In Praise of Fedex

[paulb]

Just a note hopefully to reassure colleagues in the UK following the JAL restrictions. I have just received a sword from the USA using Fedex and the service was fast and trouble free. I assume we can expect the same if we use them from Japan.I think their main advantage is that they use their own freight planes so are not restricted in the same way as JAL passenger jets are.

Anyhow I would be happy to use them again and pay the extra to be relatively trouble free and fast

cheers

Paul

[Brian]

Paul,

How was your parcel labelled? It has been suggested to me that if you honestly describe your item as a sword, Fedex will refuse to transport it.

Yes, you could use an imaginative description, but I feel for anyone trying to claim from their insurance if it doesn't arrive and wasn't described accurately.

Fedex also has a very poor reputation in the USA with the gun guns, with parcels left on the front doorstep and other horror stories.

I don't think I would be happy using them. Hope I am wrong.

 

Brian

[paulb]

Hi Brian,

label said "Antique Japanese Sword". I have received swords twice form the USA using Fedex and sent blades out from here to other parts of Europe and each time used the same description. So far without problems.

I am assuming the Vendors of the blades I bought had them insured. The ones I sent the recipient did not require them to be insured. ( he is a braver man than me)

I have also used a speciality antique shipping company in the UK when all else fails. they are good and arrange insurance but they are not cheap.

 

Uk Parcelforce everyone knows about

DHL refused to carry swords whether antique, legal or not

UPS will not insure antiques.

so the choice is fairly limited.

hope this helps

Regards

Paul