ot: BIG UPS PROBLEM!!, need (legal?) advice badly- Options

[biosurfer1]

i have to say, since UPS and FEDEX came about, the regular post office didnt do much business in the way of packages, however since they have been losing a lot of money because of email, they have really tried to make up the difference in packages. i recently sent a 15" subwoofer from CA to IL, and the post office not only came in about $14 cheaper, but the the guy emailed me and said the package came without even the slighest dent in it, which made me happy. true they are a bit slower, but i'd rather have that than to deal with insurance claims.

[Jenny]

So..... whenever given the option of insurance, I'm still not sure which way to go. Seems like insurance is pretty pointless. When paying for insurance, I expect it to cover these issues. But it's looking like chances of your ass actually being covered is 50/50 at best, PLUS lots of headache and phone time.

Jen

[airsix]

I've never used UPS since.

Up front I'm just going to come right out and say I am not trying to be a dick and piss any of you off. That said, here's my $0.02.

UPS has very clear and detailed instructions for preparing your package for shipment.
UPS has very clear and detailed insurance policy.

If you people will read and follow the instructions you won't have problems with damaged packages, and if you do your claims will be settled without much difficulty. Every single example given in this thread of damaged shipments describe packaging that doesn't even come close to the guidelines provided by UPS. That makes the damage the fault of the shipper. Period. Now if you do it right and follow all the guidelines then you've got a legitimate gripe. This was not the case here.

You guys have to remember, your package will travel cross-country in a semi-trailer with packages stacked 10 feet high. Those packages can weigh as much as 175lb. each. Somebody's package is going to be on the bottom and that's just the way it is. Deal with it by packing your shipment as if it's going to be at the bottom of a 10ft pile of 175lb packages going down a rough road in a trailer bouncing over frost-heaves and chuck-holes. What, you expect them to cary your package on a velvet pillow?

Regarding the comment about not marking a package "fragile" or "handle with care" because they will be intentionally abused - that's total bullsh*t. You try something like that at UPS and you'll be out of a job on the spot. I worked for them, and they don't put up with misshandling.

Bottom line is follow the guidelines and you'll seldom have a problem. If you do, you can show that you followed the guidelines and your claim will be settled with much less trouble. I would guess that 99% of the claim damage I saw was from packaging that clearly didn't meet the guidelines. My sympathy is saved for the 1% that did what they were supose to. The other 99% are just pushing up the cost for everybody else.

-Ben M. (worked for UPS through college)

[Malmz]

#1 Reason USPS sucks around here for packages is that you have to take it to the store, stand in line for a minimum 1/2 hour if the package is over 1 lb.

They do have a new online postage thing where you are supposed to be able to just drop it at the counter, but I haven't tried that one yet.

Still wondering what crack at USPS my 60 lb $500 Range Rover power steeeing box fell into... or how long it sat in that crack until that hard to find, expensive part was thrown in a dumpster somewhere because nobody at one of their lost package auctions could figure out what it was... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

sm

[mike_the_man]

Sounds like everybody has a UPS horror story. I don't have any, but a girl I work with gets a lot of computer stuff sent through UPS. A lot of times, if she isn't home, the UPS guy decides to hide the packages, then stick a note on the door, saying where they are. On a few occasions, the note has blown off, so a few days later when she is out in the yard she finds a box full of computer parts stuck in the bush or behind the garage. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

For shorter distances, the bus is the way to go. I shipped some wheels to my buddy in Calgary. I just stuck them in some garbage bags, and off they went. Made it there the next day, and no scratches, dents or problems of any kind.

I'm not sure about UPS, but a friend of mine works for Canada Postal Sevices, and he said that things marked Fragile recieve "special" treatment quite often. Smashy Smashy! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif)

[phantom914]

things marked Fragile recieve "special" treatment quite often

I was told by a UPS driver that normal packages get thrown into the truck overhand and that things marked "fragile" get tossed in underhand.

