That is how it supposed to be. But what I found is that it depends on the driver. They give them far too much personal Discretion. And Sig on file facilitates this.
During my chase to hunt down where these tires went and why I had not received them yet. I found that it was because the driver just didn’t want to go out of his way that far for one delivery.
So I finally asked them... “So the drivers now dictate the whole company policy from their trucks?”. That is when hey actually found hem and made a real effort to get them to me.
Then came the Sig on file concept question.
If they can claim it was signed for, or you allow “signature on file” then the delivery is complete. If the condition is terrible/item destroyed YOU have to pay and arrange freight to return it.
If the item arrives and you notice damage you can refuse delivery and FedEx is responsible for returning to the shipper/origin. Never sign for an expensive item until you’re able to verify the item is functional/good working order/undamaged.
A buddy ordered a bumper for his van which he refused delivery on due to damage and as he didn’t sign off, it went right back into the delivery truck...