UPS Rant

Re: UPS Rant

mgbanthony — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 20:24:52 -0500

I'm ignoring them. This was the last in a long line of extortion. Bad enough to nail me for a brokerage fee once, but they wanted it twice.

I gave the driver a CC # to ransom a package that a US seller sent me which he agreed to send USPS and then sent UPS. The ransom was $38.00 brokerage fee on a 90.00 part which was duty exempt. Fortunately I kept the receipt because 8 months later I got a nasty letter from a collection agency representing them, claiming that I hadn't paid. Interesting, because they won't leave residential delivery packages without collecting the ransom...

After I faxed the collection agency a copy of the paid receipt with an invoice for $212.00 for a record search billed to them and UPS I haven't heard back from them. It did take me a little while to find the receipt, write a terse letter, and fax it to them.:X

Too bad because the local driver is a good guy, but never again. As has been mentioned of it's shipped UPS I don't buy it.

Re: UPS Rant

mjamgb — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:36:34 -0500

I've been to UPS depots when the trucks arrive and it is a free-for-all. I must say, however, that I have never been disappointed by any shipper, international or otherwise.

USPS for 99% of my needs nowadays because the MPO is next door to my office and the people are good.

Even though they are treated pretty much like machines, I have always found the drivers to be friendly and attentive... maybe it's just our neck-o-the-woods.

I have gotten bills recently for shipping from UPS and assumed it was a COD kinda thing... now I wonder. Two separate deliveries with an additional 20-30 bucks due... hmmm.

Re: UPS Rant

twigworker — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:41:50 -0500

Just to add fuel to the fire before Skye shuts this thread down ;)...

I was at the post office a few hours ago mailing our birthday present to our grandchild in Georgia, when someone in line mentioned the difficulties with UPS. Right away, a young fellow piped up saying that he and some friends worked during the holiday season doing the sorting and loading at the small hub in Lenoir NC. They were amazed that the supervisors insisted on them throwing computers and other electronics from the sorting line into the trucks and then from the truck floors to the front of the truck or up onto the shelving.

There was absolutely no allowances for the kids to handle things properly. The word of the night was SPEED and damn the consequences. When asked, a supervisor told them that if anything was damaged it was the fault of the packer at the sending company.

You may be right Pat. My UPS driver was "away" for over a year. It seems that he was late to morning staff meetings three times and the company canned him after ten years of service. He fought it though, and after a year's worth of arm twisting, the Teamster boys from New Jersey came through. He was reinstated with no black marks on his employment record AND UPS had to pay him ALL of the money that he would have made had he been on the job. I like the guy a LOT although he IS a BMW looney, but being canned for three tardys, as in five minutes each, shouldn't be held against anyone.

Jack

Re: UPS Rant

chris — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:12:43 -0500

I use the online program for generating the shipping. My complaint is getting a package that is billed for x pounds delivered to me, sending out the same package that weighs x pounds on my scale, then having a UPS scale say that I misweighed it. This last package I held up in one hand. I can't hold 48 pounds up in one hand.

Re: UPS Rant

dmarsingill — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:06:50 -0500

Obviously you are not using the UPS shipping computer. We have a system for Fed-Ex and one for UPS. They supplied the scale and the computer. We have never been adjusted for weight. Personally, I find UPS cheaper, and we have more problems from Fed-ex than UPS. I guess it depends on your hub.

Donald

Re: UPS Rant

frank0936 — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:25:49 -0500

Been waiting for my turn signal switch for 7 days now and it was shipped USPS. UPS lost a package the last time I had something shipped through them. I called and the guy at the desk put a hold on it, found it, and delivered to my house on Sunday.

Re: UPS Rant

Swamperca — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 10:27:23 -0500

USPS here, never had any problems.

Re: UPS Rant

Filth and Greed Motors — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 09:59:34 -0500

They have changed weights on me 3 or 4 times but the adjustment is usually less than 5 lbs. The stuff I ship is heavy most of the time.

Shipping rates are expensive these days.

