There’s always a lot of stress and anxiety when you know you are going to be around to accept a package, even from a delivery services as reputable as FedEx.
“Porch pirate” crime is skyrocketing year after year, but there are a whole bunch of other things that can happen to your package when dropped off and left unattended. Most folks just don’t want to deal with the headache and hassle – and who could blame them?
Luckily, though, it’s easier today than ever before to have your package rerouted. Especially when you’re working with a company like FedEx, a company known for their world-class customer service.
In this detailed guide we run through just about everything you need to know about picking up a package from FedEx before delivery is completed as well as having that package rerouted or held for you until you can come by and grab it yourself.
Ready to jump right in?
Let’s do this!
Can I Pick Up a Package From FedEx Before Delivery?
You’ll be glad to know that in the overwhelming majority of situations it’s really easy to pick up a package from FedEx before delivery has been initiated.
A lot of this is due to the fact that FedEx really has their logistics nailed down pat.
One of the most innovative and technologically savvy logistics companies on the planet, FedEx really rose to prominence thanks to the investments that they made in their logistical chain.
This is why FedEx offers such accurate tracking information. It’s why they are able to route and move packages more efficiently than maybe anyone else in the business. And it’s why they were able to promise “when it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight” – the competitive advantage that differentiated them from all other shipping companies and built the FedEx empire.
Best of all, it (usually) takes nothing more than a quick phone call to FedEx to have your package held for you so that you can come and pick it up.
Let’s run through this process together right now.
FedEx Hold at Location (HAL) Services
FedEx offers the ability to pick up your package personally before delivery is attempted as a 100% free service that they call “Hold at Location”.
The fact that this service is completely free is another testament to the way that FedEx sees their customers. They are always trying to add more value, always trying to grow their customer relations, and aren’t trying to squeeze every penny of profit from their customer base.
Other shipping services (like UPS, for example) regularly charge for this kind of delivery hold. That won’t be a problem with FedEx.
How HAL Works
To take advantage of HAL, though, you’ll either need to contact FedEx directly (using their toll-free customer service line, 1-800-463-3339) or you’ll need to jump on the website and initiate the HAL on your own.
Before you get started with that, though, it’s important to understand that you can only start the HAL process if your package hasn’t been loaded onto a delivery vehicle and scheduled for delivery that day.
You have plenty of opportunity to get out in front of that package. But the second that it is on a truck and that truck leaves a FedEx facility to initiate delivery you’re going to be out of luck.
As long as you check the tracking and start your HAL request before delivery is attempted, though, you’ll be good to go.
How to Initiate a HAL for a Package
As mentioned a moment ago, you’ll need to initiate the HAL process all on your own either by calling customer service or using the online tools to start the process yourself.
If you’re going to use the website, you’ll want to log on using your username and then input your tracking information for the package that you want to be held in place.
From there, you’ll be prompted with the option to “customize delivery”. This option is going to let you run through a couple of different choices, including an option to “Delivered to Another Address” – though that will cost you a little bit extra.
Run through the options, find the Hold at Location option, and then click on it to start the process. If the option is grayed out, however, that means that the package is already in the delivery initiation process and you’ll have to wait until your driver attempts delivery to make any potential changes.
Provided you’re able to initiate the HAL, though, you’re going to need to pick a local FedEx location that you want your package to be held for you.
Most of the time this is going to be either a regional distribution center or a physical retail operation. Sometimes, though, it will be a partner FedEx operation that allows for HAL pickup.
After selecting where you want your package to be held and confirming the location you are good to go.
All you have to worry about from there is showing up at the location, presenting an ID that matches the name on the package, and collecting your FedEx delivery – all without any headache or hassle whatsoever!
HAL Eligible Services
The only other wrinkle that you might have to worry about with HAL from FedEx is whether or not your premium FedEx shipping services can be held in place to begin with.
FedEx Priority Overnight, FedEx Priority Overnight Saturday Delivery, FedEx Second Day Saturday Delivery, and FedEx Express Saver services may or may not be eligible for HAL.
These speedy premium shipping services are designed to get your packages to their ultimate destination just as quickly as possible. There may not be enough time between your package being sent out, getting routed through the FedEx logistical chain, and then moving out for delivery for you to initiate an HAL in the first place.
Even still, it’s worth running through the process as we outlined above. If you aren’t able to initiate a HAL with these premium services the option will be grayed out. If it’s available and can be clicked you are good to go and a HAL can be started.
