UPS = Unlimited Pile of Suck?

[polkatese]

I need to rant on UPS performance. When my package didn't come because of of this:

Status: Exception
Scheduled Delivery: Jun 16, 2003

Shipped or Billed on: Jun 10, 2003

Service Type: GROUND
Weight: 1.00 Lb

Package Progress:

Date Time Location Activity

Jun 16, 2003 5:37 A.M. CHULA VISTA, CA, US ROUTED INCORRECTLY AT UPS FACILITY;PKG HAS BEEN REROUTED TO DESTINATION
Jun 10, 2003 8:53 P.M. NORTHBROOK, IL, US ORIGIN SCAN
6:34 P.M. US BILLING INFORMATION RECEIVED

Tracking results provided by UPS: Jun 16, 2003 9:27 P.M. Eastern Time (USA)

Don't you think I have the right to be pissed off for wasting my time waiting for it (since it is a signature required package)?

[Janusch]

Great and I just sent a speaker UPS this moring. They said that is will be there tommorow or the next day. :(

[polkatese]

Janusch,
I swear that I am dealing with a core incompetency group when talking to these folks. From now on, anytime I need to ship or order something, I will insist on using FedEx. I have nothing but positive experience since FedEx ground became available. Always cheaper than UPS, and sometimes get delivered early by a day! I really thing this is because of the union-centric working atmosphere, just like USPS, Flight Attendants, and other similar industries. Complacency breeds Mediocrity....that's UPS! Hope that FedEx will continue to eat their lunch!

[RuSsMaN]

1st - What did you order that weighs *one* pound?

2nd - The re-route update says 5:37 am, did it reflect on the website at that time (when did you check on it?)

3rd - Ups is a union shop?

I've had this happen only once, on a package coming here. Frustrating to say the least.

Cheers,
Russ

[shack]

I guess I 'm just lucky. I've never had a problem with UPS, FedEx or USPS. I buy a lot that is shipped and I have never had a damaged or lost shipment. My biggest gripe is when they leave something valuable on the porch and then require a sig on somthing of little value (I guess this is the senders requirements). I wish that I could specify for something to be left at the shipping office that needs a sig. so I don't have to wait for them to try and deliver it before I can go and pick it up the next day.

[polkatese]

Russ,
it's a 1gb IBM flashcard, no, it wasn't speaker :)

I checked midday, and still trying to believe that it will make it (Chula Vista is about 80 miles from where I live), and since they don't update their tracking site, it's still showing that scheduled delivery is today.

UPS is a union shop, Teamsters et.al:

http://www.lclark.edu/~soan221/97/sarapg.3.html

or may be I don't understand your question?

[dorokusai]

I like UPS, my area driver is cool, and never had any issues in many years of using them. Oh wait, yea one, when you have to ship something at the retail counter, it sucks.

The workaround for that is to have an account in www.myups.com and use that for new shipments. You can change billing to CC and print labels from home, then just drop off. Easy, check it out. Anyone can create a account, with valid CC.

I ship probably 25 packages a week thru UPS(Online), at work, not personal packages, and rarely have issues.

[dorokusai]

Actually use this link to register w/ UPS online:

http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/myups/mgmt/index.html

[madmax]

100+ deliveries and no problems. I don't know, am I the only lucky one?
madmax

[polkatese]

This is the second incident for me with UPS. The first time, the driver marked it as delivered, and I was home the whole day. I called in and obviously the CSR thought I was smoking dope, made me walking around my porch to make sure. The next morning, the package mysteriously showed up in front of the door, and saw the driver drove away in that brown boxy truck *in a hurry*, no explanation whatsoever....

[jrausch]

I've had all good experiences with UPS. The only bad instance was I sent a monitor to my girlfriend and it looked like a spike had pierced the box and destroyed the monitor. It was packed to their specs and the insurance coverage bought her a new model with an upgrade the next week. This is why I like to use them. If your package is well protected and you have enough coverage they will take care of you. I have not had an insurance issue with Fed-Ex, but I have heard the coverage is not so easy to claim. Allot of people opt for no insurance, but the rates are only a few bucks more. If there is no local distribution center and only a mail box outlet the price almost triples. Your location does make a difference in how you ship. I say just use your best judgment and go with what works for you in your area.

[F1nut]

Never had a problem with UPS, FedEx or the USPS except when they couldn't get down my long ass drive in the snow.