Re: UPS Rant

PeterC — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 09:51:26 -0500

We use UPS almost exclusively for US shipments.... never for overseas.

I LIKE UPS... there, I said it.

Compared to FedX... the people are cleaner, more attentive, the trucks are better maintained. The boxes arrive in better condition, etc. etc. We've been with UPS since 82. Never had a claim denied (and have had very few claims). I can't recall ever having an up-charge. We are very careful packing and weighing and labeling. I've seen some vendors who aren't (no one on this forum)

The USPS Flat Rate boxes are handy, but for heavy items and multiple items, they need to be stronger boxes. We double box anything of substance. And... NEVER use styrofoam "puffies" for packing.... NEVER.

Peter C

Re: UPS Rant

Quepos1 — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 09:44:13 -0500

In reply to # 2020022 by pcadogan Jere, how does that matter? Sounds like the fed ex people need to get their act together

Sounds to me more like UPS needs to get its act together not Fed EX.

Re: UPS Rant

pcadogan — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 09:42:02 -0500

Jere, how does that matter? Sounds like the fed ex people need to get their act together

Re: UPS Rant

Quepos1 — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 09:24:06 -0500

We must remember the UPS folks are represented by the Teamsters Union while the Fed EX employees are no union.

Just sayin

Re: UPS Rant

RSD — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 08:49:36 -0500

For me, I prefer USPS over all others. I've worked for a few companies that have used UPS, DHL, FedEx, and USPS.

USPS, is typically cheaper and faster for smaller packages.

DHL was one of the best we dealt with when I worked for the Bike shop. Most of our orders came in from Italy within 2 days. Wen never shipped out DHL, but received packages were typically in great shape.

The company also used FedEx, and packages arrived is some of the worst shape I have seen for any of the shipping companies. We shipped out through them occasionally, but mostly when a customer requested, or for certain documents.

UPS, was easy to ship out (except handling fees for customers in Canada), had a relatively good delivery rate, but claims service was a joke. Their standard claim when a package was damaged in shipment was that it was not properly packaged and therefore they were not responsible. I only got a reimbursement once, and that time it was obvious that the package had managed to get soaked through in their possession. Not sure about the others, but I'm also hesitant on UPS these days due to the way they treat their employees.

Re: UPS Rant

pinkyponk — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 08:16:17 -0500

Sounds like people in mail order would be wise to offer a choice of shippers.

Re: UPS Rant

mcstedman — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 08:09:57 -0500

I cringe everytime something is sent to me USPS, in this part of the country UPS and FedEx are much better.

In southeastern Ohio, I am in a similar situation as Wayne in Oregon, "mailbox is down on the highway" open to anyone since it can't be readily seen from the house.

In addition, lately I seem to have become a main sort point for all mail on our rural route since I am at the fourth from the last stop on the carriers way back to the post office. The carrier seems to dump any mail in my mailbox that they forgot to properly deliver earlier in the the route. Constantly getting everyone else's mail and wondering who is getting my mail.

I think a lot of this issue is very dependent on the part of the U.S. that you live (and this thread seems to be primarily a U.S. rant). I know other countries have similar and worse issues. To give an example of the regionality of this issue, we moved to our current residence about 4 years ago from about 40 miles away.

When we lived in the previous town my reaction to this issue would have been totally different. FedEX was the worst there, would swear they had attempted delivery multiple times (but could provide no evidence) would then return stuff to the sender and I would have to pay double shipping to get the merchandise or if I was lucky I could catch them at the delivery hub 45 miles away and arrange to drive there and pick up the item. Where in contrast USPS was the best.

Where we live now, you could not ask for better service from UPS or FedEx, they have no problem bringing their trucks up our long driveway and turning around in a very tight space near the house and are always polite even though I know we are a pain to get to. The USPS carrier though reminds me of the mail carrier in the movie Funny Farm with Chevy Chase. The few times she has had to come up to the house, she has been honking the horn and yelling at me to get my package before I can get out the door even though she is watching me as I come across the porch. Must be because I am "at the end of the route and they have to drive out of their way to get to my mailbox and by that time they are all liquored up and pissed off" (sorry, poorly constructed crude paraphrase from the movie):D

Sorry, but I try to only purchase from those that will ship using any means other than USPS.

