FedEx and the Art of Sidewalk Deliveries: A Mildly Infuriating Experience

I’ve not ordered from some merchants after I know they’ll definitely use FedEx shipping. Besides the delivery instructions being ignored the estimated delivery time is often missed and revised. … The question that i have is the yard fenced in that the driver would have to open the gate to get to the porch? As a p&d guy, delivering a chewy box to a porch in a fenced in yard is a stressfull affair because you know theres animal somewhere and alot of folks are dicks who leave the animals unsecured during the day even if they know a delivery is due to arrive that day.

Ah, the joys of modern delivery services. We live in a world where you can order a pair of socks, and they arrive at your door faster than you can say, “I really didn’t need another pair of socks.” But then, there are moments that make you question if these services are run by highly trained professionals or if the delivery drivers have been binge-watching a bit too much of ‘The Office’ on their breaks.

Take, for instance, a recent post on Reddit in the mildly infuriating subreddit. A user shared their experience of receiving a FedEx package that was delivered not to their doorstep, not even to their porch, but to the sidewalk. Yes, you heard that right—the sidewalk. I mean, come on, who doesn’t love a good game of ‘Find the Package’? It’s like a treasure hunt, except instead of gold doubloons, you find your new kitchen gadget sitting on the concrete next to a suspicious-looking puddle.

Now, let’s break this down. It’s 2023, and we have drones that can deliver pizza, yet somehow, FedEx is still unsure about basic package placement. I can just imagine the delivery driver thinking, “Ah, yes, the sidewalk. The perfect place for this package. It’s like a VIP lounge for parcels!” I guess they thought a cozy spot on the sidewalk would give the package a chance to soak in some sun and enjoy the fresh air. After all, who wouldn’t want their brand new blender to have a little outdoor experience?

For those who are not familiar, the sidewalk is not exactly a secure location. It’s not a place where you’d typically leave your precious items unless you’re trying to encourage a local raccoon to join your home decor. And let’s be real, the raccoons in my neighborhood are more reliable than some delivery services. At least they know how to take their loot back to a safe place!

But this isn’t just a case of misplaced packages—it’s a reflection of the larger issues within the delivery industry. With the rise of online shopping, it seems like some delivery companies have adopted the philosophy of “out of sight, out of mind.” As long as the package is off the truck, they’ve done their job, right? Forget about ensuring it reaches the actual recipient. Maybe they should introduce a new delivery slogan: “FedEx: We Deliver… Somewhere!”

To add insult to injury, the Redditor reported that they weren’t even informed about the package’s exciting sidewalk adventure. Imagine their surprise when they stepped outside, expecting a friendly delivery waiting at their door, only to find their package chilling on the sidewalk like it was waiting for a bus. You can almost hear the package saying, “Well, I didn’t think you’d mind if I took a little detour.”

In the end, it’s just another day in the world of online shopping. We can laugh about it now, but I can’t help but wonder what goes through the minds of delivery drivers. Maybe they’re trying to keep things interesting in their day-to-day lives. After all, who wouldn’t want to spice things up by delivering packages to random locations? Maybe next time, they’ll deliver to the neighbor’s yard. Who knows?

So, the next time you order something online, just remember: your precious package may not be delivered exactly where you want it. But hey, at least you’ll have a great story to tell—”Yeah, my new blender? It was a sidewalk special!” Welcome to the world of delivery, where you never know what you might find and where you might find it. Cheers to that!


Inspired by: “FedEx delivered package to sidewalk” (r/mildlyinfuriating)