I have generally had great service from Fed Ex with high value shipments. The one time they screwed up, though, was indeed cycling related.
I planned a cycling trip one Labour Day weekend, a 100 mile ride north of Montreal. I left Friday a.m. but on the prior Wednesday I shipped via Fed Ex some extra clothes, extra spare tires etc. to the hotel I was to stay at (I hate paniers). I expected to find the box there when I arrived.
The box didn't arrive that weekend and I rode home on Monday. Fed Ex delivered the box to the hotel on Tuesday, too late for me. They later returned it to my home
I was mighty pissed. All I had to wear for the weekend was my stinking cycling clothing and a pair of slippers I'd stashed in my jersey back pocket. The hotel loaned me some shorts, a t shirt and gave me a toothbrush.
I wrote a letter of complaint to the president of Fed Ex Canada. I explained that his company's screw-up ruined my holiday weekend. I sent him a copy of the bill for my entire hotel stay, including my bar tab, plus the charges for the failed shipment.
Fed Ex paid in full. I sent the president a letter of thanks and I have been using them ever since, with no more screw ups.
Consumers have power. You just have to use it right, get your complaint to the right person and word it firmly but politely.
Emanuel Lowi
Montreal