Signature Required: What Happens if You're Not Home for a FedEx or UPS Delivery?
There are few modern disappointments quite like it. You’ve been tracking a package all day—perhaps it’s a new phone, an important work document, or a long-awaited gift. You step out for just a moment, only to return and find it: the dreaded "Sorry we missed you!" door tag stuck to your front door.
That little piece of paper means your package is close but still out of reach, locked in a delivery limbo because a signature was required. But why does this happen, and what can you do about it? This comprehensive guide will walk you through all your options.
Why Is a Signature Required in the First Place?
Before diving into solutions, it helps to know why a package is flagged for a signature. It’s not random; it’s a specific choice made for security and accountability.
Shipper's Request: The most common reason. The person or company sending the package has paid for the extra service to ensure it's handed directly to a person.
High-Value Items: For items like electronics, jewelry, or medication, the shipper requires proof of delivery to prevent theft and loss.
Legal Requirements: Some items, like alcohol or certain pharmaceuticals, legally require an adult's signature (typically 21+) upon delivery.
Delivery Location: In some cases, if the driver deems a delivery address to be insecure, they may override a standard "driver release" and require a signature to be safe.
Decoding the FedEx Door Tag vs. the UPS InfoNotice®
First, take a closer look at the notice. Both a FedEx Door Tag and a UPS InfoNotice® contain crucial information: the tracking number, the date and time of the attempt, and checked boxes indicating the next steps. This is your starting point for rescuing your package.
Your Options at a Glance: FedEx vs. UPS
While the specifics can vary, both carriers offer similar, powerful tools to manage your deliveries. Here’s a quick comparison of their free online services:
| Feature | FedEx Delivery Manager® | UPS My Choice® |
|---|---|---|
| Electronically Pre-Sign | Yes (for eligible packages) | Yes (for eligible packages) |
| Redirect to a Neighbor | Yes | Yes |
| Hold at a Local Facility | Yes (FedEx Office, Walgreens) | Yes (UPS Access Point®, CVS) |
| Reschedule Delivery Date | Yes | Yes |
| Get Delivery Alerts | Yes | Yes |
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Rescuing Your Package
So you have the door tag in your hand. Here’s the order of operations to follow.
Step 1: Check the Notice for Instructions The tag itself is your first guide. It will tell you if the driver will automatically try again the next business day or if it was the final attempt.
Step 2: Try to Sign the Notice Directly For many deliveries, this is the easiest solution. Simply sign your name in the designated spot on the notice and leave it on your door. The driver can accept this as your authorization on their next attempt. Note: This is not an option for packages requiring an adult signature.
Step 3: Use the Online Portals (Your Best Bet) If you need more control, signing up for the carrier’s free service is the way to go.
For FedEx: Enroll in FedEx Delivery Manager® to electronically sign, redirect the package, or have it held for pickup.
For UPS: Enroll in UPS My Choice® to authorize release, reroute your delivery, or send it to a local UPS Access Point® for you to collect.
The Proactive Solution: Never See a Door Tag Again
Managing deliveries with online tools is great, but what if you could solve the problem in real-time and prevent the door tag from ever appearing?
This is where you move from reacting to a missed delivery to proactively ensuring it arrives. Imagine you’re at work and you get a motion alert on your phone. You open the app and see the UPS driver walking up to your door. With the Kangaroo Video Doorbell Camera, you can see and speak to them directly using the Two-Way Talk feature.
You can have a quick, problem-solving conversation:
"Hi there! I'm not home, but my neighbor in 3B can sign for it. Can you take it there?"
"I'm just pulling around the corner, can you give me 60 seconds?"
By communicating directly, you prevent the missed delivery and secure your package in one simple step. It's the ultimate peace of mind. For even more coverage, you can explore Kangaroo’s full range of affordable home security solutions to create a complete safety net.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
-
After the final attempt, the package will be held at a local FedEx or UPS facility for a short period (usually 5-7 business days). If you don’t claim it within that time, it will be returned to the original shipper.
-
Yes, in many cases. The driver just needs a signature from someone at the delivery address. If you live in an apartment with a reception or leasing office, they can often sign for you. You can also use the online portals to authorize a release to a specific neighbor.
-
Yes. Items that require an "Adult Signature" (like alcohol) or high-value shipments that the shipper has restricted cannot be pre-signed for. A person must be physically present with a valid ID to accept the delivery.
-
Typically, you have 5 to 7 business days to pick up a package from a hold location or customer center. Check your door tag or the online tracking for the specific timeframe and pickup location address.
Take Control of Your Deliveries
Missing a delivery that requires a signature is a hassle, but as you can see, you have plenty of options. By using the tools provided by FedEx and UPS, you can reactively solve the problem. However, by using smart home technology like a Kangaroo Video Doorbell Camera, you can proactively prevent the problem from ever happening, giving you ultimate control and peace of mind over your most important deliveries.
