RE: ShopTalk: UPS

[Royce Engler]

Haven't had too many problems with UPS delivering stuff to me, but for the stuff I ship, I finally had enough BS from UPS and went with FedEx.  I wanted to set up an internet account to cut back on paperwork, and UPS told me the only way they would sign me up for an account was if I was on a regular pickup route, i.e. the truck stops at my house to pick up whether I have anything or not.  Of course, I would pay for that "privilege".  FedEx said no problem, here's your account number, fill out the bill of lading on line, we'll ship you free envelopes and plastic pouches, and you can drop off the package at a FedEx dropoff point (e.g. any of the millions of mom & pop shipping stores around...).  I've never looked back.  The FedEx on line system will automatically send emails to the shipper and receiver, and has an address book for frequent addresses.  Prices are not significantly different between UPS and FedEx, but FedEx service is outstanding.    FedEx crushed a driver that I shipped once, but they had a simple form to fill out for a claim, and paid promptly.  I've since learned to use the triangular boxes to ship single clubs....   I ship a fair amount of stuff to my partner in Holland, so I did some comparisons between UPS, FedEx, and USPS for overseas shipments.  UPS and FedEx are within a couple of bucks, both deliver in 3-4 days.  USPS is an alternative, but is more expensive for the 3-4 day shipment.  USPS does have a cheaper alternative, but it takes 20 business days (that's a month in governmentspeak), ships via BOAT, and cannot be insured.  Now that's what I call being competitive.   Royce Engler  -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of tflan Sent: Tuesday, September 03, 2002 9:04 PM To: ShopTalk Subject: ShopTalk: UPS Hi;   Is anyone having problems with UPS deliveries? 6 of my last 8 orders were delivered to the wrong address or not delivered at all. Dealing with UPS is a nightmare when there's a problem. Trying to get a human to listen to the problem and take action is nearly impossible. I get the same response; "send us the shipper's name, address, customer number, tracking number, contents of the package" and on and on. How the hell is a recipient supposed to know that stuff? So, I always contact the shipper and I always respond to UPS's request (demands?). I tell the shipper what the problem is and I tell UPS that I need to speak with someone in command. Mostly the shipper will re-ship. Mostly UPS is unresponsive.   UPS always says they'll have an answer within 8 days. The answer is, always, "our records show that the package was delivered on such and such a date and left on the front porch," or something to that effect. The last "delivered" package was delivered to a house a quarter-mile from mine. The driver swore he left it at my doorstep. When asked to describe my house - it is unique both in design and paint scheme (that's the way it was when I bought it) the driver described a different house. He still insisted he delivered it here, though.   I realize folks here on this forum live in many different parts of the U.S., and the world. Aside from lost packages, how have problems been solved with UPS? This phenomenon didn't exist when I was in business in Long Beach, but since I've been here in the Central Valley of CA it has become a real pain in the butt.   TFlan