FedEx Ground and FedEx Small Package are two different operations. FedEx Ground is the former RPS service and is run with each truck being an independent contractor. FedEx small package is the main FedEx business. If the truck is green lettering, FedEx Ground. Violet and orange - small package.
We use them exclusively for all of our deliveries world wide. We find FedEx Ground deliveries a very varied experience, especially in rural regions.
United Package Smashers (UPS Brown) were thrown out of our company both on price and on poor service.
Delivered Half Late (DHL) was also tossed for price and poor service
and then there is the Ultimate Sloppy Performance Service (USPS) who cannot manage to get out of their own way to deliver goods, even when shipping by priority service. They fail miserably. On our order page, if a customer selects USPS, we ask them, "You sure?" So many problems with USPS. We offer the service intending it for the military and for customers who only have a PO Box address.
Our experience, FedEx is the best at getting it done. Are they perfect? No. That's why we hired a service to keep a watch on them. We get a lot of service refunds from FedEx failing to get the job done when they say they will get it done.
Rural deliveries are tough with all of these services...
Want to talk freight disasters? We have a shipment coming into the US from China for wires - nothing sophisticated... been hung up off the West Coast for 4 weeks now awaiting a berth - first Seattle, then in Vancouver, then back to Seattle, where they have been sitting off the coast for 10 days... Shipment is being handled by our friends at FedEx Ocean Freight and they can do nothing. The ports are all backed up owing to Covid related absences we are told.
Logistics is expensive and a nightmare right now. The electronics industry is a nightmare with parts quotes out to 96 weeks.. unheard of. Thanks Covid...
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I think we diverge much from the intent of this thread.. I would assume
EA has seen many of the issues I mention but with their goods made in the USA, they likely have more control than others. They likely use contract freight LTL services here in the states for the heavy pieces.