UPS insurance cost

[G B.]

Last year I started using FedEx Ground instead of UPS. I made the change (after 30 years of shipping by UPS) because of the the way UPS had been routinely damaging my packages and surcharging me (after shipping!) for the last five years or so. I haven't had any damage from FedEx so far. An extra benefit of using FedEx Ground has been their lower overall shipping cost schedule.

Today I had someone ship me an FI unit by UPS Ground. The UPS Store in CA charged them a whopping $1.75 per $100 valuation for insurance! In other words, $85 for $5,000 in insurance on top of the $35 transportation cost for 40 pounds! This was no mistake; I saw the receipt! HOT DAMN! FedEx charges 50 cents per $100 for their insurance. I guess UPS was damaging far more packages than just mine, and their customers have been filing a LOT of claims.

[Michael H.]

Re: UPS insurance cost

Jerry,

Good point. I never use UPS and haven't since they refused to pay a claim I submitted about five years ago when they destroyed an NOS set of 67 wiper blades. Had their special insurance but they claimed it wasn't packaged properly. Finally had a UPS rep come to the house and I jumped on what was left of the shipping tube to prove it was durable but the rep still claimed I could have protected the items in some better way. I suppose they want steel pipe or something that will support 500 pounds. Had to threaten to take it to court before they paid the insurance. Then had to start the process all over again to get the cost of the shipping back. I will use carrier pigeon or pack mule before ever even considering UPS again. They are the absolute worst there is.

[Gary C.]

UPS No, FedEX Yes, better prices & no damage

received lots of stuff this summer for the San Antonio Convention. All the UPS boxes were either torn or damaged. None of the FedEx boxes shipments had any damage.

I experienced the same problems with UPS as Michael and haven't used them since.

Even shipped a mid year hardtop with FedEx 2nd day air and not had any problems.

UPS shipping cost averages 15-20% higher than FedEx.

Gary
....

[Clem Z.]

one word "TEAMSTERS" for UPS

fed ex,non union may also not be cheaper in the future as the owner/drivers are sueing about unfair labor practices by the company

[Dave H.]

UPS vs. FEDEX vs. USPS Flat Rate

I routinely ship heavy boxes of license plates across the country (from me to me). UPS are the ultimate box destroyers... smashed corners, rips, etc. Never could use the same box twice because it would be as round as a soccer ball by the time I got it.

Switched to FEDEX Ground about 3 years ago. The boxes look the same when I get them as when I ship them. I can reuse the same box multiple times. Plus FEDEX has more drop-off locations in more convenient locations. Cheaper too.

Also, for long distance shipping, or for heavy dense packages, you can't beat the USPS flat rate boxes. Only $8.10 to ship a box anytwhere in the USA, regardless of weight. Last year, I shipped about 25 20lb boxes from Ocala Florida to Washington state at about $8 a crack. Price that out on UPS or FEDEX. A heck of a bargain.

With proper technique and a little practice, you can stuff over 50 heavy steel license plates in one of those boxes. Just about gives the USPS counter clerk a hernia.

Dave.

[John D.]

Re: UPS insurance cost

Jerry, UPS comes to my shop twice a day on the average. Insurance cost: First $100.00 no charge. 100.01 to 300.00 is 1.50 300.01 and up is .50 per hundred.
Recap: 50 cents per hundred. If someone was charging 1.75 they were gouging big time. Don't know what the UPS store locally charges but I will find out. I have not had any problems with UPS and have been having UPS pickup for an eon. Say 25 plus years?? No problem on the few claims unless the customer shipped his FI unit incorrectly. True story: Guy puts his FI on bottom of my favorite box which is a two ft cube box from U-haul. Anyhow he then put a ton of packing on top of the unit and you know the rest. Base plate was broken in half. (intake). Well the claim was turned down because of improper packing-which it was. UPS service is wonderful and I know all the drivers on first name basis and know their hangouts if I missed a pickup or a customer called late. Know must of you on this post and respect your answers though.(except Clems) I ship a ton of packages and do not have any problem with the shipper. But we all have our favorites in life. If you are having a problem with your UPS driver tell them about it. Your friend, John Clarence I was just kidding.

[Howard Nardick]

Re: UPS insurance cost

I believe the "UPS stores" are a franchise and UPS in name only.....

...HN

[G B.]

