- Don't the carriers offer software to help make sure shipments are on time?
- Can I get refunds at any time?
- Are the carriers' guarantees the same all the time?
- When can refunds be applied for?
The Carriers' Little Secrets
Q: Don't the carriers offer software to help make sure shipments are on time?
No. In fact, look at the License Agreement for UPS Worldship Software. This part sticks out, particularly. It states:
That you must accept the fact that the software will not provide the information needed to determine a late shipment.
(Online tools said about the same thing)
Next, this is from the Terms & Conditions in the registration for UPS OnLine Tools:
(6) You agree that the Information is insufficient for purposes of determining whether adjustments or guaranteed service refunds are due. Accordingly, You agree that shipping data in addition to the Information will be required to obtain a guaranteed service refund, any other adjustment or refund against UPS service fees or for reconciliation of invoices for UPS services. For further information on the procedure for service refunds please consult the Terms and Conditions of Service (link) in effect at the time of shipment.
Q: Can I get refunds at any time?
No. Many times, if you've already paid for the shipments, it's much more difficult to get refunds. To help you out, we send out weekly email notices (sample) telling you when it is okay to pay the carrier invoices. For example, we are not able to fully monitor and request refunds for DHL if you pay the invoices before Refund Retriever is able to monitor it. It's best to wait until the weekly email from Refund Retriever before you pay any carrier.
Q: Are the carriers' guarantees the same all the time?
No. FedEx International Shipments to Canada and Mexico do not have services guarantees. Also, carrier shipping guarantees vary closer to times of high shipping volume, such as:
Q: When can refunds be applied for?
Refund time limits are different for each carrier:
- FedEx: 15 calendar days after the invoice date.
- UPS: 15 calendar days from the schedule delivery date.
- DHL: 15 calendar days from the shipment date.
Refund Retriever & Shipment Auditing
Q: What's it going to cost me?
We charge 50% of the refunds recovered. This is a fraction of the money you're currently not recovering. We do not charge any setup or monthly fee. We get paid after the refund appears on your FedEx or UPS invoice! If there is no refund, you owe us nothing.
Q: Is there any contract or obligation?
There is no contract and no obligation. If at any time you want us to stop tracking your shipments, just send us an email telling us to stop. This is a totally risk free offer.
Q: Will this upset the carriers?
No, except that they'd rather keep your money than return it to you! These are the guarantees they offer to everyone. They offer a delivery guarantee because they want your business...what they don't tell you is how confusing and time consuming it is to get your refund. They count on the fact that most people don't even ask for their refunds. Why not start today!
Q: Can I claim the service failure refunds myself? Why should I use you?
Absolutely, you can -- but most companies never claim these guaranteed refunds because:
- They rarely know when shipments are late (unless the recipient complains).
- They don't want the administrative hassle of claiming the refund.
- There isn't enough time in the day to track hundreds of shipments when the majority will be on time.
If you want to claim the refunds yourself:
- Review the carriers' service guarantees,
- Monitor all packages: obtain an Estimated Delivery Date/Time and Delivery Date/Time for each,
- Identify all service failure by comparing Estimated Delivery Date/Time against Delivery Date/time within the imposed time limits,
- For identified late shipments, check for exceptions that void the guarantee,
- Claim the refund with the carrier before the 15 day dispute window closes,
- Ensure the refund was applied to your account.
Q: Why use Refund Retriever instead of claiming the refunds myself?
- We monitor all your shipments -- not just the expensive ones!
- Carriers have reasons to void their service guarantee for late shipments, resulting in about a 50% of these late shipments do not qualify for any service guarantee refund
- About 50% of late shipments do not qualify for a refund due to exceptions during transit that void the carrier's service guarantee
- Our system has an extensive Knowledge Base of exceptions to qualify late shipments for dispute processing,
- It's just easier
- We keep you well-informed:
- We send weekly invoice notices -- via email -- for each carrier listing their invoice amounts due. This lets you know what you'll owe each carrier. The email also summarizes our past and current processing of your shipment activities. (example)
- We compile monthly reports -- available online at our web site -- with full details of every refund. That report also details late shipments that did not qualify for the Carrier's Service Guarantee Refund (GSR), and denied refunds. (example)
Q: How much savings can I expect?
On average, you can expect a 5 to 10% reduction of your bill. However, you will surprisingly see LARGER savings from time to time. The actual savings depend on your shipping pattern, service type, and time of the year.
Q: How do you know what I ship each week? Do I need to send you a weekly file?
No! Once you authorize us to track your shipments, the carriers will provide us the information we need each day at no charge to you. Signing up for this service may require a one-time step that takes only five minutes. Our friendly support staff can walk you through this simple one-time procedure.
We help you establish online billing accounts for each carrier and then fully audit your invoices. We go over your weekly invoices to ensure you only pay for what you ship.
Q: Do you take the refund and then forward the rest to our company?
Absolutely not! 100% of any refund is paid or credited directly to you from the carriers. We will provide a detailed invoice at the end of the month. You only pay us after you verify the refunds and only if you're 100% satisfied.
Q: How does Refund Retriever differ from other companies?
- Refund Retriever only charges 50% of the refund
- Refund Retriever sends weekly progress emails, take a look and see what these look like
- Refund Retriever sends a detailed monthly invoice that shows you all the packages we have processed
- We show you excatly where to find each individual refund for your own verification of our work
- You can pay via with check in the mail or online through our monthly detailed electronic invoice
- Refund Retriever has no setup fee or monthly service fees
Q: What types of refunds are possible?
a) Non-Shipments - package entered into the carrier system, but never shipped.
b) Non-Deliveries - package that missed its guaranteed delivery date but has not delivered yet.
c) Late-Deliveries - package missed guaranteed delivery date
Q: What type of transactions can Refund Retriever detect and help fix?
a) Third Party billing on your account - shipping charges not paid by authorized 3rd party.
b) Receiver billing on your account - shipping charges not paid by authorized Receiver.
c) Third Party accounts - shipments being billed to your account by an unknown third party
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