If you‘re like most people these days, your life is busier than ever. Between work, family obligations, social events, and the never-ending to-do list, it can feel impossible to find time for mundane chores like stopping by the post office or shipping center to mail a package. We‘ve all been there – an important birthday gift to send, an eBay sale to ship out, or a return that needs to get dropped off, but no easy way to check it off the list without rearranging your whole schedule.
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Luckily, the days of going out of your way to ship a box are over, thanks to innovative solutions like FedEx OnSite. Never heard of it? You‘re not alone. While OnSite has been around since 2017, many consumers are just now discovering this game-changing service. So what exactly is FedEx OnSite, and how can it make your shipping woes a thing of the past? Keep reading for everything you need to know.
What Is FedEx OnSite?
In a nutshell, FedEx OnSite is a network of secure package pickup and drop off points located in trusted retailers across the US, including Walgreens, Dollar General, Albertsons, and Kroger. The concept is simple yet brilliant. By installing staffed FedEx counters and self-service kiosks in stores that people already frequent in their daily lives, FedEx has made shipping and receiving packages more convenient than ever before.
Think about it – when was the last time you made a dedicated trip to a shipping store? If you‘re having trouble remembering, you‘re not alone. With our busy on-the-go lifestyles, it‘s easy to procrastinate or put off shipping tasks because getting to the post office or FedEx store feels like a chore. But what if you could take care of shipping while running other errands, like picking up a prescription, buying milk, or grabbing some snacks at the dollar store?
That‘s the beauty of FedEx OnSite. With over 14,000 locations and counting, chances are there‘s an OnSite spot in a store you already visit on a regular basis. In fact, FedEx estimates that 90% of the US population lives within 5 miles of a FedEx OnSite. No more special trips to out-of-the-way shipping centers – with OnSite, you can check shipping off your list with zero extra effort. It‘s the ultimate post office hack for the modern era.
What Can You Do at a FedEx OnSite Location?
So what exactly can you accomplish at your neighborhood FedEx OnSite? The short answer is: almost anything you‘d do at a traditional FedEx store. Most OnSite locations offer a wide range of shipping services, including:
- Dropping off pre-packaged, labeled shipments
- Picking up deliveries and packages being held for you
- Initiating returns (with a label)
- Printing shipping labels from a mobile QR code
- Redirecting packages to an OnSite location using FedEx Delivery Manager
The only things you can‘t do are tasks that require packing assistance, like purchasing boxes and envelopes or having a shipment professionally packed up. For safety reasons, OnSite locations also don‘t accept hazardous or dangerous goods. If you need any of those more specialized services, you‘ll still need to visit a full-service FedEx store.
But for the vast majority of common shipping needs, FedEx OnSite has you covered. And the best part? There are no extra fees for using OnSite vs. traditional FedEx locations. You‘ll pay the same shipping rates with the added convenience of dropping off or picking up your package while grabbing a gallon of milk or refilling your prescription. It doesn‘t get much easier than that.
How Do I Use FedEx OnSite?
If you‘re sold on the convenience of FedEx OnSite (and who wouldn‘t be?), you‘re probably wondering how to get started. The good news is that using OnSite is just as easy as the service itself. Here‘s what you need to know:
Finding an OnSite Location Near You
With 90% of the US population living within 5 miles of an OnSite spot, finding a location is easy with FedEx‘s online locator tool. Just enter your address or zip code and filter by "FedEx OnSite" to see all your options. Most major metro areas have dozens or even hundreds of OnSite spots, so you‘re sure to find one along your regular shopping routes.
Signing Up for FedEx Delivery Manager
If you want to take full advantage of the OnSite program, it‘s worth signing up for a free FedEx Delivery Manager account. This handy tool lets you track all your incoming and outgoing packages, provide delivery instructions, and even redirect deliveries to the OnSite location of your choice.
No more worrying about porch pirates or missed delivery attempts – just log on to FedEx Delivery Manager, enter the tracking number of your incoming package, and select "Hold at Location" to have it securely held for up to 7 days at your preferred OnSite spot. You‘ll get a notification when it‘s ready for pickup, and can grab it whenever is most convenient, no contact with the delivery person required. Easy, secure, and socially-distanced – the perfect solution for online shopping in the COVID era.
Prepping Your Package for OnSite Drop Off
When you‘re ready to ship a package from an OnSite location, just make sure it‘s fully sealed, labeled, and ready to go. Remember, OnSite spots don‘t offer packing services or materials, so your item needs to be securely boxed up before you arrive. You can either use a credit card to create and print a label at the self-service kiosk, or bring a pre-paid label if you‘re doing a ship-from-home return.
Dropping Off or Picking Up Your Package
To drop off a package, simply locate the FedEx OnSite counter or kiosk, which is usually clearly marked with signage. If you can‘t find it, just ask a store employee – they‘ll be happy to point you in the right direction. In most cases, you‘ll be able to skip the regular checkout line and head straight to the OnSite space, where a representative can assist you with any labels or forms.
If you‘re picking up a package that‘s being held for you, the process is just as straightforward. Once you get the email or text notification that your package is available, just head to the designated OnSite spot, show your ID, and collect your shipment. Since FedEx holds packages for up to 7 days, you can pick it up whenever your schedule allows – no more racing against the clock to meet the delivery driver or staying home all day to wait for a package.
The Future of FedEx OnSite
While FedEx OnSite is already an incredibly useful service, the company has big plans to make it even better in the coming years. As ecommerce continues to boom and package volumes soar, FedEx sees OnSite as a critical part of its strategy to increase capacity and efficiency.
In addition to adding thousands of new OnSite locations at major retailers, FedEx is also exploring partnerships with smaller regional chains and independent stores to bring OnSite access to even more communities. The company is also investing heavily in technology to make the OnSite experience as seamless as possible, with features like ID verification, real-time tracking, and AI-powered kiosks.
And perhaps most excitingly, FedEx is testing autonomous delivery bots that can bring packages right to your local OnSite spot, eliminating the need for traditional truck-based delivery in some cases. Imagine being able to place an order online in the morning and pick it up from the Dollar General down the street that same afternoon – that‘s the level of speed and convenience that FedEx is working towards.
As the retail landscape continues to evolve and consumer expectations for flexible, on-demand delivery grow, it‘s clear that solutions like FedEx OnSite will play a vital role in the future of ecommerce logistics. By integrating secure shipping access points into the stores and locations that are already part of our daily lives, FedEx is making it easier than ever to stay connected and get things done on our own terms.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, FedEx OnSite is all about making shipping and receiving packages as easy and convenient as possible. Whether you‘re a busy parent, a frequent online shopper, a small business owner, or just someone who hates going to the post office, OnSite offers a better way to check shipping off your list without disrupting your daily routine.
With over 14,000 locations and counting, 90% of the population within a 5-mile radius, and an expanding range of services and technologies, it‘s never been easier to ship and receive packages on your own schedule. So next time you have a package to send or a delivery to pick up, skip the lines at the shipping center and head to your nearest FedEx OnSite. Your time is valuable – let FedEx help you make the most of it.
