FedEx, UPS, USPS; with so many shipping companies, it can be almost impossible to know which one to choose. Then add to that all of the different mail options offered by each carrier, and pretty soon, your head will be spinning.
In this article, I’ll help you make more informed decisions about which shipping company to choose. More specifically, I’m looking at FedEx’s reliability and how it stacks up with other companies. So, if you’re ready to learn more, then keep reading!
Is FedEx Reliable In 2024?
Some customers and industry insiders consider FedEx’s on-time deliveries, B2B shipping expertise, and perishable items shipping services as proof of reliability as of 2024. For these services, FedEx is considered more reliable than UPS and USPS. On the negative side, FedEx is expensive and could be more careful with packages.
If you still have questions about FedEx’s reliability, then make sure to finish reading this article!
Is FedEx Trustworthy?
In general, FedEx is considered a trustworthy delivery service.
That’s especially true for customers looking for fast, dependable shipping. In particular, FedEx excels for air shipments and next-day deliveries.
Are FedEx Deliveries Guaranteed?
One part of reliability is knowing that your deliveries will arrive when they’re supposed to, which begs the question, “are FedEx deliveries guaranteed?”
In other words, “if my package arrives late, can I get my money back?”
For some services, FedEx does offer a money-back guarantee. That said, below is a list of the services included in the guarantee:
- FedEx First Overnight
- FedEx Priority Overnight
- FedEx Standard Overnight
- FedEx First Overnight Extra Hours
- FedEx Priority Overnight Extra Hours
- FedEx Standard Overnight Extra Hours
- FedEx International First
- FedEx International Priority
- FedEx International Priority Express
- FedEx International Priority Freight
If you purchase any of these services and your package arrives late, even if only by a minute, you can request a refund.
Given the financial stakes, you can be fairly certain that packages sent through these services will arrive on time.
On the other hand, packages sent through other FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, or FedEx Freight services are not guaranteed.
As a result, they are a lower priority for FedEx and tend to arrive late more often than other packages.
That said, FedEx delivers on-time 84.8% of the time, so you can be fairly confident in the estimations.
Is FedEx Careful With Packages?
Another facet of reliability is how shipping companies handle customer packages.
When it comes to temperature control, FedEx seems to score slightly better than its competitors.
Regarding the number of drops, jostles, or position changes in the truck, FedEx and UPS score about the same, but USPS has the “gentlest touch” out of all the services.
Further, this theory is also borne out by video doorbell footage showing FedEx drivers hurling packages at customers’ homes rather than gently placing the items.
So, is FedEx careful with packages? Careful enough, it seems, but there’s definitely room for improvement.
Is FedEx More Reliable Than UPS?
All shipping companies are different, and some succeed more in certain areas than others. That’s why it’s difficult to give a definitive answer to this question.
Still, when it comes to B2B (business to business) shipments, FedEx definitely excels, which makes sense considering that business deliveries are one of its specialties.
In addition, FedEx envelopes offer the most reliable and economical document shipping service available on the market.
What’s more, FedEx specializes in express and overnight shipping, so FedEx is a good choice if you need something quickly, but not urgently.
Even better, FedEx’s standard overnight delivery services are typically a bit less expensive than UPS’.
Aside from its expertise in business and overnight shipping, FedEx is also a top choice for shipping specialty items like perishable food products or temperature-controlled goods.
That’s thanks to FedEx’s proprietary cold packaging, something that keeps shipments cold for 48 to 96 hours without dry ice or gel packs.
Therefore, if you’re shipping something perishable, you can feel confident that FedEx will handle your shipment appropriately.
Finally, FedEx is widely considered the industry leader for large shipments and accurate tracking. So, FedEx is a reliable choice if either of these are important for you.
Is FedEx More Reliable Than USPS?
In general, FedEx is considered more reliable than USPS, which is especially true for specialty packages (e.g., temperature-controlled goods, alcohol).
Also, FedEx has a more developed delivery management program that allows customers to update delivery preferences at any stage of the delivery process.
Naturally, the trade-off for a more reliable service is higher prices.
To know more, you can also read our posts on FedEx tracking not updating, how late does FedEx deliver, and why is FedEx so expensive.
Conclusion
If you’re a B2B shipper, are mailing overnight, or are sending something perishable, you can be confident that FedEx is the best and most reliable shipping company.
Still, even if you’re not using these services, FedEx has a reputation for delivering on time, having accurate tracking, and offering refunds on late deliveries.
