Why Does My FedEx Package Say Pending?

Last updated Thursday, April 6th, 2023

Introduction

You’ve been waiting for an important package for weeks. You were supposed to receive it by now, but when you check the FedEx tracking system, it flashes –  “scheduled delivery pending.”

It’s essentially a polite way of saying your delivery has been delayed.

80% of online shoppers want to get their orders on the same day. Online shopping may be more convenient, but it leaves a lot to be desired in making you feel instantly connected to what you buy. However, being able to track your purchase from the moment you click ‘buy’ to the moment it arrives at your doorstep helps cover this gap.

You don’t have to struggle with buyer’s remorse or get anxious about when your package will show up. FedEx will keep you in the loop about your package every step of the way.

In this article, we’ll explore what are some of the common challenges you’ll face tracking your package and how you can deal with them.

Reasons for FedEx’s scheduled delivery delay

Why is your package delayed? It depends on a lot of factors and what stage of your package’s journey is turning out to be problematic.

Here’s why your FedEx delivery may have been rescheduled:

• Logistical challenges in warehousing or transport of your package
• Poor weather conditions
• Delays in scanning and processing your package at the local depot
• Staffing shortages during holidays or emergencies
• The recipient wasn’t available
• Incomplete or incorrect address
• Delivery exceptions
• Challenges handling shipment volume
• Documentation issues or labeling errors
• Issues with security clearance of your package

How to track your package using the FedEx tracking number or reference number

FedEx allows you to track your package through every stage of its journey from the retailer’s warehouse to your house.

You will receive a unique 12-digit tracking number that lets you access FedEx’s powerful tracking system. It’s where FedEx is uploading live updates about your shipment. You can check up to 25 tracking numbers at the same time.

Tracking through the FedEx Website

Here’s three simple steps to track your FedEx shipment through their website:

1.     Go to the FedEx website homepage

2.     Copy and paste your tracking number in the box at the center of the page

3.     Select “TRACK”

You can also use a purchase order number or reference number to track your package if you haven’t received it.

Tracking through the FedEx Mobile App

You can install the FedEx app on your smartphone to check in your product delivery status whenever you want.

First, you’ll have to update your 12-digit tracking number. Then you can enable push notifications to get instant alerts when your delivery status changes.

Tracking through SMS

If you don’t care for clogging your phone with extra apps, there’s a simpler alternative – SMS tracking. Type in your tracking number along with the message “follow” and send it to 48773.

You can also contact FedEx’s toll-free number 1800-463-3339 and choose the “track package” option.

Tracking through FedEx Delivery Manager

You can also opt for the free FedEx Delivery Manager service to stay updated with your package shipment.

You don’t even need a tracking number for monitoring your shipment. Apart from checking the shipping status, you can also reschedule deliveries or modify the address of the person receiving the package.

How to find out the exact date and time your package was scheduled to be delivered

You’ll receive an estimated package delivery date the moment you complete your product checkout. It’s not a guaranteed prediction, but an estimation of when the package will reach your doorstep.

You can track your package through the FedEx website, mobile app, SMS, or Delivery Manager services. You don’t have to worry about losing your product just because of a shipment delay. If it’s within the FedEx system, it’ll reach you safely.

However, if you have some concerns about your package, you can contact FedEx’s toll-free number 1-800-463-3339 for more information. If your delivery has been delayed by more than one to two days, you should speak to a FedEx customer care agent directly.

You can sign up for FedEx’s free Delivery Manager service to modify your package’s delivery date and time or recipient’s location if necessary. It’s important to note that you’ll have to pay a fee for changing your scheduled delivery time. However, it’s better than avoiding the hassles of a missed delivery.

Accuracy of FedEx scheduled delivery time

Did you know FedEx had an on-time delivery success rate of nearly 85% at the peak of the 2021 holiday season? It came up shorter than UPS and USPS, which had success rates of nearly 96% and 95% respectively.

It’s important to know that your package’s scheduled delivery time is actually a delivery window – a four-hour window – to be precise.

So don’t expect to open your door at 10:30 AM and seeing someone holding your package just because your scheduled delivery time is 10:30 AM. You may receive your package within four hours of this scheduled delivery time.

