[ampgalore]

This has made me so much better for having always shipped my stuff Fedex ground.

But still, I can't imagine Fedex ground being so much better than UPS ground. I use Fedex because there is a Kinko's five minutes from where I live.

Does UPS treat their air packages any better? I have to ship a pair of floor standers pretty soon, 75lb each, any suggestions on how I should ship them? I have the original box and packaging.

[bubba966]

I have to ship a pair of floor standers pretty soon, 75lb each, any suggestions on how I should ship them?

FedEx Express Saver or FedEd Ground. Not UPS or DHL...

[JLM]

Rather then risk UPS, Fed-Ex, or the other shipping options out there I paid to have a hitch installed on the van so that I could rent a trailer to haul 900 miles to bring my new custom designed/built speakers home.  And this was after waiting 3 months to coordinate this with a family vacation.

I took delivery of an alter table/bapistry from Yellow freight (5 ft x 2.5 ft x 3 ft, over 200 pounds) years ago.  He arrived at the church as promised and suggested I pull out the post separating the two doors to fit it in the building.  While I was doing that I saw him pull this thing (still in the box) off the back of the truck and let it drop to the gravel parking lot (he did what he could to best manage the fall by himself).  Of course I could of helped, but that probably would have taken an extra minute.  The thing must have been blessed because it was undamaged.

I took delivery of a new Dell desktop system 6 years ago.  Dell provided the 3 UPS tracking numbers, which I followed but still missed the delivery.  Took the sticky note to their center later that day and was told to come back earlier the next day to pick it up there.  Went back, was told that it was on the truck again (?), that it would probably be going through my neighborhood about that exact time, and that I should try to chase it down (??).  I guess they hadn't heard of two-way radios or cell phones.  They said 3 strikes and you're out (they would return it to Dell if we couldn't connect after 3 tries, to which I informed them that I didn't really need a new home computer and if that's how they wanted to run their business, it was fine with me).  Fortunately I did find the truck just down the street.  And just as fortunately I have good neighbor friends who had taken delivery of 4 more boxes (printer, cables, etc.) that came via Fed-Ex from different distribution warehouses that same day, which Dell hadn't mentioned at all.  

Wifey, an E-bay princess, recently lost a purchase that was reportedly was left near the back door by UPS.

IMO UPS, Fed-Ex, etc. have gotten too big and busy to be much different than the USPS, because as a society our priorities are:  1st, how soon can I have it?; 2nd, how much will it cost?; and 3rd, why did I want it anyway?.  What we need is a whole different class of service for truly "important" stuff that allows for more time and care in handling and just admit that if it's not important it can go thru the normal goonish quicky channels.  In my experience if it's really important, it normally (99% of the time) would have been planned for ahead of time (at least by reasonable people) and not needed to be rushed.  It's society's want for convenience (and acceptance that most of the time having it all work out is O.K.) that has driven the delivery business into this sloppy way of doing business.

If the message was clearly and overwhelmingly sent out that quality of service was more important that speed and/or price, the service would improve.

[lysel3]

I paid an additional $35 to send some tools to my son.  I was assured he'd get the items in 2 days.  I requested that they call him when they're ready to deliver, so he could be there to sign for the package. They attempt to deliver, without calling him, then leave a message for him to call for another delivery time.  He calls them, they're closed.   He works long hours, so he calls the next morning and requests that they deliver between 11:30 - NOON, when he's home for lunch.  They say NO, he'll have to be there at 2:30 PM when the driver is available.  He's unable to take the time off from work, so they say he can go to their headquarters to pick up his package.

I call UPS and lodge a complaint, indicating the problems.  The woman on the phone says, "Sorry, our driver isn't able to call, and he has a "schedule" to keep.  (I guess the rest of us working stiffs, don't?)   
I indicate that I paid an additional $35 to expedite delivery and feel they need to work with me on this one, since he needs the tools to do his job.  The supervisor gets on, and gives me the same "spiel" ...

Here's the rub.  I sent two different packages, same situation with both.  One was sent by FedEX (the company the one manufacturer deals with); the second package went by UPS (again, that particular company's preference).  When I called FedEx, they apologized, and asked "how can we make it right"?  I explained that my son needs the tools they tried to deliver the previous day; could they deliver between 11:30 and NOON. "Sure, we'll notify the driver.  He'll call if there's a problem".  My son gets his tools by 11:40 AM.

UPS says, "our drivers don't have cell phones issued.  We can't expect them to use their personal cell phones to call our customers.  He'll have to make alternative arrangements".  I say, "I paid for 2 day delivery, which YOU haven't honored; can I expect a refund?"  UPS:  "of course not -- we TRIED to deliver".  I say, "You may have "tried", but you FAILED to deliver.  And you didn't call my son, and you haven't worked out a schedule convenient to the customer" ... UPS:  "If we did this with every customer, we'd go way over budget, and would be behind in our deliveries."  i.e.  UPS comes first -- screw the customer!