Re: UPS insurance cost

John, go to the UPS website and type in your package info. You'll find that the average cost of UPS insurance for expensive packages is 90 cents per $100 valuation.

I agree that the UPS Store is gouging this man for this particular package. I got a relatively cool response from him that included a photo of the receipt showing the charges. I called the UPS store shown on the receipt and was told that they considered the insurance cost correct at $1.75 per $100 valuation.

The sender has a major hard-on for FedEx Ground. He says they have damaged his packages in the past. He's not going to pursue the UPS overcharge any further on my behalf.

I'm trying to be easy going about this, but it's hard. Frankly, I think UPS is about as efficient and customer-friendly as GM. And, like GM, they can go straight to Hell for all I care. I'll never intentionally use them again.

I wish you good luck using them. I think you're going to need it.

[Brian M.]

Re: UPS vs. FEDEX vs. USPS Flat Rate

I switched to Fed Ex ground about 2 years ago because of "ease of usage" price was a bonus.

[John D.]

Re: UPS insurance cost

Jerry, I will check my next invoice closer. But on page 18 of the UPS Rate and Service guide it states exactly what I quoted unles the shipments are greater than $50G's. So if what you are saying is correct they are slipping one in on us. I am sorry if I upset my good friend and I most certainly didn't mean to do so. I was just saying that the "advertised" rate for pick up customers is only 1/2 buck per hundred of value. It used to be .35 until a few years ago. Since the high cost of fuel they raised their basic shipping rates though. aobut 4-1/2% for ground and about 16plus % for air. I read their flyers most of the time. I seriously haven't had any problems with UPS. I have read that others have though. As you told me not to long ago I do a fairly nice job on packaging. Pack stuff as it were coming to me for my car. I ship about 4 boxes a day and that adds up. Spend a lot of time shipping and can't get much else done. But with all of that aside the few damaged parts I sent out were my fault. One time I shipped an FI distr and did not double box it. Well it was all bent up. UPS paid though and after that I was more careful. Had a poster tube or so get bent up though. But again I ship 100's of those. But I respect your reply and your friendship. Take care, John

[Jim D.]

Re: UPS vs. FEDEX vs. USPS Flat Rate

I'm another vote for Fed-Ex. UPS beats the crap out of your items. Every box that has been delivered by UPS has been damaged. Fed-Ex handles their items with care. I don't believe it has anything to do with labor unions.

[John D.]

Re: UPS insurance cost

Nothing like being the only one that uses UPS. Sorry I got on this post for sure. Only said I have had no problems and also that I have had no customer complaints. What else can a man say. When I need anything I call the terminal or the 800 number and I get an answer or supplies immediately. I'm a satisfied customer albeit a lonely one on this post. Maybe I will switch to another channel. Better yet go to the shop and work some. That way I can stay out of trouble.

[Clem Z.]

a friend worked for UPS till he retired

told me that UPS says it is cheaper to pay the insurance claims than come back the second day if you are not at home to recieve the package even if it is stolen or gets rained on. a friend just had 2 very expensive chairs in boxes left out in the driveway when a cover porch was 20 feet away and of course it poured down rain that day. UPS paid for the replacement and their excuse was that it was a temp driver. fed ex drivers own their trucks bought from the company and pay for the rights to the route they serve. big difference from a union teamster

[John D.]

Re: a friend worked for UPS till he retired

Clem, Like any business a employee can make you or break you.Leaving packages out in the weather is the drivers fault. I make friends with the UPS drivers, the mailman, the fed ex man, and therefore I get good service. Never have any problems. During the holidays I remember all of them also. My UPS driver is my friend and takes care of me. I guess i should have some complaints tonight but don't. Life is good. (ala Chip Miller). Sometimes I think we forget about our friends that are no longer with us and worry about the most trivial crap. Just this past year we lost a lot of Corvette friends.Jerry, Werner, etc. Look at the tragedy today in NYC and the loss of the Yankee pitcher. That's what you worry about. Take care, John

[G B.]

I'm pulling a Donald Duck tonight.

That's what Margaret calls it when I jump up and down and shout gibberish.

Your post didn't upset me in the least. However, that UPS Store got under my skin pretty good. Now it's time for me to let this rant go away.

Please wipe my spleen juice off your screen and ignore my previous posts. Nothing to see here, folks... move along... nothing to see here.