It’s possible you may even receive your delivery sometime earlier than 10:30 AM. Or you may receive it by 2:30 PM – four hours after 10:30 AM.

FedEx uses this four-hour window because your delivery time could be affected by a number of factors like:

• High traffic
• High volume shipments
• Delivery vehicle troubles
• Staffing shortages
• Poor weather conditions
• Failed delivery attempt
• Customs clearance issues

You can check for updates on delivery time through the FedEx website, mobile app, Delivery Manager service, or through SMS. You’ll receive an estimated delivery time for your package with a 4-hour window. It’s possible that you won’t get an estimated delivery time window for certain packages.

What to do if your package has been in “FedEx scheduled delivery pending” status for a couple of days

It’s possible that your package is delayed because of bad weather, logistics issues, power outages, or some other unpredictable challenges. FedEx will update your tracking information with the message – “scheduled delivery pending” – in that case. It means that FedEx is waiting for the issue to be cleared so that they can forward your package to the next location. Don’t be surprised if this pushes your estimate delivery date back by a few hours or a couple of days.

FedEx packages have to go through numerous pit-stops between pickup and delivery. With numerous pit-stops come numerous scans (and the possibility of numerous delays if there’s issues at any one of these points).

Sometimes your product may be stuck in transit without being scanned for more than a day. So you won’t receive any new updates even though your FedEx package is on the move getting closer to you.

Steps to take if you’re experiencing tracking difficulties

FedEx constantly keeps updating their tracking information. So you should refresh your tracking request on their homepage after a few hours to see if the status has changed.

They may take over 24 hours to update your tracking information.

If there’s no change in your shipping status for more than one or two days, you should contact their toll-free customer service at 1-800-463-3339. Keep your tracking number handy when you’re speaking to a FedEx customer service agent.

FedEx’s priority on package safety

FedEx uses cutting-edge technology to ensure your package is delivered to you in the safest and fastest way possible.

It uses real-time data from sensors and machine learning algorithms to make your package’s journey to you as smooth as possible. It tracks your package location, reviews weather and mapping data, employee activity at processing centers, and plans the most optimal route for delivery.

All this data helps FedEx delivery agents stay several steps ahead of any risks and challenges on the way to avoid any shipping delays. Let’s say some emergency medications were being shipped from New York to Minnesota. If FedEx data tracks bad weather conditions on the usual routes, the package will be intercepted at the next best location to deliver it through an alternate route.

However, it’s possible that your package gets lost or damaged because of some unpredictable challenges. You should file a claim for a lost or damaged package as soon as possible if that’s the case.

Here’s what you need to do:

• File a claim through a form on the FedEx homepage, app, or Delivery Manager.
• Add your package’s tracking number and other documents like a serial number or invoice of the item you purchased.
• Subscribe to updates about your claim to keep track of the situation.

FedEx will review all the details in your claim and issue a refund to your account if everything adds up.

Accident Delivery and Handling

Ever opened up a box only to find a broken shell of what you ordered? Or worse, maybe your package never made it to your doorstep at all. Any package that was stolen or damaged by human error or natural circumstances while being handled by FedEx is considered an accident delivery.

FedEx takes accident deliveries seriously and will be able to track when and how your package was lost or mishandled. You can file a claim to cover your package and shipping expenses through their system when that happens.

All packages costing $100 or less will be covered by the FedEx Office Packaging Pledge. You’ll receive a refund of the full price and shipping costs for it. However, this coverage only extends to products packaged by FedEx themselves. They’ll try to push the liability onto your shoulders if the damaged product was packaged by you.

If a FedEx truck delivering your package was involved in an accident, FedEx will try to recover your package by sending out a team at the scene of the accident. However, it’s possible that your package may be far too damaged. You can file a claim online or call FedEx customer support at 1-800-463-3339 to report your case.

Our team of experienced Georgia accident lawyers here at Monge & Associates have won hundreds of lawsuits to compensate people who’ve faced losses because of a delivery truck accident.

It’s important to note that both the driver and FedEx may be liable for the damages you’ve faced because of a delivery truck accident. But they’ll do their best to sweep their responsibility under the rug and delay, underpay or deny your claim. It’s best to hire an experienced truck accident lawyer or defective product lawyer to get the settlement you deserve.