Well, at that point I say to her, "here's the deal -- Two packages -- one FedEx, one UPS.  FedEx works with me and honors my delivery request.  Good customer service.  UPS gives me the runaround; crappy customer service, lack of respect.  Next package I need shipped, WHO DO YOU THINK I WILL CALL?!  It isn’t going to be UPS -- FedEX will get my business".

Her reply, "I'm sorry you feel that way!", with a snooty, unapologetic tone of voice.

After work my son is rushing to get his package.  He gets there, the driver still has it.  He now has to go back in an hour to get it.  Hopefully, he will get his package TONIGHT, so he has it for work tomorrow!

The long & the short of it -- UPS SUCKS!

[jcpix]

I have no idea if it makes a difference, but UPS is a union shop and FedEx is not.   I've had issues with both, but UPS seems to be less flexible.

[Russell Dawkins]

Probably does make a difference.

UPS is a nightmare when it comes to getting stuff shipped from the States to Canada, and particularly to an island, such as the one I live on. They keep the shipment on the mainland until payment is made for brokerage and taxes, i.e., they have you by the short and curlies and act accordingly.

The first time this happened I was shocked at the total. I requested an itemized accounting (it was not offered at first) and was amazed at what they were charging for "brokerage" (it was about as much as the sender was paying for shipping).

Since then I have always requested shipment by US Postal service or Fedex, which is more money but by far the most effective, especially for obscure destinations, like Armenia.

[David Ellis]

Yep,

I agree.  I had a very expensive experience with UPS and will never used them again for anything even modestly fragile.  I suppose I might trust UPS to ship a brick, or a piece of steel, but these items could also get damaged by UPS.

I use USPS whenever possible.  Those older government workers at USPS simply don't have the enthusiasm to throw boxes  aa.

[Double Ugly]

Welcome to the forum, lysel.  Nothing like digging up a nearly 4-year old thread in which to make your first post and first gripe all at once, eh? 

Nevertheless, since the deed is done...

A couple years back, an exchange I had with FedEx and UPS employees and supervisors was a near-mirror image of your experience.  The FedEx people fell all over themselves to make things right, and assured me proper procedure and proprieties would be adhered to from now on.  In stark contrast, the answer from UPS supervisors was essentially, "That's just the way it is." 

I don't recall how I ended the conversation, but I think the "I'm sorry..." comment might've been the last words from the UPS supervisor with whom I spoke, too.  Maybe that's what they're trained to say when they fail to convince customers they shouldn't expect more.

DHL has proven equally incompetent, though their supervisors did at least try to convince me future deliveries might be handled better.   The UPS supervisor couldn't muster enough concern to even lie about it.

It's FedEx or USPS all the way for me.  Using one of their competitors doesn't even cross my mind any more.

I use USPS whenever possible.  Those older government workers at USPS simply don't have the enthusiasm to throw boxes  aa.

'at right der's funny, ah don't care *who* you are!   

[lysel3]

Welcome to the forum, lysel.  Nothing like digging up a nearly 4-year old thread in which to make your first post and first gripe all at once, eh? 

Nevertheless, since the deed is done...

Sorry, not very good with these forums ... couldn't figure out how to start a new thread   So, resurrected a thread, despite the "warning" that this thread is very old!  Ah well, I guess this serves as a friendly reminder, that UPS STILL sucks?! 

I needed to vent -- when my son called me and said, "You'll never believe" ... I was ready to scream!

He just called me and said, he finally got his package!  I promptly sent UPS an email, with the post above cut and pasted into a message to them.  "I have posted this on a forum ... if you continue to screw things up for your customers, you can expect to see your business affected.  Don't mess with this Mom!  Next time YOU MAKE IT RIGHT!"

Sweet revenge! 

[Bill Baker]

I have used them all in the past and it's a matter of choosing the lesser of all evils

Federal Express I will never use again. I have had more problems with them than any other carrier.

 I ship exclusively UPS now and honesty have very few problems with maybe 20 -40 packages a month with most of them being heavy tube amps. The second week of January I shipped out 650 lbs of amplifiers and they all arrived safely. Speakers are another story. Shipping speakers scares the hell out of me. I prefer BAX Global but they won't insure them for over $500 (total shipment). I use BAX for the bigger packages usually over 100 lbs.

It is true that UPS will deny a claim the first time around but only once have I ever lost out. Tell them you want to resubmit the claim and whatever you do, do not let them take the product for inspection. Tell them you want an on-sight inspection and take pictures of everything.

 By the way, a thread like this means nothing to them as there are similar post on forums all over the world. They move millions of boxes a year and wouldn't even notice if the whole audio industry stopped using them.

[doak]

I gave up on UPS years ago after a series of damaged equipment shipments.

I've used FedEx Ground exclusively since then and my experience has been excellent - even with 100lb.+ packages.
I bring my things directly to their depot at New Orleans International airport and it's amazing how quickly how quickly and safely my shipments are delivered... hope my luck holds out, but it has so far for several years and dozens of shipments.
Doak

[Double Ugly]

Welcome to the forum, lysel.  Nothing like digging up a nearly 4-year old thread in which to make your first post and first gripe all at once, eh? 

