UPS- United Package Smashers?

[Richard D]

All shipping companys don't give a $hit

But I do beleive UPS is the worst. Yes, improper packing is a major problem. However I have had packages arrive to the customer that had been cut open and the item(B&K Precesion mini-scope) removed. They admit it was stolen by a UPS employee but have not ben reinbursed yet, 2 years later. Recently A Marantz I shipped was water stained and had truck tire prints over the package. At first they claimed it was not packed well. When the second inspector showed up I pointed out the tire marks and the water still in the bubble wrap they did pay the claim. But they do not make 2325s anymore. I don't care how carefully you pack something, shipping companys will find a way to break it!:tears:
RD

 

[tarior]

Heck, I know guys who work for UPS who won't use UPS.

 

[SoCal Sam]

I usually specify FedEx but sometimes the seller has only UPS. The last item I received via UPS, I saw the driver drop it overhand from his shoulders and it hit the ground with a thud.

I'm getting an 81 pound receiver today via UPS. I'm going to meet the driver and take it off the truck myself.

 

[barrynsue]

Just to clarify one small point that may have already been stated. Ebay does not have an option to show FedEx in listings. Unless the Seller states it in the auction, you may not actually be getting a package form UPS even when that is shown as an option. There is no option for DHL either. Just USPS and UPS.

I use FedEx (even though not stated in my auctions) and have very little problem. No one is perfect but if packed properly, it SHOULD have a VG chance of arriving intact.

Good luck on the receiver and we all hope it arrives safely for you!

Barry

 

[SoCal Sam]

Just to clarify one small point that may have already been stated. Ebay does not have an option to show FedEx in listings. Unless the Seller states it in the auction, you may not actually be getting a package form UPS even when that is shown as an option. There is no option for DHL either. Just USPS and UPS.

I use FedEx (even though not stated in my auctions) and have very little problem. No one is perfect but if packed properly, it SHOULD have a VG chance of arriving intact.

Good luck on the receiver and we all hope it arrives safely for you!

Barry

Thanks Barry! It is coming out of Chicago and it is double boxed with styrofoam sheets, large bubble wrap, and full insurance. I think it will be fine.

 

[mjolley]

As a Louisvillian, I can tell you a little something about UPS, considering they put the "International" in Louisville International Airport (which will always be Standiford Field to me, but I digress...).

We're home to Worldport, UPS' international air hub, which processes up to 84 packages a second, making out airport one of the busiest (for freight operations) in the world. What UPS won't tell you in the promotional material is that the vast majority of hub employees are University of Louisville students working there because UPS offers full tuition for them. While this is generous on behalf of UPS (they also make decent money as well), you've got a bunch of 18-24 year olds who really don't care at all behind the scenes.

I've known a few people that have worked there, and everything you could possibly imagine in your mangled-box nightmares is absolutely true. Aggression is frequently taken out on the boxes, which are also jammed into place if they won't fit, stacked haphazardly, and routinely crushed by the conveyor systems they use.

Personally, I will never use UPS unless it's the absolute only option, going so far as to pay 10-30 dollars more if I have to. This is not only because of how violently all my packages have been treated, but because UPS absolutely refuses to leave a package at my door. I can understand not doing it by default, but they won't even let me sign some kind of waiver. I work for a living, which means I'm never home when UPS decides to drop by, which means any package sent by UPS is in limbo for another 3-4 days on top of the original delivery time, while I try to either reschedule to the late afternoon or have it held at the airport, which is also one of their local ground delivery distro centers. The customer pick-up area is behind a dilapidated maze of narrow roads in a shady, industrial area bordering the airport, and the people working the counter seem to absolutely hate their job, and me, by association for interrupting their package smashing time.

I know each geographical region has their own best and worst carriers, it's all mostly based on the people you have working at your distro center I suppose, but here I'd rather drive 50 miles to a retail store than have something shipped UPS. FedEx, I've never had a problem with aside from once, and then it was quickly taken care of. Honestly, for me at least, the USPS has actually been the most reliable and inexpensive courier and they're my first choice. Whenever I go to the post office (with the exception of a rural one out in my hometown) they've always been polite, if not exceedingly friendly to me.

Anyway, those are just my observations on the subject; I couldn't help but share my insight, since UPS has such a large presence in the area...and yet still doesn't care at all about their customer service!

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Hi,

United Parcel Smashers is very apt. DHL stands for Dumb Hideous Liars. I just saw what the twats at DHL just did to a brand new LSA tube power amp and preamp shipped to my work. Smashed tubes, pots bent in and broken and dented to hell chassis. While LSA is going to send us replacements by Greyhound Package Express, this hurt looking at that shipment.