FedEx & UPS apparrently do not want to be inundated with calls all day. I have the nbr. for my FedEx hub & they are always courteous even when I call during the morning sort, asking for a hold. I initially got the number off my caller ID when they called me to confirm that someone would be home for a COD package (which turned out to be for somebody else, but at least I had the number!). I lost the number & got it again through a web search. UPS & FedEx are good local corporate neighbors. Google for Chambers of Commerce in your area or corporate advisory boards for schools or charitable groups. I relocated the number by "googling" in the town I knew the hub was located in.

I recently had to go to a UPS hub because a computer company INSISTED on an in-person signature on a $30 part. I confirmed that the package was at the hub via the 800#. When I arrived, they had it but in another building on the complex & it took nearly 30 minutes to find. I was able to use this experience to say to the chagrined employee, "look, this was a bit of a ride & an unneccessary wait. How about giving me this office's number so we don't have this problem again." Worked like a charm. The main thing to remember is JUST DON'T LOSE THE NUMBER!!

On an aside, the most valuable phone numbers (IMHO) are the ones that bypass voice mail menus at my state's Motor Vehicle offices. I was in the copying room of another state agency & saw a list called MV Numbers Answered by a HUMAN. I very quickly put that in my stack of papers to copy. It always surprises the MV staff, but I don't care. At least I get the service!