Andrew

[Zaney]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)
Like Air Six, I to have spent Holiday periods working for UPS. You should see the container trucks when they are loaded. 10 feet tall, packed air tight with packages usually the smallest on the bottom (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

"Fragile" doesn't mean a hill o' beans to the people scrambling to load the trucks. Even means less to the drivers doing drive-by deliveries (IMG:style_emoticons/default/burnout.gif)

I haven't had the misfortune of any broken deliveries, I by lots of Italian Wine straight from the winaries in Tuscany, due to the fact of packaging properly. Hard to shot put a hundred pound crate of wine, believe me they try (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fighting19.gif)

So, that's my 2 cents. Sorry for your wheels though (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif)

Good luck too!
Nate

[Scott Carlberg]

I just dont see how UPS can accept your money, take your box, then say- On second thought, we screwed your stuff up and it wasn't packed well enough after all and its YOUR FAULT!!
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

THAT is a great point, it seems like IF the pick-up guy actually picks up your item, then ups HAS entered into an agreement with the shipper:

"we'll come pick your item up and deliver it to where you want it delivered, for a pre-determined price, that we choose, and that you agreed on".

Seems like if they pick it up, it's then THEIR responsibility, ain't it?

[Jake Raby]

There is NO excuse!

I have had Fed Ex for almost two years now. They are faster, have not lost a single package, have not damaged a single package and get from coast to coast atleast one day faster !!

And They ARE cheaper! My shipping bill went down 300 bucks a month when made the move!

[GWN7]

Sorry if this upsets anyone who works for UPS, But I hate them. Up here they think they are the govenment and can do whatever they want. I refuse to deal with any company that ships with them. First question I ask is how will you ship me my order. They do seem better in the USA to deal with.

They left $4K worth of bows sitting on my front step. Their answer was we don't require a signature for shipments. I was out of town and my dad came by to check the house or they would have been gone and I would have been out the $$

They also left $2K worth of clothing samples (driver did put those in my back yard). but I didn't find out about them till 4 days later. After 4 days of rain. Luckly the company that sent them had wraped the clothes in plastic bags.


Keep after them and if no results file in small claim's court.....

[914ghost]

Okay-
So I have two packages each wrapped cardboard and secured with 800 inches of packing tape.
1 package makes it intact thus I would consider the packing sufficient to at least make the journey- since both were packed indentical then they both must have been packed sufficiently at least to get the contents top the destination.
The second box though gets torn in half- and NOBODY FUCKING NOTICES? ahem* sorry.
Did it just friggen explode when noone was looking?
I'm sorry, I'll gladly admit its possible there could be some scuffing or a ding or two from the LACK of cushion- I'd eat that cost and send the buyer some money or a refund- but I will not (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) allow them to arbitrarily tell me AFTER the fact that the packing is good enough for them to accept into transit and they'll take my insurance money but IF something happens they'll judge the packing different? And it wasn't good enough after all?
Somebody needs to find and QUOTE UPS guidelines where it says ONLY items packaged by and approved for transit by UPS will be insured.
I'll keep you posted.
-Bob O

p.s. I recieved a set of Fuchs from a guy in Indiana a month or two ago, they had ONE thin piece of cardboard between a pair of wheels (got 5 wheels) and were taped together. The 5th wheel had cardboard over the top.
The showed up here in PERFECT condition all at the same time.
Not a scratch.

[Jake Raby]

so that means the half assed driver should inspect it.... If it passes his check, then it makes the truck and get insured.

Still their fault.

They broke the tail mount clean off of my 901, and it was shipped in a wooden crate, covered in cardboard... How much better does it get??

I think I could hit the mount with an 8 pound sledge and it would take a few licks to snap it!

[mikester]

I used to build cheap computers for family members and then ship them UPS/USPS/FEDEX, I'd have them insured and everything and I would send them in appropriate containers.

UPS was by far the worst in package damage, expense, difficulty in dealing and what have you.

The only company that I make an exception to doing business with that uses UPS is Amazon and that I am still not comfortable with. Recently they have started shipping with USPS and I couldn't be happier - it takes longer but it is cheaper and I feel more comfortable.

