My personal experience is that FEDEX customer service can be pretty awful, and for all the tracking, other than what is in the computer, realistically they know nothing. I would still take them 10x over UPS. I find FEDEX far more reliable.
There is a simple way of dealing with this when things are picked up. 1) Always use their online shipment creator. It is very easy to use and you get nice paperwork where writing quality will never be an issue and importantly, you can check the box and get immediate updates of shipping status. 2) Insist they scan the shipment in front of you. You will hear that telltale beep that it has been scanned. You can even ask for confirmation, but if you did #1 properly, you will automatically and near instantly get an email that the package has been tendered.
There is a simple way of dealing with this when things are picked up. 1) Always use their online shipment creator. It is very easy to use and you get nice paperwork where writing quality will never be an issue and importantly, you can check the box and get immediate updates of shipping status. 2) Insist they scan the shipment in front of you. You will hear that telltale beep that it has been scanned. You can even ask for confirmation, but if you did #1 properly, you will automatically and near instantly get an email that the package has been tendered.