More FedEx Clerk Ignorance

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g_gunter

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Well, it happened again...

I went to FedEx the other day to ship a pistol I had sold and, as required by the ATF, I told the FedEx lady that I had an unloaded firearm to ship to a licensed dealer and requested a larger box to put my box in. I had it inside the manufacturer's locked container.

She said that they cannot ship a firearm in a FedEx box. I would have to have it boxed and packaged in my own box before bringing it in...."its FedEx policy."

I looked puzzled at her and started shaking my head slowly as if nearly defeated by that ridiculous statement...as if to say: "Please Lord, not again!"

I proceeded to tell that I've shipped many times and it is within FedEx's policy to ship a firearm in their box. She answered: "Well, they weren't supposed to." I answered back and pointed out that, in fact, I had FedEx's firearm's shipping policy in my hand. I had the important parts highlighted and proceeded to read them off to her politely and softly so as not to embarrass her in front of other customers. Nowhere did it mention that I could not use a FedEx box to ship. Her look was to me as if to say: "See...I told you so." As if I had just proven HER point. I smiled and asked her to show me the policy of which she was speaking.

She went to the back to call the manager on the phone (speaker phone) to inquire. I could hear the female manager over the phone ask her: "Is it going to a licensed dealer, collector, or manufacturer?" The clerk said "yes". The manager said: "Well...then its alright to do so."............[silence on the clerk's end of the phone]....."HELLO!?" [said the manager over the phone]...."Yes, I heard you." [said the clerk].

Of course, the clerk came back and confirmed what I had been saying all along. No apology for wasting my time but she politely helped me move on from there. I was polite the entire time and thanked her for her help as we completed the process and I left.

It was as if the lady [clerk] had a near-moral objection to my being able to ship that gun. Good thing I had FedEx's own policy with me, as well as, the ATF's regulations on shipping via common carrier.

Its a never ending battle folks. From now on I'm just going to assume I'm going to run into FedEx employees who are ignorant of their own policies.

g_gunter
 
...in fact, I had FedEx's firearm's shipping policy in my hand. I had the important parts highlighted...
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I have done exactly the same thing, and it can be very helpful indeed.
 
Hmmm...I've not had any issue with FedEx here in CT. UPS on the other hand...that's another story:rolleyes:
 
UPS has been ok here, as long as I show a copy of the license I'm shipping to. UPS Stores, on the other hand, won't accept shipment (around here). But my most fun was with the USPS -- went in with a copy of their regs in my hand - told the clerk what I was mailing and she actually backed away from the counter and got as far away from me as she could. :barf:
She refused to accept it for shipment, even when I showed her the regs. She then said I needed to fill out a "special form" and I asked her to give me one. She said she didn't know where the Postmaster kept them. I asked her to find out and she said she couldn't and would have to call the Main Office in St. Paul - I asked she please do so and she replied "I can't - they don't work on Saturday in that office" She was damn near shaking, so I gave it up -- (though it was kinda fun..) I'll go back in during the week with the regs again, and make sure I get the "Special Form"... should be amusing! :D
 
I went to FedEx the other day to ship a pistol I had sold and, as required by the ATF, I told the FedEx lady that I had an unloaded firearm to ship to a licensed dealer
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Well, you are not really required to tell FedEx as long as you are shipping to a FFL. You have to tell them to conform to their policy, but you wouldn't be breaking the law if you didn't
 
Always assume everyone is an idiot until they prove otherwise. More often than not, they won't....:rolleyes:
 
The clerks have an in-house phanphlet for them to use as guidelines. The folks on the 800 help line use this same in-house literature. This phamphlet is not worded the same as the instructions on the fed ex website.

Next time they may tell you that it has to be 'inoperable'. That too is not mentioned in their world wide web published information, but in the little 'handy' employee's phamphlet.



salty.
 
For problems with USPS ask for the complaint form and file a formal complaint. The office will receive TRAINING on this problem. They are delaying the mail and interstate commerce.

Fight the stupid, ignorant public servant who accepts his or her paycheck, insurance and pension without knowing their job. They have NO EXCUSE. :fire:
 
TRAC said:
Well, you are not really required to tell FedEx as long as you are shipping to a FFL. You have to tell them to conform to their policy, but you wouldn't be breaking the law if you didn't
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You really should check your facts before making such erroneous statements.

PART 178--COMMERCE IN FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION

Sec. 178.31 Delivery by common or contract carrier.

(a) No person shall knowingly deliver or cause to be delivered to
any common or contract carrier for transportation or shipment in
interstate or foreign commerce to any person other than a licensed
importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector,
any package or other container in which there is any firearm or
ammunition without written notice to the carrier that such firearm or
ammunition is being transported or shipped
Click to expand...
 
You really should check your facts before making such erroneous statements.
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Don't worry, I did. And the statement wasn't erroneous. If you believe that it was, then you are misreading the law.

If you are mailing to a FFL you do not have to notify the carrier that it is a handgun. Only if you are mailing to a non-FFL. (Of course, this doesn't include the USPS)

It is not illegal to not notify, but it is against their policy and would void your insurance.

Check out 18U.S.C.922(e)
It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to deliver or cause to be delivered to any common or contract carrier for transportation or shipment in interstate or foreign commerce, to persons other than licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, or licensed collectors, any package or other container in which there is any firearm or ammunition without written notice to the carrier that such firearm or ammunition is being transported or shipped;
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Notice it says to persons other than FFLs... So in other words if they are an FFL the notification clause doesn't apply.
 