Thanks for listening to my part of this rant, I feel better now.>:D<

Re: UPS Rant

mrkenmgb — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 07:19:24 -0500

Have you seen what the work force looks like these days. It's a wonder any company can survive. In south Fl. I've seen workers with ankle monitors on. They pay these inside workers crap, they get crap. Fed-x is no different. I have gone on hunts for packages left at neighbors homes all the time. It's a good thing I am honest. I could have claims filed with almost every delivery from Fed-x. For the most part as some have mentioned the UPS driver who has been around is a good guy, problem is the Corporation is only looking at the dollar signs, and customers service is suffering.
Ken

Re: UPS Rant

MGB567 — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 07:06:57 -0500

Me again. Clearly there's at least two UPSs. One for you on that continent and one for us UK users. With each of my 40 orders I got a tracking number and was able to follow my parcel as it made its way to Australia - the ones that take slightly longer go via the US. I watch it as it get's logged in and out of each airport on it's greater than 16,500k at a minimum journey - it's quite fascinating in an anal sort of way! I even know when and where its arrived in Australia and after I have it in hand I get a confirmation delivery email - now I believe tracking's a service offered by MGOC and M-E as part of their using UPS. So while you swear at them I swear by them.

Re: UPS Rant

mgb4tim — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 07:03:34 -0500

I recently discovered the beauty of parcel post for long-distance shipping. I shipped a modestly sized 7 pound box, 42x20x8, from Pittsburgh, PA to Boulder, CO.

UPS $56, FedEx $54, USPS Priority, $46... USPS Parcel Post w/delivery confirmation $14. Only one additional day to get there.

Re: UPS Rant

pinkyponk — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 06:43:02 -0500

You think you have it bad? Try UPS from the US into Canada. I won't order anything from anyone via UPS. You are losing sales if you only ship UPS. I accidentally ordered seatbelts from an outfit that used UPS. I have a tracking number that doesn't work and no seatbelts. I will eventually get them... and a bill for about 40 bucks(or more) for brokerage fees to determine the seatbelts are duty free. Robbery!

Re: UPS Rant

pdtennis — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 06:18:08 -0500

I'm not a big fan of them, but this seems like fraud in need of a lawsuit, perhaps a class action lawsuit.

Re: UPS Rant

Geodander — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 05:08:16 -0500

Just my 10c, but EVERY package (and there's been a lot) that has had any weight to it, and has been shipped UPS, to me, has had some sort of damage to the packaging when I received it. On two seperate occasions relatively heavy objects ( a set of truck sidesteps, and a set of car dollies) have had the boxes so mangled that none of the hardware made it to my door. I would much prefer Fed Ex it is was available

Re: UPS Rant

dtownsend — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 04:55:49 -0500

I gave up on UPS years ago because of the poor claims process and never looked back.

I'm not"in the business" like Chris is but I ship a fair amount of bits and pieces (and receive my fair share), enough so that my FedEx rep called me and offered a shipping discount. That aside, and not to excuse UPS's deplorable service, Chris stated the the package was 60" (unless that was a typo). Regardless of the circumference, I believe that it would be charged at "dim" (dimensional) weight, rather than its actual weight no matter what it was.

This doesn't excuse "Big Brown" from consistently poor customer service (going and coming), but it would explain why the cost was "adjusted".

Re: UPS Rant

purdysmg — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 03:20:22 -0500

There must be an real issue with American UPS service. Moss Europe sends out packages UPS from England to Norway I get it delivered at home always with in 2 days. The best bit is they pay the Norsk import VAT and send a bill (cost amount)with documentation later to my address. That way the item is not held up in customs awaiting for me to collect and pay customs. Same with US Postal System it arrives at my local post office I go and collect and pay the post office for the import VAT. All other shippers I have to go to inconvient efforts to retrieve my package.

Re: UPS Rant

spikemichael — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 01:08:27 -0500

Oh you hit a nerve on me too.

