How much hell to raise?

[YK]

I live in a four-unit residential building. The entrance into building is not locked, with easy access from the street to anybody who cares - postman, delivery people, gas company etc. We had some theft of packages left in the building, but that has stopped.

Today FedEx dropped a package with my Kimber returning from repair by the mailboxes, in the area accessible to anybody. The declared value on the package was $1000 - wouldn't you think it makes it attractive to steal? My wife was home - they didn't ring a bell, didn't try to obtain a signature at all. Just left it there.

Don't they HAVE to get a signature when delivering a firearm?

How much of a hell would you raise?

 

[CentralTexas]

Options

1-Hmmm, it never got there -fun but illegal
2-The shipper won't care, call the BATFE and report it left in the reach of kids
3-Call the media and say the same
4-Call the shipper at a high level and explain what the media will say when someone is killed over crap like this
CT

 

[yesterdaysyouth]

fedex did the same thing here just 2 weeks ago....

 

[Kenneth Lew]

Before you start raising hell:

1. Are there any stickers on the package with adult signature required?
2. Did anyone in the apartment/manufacturer signed a signature release?
3. Did you receive the package in good condition?

If so, I would just let it go. If happens all the time with all packages. UPS/FedEx personnel are understaffed/overworked which will resulting in them being impatient in delivering packages. Telling the media will only make things worse as UPS and FedEx will change their policy that NO FIREARMS will be allowed. Check DHL's policy, much worse.

Kenneth Lew

 

[George S.]

Insurance value has nothing to do with a delivery signature. Unless the sender specifically adds a "Adult Signature Required" to the shipment, its going to get dropped off at your door. A couple years ago I ordered a set of tires from a website. The cost was about $1400 and UPS delivered them when I wasn't home. They left them in front of the garage door in full view on anybody driving down my street. I called the UPS place and ripped the manager a new one. He basically said that if the shipper or buyer doesn't request a signature, the driver leaves the package.

Then one time UPS delivered a package that I was waiting for to some house about 6 blocks away. I was using the tracking number and when I noticed it said delivered , I called UPS to ask about it. They admitted it went to a wrong address and that I should go over there and get it! It was a whole case of 9mm ammo!

I don't think that a box can be lableled as containing a firearm. When I got my Garand and 1093A3 from the CMP, the shipping method was FedEx Next Day Air and an adult signature was required. In both cases, I was not home when the truck showed up and I got a sticker on the door telling the that I had to be home or arrange to pick up the shipment at the FedEx facility. The neighbor could not sign for the box.

I would check with Kimber to see what their policy is. Also check the FedEx website to see what they say about shipping firearms.

 

[motoman]

I had my Glock 23 in for service

They were doing the frame upgrade thing. They sent it back by UPS and they handled it right, I wasn't home so they left the door hanger telling me my signature was required. I ended up picking it up at the UPS warehouse. They checked my DL also.

I think Kimber needed to mark the package appropriately. Otherwise the Fedex driver has no way of knowing.

 

[Standing Wolf]

How much of a hell would you raise?

A lot. I'd write to both Kimber and Federal Express, and let both know you'll be taking your business elsewhere in the future.

 

[YK]

Thank you all for replies.
I didn't mention in my post that the shipper was a reputable pistolsmith who shipped the gun according to all applicable laws: declared the gun, declared the value and made sure the box had no indications of a gun being inside. I spoke to him and confirmed it. So, shipper has nothing to do with it.

The first thing I did was to refer to FedEx's website.Here is the quote

"We also reserve the right to release packages at residential delivery locations without obtaining a signature, provided that none of the restrictions below apply.
At our sole discretion, some shipments may not be released without a delivery signature even when release is authorized, including, but not limited to:
"Bill Recipient" shipments when the recipient's FedEx account is not in good credit standing or is not indicated on the airbill.
Damaged shipments.
Shipments containing dangerous goods. "
Drugs (including prescription drugs), firearms or perishable shipments.

It sounds convoluted, but I do think this implies they have to get a signature if they ship a gun.
I think I will give them a call tomorrow.

 

[R.H. Lee]

I'd let it slide. You got your package, why get worked up about it?

 

[Car Knocker]

Says "may not" not "will not". Their option.

 

[Bobarino]

if you want to make really sure they collect a signature, ask the shipper to insure your package for $5,000. anything over $5k gets "special" treatment and signatures are always collected. insurace will run you about 35 cents per hundred so you'll have to pay an extra $17 or $18 for the insurance but that way you can be sure. in your case, it is the shipper's responsibilty to request an "adult signature required".

Bobby

 

[TheFederalistWeasel]

Devils Advocate


Raise too much hell and FEDEX will just all around stop shipping guns to none FFL’s or charge an ungodly fee because they now have to “find and adult†before they leave the package.

OTOH I agree I’d be pissed too if someone just left my $1,000 goodie on my front porch.

When I order computers I always try to time their arrival with my days off so I can be there to receive them.

 

[Carlos Cabeza]

I might forgive the act if left at a house but at a community type dwelling would be unacceptable. I saw my postman wearing a "Molon Labe" THR golf shirt ! ................Hey buddy, where'd you get that shirt?..............He looked at me with fire in his eyes and said "Molon Labe"

 

[Correia]

Carlos, your postman has great taste.

 

[M1911Owner]

We already have enough trouble as it is shipping handguns--I believe that UPS and FedEx are currently the only way you can ship them, and they both are requiring that handguns go via next-day air.

I'd say, leave them alone about it. You got, and it was in good condition. If it never showed up, then that would be a problem. And, in my experience, they're pretty good about paying the insurance when that sort of thing happens.

If a lot of people start screaming about packages with guns in them being left out, they might just join the USPS, Airborne, DHL, Emory, etc., etc., etc., and refuse to ship guns at all. And then we'd all be up the creek without a paddle.

 

[Highpower1]

I had a similar thing happen to me with Fed Ex. The problem I had was the moron wouldn't come to my door, rather just stop by the office and drop it off and then wait around for those morons to contact me. I put a stop that stuff toot sweet. No more problems for me. If i'm not home, they have to take it with them and wait until i'm around. No one gets my gun stuff, NO ONE

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

As long as your stuff got there, I wouldn't worry too much. Just be sure to take advantage of the insurance options if anything does happen.

I routinely get ammo shipments with clear sig required stickers on it, but I think I have been awake to sign for one of the 10+ orders I have received. If any were to not arrive, they wouldn't have the sig on the delivery drop off record.

 

[stevelyn]

I wouldn't raise any hell. Package made it to your door unmolested, wasn't stolen and wasn't damaged. Raising hell with the shipper is only going to cause problems and policy changes that will likely affect the rest of us.
If you are that concerned, I would consider shipment through, to and from your pet FFL.

 

[Fletchette]

Telling the media will only make things worse as UPS and FedEx will change their policy that NO FIREARMS will be allowed. Check DHL's policy, much worse.

This is EXACTLY what would happen. Within months we all would not have any way to ship weapons (no, the shipping companies wouldn't care - they don't make a significant amount of money off of firearms. The CEO would probably say, "why didn't I think of this earlier, it lowers our liability insurance!")

Don't do it. Be glad you got your gun.

 

[Fletchette]

FYI

When I have my stuff shipped, it is either through a FFL or with instructions to hold in "will call" so I can pick it up myself. Both are a pain, but I sleep well at night.