Federal Express Ground is a leader in small-package (under 70 lbs.) delivery, providing 1- to 5-day delivery in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Canada. When you need reliable, day-specific delivery to businesses and homes, FedEx Ground service can fill your needs without the unnecessary expense of premium overnight services. With more than 500 facilities and 70,000 employees and independent contractors, FedEx Ground services can be just what your company needs to deliver the goods.
Federal Express Ground didn't always have the best reputation for reliability and customer service, in part because it inherited outdated routing and package management systems from RPS, the Pennsylvania shipper FedEx took over in order to move into the lucrative small-package business. Those bugs appear to have sorted themselves out with the adoption of new IBM management systems, however, and Federal Express Ground shipping claims a 70% improvement in efficiency and satisfaction since the upgrade.
Use FedEx Ground services if:
1. You regularly ship small packages, the specialty of FedEx Ground, to business or home customers.
2. Your delivery schedules fit Federal Express Ground's Tuesday through Saturday window.
3. You could use the convenience of FedEx Ground shipping software to manage your deliveries.
4. You need Federal Express Ground's budget-conscious options.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Establish your FedEx Ground services account
Although you can use FedEx Ground services without establishing an account, you should sign up if you'll be using Federal Express Ground on a regular basis and you don't already have a FedEx account. With a FedEx.com login your business can utilize such tools as FedEx billing online, package pickup, shipping manager, rates and supplies, all with just a few clicks of the mouse.
I recommend: FedEx Online
Account Registration allows you to choose which type of account is best for your business. You can also get a quick quote for
rates and transit times.
Explore Federal Express Ground shipping options
FedEx Ground began as a B2B service, and it still offers great business services, including more overnight options. For the growing home delivery market, Federal Express offers in-depth residential delivery services to addresses throughout the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. You can even ship C.O.D. (cash on delivery) through Federal Express Ground service.
I recommend: Check out FedEx Ground
delivery maps for your B2B shipping needs. To ship to residential customers, choose FedEx Ground
Home Delivery (with delivery options as late as 8 p.m.), and
C.O.D. services. An economical option is FedEx Ground
SmartPost, which acts as a consolidator. FedEx Ground SmartPost collects and sorts your packages for delivery through the US Postal Service's more inexpensive parcel post system.
Manage and track your FedEx Ground shipping
The dealmaker for many Federal Express Ground service business customers is FedEx's Ship Manager tool, available online or through software compatible with most office applications. There's no learning curve for employees when mastering delivery software. FedEx Ground tracking options have improved in recent years, too, with 3 levels of signature confirmation available at reasonable fees for most deliveries.
I recommend: Explore Federal Express Ground
Ship Manager online, or check out the
QuikShip software plugin, now compatible with Microsoft Outlook. Do your
FedEx Ground tracking online. Get FedEx Ground information on all 3
signature options and other proof-of-delivery (P.O.D.) possibilities, including FedEx Ground
P.O.D. Advantage, which provides to regular delivery reports.
Compare FedEx Ground Services to other small package delivery services
Federal Express is a well-trusted name in package delivery, but always read customer reviews and look into other information before deciding to do business with any company you will entrust with your package delivery.
I recommend: Epinions has several reviews on FedEx Ground service.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- FedEx Ground service does not deliver to post office boxes, and Saturday Home Delivery is restricted in some areas. Extra delivery charges apply to rural areas in Alaska, Hawaii and northern Canada, as well as to congested urban areas.
- Unlike UPS rates, Federal Express Ground shipping base rates do not include insurance, so be sure to factor coverage in when comparing rates.
The official source of FedEx Ground Services is the FedEx Ground Services page at Business.com
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