Older posts are listed on the links at the bottom of the blog and on the right hand side column. There are also links on the right hand side that will take you to separate pages that cover some of the issues we have experienced. We also note a few people and companies (very few, most we have used have been great) that have let us down. If you have queries, would like waypoints or details on a destination, feel free to send a message, (link at the bottom of the page) .

FedEx and the case of the Canvas Ransom...........

Known to us as 'Never use FedEx again'.

There we were, sitting in Danga Bay awaiting repairs to the mechanicals (yes, the engine once again). We have put up a page about a Queensland mechanic, one Brett Dillon trading as 'Bay Mobile Marine'. Worth a read. However we digress........
On the spur of the moment we decide to replace our ageing canopies and install stack bags, or boom bags if you prefer, and a few other covers.
So we search online, call Malaysia and Singapore, and on a recommendation buy the goods from Marine Warehouse in the USA. They did a top job in getting our order away, unfortunately for us they sent it via FedEx.
Now, for the non cruisers out there, when one brings goods into a country and said goods are to be re-exported (as in attached to an overseas yacht), there is generally no duty and this is the case in Malaysia. The goods need to be clearly identified as being for a 'yacht in transit', and all the relevant items noted, etc, standard paperwork overload but no big deal. Or so we thought.
FedEx collected the goods in the States on the 29th November with the paperwork (waybill) filled out showing the delivery to a 'yacht in transit', all good. The goods arrived in Malaysia on the 2nd December taking only 3 days which when one considers they went from Miami to Memphis to Anchorage to Guangzhou to Kuala Lumpur was good enough (do they get frequent flyer?).
And there they stopped.
Now we are a 4 to 5 hour drive away from KL but during a phone call advising us that the goods were available we were told we would also have to pay duty (around RM880), “no” we said, “yacht in transit”.
FedEx point blank refused to deliver the material, we needed to appoint a clearance broker (some RM1000), we needed to hire a bonded truck (some RM1200), we needed to have the goods sent to Langkawi (400 miles away), always they wanted us to pay more money. And no, we could not come and collect them.
All this went on for many days, we lost count of the phone calls (there went the phone credit) and a dozen or so emails (ever tried to get an email address for FedEx? Nearly impossible) however by the 10th they finally saw sense and had the gear released. But not before we had refused to play their game, they could either deliver the goods as contracted or return them to the sender, otherwise we would have to file a claim for loss. FedEx have a very nice online claim form, guess it happens a lot! We eventually advised them that they had until the 10th to release them or would have no choice but to lodge the claim. The goods were released at 8.37 PM on the 10th.
We received the shipment on the 13th. (3 days Miami – KL, 3 days KL – Danga Bay, how does that work?)
During the whole time FedEx never properly explained why they would not deliver. “We don't deliver to yachts in transit” we were told. “Why did you accept the delivery” we asked?
Next time DHL.
Should FedEx wish to post a response, our email address is available from the KL office. We are still awaiting answers to the following:
1. That Fedex accepted the delivery to be made to a 'yacht in transit', as clearly noted on the Waybill. Fedex have (or will be) paid by the sender for door to door delivery.
2. That Fedex have stated that delivery to Langkawi would be acceptable, and have requested many times an address in Langkawi, as noted in the email to me from S.... R.... dated 6/12/2010.
The delivery would still be to a 'yacht in transit', only the location would be different.
3. That when I phoned your KL Fedex sales office and asked about having a shipment made from the USA to a 'yacht in transit' at Danga Bay I was informed that as long as there was a marina address it would be no problem. We have a marina address.
4. That during my first phone conversation with R.... (uncertain of the spelling) of Fedex he advised me that if I agreed to pay an amount of money it would be possible to have the delivery made. I trust you have recordings of my conversations with your various staff.
5. That Fedex have, on several recent occasions, (I believe I can now quote 4 such occasions), delivered similar goods to 'yachts in transit' in Danga Bay
And, as usual...........
For the lawyers, this is just a narrative of certain events and contains our opinions and recollections. If you can show where this is factually incorrect or otherwise misleading, we would be happy to amend the text.
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