Are you expecting a package, and wondering why did my FedEx package go farther away?
This can be very perplexing and leave you wondering if the package will arrive after its scheduled time.
Continue reading for a list of seven potential causes of the unexpected delay, as well as some advice on how to fix the issue.
Table of Contents
Why Did My FedEx Package Go Farther Away?
Here are the most common reasons for your FedEx package go farther away.
1. There’s a Sorting Center Ahead
The route of a package is actually much more complicated than many people believe.
It’s a common misconception, for instance, that a package travels from one FedEx location to the next until it arrives at the one that will deliver to your doorstep the closest to your address.
Packages are actually sent to sorting or distribution centers where they are categorized and organized.
Then, a courier route that offers the highest delivery efficiency is given the packages.
Therefore, even if you are aware that your package was dropped off at a specific FedEx location, it may not have made it to a sorting facility.
It could be that the next sorting facility is located farther away from your address.
2. Someone Made a Mistake
Even the employees of FedEx make mistakes. A worker may have made a mistake, causing your package to be delivered further from your house.
These mistakes typically occur when sorting.
Even though computers sort packages for the most part, sometimes the handwriting is so illegible or a barcode is so broken that the computer is unable to read it.
In such cases, manual sorting is the only option.
The delivery of packages to the incorrect locations, which are farther away from the intended destination, can happen even when only one person sorts the packages incorrectly.
3. You Provided the Wrong Address
You know how sometimes when you’re traveling you could swear you packed your toothbrush, but when you get to the hotel you realize you didn’t?
Your address or zip code entry may have exactly resulted in this.
Although you might think you’ve typed the delivery address correctly, you actually mixed up a number or a letter, which changed the address to a different location.
Additionally, if you have multiple addresses, you might accidentally use one instead of the other and only realize when you check after seeing that your package is being delivered to a different location.
4. Weather Conditions Aren’t Helping
To ensure that their packages travel the most effective route, couriers use extremely sophisticated systems. Given the scale on which they operate, even minor mistakes can result in dramatically increased costs.
These routes are also created and modified in real time.
Your package may be rerouted if it was planned to pass through an area that, for some reason, such as severe weather, is unable to move things at its full capacity.
Unfortunately, this can also cause it to appear to be moving backwards and farther from its intended location.
Sadly, there isn’t really anything that can be done about it, and unexpected weather conditions can indeed cause delays in packages.
5. Traffic is a Nightmare
Anything can happen when a particular service involves traffic.
It shouldn’t really surprise you if something goes wrong due to traffic if you consider a delivery service like FedEx, which is entirely dependent on roads and streets.
There are numerous traffic situations that could affect the delivery route of your package, including collisions, roadblocks, construction, and rush hours.
The courier may use rerouting to avoid traffic problems. This might entail going a little bit further, turning around, and returning to your starting point.
Do not immediately become alarmed if there are delays or reroutes brought on by traffic.
6. Packages Are Stuck Together
Rarely, packages may become stuck to one another.
The substances on the packages’ exteriors that are sticky are usually to blame for this.
Of course, you can probably guess what happens after that.
Two packages collide and end up in the same location after becoming stuck to one another.
Before the error is discovered and the package is put back on course for its intended destination, more human intervention is required.
Related Reading: Why Is FedEx Package Pending?
7. Your Package Was Lost
We’re sorry to be the ones to deliver bad news, or even worse news in the case of packages, but your FedEx package might be traveling further away as a result of its loss.
A package may go missing for a variety of reasons, such as unclear labels, being misplaced, or being delivered incorrectly.
When you attempt to track your package if any of these things occur, it might appear to be traveling outside of your address.
Using your tracking number, you can get in touch with FedEx and ask them to look up the status of your package.
You can ask for a refund or make a claim with the company if your package was really lost.
Read More: Why Is My Shein Package Stuck In Shipped?
Will This Lead to Shipping Delays?
Unfortunately, there are many situations where shipping delays are unavoidable, especially if there was a real mistake made while transporting your package.
However, it should be noted that even when it seems impossible that it could possibly be delivered in time, UPS, Fedex, DHL, and USPS are almost always able to adhere to their expected delivery date.
We advise purchasing a shipping option with guaranteed delivery dates if shipping speed is important to you.
For instance, First Class Mail or regular Priority Mail do not have a guaranteed delivery date, but Priority Mail Express does.
You can typically ask for a refund on the postage or shipping cost for the item if you choose a shipping method with a guaranteed delivery date.
If you placed an online order for the item, get in touch with the retailer; they will be able to request a refund on your behalf and should reimburse you for the shipping costs.
What Do You Do If Your FedEx Package is Going the Wrong Way?
There isn’t much you can do in either of the aforementioned situations if your package is moving the other way.
If your package is being delivered to a FedEx hub, the hub and spoke delivery system is operating as it should.
The onus is on FedEx to resolve the problem if your package was mixed up as a result of a sorting or labeling error.
In either case, if you think your package is going the wrong way, the best thing you can do is to be patient.
Give your tracking data 24 to 48 hours to update. After allowing the FedEx system to do its job, you’ll typically notice that your package is once again on track.
It’s time to call FedEx for assistance if you’ve waited more than a few days and your package hasn’t moved or has moved further away from its intended location.
Call 1 (800) 463-3339 to speak with FedEx Customer Service.
Make sure you are prepared to call by having your tracking number and delivery address on hand.
Both of these will enable the FedEx representative to provide you with more details regarding the status of your delivery.
Read More: Does FedEx Leave Packages At The Door?
The Bottom Line: Why Did My FedEx Package Go Farther Away
As you can tell by now, there are various reasons that could answer the question “why did my Do FedEx packages travel further?”
Your package might have been rerouted due to a delivery process obstacle, such as human error, traffic problems, weather, or sorting centers, among others.
However, a sorting or labeling error could also result in packages being sent in the wrong direction. If that’s the case, rest assured that FedEx can handle these problems with relative ease. You might still get your package on schedule.
Feel free to use the comment section below to ask any questions you may have. Thank you for reading!
Read More: How to Refuse a FedEx Package?
FAQs
Why Did My FedEx Package Go past My City?
The most likely reason is that there was an old label of some sort on the box. Or perhaps a different address was written, and the local FedEx noticed that, made an exception, and sent it on its way.
Why is My Package Being Rerouted?
Most likely is wrong zip code and a mismatched address. local management doesn’t want to have delayed mail on hand so they will send it on a round trip.
What Happens If FedEx Delivers to the Wrong Place?
Contact Customer Service to open a case for retrieval at the wrong address. The delivery man will take the package. If it’s feasible, the driver will try to make the delivery again that day.