Nevertheless, since the deed is done...

Sorry, not very good with these forums ... couldn't figure out how to start a new thread  

No need to apologize... note the "wink" emoticon at the end of my comment.  I was kidding. 

As for starting a thread, just find the circle in which you'd like to post (let's say it's Audio Central, for example), and you should see a "New Topic" tab at the top, right side of the page.  Click that and you're on your way. 

[grsimmon]

Maybe I'm crazy, or lucky.   I have used US Postal Service,  Priority mail,  with lots of high end pieces over the years,  and have never had a problem.  Never.   For me it's been the cheapest,  most reliable,  and fastest (cause they never get lost).   One time a few years ago when I was new to ebay,  I got suckered into buying a cd player from a seller "off record" after the sale was over.   When it arrived at my house,  it was in a flimsy box that had been barely taped,  with about (no exaggeration) 12 styrofoam peanuts.   It was shipped via US Postal across country and was completely fine, no damage, unbelievable.    I agree with a previous poster,  maybe it's because the gov't employees just aren't as motivated and don't go throwing stuff around.    USPS gets ripped on a lot,  perhaps unjustifiably so. 

[David Ellis]

Bill (Response Audio),

Have you tried using USPS for any duration? 

Yes, occasionally USPS does cost more, but filing claims has become a historic memory for me.  And, I hate to admit this, but I rarely use insurance, and there are nevery any delivery hassles.

Dave

[avahifi]

We have used UPS for years, daily pickup and delivery.

We average about two damage claims a year, and essentially never a loss. A pretty good long term track record.

Actually I cannot believe how well incoming equipment that has been very poorly packed survives.

We are not as happy with Fed Exp or other because they simply dump the stuff on our front door.  We always find it first, but that is only because of good luck here.

I have heard that the post office has a trained elephant with "fragile" stamps engraved on the bottom of its feet.  When they get a depot full of packages, they simply run the elephant through the room a few times before delivery.

My two cents worth.

Frank Van Alstine

[TheChairGuy]

My best experiences have been with DHL

As #3 (or 4, if the US Post Office is counted), they seem to try a bit harder.  Without a discounted rate they are as inexpensive as UPS and FEDEX are when you have a discount program with the bigger guys.

As most of their packages are expedited delivery more in competition with FEDEX, they tend to be mostly smaller packages overall than the UPS carries. So, my packages have less of a chance of getting crushed under large boxes (or, at least that's my conjecture as they have come in unscathed each time) 

And, maybe because most of their system is expedited freight again (at least here in US), they tend to be faster than UPS especially cross country deliveries (as I live in CA, I have a lot of those).

It only will take one bad experience to shatter my faith in them, but for now DHL is my preferred choice for packages (unless it's light and can fit in USPS Priority Mail packs).

Some measure of the overall experience is whoever delivers the last mile....the driver, that is.  Cynthia, the local DHL driver, is a total pro so any packages received by DHL are excellent, too.   I drop off my packages at DHL a few miles from here as I ship so little it's not worth having an account with them

John

[bpape]

That's very interesting.  For things that I CAN ship USPS, I do.  If I can't (there are size limitations as to what USPS will accept), I use FedEx.  They've done a great job for me with little to no damage.  Shipping UPS with oversize packages is prohibitively expensive and if there is any special handling required (like scheduling appts), it costs an arm and a leg.  Same package (oversize 2) via FedEx vs UPS - UPS is almost 50% more.

Bryan

[jon_010101]

A few years ago I had a tube amp shipped to my address -- my second Craftsmen 500a that had taken me 3 years to find.  Got a failed delivery notice on my door, but the tracking number left was not mine.  I called to try to track it with my number "delivered", tried to track the number that they left, it was the upstairs neighbor, went upstairs, they had their package, not mine.  WTF?  So I called to ask how I can track MY package -- they said that since it was marked delivered, you cannot track it.  I immediately drove to the UPS depot, having to wait until the driver returned to have them look for it in his truck.  Recovered, but close to being lost -- I was very polite and made no accusations or verbal complaints.  After that incident, UPS did not deliver anything to my apartment.  I would get a letter in my mail a week later saying that UPS could not find my address (obviously they knew my address!), and that my package had been returned.  I called each time to demand a refund to the sender, no dice "sorry we cannot account for addresses we can't find".  Not that they didn't know my address 

Now, I have every important UPS package shipped to my office.  I suspect business customers are treated a lot better than residential.  For home, Fed-Ex Ground / Home Delivery, DHL, or USPS Priority, are always my first choices. 

[martyo]

I've always had extremely good service from UPS. My bad experiences have been with Fed-Ex. Probable one of those YMMV situations.

[doug s.]

if i stopped using every delivery service that screwed up a delivery - either due to administrative issues or due to damages - i would not use any delivery service...   

doug s.