<p>I was just wondering if anyone else had their boxes damaged from the rain or anything else when they arrived to pick them up. We had two, and some materials in the boxes were damaged/ruined. Nothing traumatic, and some fixable, some replaceable. Now FedEx is giving me a bit of a hard time, although I think I finally have them admitting it was damaged while in their possession.</p>
<p>But in case I need it for the future, did anyone else have their boxes damaged in the rain, whether or not you actually made a claim?</p>
<p>When I picked up my boxes they were pretty crushed and wet and I was a bit nervous to open them. I really had no damage because I used alot of my sweats as cushioning and filler. They were pretty wet, but it saved all of my other items from rain damage.</p>
<p>Thanks gabby, that helps a ton. I know spring162 said something about this in another thread regarding shipping, so that’s two. Should be enough, but anyone else, feel free.</p>
<p>I will pass onto both FedEx and Tulane that they should make it hugely clear in the documents for both incoming freshmen and returning students that some kind of waterproof lining around all items is a good idea. If they cannot change the logistics of staging things on the grass (and I get that), then better packaging instructions are paramount.</p>
<p>Hi FC. We had 2 broken plastic drawers that were shipped from Container Store via Fed Ex. We just threw them out. Several other boxes looked like they had been stomped on by a 500 pound wet guerilla. A few small items were crushed–boxes of staples and tacks and paper clips–which we tossed out as well. We have shipped via Fed Ex to other colleges and many times for business and never had such poor quality. Next time we will put everything in plastic bags or wrapping. Not very environmentally sound but necessary, apparently.</p>
<p>One more thing: if you are going to complain, consider mentioning that it was extremely unpleasant waiting 90 minutes in 100 degree heat to retrieve our Fed Ex boxes.</p>
Don’t I know it! Fortunately I didn’t have to wait so long this year, but man was it hot. That, I am afraid, they will probably just throw up their hands about. New Orleans in August just is what it is, and about all they could do would be to subdivide the boxes into more trucks so the lines would be smaller at each truck. I don’t think that is going to happen.</p>
<p>As far as the plastic wrapping, I guess we can just hope it can be folded and stored in an empty suitcase or something and reused a few times. Can’t think of anything else. Thanks for the feedback, the “wet gorilla” comment is great.</p>
<p>Most now have a camera on their phone. It is a good idea to snap a quick pic of soaked and damaged boxes or content when picking them up or unpacking them. It helps when making a claim.</p>
<p>Yes, you are right idad. Unfortunately FedEx people at the site said nothing about that when they gave us the claims information, and I was far too hot and sweaty to think of it. But that is great you pointed that out for future readers of this thread. In fact, maybe one of us can remember to start a move-in thread next year so various people can contribute all these tidbits.</p>
<p>Actually, the FedEx instructions that came with the labels did mention that due to the unpredictability of the New Orleans weather and frequent rain, boxes should be packed with items in plastic or waterproof material. We did not do this and I am thankful it wasnt an issue for us. Next year I think I will have DD dump into black garbage bags first then put them in boxes after seeing that the rain did affect some.</p>
<p>I looked for that and I did not see it in our instructions. But her’s came by email this year, so I don’t know if they were different. I just read it again and they are specifically for returning students, so they may have neglected to put that in our instructions. Anyway, absolutely we will alert as many as possible to do it next year, as well as to use extra heavy packing tape along the box seams for reinforcement.</p>
<p>No water damage, but both of my oversized boxes looked as though they were trampled on by a herd of elephants (1 had a decent sized HOLE in the side).</p>
<p>*** note to self:***
Do not complain when DH decides to rent a Penske truck to drive his stuff back to school, and then decides to sell his bed and buy a new one. If he’d shipped the stuff, which wouldn’t have worked for off-campus housing anyway, it probably would have been smooshed.</p>
<p>By the way-- I happen to have the phone # for the delivery and loading dock areas in the NOLA Fedex facility, St. Rose (though they would kill me if I gave it out). I found them to be quite helpful when I was dealing with some issues with Fedex changing the weight on my prepaid packages. On several occasions I discovered that the weight of a package was dramatically increased (4 # box weighed in at 20#, 1# box weighed in at 6#, etc). On another note, I just sent a package to DS and the online tracking shows that the barcode was unreadable in Memphis (totally bogus-- the paper was carefully secured with clear packing tape and its never ever been an issue) so now his package is delayed… :(</p>
<p>This wouldn’t apply to move-in shipments/requirements to use Fedex. It sounds like they must have some kind of contractual agreement for move-in now?</p>
<p>Anyway, over the course of the time S was a student there, I had excellent results with USPS Priority Mail. Unless you’re sending a larger box, this worked great for care packages, shipping things forgotten from home, etc. Cheaper too.</p>
<p>For larger items (more than 10lbs), we had our best results with UPS Ground, shipped directly from one of their larger distribution facilities.</p>
<p>I did have them destroyed in the rain, although it was sheets and towels and otherthings that were not affected by getting wet. I poured that weekend, they have to admit responsibility!</p>
<p>LOL, yes I am well aware. FedEx should be well aware too, and should have taken proper steps to protect the packages. But they were insured and FedEx is (slowly) making it right, I hope.</p>