Let me just cut and paste JUST last Friday's UPS issues...

March 16,2012
Seth 6kt4xjc,
FX # 877-807-0833
Wednesday I get a Consignee memo from a client that noted a change in the shipping information...
I sent 298 identical 36 pound cases to addresses in MT, MN, WI, PA, ME, NH, VT, CT, RI, NY, MA, NJ.
291 of them delivered ok.
The 8 cases that went to Norwalk CT were "REweighed" and UPS claims them to be 1070 pounds.
That is close to 4 times the actual weight.
Freight Bill number is 024-881-920
Delivering Trailer 460354-UPGF

Hello Jay,
954-327-7016
Original shipper says a total of 16 packages were shipped on 2-28.
The following tracking numbers were attached to the original shipments:

1Z3841E90361067624
Shipped to Ft Lauderdale, FL 33312 but should have gone to Brattleboro, VT 05301.
This shows 16 packages with 10 delivered.
No information on the other 6.
I believe these are the ten that arrived in Ft Lauderdale and were reshipped to Brattleboro via FedEx
The boxes sent from Ft Lauderdale via FedEx arrived in Vermont.
Fed Ex says it was 14 boxes.
FedEx's tracking number 064491260653507

Other tracking numbers associated with these are:
1Z3841E90363317476
1Z3841E90361864889
1Z3841E90363960093
1Z3841E90363327107
1Z3841E90361609913
1Z3841E90362972528
1Z3841E90362698932
1Z3841E90362793141
1Z3841E90363579158
1Z3841E90361300960
1Z3841E90363722573
1Z3841E90363727989
1Z3841E90363921198
1Z3841E90362226209
1Z3841E90361487019

1Z3841E90361006421
These were part of the original shipment but your records show 8 associated packages as delivered here in Massachusetts except for 1815 and 0785 which show delivery to Chattanooga, TN. I have not seen either 0785 or 1815 boxes here in Massachusetts.
The labels on the boxes here say "1 of 8" and so on but only 6 boxes have arrived.
I believe these are the ones that were "returned to sender" but ended up with the non existent 115 Freedom Street, Athol, MA 01331 address on them.
The 6 were delivered on March 13 to 399 Exchange Street Athol, MA 01331.
Other tracking numbers on or associated with these boxes are:
1Z3841E90361006421
1Z3841E90361641815
1Z3841E90362850785
1Z3841E90361267999
1Z3841E90362717009
1Z3841E90363894834
1Z3841E90362111047
1Z3841E90363779058

The boxes have no markings on them that indicate 399 Exchange Street except for the box that came from 1-800-FLOWERS which was addressed to a "Doreen Brooke," who is unknown to us. The flower company directed me to keep the flowers.

Photos of the six boxes and the box from the flower company are shown below:
One damaged (opened) in shipment:

(I won't paste the photos in this thread)

The next day I got a "replacement" set of flowers sent to the same person with the address corrected... to my address...

Then when I called them again they got upset with me for having the flowers...
UPS wanted them back.
I said "No."

Don't they look nice on my sideboard? I found the lady they were supposed to go to and got the second arrangement to her.

I loaded the 6 cases that went to Florida, then to the wrong address here in Athol, and eventually to me, into my work vehicle and DROVE THEM TO VERMONT MYSELF!

Look at all the stickers that correct the address on this box and some are very carefully aligned on the ones you see so you cannot tell how many there really are, I think seven on this box. We are still looking for the two that were delivered to Shelbyville Tennessee.

Re: UPS Rant

Basil Adams — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:38:09 -0500

USPS flat rate is inexpensive but their insurance rates are very high - and never ship USPS without insurance! Basil

Re: UPS Rant

MGB567 — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:28:04 -0500

Now isn't this interesting. I've had about 40 UPS deliveries in the past two years with not one issue. Perhaps international works different to Stateside deliveries. Mine all come from the UK - I've had them in 3 days from ordering up to 7. They've all been delivered to my home address (unless I wasn't home in which case they're usually at my local PO). Mind you once they hit our shores sub-contractors deliver them. I've never had a 'weight' issue. But I guess using UPS Stateside is a bit like getting something trucked from Sydney to Brisbane in which case I wouldn't bother unless there was no other option.

