As an ecommerce order fulfillment company that ships several thousand packages each year via FedEx SmartPost, we often get questions from online sellers about the service…
– Is it too slow?
– Is it unreliable?
– Does USPS deliver the packages?
– Should I use it to ship packages to my ecommerce customers?
These are all great questions. And to help provide a little more context, I wanted to start off by defining SmartPost….
What is FedEx SmartPost?
Note: In 2021, FedEx renamed SmartPost. The new name for SmartPost is Ground Economy.
FedEx SmartPost, which is similar to UPS SurePost, is a hybrid shipping service with which FedEx will pick up packages from the shipping destination, and then hand the packages off to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) for the final delivery to the end customer.
What’s unique about SmartPost is that there are two different carriers (FedEx and USPS) handling every package. One of the reasons this service was created is that, each day, the USPS is already visiting nearly every address in the United States to deliver mail, so there is efficiency and little-added cost for USPS to deliver small packages to residences, which is not necessarily the case with FedEx and UPS.
There are common claims associated with SmartPost relative to the speed, reliability, and organization of the service. Therefore, we wanted to not only answer a few FAQs, but also discuss those claims, starting with…
Claim #1 = FEDEX SMARTPOST IS SLOW
Rating:
Mostly True
Overview:
Slow is a relative term, which means, in order to conclude whether or not SmartPost is actually slow, we need to compare it to something.
As mentioned, our order fulfillment center ships thousands of FedEx SmartPost shipments each year. In addition, we ship tens of thousands of packages using a variety of other shipping methods, including….
– FedEx Home Delivery
– FedEx Ground
– FedEx 2-Day
– FedEx Overnight
– USPS First Class
– USPS Priority Mail
– USPS Media Mail
The transit times with these various ship methods vary quite a bit. For instance, FedEx 2-Day is a guaranteed two-day service, which means the packages ship via air. With USPS Media Mail, it’s a lower-level service and transit times may take a week or more. Therefore, let’s compare the speed of two ground ship methods from the same carrier…..
FedEx SmartPost vs. Ground & Home Delivery
– FedEx Ground is a service that averages roughly 2.5 days of transit time within the U.S., and is applicable when shipping to commercial locations.
– FedEx Home Delivery is a service that averages roughly 2.5 days of transit time within the U.S., and is applicable when shipping to residences.
– FedEx SmartPost is a service that averages roughly 4 days of transit time within the U.S., and can be used to ship to both commercial locations and residences.
So, how fast is FedEx SmartPost? Based on our experience, it takes, on average, about 1.5 days longer for SmartPost packages to arrive compared to Ground and Home Delivery.
The question then becomes….is that too slow?
In some situations, the answer is yes, and, to keep your customer happy, SmartPost would not be the right choice.
However, as has been shown repeatedly, such as in last year’s Pulse of the Online Shopper Report from UPS, consumers are typically willing to wait longer periods of time if the shipping is either free or very inexpensive. In fact, the study showed that the average consumer is willing to wait up to six days if they pay for delivery, and seven days for free delivery!
This is significant because, while we’ve really only been discussing speed, cost is obviously a consideration among consumers, and the cost for SmartPost, particularly for lower-weight packages (up to about 9 lbs) is generally less than the cost of Ground and Home Delivery.
Therefore, if you have a contract with FedEx to use SmartPost (or are using a fulfillment center that does), during the checkout process on your shopping cart, a best practice is to simply give your customers shipping options in addition to SmartPost, confirm the transit time and cost associated with each option, and allow them to choose what’s right for them.
To sum up the facts surrounding the claim that FedEx SmartPost is slow, when comparing to other commonly-used shipping options, that claim is mostly true. However, when the question becomes….Is SmartPost too slow?…..well, that’s up to you and your customers to decide.
Claim #2 = FEDEX SMARTPOST IS USPS
Rating:
Half True
Overview:
We get many people that ask if SmartPost is a USPS service. The answer is technically no, as it’s a product offered from FedEx. However, as discussed, the claim is half true when you consider that the Postal Service does handle SmartPost packages.
Because USPS handles the final delivery with these packages, this service does have advantages when shipping to residences, including….
– Coverage to every residential address in the U.S., including API, FPO and DPO
– No residential surcharges
– Saturday delivery
– Full tracking and visibility
SmartPost is also available to ship to Alaska and Hawaii, although the transit times can be fairly lengthy for these destinations outside of the contiguous U.S.
Claim #3 = FEDEX SMARTPOST IS BAD
Rating:
Mostly False
Overview:
We also hear claims that FedEx SmartPost is bad, which can mean a few things, but, in general, folks are referring to the reliability of the service.
Based on our experience and data, while transit times are longer than Ground and Home Delivery, the reliability of SmartPost is quite good, meaning it consistently reaches its destination in the timeframe specified by FedEx.
Back in the early days of SmartPost, it is true that the service was sketchy, and one reason for this is that it took some time for FedEx and USPS to get everyone on the same page within both organizations, including how shipping labels should be formatted, how tracking numbers should be generated, dedicated processing centers, etc.
However, now that the service has been around for several years, and now that FedEx has made a number of changes to its network, including the addition of new hubs, SmartPost has not only become more reliable, the transit times have also been reduced over the years.
When compared to regular home delivery or ground services offered from FedEx and other carriers, SmartPost can be considered a unique service, although we would not consider it to be a “bad” service. Instead, it’s a smart, strategic service that plays off the strengths of both FedEx and USPS, and is one that certainly has its place with small parcel ecommerce order fulfillment.
