FedEx announced that it will soon start snapping images of the packages it delivers to your doorstep in an attempt to offer proof of successful delivery. This makes for a great way for the company to protect itself from various claims of a failed delivery for packages that did indeed make it to the intended destination. Not only that, but it offers customers a security blanket to see that it properly made it.
This is an insurance method that helps all parties involved, including the shipper, the target recipient, and FedEx. Everyone can rest assured that a package wasn’t lost during transit and the company can protect itself from false claims. A service that is already being used by Amazon for its packages that seems to now be rubbing off onto other companies. You’ll likely see UPS eventually doing this as well.
FedEx customs who make use of the FedEx Delivery Manager or the company’s general tracking tool will have access to seeing these images when the program rolls out. There isn’t a set time just yet, but FedEx does mention that it will roll out to the US and Canada in time for the holidays later this year.
As mentioned, if you have purchased things from Amazon, you have likely seen its own version of this that the company has been practicing for a number of years now. The service has been quite useful for all parties involved and helps to accelerate claims for lost packages that don’t make it to your door.
USPS also offers a similar service, although it simply scans the mail that is on its way to you. It is called “USPS Informed Delivery” residents can register to get daily emails that feature the scans of “most” flat mail being sent to their address. This mail is usually what is arriving that day, but sometimes falls into the following day or further if drivers or sorting run into delays. Currently, USPS does not offer the option of photographing or scanning items as they arrive. However, it is still a positive step in the right direction.
