UPS vs. side pipes

[Mike Cobine]

Re: I could tell "Brown" horror stories, like...

Denied a damage claim for a chrome steel bumper which was folded in half due to "inadequate packaging". They finally paid when we asked the regional manager what sort of crate was stronger than a CAR BUMPER.

Reminds me of the time I took a roll bar on an airplane as checked baggage. Since it was an odd-sized "package", they insisted I sign a damage waiver and marked it fragile.

It may have well been the strongest thing on that plane.

[Chuck R.]

Re: UPS

UPS Ground shipped my new/old California frame to Upstate New York for half of what the usual cast of freight haulers would do it for..

Of course the frame arrived via Roadway Express

Chuck

[Jack H.]

Back to the original thread....

You have to dig through the UPS web site for terminology/definition, but UPS recognizes four basic categories of packages for shipment:

(1) Standard size (that's what the base rates are calculated with at the web site).

(2) OS1 (oversize 1) where length + girth > 84 inches with weight 108 inches with weight 130 inches and less than 165 inches with weight

[G B.]

"...and the horse you rode in on."

I went to the local UPS terminal with my complaint about the surcharge. I got the polite and friendly version of the Big Corporation Two-Step: "It's not my job", followed by "To Hell with you sir".

My other courses of action? I've already replied to the surcharge notification e-mail. I guess I could call the 800 phone number and talk to a piece of machinery while I'm holding my breath for an e-mail answer.

I'm trying so hard to be good.

[Pat L.]

Re: Edited version

Jerry, I have to agree with you about UPS. I live in Alasaka and it costs a lot more for shipping and I expect to get the proper service. Last Friday I was expecting a package and the shipping cost was for second day air. The UPS driver tried to deliver it and left a note. Using the UPS website, I requested that the package be left at the UPS office for me to pick up on Monday. I received the confirmation. Today I went to pick it up and the person said that it should have been there but someone screwed up. So that means I won't get the package until probably Tuesday or Wednesday if they forget to take it off the truck again. I also operate a business and we use most of the overnight carriers. Although we usually pay more for FedEx, the problems are minimal to none existant. We have had numerous problems with UPS. Sorry UPS but that is just the way it is.

Pat

[G B.]

A "courtesy adjustment"

I talked a while to Beverly at the 800 number for UPS customer service. After a few heated words from me (that were counterproductive, of course), she politely explained the billing dimensions that they apply to packages. Basically they do bill for an imaginary box size that would contain any odd-shaped object.

My guess is that I've been able to ship sides pipes cheaply in the past only because I used the UPS counterstaff to figure the cost. Those folks were just being lenient. Now that I have to make my own UPS invoices for packages, I'm going to be charged whatever the rules and regulations say with no exceptions.

Beverly gave me a courtesy adjustment to eliminate the surcharge on this particular package. In exchange I swore that I now understood all the UPS billing dimension by-laws and would abide by them in the future.

One point I tried to make with Beverly was completely lost on her. If UPS had contacted me by phone or e-mail while they were repricing the shipping during transit, we could have settled this quickly. I would have told them to accept my initial $31 payment or bring it back to me. Sending me an e-mail notice that the cost had tripled one week after delivery only served to cheese me off.

[Richard E.]

Re: "...and the horse you rode in on."

Jerry - I believe it! My drivers are all great. But the counter folks? When I was contemplating shipping my 62 rear springs out for re-arching, they told me I'd have to strap them down on a PALLET! What sort of surcharge do you suppose that would have run? Forget it, at least with them. (My temporay replacement springs came from Detroit unwrapped except for the invoice/address label - via UPS.) Additional evidence, at least locally, that UPS hub is discouraging local non-commercial activities and trying to steer business to satellite "UPS Stores". Sender Beware...Dick

[Mike G.]

FedEx is just as bad.

A fellow member who lives in Australia needed a new C1 dash pad. With all the extra charges he had to deal with, I agreed to help out and ship from here in Los Angeles. This way he'd not only save a few bucks on customs/shipping, but I could inspect the pad BEFORE it was shipped . . . not that Al Knoch would ever send out a flawed dash pad. Also, I could pack the dash pad much more safely than Al Knoch does.

Anyway, it turned out FedEx was cheapest, surprisingly. A FedEx center is only a block from here so I walked the box over and stood in line so I could confirm the price of $70 was real. "Yep, no problem sir."

But on my next credit card bill, it listed "FedEx === $250." Numerous calls got me the same results Jerry Bramlett got . . . none!

I still use both my FedEx and UPS accounts. A long time ago, I realized that trying to punish companies by taking away my business only hurts ME. They're way to big to even notice a loss of an account my size.

- Mike Greene

[Mike G.]

You know what else I hate about FedEx?

I hate the process of paying bills. Even using my online Bill-Pay is a PIA. Last week they invalidated my password . . . AGAIN!

So for a lot of bills, say a phone bill that's usually aroud $70, I'll pay $500. The phone company keeps track of my credit ($430) and I get to skip the next few months' worth of phone bills. All companies I deal with handle this easily.

Except FedEx.

They don't keep track of your credit. I have to call them and give them the dates of my original big payment ($500) and dates of when I've deducted from that amount. I have to go through that EVERY TIME I want to use that balance to pay off this months bill.

It's all in their computers, but I have to tell them where each time! And they won't just refund the balance! Arghhhhhh!

- Mike Greene