[dorokusai]

The real question is, WERE you smoking dope Polkatese???? The walking around might have been just you trying to find a snack....just kidding, obviously :)

I remeber ages ago when I worked in DC(95), no I wasn't at DC Correctional, our UPS guy said that the owner of UPS, too long ago to remem, owned a UPS brown Corvette with labels, and it was a tax writeoff. I have since found out that it was in fact true, and their was a UPS delivery vehicle, albeit delivery 1.00%, that was a Corvette. That's just plain funny :)

[madmax]

Oh, I'm sorry, you were looking for answers from people not smoking dope. I didn't realize.

(just kidding)

madmax

[faster100]

all this over a mis delivery.. if its 80 miles away seems like a day delay maybe.. They ship thousands of packages a day.. seems like now and then they would get one thrown in th wrong truck destined to the wrong town.. I say UPS and FED ex do a decent job considering the millions of people who demand asap service daily and also demand NO mistakes what so ever. Pretty stiff rope to walk on if ya ask me.. I have been fit to be tied when i didn't get a package when i wanted, or missed the driver by a few minutes while at the store or something but after ya think what they do everyday.. its understandable

[Tour2ma]

So far FedEx Ground is perfection here.

Two items via UPS arrived damaged. One damp, torn package via USPS, but fortunately no damage.

[shepx2]

I too hate UPS, and will never use them when I have the option.
My wife used to run her own business from home, and I could go on for days about all the probelms we have had with them.

But there is one that stands out. I had ordered an item form an online computer store, based in Cali. I was living in Seattle at the time. You would think that it it would be fast. Wrong. They sent it to NEW YORK CITY first, then re-routed it back to me. But to get back to me, it had to come back through DALLAS, TEXAS.
I kid you not, it ended up taking me 20 days to recieve it. And until a recent computer crash, I had the tracking details saved on my computer.
Brown is the PERFECT color for thier company, because they are complete shit!
Yes, I agree that one of the reasons they suck is because they are Union based. Where I am now, is mostly Union. A good portion of the people here would be out on their ass if it wasn't.
Thankfully, this is a right to work state, and I don't have to join the Union to work here.

[danger boy]

i've had pretty good luck with UPS over the years. I don't do a lot of shipping. but over the past 4 yrs.. i've shipped about 50 packages. No speakers or anything really heavy like that. THe heaviest thing I shipped was an old Pioneer receiver. approx 25 lbs boxed.

The buyer claimed it arrived damaged. He never filed a claim..he was just a meth taking loser and tried to get me to refund his money. I double boxed the receiver and did every thing I could to make it safe.

I also do some shipping with USPS and they have been good too. Rarely do i use FED EX.. only because of cost.

[gidrah]

I haven't had any problems except when it's signature reguired. I miss them every time and have to drive 30 minutes into Detroit to go pick it up before they send it back.

My vote is for USPS. I get a slip and then only have to drive about 3 miles.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

My entire stereo has arrived either by UPS, Fed Ex, or USPS. Some may have been slow (USPS), but other than that, I have not had problems with either of them, except USPS, but that was nothing major. My package arrived flawlessly and i have no complaints. So they all score points in my book. However, Fed ex is like the fastest dang shipping company I have used, seen, been sent by, etc. THey rock!

[GZ]

My area driver is great. When he sences a package delivered to us is of some value, like my CS400i, he will not just drop it off without a signature. He actually goes to my wifes place of employment, she signes for their UPS packages as part of her job, and drops it off there. I've never had a prob with them.

[STUFFMD]

I've never had a problem with UPS...I'm not so sure about their 2nd air , always seems to arrive on the 3rd day..but for bigger packages I think UPS is the way to go.
I order from Amazon quite frequently...I have ordered the 2nd day air and paid a lot extra....and ordered regular USPS delivery. The Usps always gets here quicker. So for the small order..go USPS...In my experience...
My 2 Stuff....
P.S. Don't worry Dave it'll get here....

[gshisme]

Polkatese, easy with the union bashing. I have been a Steelworker for 25 years and am proud of both my work ethics and adherence to company philosophy! Ineptness should not be associated solely with union workers. Sick and tired of getting that shit-ass rap. Sorry bro but you just pressed my right button. My local delivery UPS guy has been more than accomodating in the delivering of packages to my residence. Never once had a problem and beleive me with two Great Danes in the yard he sure does go out of his way.

Yours bro..still waiting for better pics of those kick ass B&K and Rotel systems of yours. Wish now I had the Rotel silver..Oh well...

