Beware of UPS

[jmcd]

When shipping any lens or camera I adhere to Harry Fleenor's shipping advice, at a minimum (and I usually double box) Packaging Your Rollei for Shipping:
http://www.rolleirepairs.com/
Big air cushions are terrible!

Whenever I buy, I risk being annoying and ask that items be packed to a safe specification. I have had quite a few problems due to packing jobs that do not take into account that the package will be folded, spindled, and mutilated. On one dismal occasions, an entire camera was shipped in a box just bigger than the camera—no bubble wrap, just the one layer of cardboard—after a promise of careful packing. Luckily, it was a Nikkormat.

Other times lenses have arrived with rattling elements, and I know they started their journey intact. Pack for a pirate's journey of shake, rattle, and roll.

 

[barnwulf]

I have not had hardly problems with UPS. Some packages arrive looking a little worn but not bad. Items have usually been packed well. FedEx has delivered a few badly damaged packages and in most cases were very poorly packed by the sender. Sender replaced everything or gave me refunds. I do quite a bit of shipping with USPS Priority Mail. They do have tracking but it's not as detailed as UPS. I receive a lot of packages delivered by USPS Priority Mail and everything has arrived in beautiful condition. I really haven't had one problem in 5 or 6 years with them. I don't know if I am just lucky but I am very happy with USPS. - Jim

 

[jmcd]

Check out the General Packaging Guidelines on the Fed Ex page:
http://www.fedex.com/us/service-guide/our-services/package-shipment/index.html

They expect very super serious padding, especially for fragile items. Such brutes!

Three-foot drops on conveyors are the norm, which is probably why a driver thinks nothing of dropping or throwing a package marked FRAGILE—it has been dropped many times on its journey, and FRAGILE "Does not compute."

 

[Frontman]

At one time I worked for a furniture and accessory store, and we received UPS deliveries on a daily basis. Often the boxes we received were damaged, sometimes to the point that the contents were exposed or even hanging out of the package. Never accept a damaged package. UPS will not pay a claim unless it is made at the time of delivery, and the driver is present when the package is opened.

 

[retro]

Delivery confirmation is not tracking

It is when I use it.

 

[tokek]

just bought myself a pony and a couple of pigeons

 

[umcelinho]

Hmm... This just adds to their stellar reputation !
Recently, they delivered a Pizza box to my door. It was empty, but had signs that it had contained a pizza quite recently. The UPS man was speechless, but guessed that someone at their delivery center had ordered and consumed a Pizza the night before. The Ass**** in question then had taken a sticker off another package (waiting to be delivered to me) and attached it to the now empty box, and tossed it into the delivery truck.
When I complained ath the service center, the woman laughingly told me that "the night shift must have had a party the night before !" Thats Customer service for you !!
I agree with your decision.

jaw dropping...

 

[unohuu]

At one time I worked for a furniture and accessory store, and we received UPS deliveries on a daily basis. Often the boxes we received were damaged, sometimes to the point that the contents were exposed or even hanging out of the package. Never accept a damaged package. UPS will not pay a claim unless it is made at the time of delivery, and the driver is present when the package is opened.

Quite often UPS and FedEx leave the packages at the door...or perched by the garage door. No chance to report anything to the driver. I do not mind driving to the shipping office or post office to pick up a package.

 

[ElectroWNED]

 

[astrosecret]

the tryst with Trystero indeed.

 

[Creagerj]

They all suck, every one of them. UPS is a soulless corporation that overcharges for shipping and under pays its employees. I once applied for a job at UPS. At the group interview we were informed that the job was part time, minimum wage, and that we would be required to pay union dues. Between income tax, minimal hours and union dues, the job paid about $400 a month. That was two years ago. The interview was at an airport shipping hub, so we weren't allowed to leave individually, once you were there, you had to stay until everyone was done (port authority available to enforce that regulation). Some how I ended up being interview last, but at that point I had ran the numbers and saw how pointless the job was. The interviewer asked if I was still interested and I told her there wasn't a chance in hell I would ever work for UPS.

USPS I have had better luck with. Still, my most recent encounter resulted in them spending a few days trying to track down a package that they had misplaced. To make matters worse, I was home on the day that they had "attempted" to deliver the package. The guy never rang the door or bothered to knock.

Also, is it just me or is the post office one of the most depressing places in the world?

FedEx once delivered a package with a boot print on it and a smashed corner. Fortunately it was just books, so no harm done.

None are reliable 100% of the time. I've never liked any of them.

 

[chris7521]

Pretty much every box I have received from UPS looks like it's been used for soccer practice. I never have that happen with USPS😕

 

[jsrockit]

I've never had a problem with UPS.

Me neither...and I've received hundreds of packages over the years.

 

[crawdiddy]

I've had great luck with UPS. No damaged packages. The tracking is great.

The problem with USPS "tracking" is just as others have said-- they notify you it was shipped, and delivered. But nothing in between.

UPS costs just slightly more than USPS, but it's well worth it IMO.

 

[Spleenrippa]

I wonder if people might have more luck with claims if the box (or item inside) had one of these:
Shock Sensor
Being an avionics guy, our gyros and other sensitive bits are sent in giant crates with these plastered all over them. We send them back to contractor if the sensor has been tripped.
Just a thought...

 

[Rogier]

For us they are the best option.
Never had any trouble with it. And the delivery guy makes an extra effort to deliver the packages inside our condo building.
Unlike Fedex who barely makes an attempt causing severe inconvenience for us.
USPS does a great job to.

How ever at work where we deal with high value goods the company switched to FEDEX due to a continuous stream of opened pallets and "damaged" boxes with content missing that were delivered by UPS.

 

[ElectroWNED]

I wonder if people might have more luck with claims if the box (or item inside) had one of these:
Shock Sensor
Being an avionics guy, our gyros and other sensitive bits are sent in giant crates with these plastered all over them. We send them back to contractor if the sensor has been tripped.
Just a thought...

A good idea, but showing the people at USPS that 'your ShockWatch went off' is probably going to mean as much to them as saying 'the sky is blue.'

Unless ShockWatch insures any packages w/ their product affixed...

 

[Vics]

I've had similar experience with UPS. NEVER a problem with USPS.

 

[splitimageview]

No shipping company is infallible (in my experience Fedex comes closest) but here are my recommendations:

a. Have items shipped to your place of work. The best/most reliable drivers work the commercial routes, generally speaking.
b. Pack well. For every story about a damaged package there are ten stories not told about poor packaging methods.
c. Use third party insurance. Buy insurance from insurance companies, not shipping companies.

 

[pagpow]

Raymond --

I'd be angry, too, but I agree that this is a local/driver issue.

Case in point:
I recently came home to find a package w a long tail inside my gate and next to the door (a 6-8 ft distance). Turned out the driver had seen it was a camera package (provenance)taped a long leader to the package so he could get it over the gate and LOWER it to the ground, and then used a pole he carries with him to push it from the gate to the door.

Hard to beat that service.

Giorgio