Here is another opinion on the subject:

thumbnail.gif
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The misinformation that you have to notify when shipping to an FFL has been beat around for years, on the online gun boards. It may take a couple times of repeatedly reading the text to see that they are stating an exemption to the notification when shipping to FFLs. The punctuation used in the USC 922 link, that I posted, makes it a bit more clear than the text of CFR 178. They are both stating the same thing: That you must notify the shipper, if you are sending to anyone other than an FFL.
 
The misinformation that you have to notify when shipping to an FFL has been beat around for years, on the online gun boards. It may take a couple times of repeatedly reading the text to see that they are stating an exemption to the notification when shipping to FFLs. The punctuation used in the USC 922 link, that I posted, makes it a bit more clear than the text of CFR 178. They are both stating the same thing: That you must notify the shipper, if you are sending to anyone other than an FFL.
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Great post. I'd heard opinions both ways, but seeing that current letter from the ATF makes it legit. Thanks.
 
.....Back to the original post, I am a fedex employee and I apologise for your hassle. The picture in my head is kinda funny about the manager says its ok to ship and I can almost see the clerks jaw drop. lol Please people, not all of us shipping guys are morons. I understand the frustration.


(note: This is not an official reply or posting by Federal express.) ;)
 
gezzer:

For problems with USPS ask for the complaint form and file a formal complaint. The office will receive TRAINING on this problem. They are delaying the mail and interstate commerce.

Fight the stupid, ignorant public servant who accepts his or her paycheck, insurance and pension without knowing their job. They have NO EXCUSE.
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That's probably the best suggestion I've seen about how to respond to this problem. Thank you.

I think it would also be a good thing to do if it occurs with a UPS or FedEx employee: get the person's name and send a complaint letter asking the company to retrain the employee.
 
Shipping via common carrier - notification required

Trac you stated:

If you are mailing to a FFL you do not have to notify the carrier that it is a handgun. Only if you are mailing to a non-FFL. (Of course, this doesn't include the USPS)

It is not illegal to not notify, but it is against their policy and would void your insurance.
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Please help me out here Trac because the ATF clearly states:

(B8) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by common or contract carrier? [Back]

A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by a common or contract carrier to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. In addition, Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm and prohibits common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm.

[18 U.S.C. 922(a)(2)(A), 922(a) (3), 922(a)(5) and 922(e), 27 CFR 478.31 and 478.30]
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Please clarify? It seems pretty straightforward to me that you have to notify even if you are sending to a licensee in any state.

g_gunter
 
Not all FedEx clerks are ignorant...

Hi Fn-p9,

.....Back to the original post, I am a fedex employee and I apologise for your hassle. The picture in my head is kinda funny about the manager says its ok to ship and I can almost see the clerks jaw drop. lol Please people, not all of us shipping guys are morons. I understand the frustration.
Click to expand...

I appreciate your input on this. Sorry for the venting. I really like FedEx...really I do. :)

g_gunter
 
Please clarify? It seems pretty straightforward to me that you have to notify even if you are sending to a licensee in any state.
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The ATF's FAQ that you referenced is nothing more than an incorrect summary of the law. The two sections that apply are the USC 922(e) and the CFR 178.31. (CFR 438.31 restates the same thing)

The summary in the FAQ is incorrect and they have never cared to fix it.

Just read the text of the codes and you have your answer. It is clearly stated that it is unlawful to mail to persons "other than" FFLs without notifying the shipper.

The letter verifying this, by Mr. Thomas, has been posted online many times.
 
Where, pray tell, is the letter by Mr. Thomas? I've attempted to locate it to no avail.
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Post #11 in this thread contains the letter. Did you not see the links?

ETA: Yeah.... what TRAC said :)
 
That's interesting...

I can't see any thumbnails. Just an empty space where they are supposed to be. For some reason I cannot see all the attachments or thumbnails on THR...no problem on The Firing Line...but THR gives me problems.

g
 
From now on I'm just going to assume I'm going to run into FedEx employees who are ignorant of their own policies.
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Why would you ever have considered doing otherwise?

FedEX employees are not unique. The majority of people working for large companies (and not just shippers) often don't know their own company's rules and regulations. Even the US Postal Service doesn't. Don't even get me started on the saga of trying to mail a simple CD to my stepson in South America.
 
The same thing happened to me. The clerk said it had to be in my box, not a Fedex box. I said I've shipped several guns in their box. She checked with her boss and he confirmed I could use the Fedex box. Pretty interesting. ;)
 
As noted in the ATF letter, the individual shipper has the ability to require notification of a firearm is they so desire. Nothing restricts the shipper from this requirement.

Here is the excerpt from the FedEx policy:

Firearms must be shipped via FedEx Priority Overnight service. FedEx cannot ship or deliver firearms C.O.D. or with a signature release. Upon presenting the package for shipment, the person tendering the shipment to FedEx is required to notify the FedEx employee who accepts the package that the package contains a firearm. The outside of the package must not be marked, labeled or otherwise identify that the package contains a firearm. Firearms shipments cannot be placed in a FedEx Express Drop Box.


I suspect that if you didn't declare it and it got lost, there might be a problem with the insurance since the "rules" weren't complied with.

The only question I've ever been asked by the FedEx clerk when shipping a handgun was.......can the gun be fired with whats in the box?
 
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