FEDEX Tech Support - Dumb and Dumber

[MacManMaz]

Tried to setup an account with FEDEX.com yesterday. I just want to ship a few packages per month and print the shipping labels at home. (similar to usps). No info on the site about system requirements or mac support that I could find. Anyway, I click on a link that says "sign up now and get a 15% discount" - I get a screen name and password but there is no accoount number which is required to use their ship manager. A confirmation e-mail arrives , but is no help.

So today I call tech support, and they answer right away. The rep says that it will take two weeks to verify my account info and send a card and account number in the mail. Not what I expected but OK I guess I wasn't in a hurry. Then I ask the big stumper question. - "

"Does your ship manager work with Apple computers?"

The rep makes a long sigh and says "no it was designed to work with personal computers only".

I say "my mac is a personal computer, do you mean it works only with windows."

She says "no you have to have java (pronounced jayvaah).

I can't help but chuckle and ask "is this is tech support?"

She replies "yes, but I only handle the web page."

---- Doesn't look like I'll be using FEDEX ship manager anytime soon -- or ever.

[mattkime]

If you really want to use the service just ignore the "tech" you spoke to. it works fine with macs.

I've been using the USPS site a lot lately and have to say that I'm quite pleased with it. I really don't understand why they don't advertise it more.

[MacManMaz]

As soon as I get my account number, I'll give it a try.

Do you have to use adobe reader(pos) to print the PDF labels like usps?

[mattkime]

Which OS version are you running? I've never had a problem opening the usps labels in preview. I _HATE_ it when they open in acrobat reader. I can't get it to do this automatically, I have to drag them in manually.

I don't think fedex makes use of PDFs.

[Seacrest]

We use fedex.com on Macs all day long.
No, it does not use PDFs.

The Fedex Ship Manager standalone software (which they apparently no longer offer?) does work on Windows only, however the web interface is quite good.

[Carnos Jax]

ditto

[Seacrest]

[quote Carnos Jax]ditto are you saying that because fedex now owns kinko's?

[Carnos Jax]

Oh no. I was replying to the statement about the web interface. I'm a little slow this morning, but, why might I be saying that if FedEx owns Kinko's?

[MacManMaz]

[quote mattkime]Which OS version are you running? I've never had a problem opening the usps labels in preview. I _HATE_ it when they open in acrobat reader. I can't get it to do this automatically, I have to drag them in manually.

I don't think fedex makes use of PDFs.
There is a problem with intel macs, safari, adobe reader, and the usps pdfs. Basically, safari in tiger will not allow downloads of the pdf and the adobe reader plugin will not work (the adobe reader app works under rosetta) on intel macs. I had to modify the prefs in firefox to download the pdf and then open with the adobe reader app. to print labels.

[MacManMaz]

[quote Seacrest]We use fedex.com on Macs all day long.
No, it does not use PDFs.

The Fedex Ship Manager standalone software (which they apparently no longer offer?) does work on Windows only, however the web interface is quite good.
There's the answer I was looking for. Thanks seacrest.