Greg

[polkatese]

Greg,
I tried not to make a generalisation of the union membership, and if it appears that way, I apologise. In the case of UPS, unfortunately it was the badge that they've been using to give them excuse for less than adequate performance. I was ticked off last night, mainly because the CSR had the exact same information as me. In fact, she was insisting that the package will still gets to me yesterday, even after she saw the exception (that I pointed out to her). And when I pressed on to point out, then she mumbled, "well I guess the system is wrong....", there is no way that the package will be delivered on time. I should have gone to speak to her supervisor to get a better answer, but I lost my will to get even more pissed off, simply because there is nothing else they would be able to offer to compensate my inconvenience and wasted time. This morning I checked the system and saw it is out for delivery. So, I will call it even and use Fedex next time....

I had a couple new pics on the system showcase, I don't know if you've seen them lately, but I've been trying hard to purge my thoughts from finding any reason to spend money on upgrade. ;) Ok, may be that's not completely true, I've been thinking about getting a Philips/Panasonic DVD Recorder to archive the digital 8 family collections to DVD. But on this one, I've got the approval and blessing of the wife, so it might be a done deal once I found the right player...:D

[gshisme]

Originally posted by polkatese
but I've been trying hard to purge my thoughts from finding any reason to spend money on upgrade. ;) Ok, may be that's not completely true

:D Polkatese, It never seems to end.:D

Hey man sorry about my rant..totally uncalled for on my part. Today I had my reasons though which I won't get into. Timing is everything.

[brettw22]

Originally posted by gshisme
Today I had my reasons though which I won't get into Ranting is a good thing..........if for nothing else to just get it out of your system. As for the 'reasons' it's good to give them just so that everyone knows where you're comin from.....(probably more on a general level than specifically this situation.....just hit me a certain way I suppose)

[HBombToo]

I have never had an issue with UPS on the job or at home in Central MO. perhaps its a regional problem?

Twin

[F1nut]

Good point "Twin." It could be that laid back southern Cali attitude. ;)


Polkatese,

I've been looking into getting a DVD recorder too. What's the word on the street about the Sony, Philips, Panny and the PE?

[faster100]

could be a simple mix up as crazy as that seems :rolleyes:

Damm UPS damm FED EX Damm USPS :mad:

[polkatese]

Originally posted by gshisme
:D Polkatese, It never seems to end.:D

Hey man sorry about my rant..totally uncalled for on my part. Today I had my reasons though which I won't get into. Timing is everything.

Greg,
we're cool, no biggie. I received the package this afternoon. case closed...

[polkatese]

Originally posted by F1nut
Good point "Twin." It could be that laid back southern Cali attitude. ;)


Polkatese,

I've been looking into getting a DVD recorder too. What's the word on the street about the Sony, Philips, Panny and the PE?

well, it seems the UPS folks out of chicagoland that mixed up, wazzup, easy on the jack, bud....:p

the word on the street is, the disco Philips DVDR985 is the deal in town. CC open box goes as low as $299, with NIB goes for $380+ (MSRP $799). The new line has better recording features, but no HD. I am looking for one with HD, Sony and Panny have those. DVD +RW seems to be the one with better compatibility with most DVD player. My research still going...

[HBombToo]

and my new(used) Audio Alchemy DTI Jitter Box is scheduded for delivery on Monday the 23rd. I'll bet a beer UPS comes through for me. UPS is batting 1000 right now.

A new Toy for the HBomb

:D

[Tour2ma]

Henry,
Which DTI did you bag? ebay?

[HBombToo]

Originally posted by Tour2ma
Henry,
Which DTI did you bag? ebay?


http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?dgtlconv&1059675698&class&3&4&

I figured some of my cables are worth more than 50 bucks so what the hell... I am going to convert my RCA DTV TOS out to coax then pump it into my DAC or h/k direct. I'm not sure if I'll do any good but its worth a try.

What I'm trying to accomplish is a more accurate image from DTV music. May be a pipe dream but at least I have a new gadget to play with.:rolleyes:

HBomb

[Tour2ma]

Nice nab at a good price... Will await the verdict...

[weavercr]

STUFFMD

The lat item I ordered (computer parts) via ups second day and it took 5 days to arrive I went to the local office and complained about the time it took, tould then if I wanted it in 4+ days I would of paid ground shipping not 2nd day. I got them to refund me the difference between 2nd day and ground.