Re: UPS Rant

gurunutkins — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 23:29:11 -0500

Having bought off you Chris and knowing your service i would say whatever works for you - I doubt there would be more than a few cents difference either way. I ship the odd bits and pieces I sell on ebay and find USPS or fedex best. I have to say though the UPS driver on my rural route is a good guy :D as Twigworker says though the corporate structure seems even more rotten than most - makes you feel you have to come out of the hills with the AK47 blazing just to get their attention.
cheers
barri

Re: UPS Rant

29desoto — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 23:07:36 -0500

FEDEX or UPS is good for me. Don't care for USPS for packages, because the mailbox is down on the highway.

Prime territory for tweekers looking for some quick bucks. People around here find piles of mail in the garbage up at the rest stop two miles up the road.

And if it won't fit in the USPS mailbox, they take it back to Otis. Unless they happen to send it back to Lincoln City. And it's my job to go chase it down.

Re: UPS Rant

twigworker — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 23:06:08 -0500

Aha! A raw nerve here !!

In a previous life I shipped hundreds, no, thousands of things every year, from two pound boxes to large wooden crates and I always expected problems when I had to use UPS. The company structure is very adversarial internally, with management constantly butting heads with the union (drivers). The only reason that I allow UPS to get to me now is because of the good guys who are actually running the routes.

Most of my vendors now use UPS and I can't control that, but if I have to ship something it goes by FedEx or USPS.

BTW: After all of my experience with UPS I found that any claim, damage or lose, is automatically refused and that you have to get out of character nasty with them in order to get your money. The problem gets even worse if the claim is over a hundred dollars because the liability will have been laid off to a separate company, based in eastern Virginia as I recall. This building full of sociopaths is the absolute pits. It was started by some UPS brass many years ago as a lucrative separate entity and the first and most iron clad rule is that ALL claims are refused until the complainer becomes irrational and indicates that he or she might be considering physical retaliation. They will wear you down until you just can't stand it any more and you flat out give up.

EDIT: Take the time once or twice to completely ready the shipment and take it to a Postal Service counter for weighing. Use a ball point pen to jot the exact weight down on the box in an inconspicuous place, jot the number down on a sticky note and keep it with your freight records and check that against your own scales before sending it out VIA UPS. If they give you the old nonsense about it weighing more than what you have establish, have them bring the thing back to your place along with a set of scales that show to be state certified and weigh it in front of you.

Jack

Re: UPS Rant

kaduku — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 23:02:03 -0500

I hate UPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They have many times failed to deliver items, even though their website tracking system says they will. Then when you call them to complain, they don't care. Not even an apology. Everytime I have a choice, I go Fedex or just regular USPS.

Re: UPS Rant

pcadogan — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 22:44:32 -0500

maybe it feels heavier to pick it up and throw it over fences and gates? I think Americans have one of the best postal systems around and its suffering by being under rated.

Re: UPS Rant

1966MGB — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 22:44:01 -0500

I prefer to receive and send packages by the US Postal Service. If it "fits it ships" and I have never been disappointed.
And it's several days faster then UPS. If a vendor I buy from does not offer a choice, only UPS, I try and find one that does. I guess I am bias towards the US Postal Service because it's a whole lot cheaper for small stuff or patriotic.
I wanted to buy a $2.25 item today from a vendor and the UPS shipping was $16.00. Needless to say I didn't buy it.
Have you considered switching to the USPS? I'm sure your customers would like the opportunity to choose.

Re: UPS Rant

pburchins — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 22:21:49 -0500

That seems to be a large difference in weight percentage wise. Your scale should not be 1/3rd of their scale. Not sure what type of scale you use. Can you get it certified? Or can you take yours in somewhere to be compared to a scale that is certified? At least then you have confidence of what your shipping is accurate. Alsyour would suggest you ad a step to your can shipping process and weigh the item take your cell phone or digital camera and take a photo of the item with weight showing from the scale. Track it for a month or couple of weeks and when the discrepancy occurs call your salesperson and ask to meet them and their boss at your shop, review your concerns and ask for the credits plus better pricing for your troubles.

