Beware of UPS

[David Murphy]

Delivery confirmation is not tracking. If the package never arrives where it is suppose to, USPS delivery confirmation doesn't do you much good. Tracking means that you know the progress and location of a package at each stage of delivery. USPS does not do this. If they fail to deliver a package the only recourse is to try to get the local post office to research the issue for you. I once had the USPS delivery a package to a wrong address, even though they "confirmed" delivery. It took two weeks of brow-beating the local postal office manager to get them to discover the error when the package was returned to the office by the incorrect recipient. Had the recipient been dishonest, they would have had a nice new Zeiss lens for free courtesy of the USPS.

Here's why USPS Delivery Confirmation appears so lame compared to UPS "tracking": UPS tracking results are a combination of bar code swipes and statistical computer models as to where the package is supposed to have been. UPS tracking is a marketing tool, and a damned good one apparently (based on the number of users that believe in it). Sorry to break the news to UPS fans.

Here's why UPS is deal breaker to me though: They insist on photo id for me to ship a package. Here's why FedEx is a deal breaker for me: If you pay with a credit card they keep the number on file and often add a "surchage" a few days later. These are not the only reasons (there are plenty more), just the deal breaking ones.

For honesty and integrity you can't beat the United States Postal Service (long may they live).

 

[Doug]

When mailing an item that might be damaged by this, mail it at the post
office counter specifying to the clerk that the item is *non-machinable*.
The item will be marked for special handling and you must pay a small surcharge.

Chris

Chris, thanks for the description of the sorting operation; it helps to visualize what was going on. BTW, it was in Philly. And thanks for the suggestion of the special handling, good to know. 🙂

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Has anyone received a package sent via Two-Day Shipping on a Saturday?

My new toy was sent from CT on a Wednesday afternoon, as a Two-Day shipment. It didn't come on Friday, when it was supposed to come. According to the website, UPS will even try to deliver it on Saturday... only in certain urban areas. I wish they had a number to call and speak to a person just to find out if my area is one of those.

I guess I spoke too soon about my luck with UPS.

 

[thirtyfivefifty]

No problems with UPS in my area. Drivers are nice, too. I have to say though, I prefer receiving packages via USPS or Fedex. The packages feel so much nicer.

 

[zauhar]

Never liked UPS. Don't see the advantage of it over USPS, costs more. Never had an item damaged but the condition of the boxes are better when I receive USPS parcels vs. UPS, which you can count on being smashed, gouged... what have you.

I worked at UPS for a spell in college years ago. Back then (80's) that was a hard but plum job. Benefits, and about $8.00 an hour... unheard of money for a part-time job. I unloaded. Today, I know some kids who work there. The pay is still about the same... and is not much more than minimum wage now. If I was being paid essentially minimum wage to work that hard, I'd have walked off the job in an hour. My guess is that turnover is greater, lower caliber of worker is there who just don't care. It's the difference between paying a decent wage for working like a doq, and being paid minimum wage for it.

That's my take on USP and their deteriorating service...

Nick, UPS may be a less than plum job now, but FedEx is even worse. The delivery guys are 'independent contractors', and need to pay > $700 a month to lease their own truck. They are expected to then work like dogs to make money over and above that.

Frankly, I wish everyone would just walk off the job and tell the greedy mof-ckrs to shove it up their a-s.

Of course, people have bills to pay and kids to feed, and that's what the modern plantation master relies on .

Back to the point at hand: Here in Philadelphia proper, I have not had serious trouble with UPS, but deliveries need to be to a business address. If you have stuff delivered to home there is no telling what will happen. If the idiot deliveryman tossed the package at Ray, that is worse than despicable and I agree the package should just be refused.

