Why Being Rejected for a Refund Isn’t the End of the Matter

Would you accept being charged extra if FedEx damaged your package before it reached the customer? Most certainly you wouldn’t, nor should they, if they were told the label had somehow been compromised. The label is a part of the package, after all, and this makes it part of the carrier’s responsibility.

It’s true that package labels can be very fragile. It’s also true that its safety is not the shipper’s problem once it is entrusted to FedEx. It’s on them if the label becomes unreadable, or needs to be replaced. Care for the shipping label should be a priority, because FedEx’s reputation depends on timely delivery as much as the seller’s does.

What’s really going on?

FedEx may try to deny a refund for a couple of reasons — maybe it was because the barcode scanner couldn’t read the code, or maybe the driver’s eyes couldn’t make out the details.

Here’s the problem with that justification: the label was obviously in readable condition when the package was picked up, otherwise FedEx could never have started the shipping process. Whatever damage rendered it unreadable was literally out of the shipper’s (your) hands.

Why should the shipper shoulder the burden or be denied a refund? You shouldn’t. FedEx is just using a plausible-sounding excuse many businesses accept at face value, when FedEx may only be doing this to cover a late delivery.

Perhaps the label really was damaged, and the scanner/driver genuinely couldn’t read it. It’s still no good reason to deny a customer a refund. The simple fact is that FedEx failed in their commitment to carefully deliver the package (every part of it) by a certain time.

Businesses denied their rightful refund have two options. You can contact FedEx and remind them of their shipping agreement, and that the label was obviously fine when it was picked up. This is easier said than done; many businesses don’t want the time commitment and stress it takes to chase down customer service.

The second option is partnering with 71lbs (Booth 1328) and letting us take care of the whole thing. We’ll pursue the matter and file all claims on the company’s behalf, ensuring that FedEx credits 100% of the shipping costs directly back into the shipper’s account.

There are $2 billion in unclaimed refunds out there, and we’re proud to win back thousands of dollars each day for our more than 5,000 customers. Get in touch, and let’s make sure your business never pays for FedEx’s mistakes.

As SGIA’s exclusive shipping refunds partner, 71lbs helps members reduce their shipping costs. We do so by gathering your shipping information into one easy-to-use, custom analytics dashboard that provides shipping insights so you can make better business decisions. Stop by the booth to learn more about how we can help reduce your shipping costs.