When Does a FedEx HAL Make Sense?
Honestly, there are a bunch of different reasons you might choose to have FedEx hold your package in place so that you can pick it up rather than have it delivered to your doorstep.
Delivery Problems
For starters, there are all kinds of delivery problems that certain addresses (and certain packages) just seem to be plagued with.
Houses in particularly rural areas, apartments in crowded buildings, and homes with funny addresses that don’t always “play nicely” with the FedEx logistical system may have more delivery problems than normal.
If you are sick and tired of having to juggle these kinds of issues, tracking down FedEx drivers and constantly having to call FedEx customer service, it may make more sense to initiate a HAL and go out and get the package yourself.
Scheduling Issues
Scheduling issues are another common reason that HAL services are taken advantage of from FedEx.
Some people are totally comfortable with FedEx dropping packages off at home even when they aren’t around. They have been able to get their packages from their doorstep or their driveway with real consistency even if the package sits unattended for a few hours.
On the other hand, some folks don’t like the idea of packages just being dropped off when they aren’t able to scoop them up in a timely manner.
Maybe you’ll be away at work for later than expected. Maybe you won’t be in town for a couple of days but are still expecting packages. Maybe you just don’t like the idea of your packages sitting out for hours and hours until you get home.
No matter the reason, scheduling conflicts definitely exists and are a perfect reason to set up HAL solutions.
Increased Risk of Package Theft
We mentioned earlier that “porch pirate problems” are dramatically increasing every single year.
There’s nothing worse than expecting a package to be on your doorstep when you get home, especially after you see a delivered message in your tracking info, only to discover that it’s been stolen.
You have to go through the whole process of trying to track the package down, contacting FedEx and the individual or business that shipped the package, and jumping through a bunch of hoops along the way.
By setting up an HAL you’re able to avoid all that altogether.
You’ll always know that your package is in a safe and secure location. You’ll always be able to pick it up at your convenience. And you’ll never have to worry about someone snooping on your property and stealing packages from you when you aren’t home.
Can I Pick Up a Package From FedEx Before Delivery on a Sunday?
If you are trying to pick up a package from FedEx before delivery has been initiated on a Sunday you may or may not have a tough time.
More FedEx OnSite businesses are accessible and open on Sunday (between 9 AM and 5 PM) each week, but traditional FedEx stores and FedEx distribution centers usually aren’t open to the general public on Sundays.
This is something that you’ll want to contact your local FedEx HAL location to figure out ahead of time. Some of them will accommodate (especially in rare circumstances), but others may ask that you either arrive on Saturday or show up later on Monday to get your package – a package they’ll keep safe until you arrive (even if it’s a day or two later).
How Long Will FedEx Hold a Package for Me?
As a general rule of thumb FedEx wants you to pick up your package as quickly as possible after you have initiated a HAL request.
That being said, it’s not at all uncommon for FedEx to hold a package for their customers for a couple of days, maybe even a week or so – and rarely even longer than that (so long as you are in communication with them).
Try your level best to get your package as quickly as possible after you set up the hell request and you won’t have much to worry about. Your package will be placed inside of a secure container awaiting your pickup, even if it takes a little bit longer than you originally expected it to.
You don’t have to worry about it being left unattended!
What Happens If I Don’t Make It to FedEx in Time?
If you don’t make it to FedEx in time to pick up your HAL package the odds are pretty good that another delivery attempt is going to be made. You may or may not be able to initiate another HAL request (some have had luck with that, others haven’t), too.
Most of the time you’ll simply have your package dropped off at the original delivery address – whether you’ll be home to pick it up or not.
Sometimes (in very rare circumstances) a package will be returned to sender and then have to be shipped out again (obviously with new shipping expenses being paid for before the package can be rerouted back out to you).
Modernize Your Mailbox with US Global Mail
If you don’t want to have to worry about initiating HAL services with FedEx, driving out to pick up your packages, and juggling all of those new responsibilities it might be time to sign up for a US Global Mail account.
The premier virtual mailbox service in the industry today, US Global Mail has been offering their modern virtual mailbox services for more than 20+ years.
Customers enjoy improved security, better shipping speeds, detailed digital breakdowns and scans of every package, parcel, and envelope that arrives in their mailbox – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
Combine all of that with the ability to forward packages to any address on the planet at up to 80% off of traditional retail costs and it’s a bit of a no-brainer.
For more information about US Global Mail and all they have to offer, visit their website today!