I think this is an issue of a psychotic delivery guy, not UPS per se. The way the world is turning, everyone will be psychotic soon. ;-(

Randy

 

[Calzone]

To me all the carriers have to be judged regionally. Although I live in NYC the USPS to me is like living in a third world country, and it is truely a miracle that I got any package delivered, even when registered things got lost. When I went to the Postmaster to complain he explained to me that they have all kinds of problems, and I learned that my driver had such a massive route and too many parcels to deliver in a day. I was also told by the postmaster that he didn't think he would have a job in 5 years because the USPS looses money every year.

In LIC in Queens I had numerous times that the UPS driver left a delivery notice, even though I took the day off from work. All the driver had to do is ring the bell. Now that I live in Madhattan I say that UPS and Fed Ex are not bad.

Cal

 

[jk0592]

I often buy online for delivery here in Canada. UPS grossly overcharges for "brokerage" and other import fees, so much so that I never buy if the only transborder delivery option is UPS.
Over the years, USPS delivery never failed, and other services such as FEDEX were always good as well.

 

[denizg7]

I'm so angry........ its now 5 deliveries in a row that have come damaged out of the UPS truck. I mean crushed boxes boxes partially open boxes and the last one was crushed and soggy!!!!

One was tossed to me while I was walking up the steps to my house ......the idiot thought throwing a box marked fragile was a joke! I don't know whats going on but I won't be using UPS anytime soon and I have asked B&H and Don Goldberg if they would use USPS in the future which I never had a problem with.

I called to complain and I couldn't get any sort of empathy so I'll be filing claims ... that will be fun! So beware!! A heads up to the members.

I feel your pain..

Last year I bought a 500 dollar display that was a lot of money for me but I finally saved up to buy it..

UPS guys brought it with package damaged on corners and had a lot of pressure..

Was suprised to see the monitor did not have broken parts..

So I turned it on and after weeks and weeks of talking to customer service I realized what the white spot on the corner of the display was..

A pressure built damage on the screen!! From ups throwing my screen on the ground!!!!!!!!!!! And now its too late to return and replace since it passed 31 day return policy!!

I should sue them but i have no time

 

[Rob-F]

I've had two major problems with USPS. Several years ago I sold a $1500 camera. The package was scanned in at the destination post office; never scanned out; and disappeared--from within the post office. I wrote the Postmaster General of the United States, who sent a federal inspector to the post office where it disappeared. He phoned and asked the serial number of the camera and I told him. He said, "SUPER!!" as if he had already found the camera and just needed to make a positive ID. I never heard any more about it. I wasn't out any money. The buyer had paid me, and never asked for a refund. He had visited the post office the day after the camera was scanned in, and picked up a package. The clerk handed him the package without scanning it out. The buyer may be in San Quentin by now, I don't know; no way to know if it was the same package I had mailed.

My second USPS problem is going on now. I sold a 15mm CV lens with finder and filter. I insured it for the buyer's purchase price. USPS lost it. I wrote to the Postmaster General. I was contacted by someone in Washington DC, who told me to file a claim with the St. Louis Office. So I sent copies of all my receipts and documentation, and the claim was denied! They said I didn't provide proof of value. So I sent an appeal, explaining all the documentation in minute detail. Denied again. Now I am supposed to appeal directly to Washington DC. This is really, really, aggravating! If denied again, I am out $489.00. This is just really crazy-making.

 

[rfaspen]

I've come to the conclusion that the problems with UPS or FedEx or USPS are not organization-wide, but rather very localized. However, one can ask how many locales across that organization are "bad" or "good"?

I try to go with the shipper that has the best track record from my personal experience. That would be USPS.

Locally, I know my USPS guy. Sometimes there's a substitute (I suppose my guy is allowed to get sick once in a while) and he/she has been pleasant and competent (with one clear exception, but she was a one-off and hasn't been seen again, whew!). The local UPS drivers are nice enough, I sort of know some of them. They are very clearly oriented toward maximum delivery volume. They just are. The drivers are paid a better wage, and tend to be more careful with my packages (and friendlier, etc.). The loader/unloaders at the hub are paid pittance and the turnover is high. I believe that is where the majority of damage occurs. I think that was suggested in a post above as well.

