FedEx Announces Its Own Commerce Platform For Merchants

An anonymous reader quotes a report from TechCrunch: Logistics company FedEx announced its own commerce platform called FDX today. The platform will likely compete against Amazon by offering merchants services like demand generation, fulfillment, tracking, and post-purchase experiences including returns. The company said that FDX is currently in private preview with plans for a wider launch in fall 2024. Businesses can register their interest in trying it out through a form. The company didn't mention any brands that are part of the pilot program.

FedEx's announcement has a lot of marketing buzzwords including "data-driven," "digitally-led" and "end-to-end e-commerce solution for businesses of all sizes" but is thin on details like how it will compete with existing platforms. The company said that merchants could use FedEx's services such as ShopRunner -- an e-commerce platform it acquired in 2020 -- to reach customers, show estimated delivery time on websites, handle carts, track packages, record the carbon emission impact of deliveries, and manage returns. Further reading: Amazon Tops UPS and FedEx To Become Biggest US Delivery Business

Better be better

[Ol Olsoc]

Amazon has at least provided me with good service.

Last time I used FedX, I tried to track the package I sent. It was a nice expensive SDR radio. Tracking number didn't work. I went to the FedX facility I sent it from.

It was extremely inconvenient for the woman who worked there to even speak to me. I explained the situation. "What do you want me to do? I said to find if the package had been delivered. "We don't do that here." I asked how could I find out if it had been delivered. "Call the people who you sent it to." then she walked off.

I'm expecting the exact same service from this venture. Attitude and apathy, and just walking away to ignore the customer. And yes, I was polite if frustrated.

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[NomDeAlias]

Yes, it would be nice if they fixed their lying tracking system. It's far more frustrating to be lied to that an attempt to deliver something was made, when you were home all day and know for a fact no attempt was made, than to just say its going to take longer than originally expected.

Re:Better be better

[fahrbot-bot]

Yes, it would be nice if they fixed their lying tracking system.

Heh, it's not just FedEx. Last summer a package was sent to me using "DHL -> USPS -> Home". DHL tracking said the package was handed off to the Post Office, but the USPS didn't have any record of it. I called DHL (on two separate days) and they confirmed it was *definitely" given to the USPS. I went to the PO for my zip-code and an actual person checked and reviewed their logs and ... they never received it from DHL. They said to come back after the USPS delivery deadline. Cut to the end... A few weeks later the DHL tracking info updated to "Sort Code Update", late that evening it said "Delivered to USPS", in the wee hours of the morning USPS tracking noted reception of the package, the next day it arrived. DHL freakin' lied to me, on the web and over the phone -- twice. Interestingly, another package that was sent the day before, using the same methodology, arrived in three days.

Cool Parcel FTW!

[echo123]

I've had two very good experiences using Cool Parcel to ship electronics internationally. Cool Parcel works with all the shippers and has very good tracking. Their website makes it easy to get the best shipping rate out of all their shippers.

https://coolparcel.com/ [coolparcel.com]

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[fahrbot-bot]

I've had two very good experiences using Cool Parcel to ship electronics internationally. Cool Parcel works with all the shippers and has very good tracking. Their website makes it easy to get the best shipping rate out of all their shippers.

https://coolparcel.com/ [coolparcel.com]

Thanks for the tip. Though, in this case the choice wasn't mine, the company only uses "DHL -> USPS" for their shipping.

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[NomDeAlias]

How would they do any better if they work with the offending couriers who's systems notoriously lie? How does added complexity of another party fix the underlying problem?

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[echo123]

How would they do any better if they work with the offending couriers who's systems notoriously lie? How does added complexity of another party fix the underlying problem?

Perhaps because this relatively larger 3rd party functions solely as a set of APIs with an SLA.

I've had two splendid experiences so far shipping precious electronics internationally. With DHL for what it is worth.

Re:Better be better

[test321]

I concur in that FedEx has been the least satisfying delivery service I have used for both personal and professional use. 1) I personally did get lied by FedEx about not being at home at a very moment I was at home; 2) My workplace decided to move to another delivery service after too many customers complained about unexplained delays; 3) a supplier to another business I am involved with did not want to ship us some goods (they wanted us to fly to their place and collect the more expensive ones) because they "did not trust international deliveries" after some issues they had, I correctly suspected they had gotten their bad experiences from FedEx and suggested them to use something else when shipping to me. I'm done with FedEx (I'm FedUp) and certainly not considering to add them as a risk to my online purchases.

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[bad-badtz-maru]

We had to stop using Fedex for one of our clients because the subcontractor's truck roof leaked and repeatedly soaked outbound parcels containing expensive parts for waterjet equipment. We brought this up to our account manager and the terminal manager and no one did anything about it. That level of idgaf is insane.

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[MooseTick]

So your waterjet parts got damaged by water?

Based on experience....

[ufgrat]

It will be delivered late, not available on certain days, and be damaged.

Out of UPS, USPS, DHL and FedEx, they are my 5th least favorite shipping company.

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[93 Escort Wagon]

I've had the opposite experience. In our area, UPS and FedEx are very reliable. Our post office, on the other hand, sucks rocks. With Amazon it apparently depends on the driver - I keep finding boxes dropped over a fence, left out in the grass, etc., while other times they are left exactly where I want them.

I'd order the services (from best to worst) UPS, FedEx, DHL, Amazon, USPS - with the last two way, way less reliable than the others. Also, DHL almost never delivers here - they pretty much always hand i

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[ufgrat]

I didn't even list Amazon, because where I live, they're just too damned good. Packages are delivered on-time, photos are taken, and the packages are generally in good shape.

USPS has a mixed track record-- they lost a $900 DSLR I bought on eBay. eBay told me to eff off, USPS told me "so sorry, we don't know anything", and eventually, PayPal stepped up and refunded me. When PayPal is the most responsible entity in a dispute-- Wow.

Oh, and the eBay seller collected their money, deleted their account, and wa

Hope they succeed

[stabiesoft]

Amazon could use some competition here.

Good to have an Amazon competitor.

[Eunomion]

Not sure about its prospects without speedy action on the antitrust front.