Is Fedex getting too nosy or is it just me?

[Mark S]

I went to drop off a briefcase at Fedex today.

They asked me their typical question, “What are you sending?”. I said briefcase.

Then, the lady asked me if there was any money in it (I don’t think she was joking). So, I jokingly said, “If there were money in it, I wouldn’t be sending it, I would keep it”

Why do they ask such questions? The USPS only asks what they need to know, but not Fedex.

What is your experience?

Mark

[Liz]

My local FedEx asks me zero questions other than “Do you need a receipt?” Which is interesting, considering the FedEx bombing from last year happened not that far from where I live. You’d think they would try to engage their customers more to make sure no one is being sketchy, but no.

[bcfol440]

Yes, I was asked this but it was more to gauge the breakable ness of the item as I recall. Not sure why as it all goes on the same truck I think! And they aren’t going to repack it.. so..?

[antarestar]

I get asked what I’m sending too.

[Julie B]

I’ve worked in Compliance for over a decade, albeit not in the shipment industry. In my experience there are a few reasons why a store/employee may be asking questions more than another place/person. It’s possible that your particular FedEx location may have recently gotten attention from their compliance dept, headquarters, an auditor, regulator or law enforcement. This could be because something went through their facility that was found to be related to a crime or just against fedex policy – thus there’s been a crack down on store staff about ensuring they are following all policies. Another reason could simply be that the store’s staff recently went through training and now everything they learned is fresh in their head. Or you just got a worker who is stickler to the rules and/or suspicious of everyone. I know cash is restricted from being shipped through most major carriers so when you said briefcase, it wouldn’t be unusual to follow up that question asking about cash since movies have always associated laundered money / drug proceeds with briefcases full of cash.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 4 months ago by Julie B.

[Mark S]

Julie,

Do they really expect people that are laundering money or sending drug proceeds in a briefcase to tell them it is a briefcase? If so, do they really think they are going to say, “Yea, I put $50,000 in the case for my friend.” I guess they can always look for the non-verbal cues that would tip them off or have the blood hounds sniff it out if I were a shaddy looking character.

My Post office just told me that they are not suppose to just let people drop off packages and leave. They said that is the way the Uni-Bomber sent his stuff. I think they make an exception if they know who you are (they know your name and address).

For some reason I will volunteer to the people at the Post Office what I am sending (I know them all by name because I go there so often). I just don’t like it when the people I don’t know at Fedex start to ask too many questions.

Mark

[Antique Frog]

The staff at Royal Mail ask what’s in the parcels, because the Queen gets annoyed if she doesn’t know what her peasants are posting to each other. I sold a spanking paddle to a gentleman collector; told the postmistress it was a butter pat.

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