My admin assitance used to call and complain weekly about how our packages were delivered becuase she woudl see a jim carey style performance everytime UPS would make a deliver. She'd seen packages dropped so many times it was well passed funny.

In my experience, UPS has not been worth the expense. I have a FEDEX account - they are not perfect but they are leaps and bounds better to deal with than UPS.

My experience and opinion. Brown is shit. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/boldblue.gif)

[Andyrew]

I had one problem with UPS, and that was when I shipped some rear lenses. I was sure they where packaged good, THey had no room, and I shook them pretty good to check to make sure it was going to be right. I packed it pretty tight, and when the person recieved it, it was shattered in pieces. They shouldnt have moved, if it was dropped from 30 ft!

Oh well. Insurance covered it, and everyone was happy.

Andrew (waiting on some koni's coming in through UPS)

[nealnorlack]

Hi,
I have been a pilot for the freight nazis for over 16 years(747). I wish I had some advice for you all but I don't know much about that end of the buisness. Most air packages seem to be handled pretty well. ( No, I don't suggest you send your wheels next day air!) It's interesting that they won't give emloyees a discount, yet I used to be able to go to FEDEX with my airline ID and get a discount there!! Years ago they used to send employees frozen turkeys for Thanksgiving. When they delivered mine to the house, the driver put it around the side of the house where we rarely go. We found it about three days after it was delivered. The raccoons in the neighberhood had a great Thanksgiving.

2 years, 1 month and 10 days till retirement. (Uhuh, but who's counting?)
Cheers, Elliot

[Brett W]

Guys do not ship heavy, awkward, and valuble items UPS. Get a big pallet and strap that shit down and cover with card board or another wooden container. I sent a set of wheels to Florida and it was cheaper than UPS, easier than USPS and the parts arrive quickly and in perfect condition. UPS is for little boxes and smaller items that can be UPS proofed in a solid package. USPS sucks ass for packages they can't seem to ever get my packages anywhere on time. They are great for letters and such but they don't do package tracking and they still act like the governent when trying to find lost items.

[Jake Raby]

Here is one for ya!

a few minutes ago I went to grab some chow..... Go to the end of the driveway and see a white envelope laying in the ditch (it just rained last night) next to my mail box. I got out, picked it up and it was a check for 3,000.00 that was delivered by airborne express.

I guess the lazy bastards stuck it under the flag of the mailbox and the wind blew it off and into the ditch! I was here all day and my driveway is 100 yards long...

AND the sender checked that it was suppose to be signed for!!!

It never ends.

[Bleyseng]

Yes, UPS can be pretty bad at times but most of the time the items do get there. Try to send something to Suriname! Every package is opened by the handlers and if its worth anything stolen! Even when you fly there you must use a hard suitcase with locks because everything else is opened or slashed open.

Atleast here the stuff does get there most of the time.

When we go to Suriname we carry backpacks and carry on's with VCRs, cameras and other stuff for friends.

Life is tough in the US, oh yeah.

Geoff

[campbellcj]

UPS just delivered a case of Belgian beer (gift) to my doorstep tonight, and I'm happy to report, no damage (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drunk.gif)


Seriously, even though a lot of the stuff I buy is shipped via UPS, sometimes by choice and often not, virtually all of my business and personal shipping is by USPS and FedEx. I must say that after many years of successful experiences with FedEx, they f'd up numerous times last year too. Mostly late shipments, not damage, but still f'up's nonetheless when it absolutely has to be there overnight...and then it doesn't get there.

[sanglee007]

Wow...this is a scary thread.

I used USPS to ship a Notebook to a US Army Base(?) in Korea via their postal system to my cousin. It never arrived. It was insured, they took 8 months to get me a check, they estimated 8-10months I think.

My friend gets stuff from Ebay Vendors all the time, UPS usually, he's been pretty happy.

Friend sent some glass statues home from Hawaii to CA, USPS and they arrived fine...took a bit longer than if he had shipped it UPS or FedEX.


Sang