Another thing is ask if UPS will supply you a scale. They partner with Mettler Toledo and sell them. Here is the site....... www.mt.upsscales.com .

You make a good point about switching to FedEx. Call them up and see what they will do for you. They may give you the items to cure all your pains.

On a side note, if you are on the computer around 2 am eastern look at a website that shows current airline radar. I I believe you can do it in Google Earth with an add on in Earth Gallery called flight wise . You can watch Memphis airport and watch FedEx's fleet landing to their hub. The same goes for Louisville,KY where UPS lands. DHL has their own airport in Wilmington,OH that used to bea air force base. It is amazing how many planes are flying late at night.

Good luck!

Re: UPS Rant

mac townsend — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 22:13:18 -0500

UPS can't even deliver them right!

More than once I've watched them drop something for me onto a neighbor's step and drive away.

One time I caught him and asked if that was for me, he saw me walking from the next house. He said first, no....errr, looked at his tablet, then said yes. Err sorry about that!

Yep. I had a lost package they said was delivered. I never got it. They refuse my claim and Amazon says it was delivered.

FedEx ground drops and runs as well, but so far they at least look at the 12" high contrasting colors house numbers on my attached garage instead of the incomplete 6" numbers on the Mexicans' next door.

I try hard to NOT use vendors that ship UPS. I ranted at Moss my last order and it came priority mail.

Oh, tracking IS available and free if you use online priority mail. It costs a little more at the post office. And PO will pick it up if you call them (even an online way to summon them). Now it might be a bit different out where you are, I can't say.

I just saw an order lost on trader because the Canadian asked for shipping cost via USPS and the vendor went ahead and costed it UPS. Which, as most know, rapes the chanucks for shipping and border fees. Which came out nearly as much as the product not counting the collected on-site border fees--Abarth Exhaust system. USPS would have been cheaper for both parties. But the guy didn't read his mail right and lost the order.

Re: UPS Rant

mowog1 — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 22:00:04 -0500

I only use US Postal Service....Priority Mail or International First Class.

Re: UPS Rant

saanich2006 — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:46:59 -0500

I switched to FedEx for my company and personal packages several years ago. Much faster, same price or cheaper than UPS and I love the tracking. I also know from their maps how many days it will take to get delivered and if they miss the date they give refunds.

Go FedEx!!

Re: UPS Rant

chris — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:45:10 -0500

Boy that is a great attitude! Thanks! If there are pitfalls though, using someone else would not make life easier.

Re: UPS Rant

gtsderek — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:11:30 -0500

Whichever works best for you. I don't want you to get screwed in the shipping if you are sending something to me. I appreciate the service you provide anything to make your life a bit easier is OK with me.

Re: UPS Rant

chris — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:03:43 -0500

It has been suggested via private message that taking the packages to the UPS drop would fix the issue. Once I retire from teaching, that is a real possibility. Still, Fed Ex may be the way to go.

Re: UPS Rant

wrightgcbuilder — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:59:06 -0500

FedEx Chris. I switched to them when UPS started their fuel surcharge. Haven't looked back. Faster delivery, and friendly.

UPS Rant

chris — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:47:54 -0500

For the last year, I've been getting many of my UPS statements with "corrections". They say that the customer entered weight is X lbs, the real weight is Y lbs. It is always larger than the customer entered amount. I've called them on this in the past and they always assure me that they have nothing but the finest of scales. I point out to them that if Bob has his fat foot on the scale along with my package, that doesn't really matter.
Today the bill got here with one 60" package to GA that left here at 19 lbs being weighed by them as 48 lbs. Many times, I send out the same package that I got and can see the weight that the shipper entered for it to get here, My weight matches that one, but UPS changes it up.
I'm seriously considering going strictly to Fed Ex and USPS. Anyone have an issue with that? I'm tired of being robbed.