Can I ask FedEx to deliver at a certain time?

Taking Control of Your Package Arrival: Scheduling FedEx and UPS Deliveries

In today’s fast-paced world, waiting around all day for a package can feel like a significant disruption. While we can’t directly influence a carrier’s routing and timing after a package leaves the shipper’s hands, thankfully, both FedEx and UPS offer flexible options that empower you to schedule residential deliveries to better fit your busy life. This means you can significantly increase the odds of actually being home, preventing missed deliveries, porch pirates, and the general inconvenience of chasing down your eagerly awaited item.

So, how can you harness this control? Both FedEx and UPS provide several mechanisms to tailor your delivery experience:

FedEx Delivery Manager: This free service allows you to customize your residential deliveries in a variety of ways. Key features include:

• Hold at a FedEx Location: If you know you won’t be home, redirect your package to a nearby FedEx Office, Walgreens, or other participating location. You can then pick it up at your convenience.
• Change Delivery Address: Need it sent to your office instead? With certain restrictions, you can alter the delivery address after the package is en route.
• Provide Delivery Instructions: Tell the driver where to leave the package – behind the gate, on the porch, etc. (Note that some instructions may not be followed due to security or driver discretion).
• Request a Vacation Hold: Heading out of town? Have your packages held until you return.
• Estimated Delivery Time Window Notifications: Stay informed with estimated delivery windows so you can plan accordingly.

UPS My Choice: Similar to FedEx Delivery Manager, UPS My Choice offers comparable features to fine-tune your delivery experience. You can:

• Reschedule Delivery: Choose a different delivery date that better suits your schedule.
• Redirect to a UPS Access Point: Like FedEx, UPS offers the option to hold your package at a UPS Store, authorized retailer, or other UPS Access Point for pickup.
• Change Delivery Address: With certain limitations, you can reroute your package to a new address.
• Leave with Neighbor: Authorize the driver to leave your package with a trusted neighbor.
• Track Your Package: Stay updated with real-time tracking information and estimated delivery windows.

Important Considerations:

• Enrollment is Required: To utilize these features, you’ll need to sign up for either FedEx Delivery Manager or UPS My Choice (or both, depending on which carriers you use most often). Registration is usually free and straightforward.
• Restrictions Apply: Not all packages are eligible for these services. Certain restrictions may apply based on the shipper’s instructions, the package’s contents (e.g., alcohol or hazardous materials), or the package’s value.
• Address Verification: Ensure your shipping address is accurate and complete to avoid delays or delivery issues.
• Fees May Apply for Certain Upgrades: While basic features are often free, expedited rescheduling or precise time-window deliveries may incur additional charges. Check the carrier’s website for current pricing.

By leveraging these delivery management tools, you can transform the often-stressful experience of package anticipation into a more controlled and convenient process. Take a proactive approach, sign up for FedEx Delivery Manager and/or UPS My Choice, and take charge of your deliveries! You’ll save time, reduce the risk of missed deliveries, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing exactly when your package will arrive.