Sources:
http://www.fedex.com/us/smart-post/outbound.html
https://about.usps.com/strategic-planning/cs09/CSPO_09_011.htm
https://solvers.ups.com/assets/2016_UPS_Pulse_of_the_Online_Shopper.pdf
Just talked to a fedex rep about a package that went into their system on 10 September. Now 27 September. It was last scanned on 23 September at a facility about 3 hours away from me. The rep says the lack of information is the fault of the shipper for using a bad system (offered by her own company) “because it’s cheap.” This is the fourth shipment to me (from four different vendors) smartpost has lost in the past month. While trying to track one of the other packages, I was told by a fedex employee, the tracking number I received from from fedex was not really their tracking number, even though it went to their web site and repeatedly gave me a “delivery pending” status report. Apparently, fedex reps make up whatever story they want when they cannot trace a package. Will not order from anyone who uses fedex smartpost as their delivery system.
I agree with the previous comment, I’ve had two items shipped with FedEx SmartPost. Both items got across the country in 3-4 days then spent over a week in a facility less than 50 miles from me before getting transferred to USPS.
USPS delivered with 24 hours of receipt. Things are spending a week at the Fedex transfer dock
I am with you. Once I learn (the hard way, mostly) that a business uses fedex smartpost I will never do business with them again. This is the WORST shipping method. I receive an expected delivery date, the package arrives in my state and sits there for weeks, not days. And there is never a resolution.
Yep mostdef the slow way. Current package coming from NC sat two days North of Atlanta then one day South, Both where in the suburbs of Atlanta. That three days of it’s journey and it still may not have left on day 4.
smartpost has lost my package fedex says usps has it and usps says they are waiting for it for a week now. it was suppossed to be delivered 9 days ago according to fedex tracking tool but now that has been changed to pending. tried to file a claim and fedex said only the shipper can.
I’ve been waiting on my order now going on three weeks and FedEx have been giving me the runaround. I have never had this problem before because I have never heard of smart post until this orders. The company I ordered from has lost my business for doing this to me because I’ve ordered many items from them that always came within a few days. Never again.
My package has been pending for 5 days only 4 miles from my home. Fed Ex cannot tell me at which location, as I would pick it up. One rep said it had been transferred to USPS. When I called USPS they told me that it had not been transferred—and a lot more!! 16 days now waiting for package. Too bad because it is gifts that will not be given.
I have had three recent orders shipped by Smartpost and the average delivery is about 10 days. When tracking the packages I noticed that the package would be close to home and three days later it would be a thousand miles away. Also some packages sit for 2 – 3 days in one location. I will not use this carrier again. I’m 3 for 3 three with unacceptable deliveries.
As far as I’m concerned and if it was my choice I would never use Fed-x. My most current package left Ca went to OH only to have to be sent back to CA. In other words 15 days to get to my client.
Smart post is awful. I’ve had a package that I’ve been watching through the tracking feature and it’s moving extraordinarily slow. The estimated delivery date has been changed twice. The package has been sitting at my local facility for three days and will definitely sit there over the weekend. The package has been in my state for a week now. This is a joke. Good riddance to FedEx and this stupid smart post bs.
I ordered a pair of shoes on October the 7th and the delivery service is FedEx smart post. Today is October 19th and I still have not received my shoes. The expected delivery date has changed 4 times from FedEx and they have dropped off other mail at my residence. This is ridiculous
Smartpost is not so smart at all. Fedex and USPS none will take responsibility. I opted to leave huge signs at my door. “Please Do Not Leave My Package at my door/floor as it tends to disappear before I can get to it.” I then have to call the company whom do not want to replace because it says delivered. Nobody takes responsibility smartpost is more than a joke it’s theft and what’s worst? it’s legal theft.
With smartpost nit so smart you call and ask if you can pick up your package at a near by location. That’s actually NOT an option. You can not opt to pick up it’s either you are home or they leave your package at the floor/door to be taken by whomever sees it first. Calling them is a waist of time because they just DONT CARE.
Not*
I called smartpost and ask if I can pick up my package at a near by location. That’s actually NOT an option. You can not opt to pick up it’s either you are home or they leave your package at the floor/door to be taken by whomever sees it first. Calling them is a waist of time because they just DONT CARE.
I see I have a smartpost delivery I know it will be 5 weeks before I get my package
This has happened with a CJ Pony parts order I hate the USPS they are SLOW and just don’t care and YES it was 5 weeks before I got that Package They tell me it’s a class 4 mail and That just sits around the post office until they decide to get to it.
Package has Traveled 2800 miles so far still got 1100 miles to go, From Southern Calif To Jersey way in the northeast, I live in central Florida, might see it in another week or two if not lost, USPS is nothing more than an 80-billion-dollar joke.
Travel History
Date or Time City & State Status
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
9:28 PM JERSEY CITY NJ NETWORK DISTRIBU
In transit
In transit to local Post Office – Allow two to three additional days for delivery
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
4:17 PM LOS ANGELES CA NETWORK DISTRIBU
In transit
In transit to local Post Office – Allow two to three additional days for delivery
Monday, December 13, 2021
9:45 PM BAKERSFIELD CA DISTRIBUTION CEN
In transit
In transit to local Post Office – Allow two to three additional days for delivery
11:50 AM
Shipment information sent to FedEx