it is…
Contract Negotiations for Small Parcel Shipping – Is This Something My Business Should Do? The real question here is not why should your business negotiate for better shipping rates, but instead – why not? But before you call your friendly carrier rep for a meeting, there are a few points…
Do UPS or FedEx automatically give late package refunds? Yes, every once in a blue moon we see a rare guaranteed late package refunded by FedEx without any request necessary. For UPS, the answer is no. We have never seen UPS give a GSR refund on a late delivered parcel…
UPS Ground and FedEx Ground Home Delivery have modified their shipping rates starting in 2015. Rates will be based on the size of the package. This pricing program is known as Dimensional Weight Pricing, also referred to as DIM Weight. Since 2007, UPS and FedEx only used DIM weight for…
Did you know that each package you send out is guaranteed to arrive on time or it’s free? The holidays present a different set of rules to this late delivery guarantee that you should know about. Before you refund your buyer for a late shipment, see if you can get…
Shipping internationally means you must have accurate and complete documentation. From ever-changing government regulations and treaty arrangements to customs issues delaying / preventing a shipment reaching its destination, there are a lot of variables in play and good documentation is one of your best defenses. To help you we compiled…
Can just one pound of weight make a huge difference in your shipping costs? Absolutely! Pro tip: keep your shipments at 70 pounds or less, if you can help it. There are lots of additional charges and fees that UPS can tack onto your invoices. UPS has a special fee…
This video provides a peek at a typical day of FedEx airplane traffic over the continental United States. The video starts in the wee hours after midnight. Starting around 2:30 in the morning, a wave of flights take off from all over the United States, most of them converging on…
Did you know that sometimes Ground service can be just as fast as Express service, but at a fraction of the cost? We have first-hand experience at this. To help you find these same money-saving opportunities, we are introducing our Service Optimization report that to assist you by identifying routine…
Today’s hall-of-fame post is a dimensional-weight error on a package shipped in New York City. A customer recently sent a heavy package Priority Overnight. The package weighed just over 100 pounds, but was billed with a rated weight of over 270 pounds. We calculated based on the dimensions and found…
Time to brag. One of our customers sent a FedEx package to South America, and this package arrived late. Result? A $925 Guaranteed Service Refund straight to our customer, as a credit on their invoice. As the image below shows (click to enlarge) this refund by itself reduced the amount…
Here’s a quick tip: when the carrier’s driver arrives to pick up your packages, instruct them to scan every package first. This will reduce risk on your part, and may save you money in the long run. How? Read on … Many times, the driver for the carrier will simply…
Many customers pay their carrier invoices very quickly. The surprising fact is, this may end up costing more money in the long run. How is this possible? Read on … FedEx is a bit special in how they view payments to their invoices and this has side-effects in the disputing…
With dozens and dozens of FedEx fees and surcharges, it can be overwhelming trying to decipher what they mean. To help you better understand your FedEx invoice, here is a helpful list of 75 FedEx surcharges along with their abbreviations. For a full description of all of these fees, their…
Have you ever looked at your UPS or FedEx invoice closely, how many different charges do you see for any certain tracking number? Sure you have a transportation cost, an ever rising fuel surcharge fee, maybe an insurance fee if you chose that option. Some of these fees you know…
In a not so shocking move, FedEx and UPS increased their additional fees and other charges. This increase has become about 35% of the total transportation costs. These acccessorial fees are up from a low of 5% to a high of 14%. These additional charges do nothing to increase your…
Here’s a partial list of FedEx’s accessorial fees for 2011: The following surcharge changes took effect Jan. 4, 2010, unless otherwise noted FedEx Express®, FedEx Ground® and FedEx Home Delivery® services. Please refer to the FedEx Service Guide for a complete list of charges and any increase that might have…
These two videos offer a fascinating look at FedEx air traffic as it reacts to serious storms. The pilots, crew, and controllers work together to minimize risk in some hazardous conditions. Both videos are from FedEx’s internal systems. The first video is from early 2008, centered on the major FedEx…