Whether UPS or USPS (I only ship USPS), over packing the item being shipped is the new normal. Personally, I go overboard with the packing, but its paid off -- apparently USPS workers at other locations aren't all as competent and attentive as my local folks.

 

[Godfrey]

I've had the most consistent service with USPS ... and yes, they do have tracking with Priority Mail and other services above that level. Priority mail has been fast, reliable, etc. NO problems in hundreds of packages.

UPS has done well by me too: no problems that I can recollect.

FedEx ... it's a pig in a poke whether they arrive when they say they will, whether they actually attempt delivery or not, etc etc. I never use them by choice. I've submitted complaints many times. They never fix anything.

G

 

[jsrockit]

In NYC, UPS and USPS were the most consistent with Fed Ex a distant third (for me). Now dealing with having stuff shipped to Chile, it makes all three look like award winning services!

 

[willie_901]

Since Amazon started using USPS I have noticed a general improvement in service and tracking. During the same period I have experienced a decline in UPS' performance (damaged packages, late delivery).

I happen to agree with rfaspen view that problems are highly localized. UPS uses a franchise model and some franchises are incompetent. USPS performance is subject to very different factors, but these are also localized. About five years ago my wife had a $400 plus claim as a seller with USPS. She was reimbursed.

In any event, I sell only through KEH or Amazon. I realize I might enjoy higher sale prices elsewhere. But for me, the hassles and risk aren't worth the difference.

 

[JoeLopez]

Zero UPS or USPS issues here in Michigan. It's been my experience for well over a decade.

 

[Ronald M]

Support your local store. Too lazy, too late is our fault.

I have anything valuable sent will call at nearby UPS hub. Around 1.5 miles.

 

[Rob-F]

In any event, I sell only through KEH or Amazon. I realize I might enjoy higher sale prices elsewhere. But for me, the hassles and risk aren't worth the difference.

But you still have to ship to KEH and Amazon. That means using UPS, USPS, or FedEx. The hassle is with the shipper, not the buyer! If I lived next door to KEH, it would be a different story.

 

[PKR]

I use UPS and Fed-X for most of my shipping. In the case of UPS I know my driver. He knows where to leave packages when I'm not in town. My neighbor is authorized to sign for my stuff. The driver always gets a nice Christmas gift. If he's running late, often the case with winter traffic, he'll call on his cell to be sure I'm around. If I'm not, he'll leave a message saying he'll deliver it first thing in the morning. In short, make friends with your driver. All the business people in my area are on a first name basis with him.

I almost never have damage as shipper. I rarely have any trouble with business shipping. I've had a few auction site things show up damaged because of poor packing. I offered on guy an extra $20 for packing materials on a $600 used scanner. He refused and said he never had a problem. It arrived with the glass shattered.

 

[sepiareverb]

...In short, make friends with your driver...

+1. And the folks at your Post Office and your carriers. Easy, and makes a BIG difference.

 

[willie_901]

But you still have to ship to KEH and Amazon. That means using UPS, USPS, or FedEx. The hassle is with the shipper, not the buyer! If I lived next door to KEH, it would be a different story.

Twice a year KEH was a 15 minute drive from my house. Every six months KEH visited Schiller's Camera Shop in St. Louis for two days. You took a number and waited your turn. KEH paid on the spot in cash. If you took Schiller's in-store credit instead, you got a bit more for your stuff. I sold gear twice this way. Both times during the wait a lot of people left the KEH table with unsold film gear: at least 1/3 of the crowd. It was sad. Either KEH didn't want it at all or the sellers badly misjudged the value and refused to sell.

And

"Free Shipping to KEH
Prepaid shipping labels are provided for all equipment shipped within the contiguous United States for evaluation."

This does not mean the delivery company won't fail. It just means KEH has to deal with the problem since they paid for the shipping. KEH either ships insured or is self-insured. I don't remember. I shipped them all my Nikon FX gear when I switched to FUJIFILM.

Amazon is completely different.