Beware of UPS upcharges when shipping.

MetroBass · #1 12-19-2011, 02:00 PM

I'll never use this three letter word again even if my best friend works for them.

When shipping a cabinet beware!!! I did everything by the book, even added 5 lbs to the weight and they still came back today and say i owe them another $50.00 for oversized box. Nothing on their automated web site said anything about oversized boxes!! Since when is 20x24x32 oversized?

GMAFB!!! The cabinet sold for $400 and I had to pay $160.00 to ship it.

When it came from the store originally they didn't charge me this amount!!! Anyway to protest it / get a credit?

A-Step-Towards · #2 12-19-2011, 02:03 PM

USPS does this to , if you go over a certain girth then there is a HUGE upcharge , a bass that was 40$ to ship cost 107$ due to 5 inches

christw · #3 12-19-2011, 02:32 PM

I shipped a Rickenbacker one state away [five hours drive] for $160 once. It was supposed to have been split by the seller and I but that never happened... Worst decision I ever made when it came to bass. He parted out my favorite bass ever for a ****ing truss rod cover.

jnewmark · #4 12-19-2011, 02:33 PM

UPS has been doing this for years, and , if you use their website, there will be a section where you put in the dimensions of the box to figure out the final cost. It's called dim weight, and it is applied regardless of how much the box actually weighs. Sometimes when I give shipping quotes, the buyer can't believe the cost, but, I always invite them to go to the site and put in the info themselves. I try to avoid shipping bass cabs !

ms1369 · #5 12-19-2011, 02:46 PM

UPS has done this on almost every shipment that I set up and pay for @ home with a credit card. The only way around it seems to be taking the package to a ship center and pay cash for the shipment.

bongomania · #6 12-19-2011, 02:51 PM

Same here. I know all about dimensional weight and balloon surcharges, and I account for those when placing the order on the UPS site; yet inevitably they charge me some additional amount afterward.

I will say though that if the OP didn't know about about balloon charges, then that would account for his sticker shock.

**jmattbassplaya** · #7 12-19-2011, 02:55 PM

This is why I use Fedex. They tend to be much more consistent with their costs - although recently they have been going up.

murphy · #8 12-19-2011, 02:58 PM

UPS drives me insane and make me behave like a person I am not!!!!

billfitzmaurice · #9 12-19-2011, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Same here. I know all about dimensional weight and balloon surcharges, and I account for those when placing the order on the UPS site; yet inevitably they charge me some additional amount afterward.

I've never been hit with a surcharge, but I'm very accurate with the weight and dimensions.

lfbassguy · #10 12-19-2011, 03:22 PM

when shipping a big cabinet like that. sometimes, its better to ship it UPS Freight. sometimes it is half the price, cause they deal with bigger items.

on a side note, every time i enter the dimensions and weight in correctly, it has always been less than was quoted on the computer with UPS.

any way, next time check out UPS Freight.

lfbassguy · #11 12-19-2011, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetroBass

I'll never use this three letter word again even if my best friend works for them.

When shipping a cabinet beware!!! I did everything by the book, even added 5 lbs to the weight and they still came back today and say i owe them another $50.00 for oversized box. Nothing on their automated web site said anything about oversized boxes!! Since when is 20x24x32 oversized?

GMAFB!!! The cabinet sold for $400 and I had to pay $160.00 to ship it.

When it came from the store originally they didn't charge me this amount!!! Anyway to protest it / get a credit?

what was the weight?

cybersnyder · #12 12-19-2011, 03:25 PM

In general, I use USPS for smallish items - pedals and such, UPS for medium sized items and FedEx for large items.

chaosMK · #13 12-19-2011, 03:34 PM

I used to wheel and deal gear but shipping charges are too much these days (I've been burned pretty good a few times). Far worse if you are using Ebay and paying their tithe in addition.

**JxBass** · #14 12-19-2011, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

I've never been hit with a surcharge, but I'm very accurate with the weight and dimensions.

Same here, though I recently did get a notice of a surcharge. I pushed back strongly but professionally, telling them that the box was absolutely the size and weight entered on their site. They rescinded the surcharge.

MetroBass · #15 12-19-2011, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Same here......

I will say though that if the OP didn't know about about balloon charges, then that would account for his sticker shock.

Your right! I didn't know and the UPS store quoted me the same thing the web site charged me until after I shipped it. I put in the exact dim and weight and still got the surcharge.

The driver sure didn't return any money when I helped him get it into his truck!!

mntngrown · #16 12-19-2011, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

This is why I use Fedex. They tend to be much more consistent with their costs - although recently they have been going up.

If you actually take the time to open a fedex account, and they have your credit card on file, and you take it to a real fedex shipping location,(i.e. not Kinko's) basses in cases cost in the 20's to send. At least where I drop mine off. Light weight amp heads 12-15.00

cybersnyder · #17 12-19-2011, 07:49 PM

I was looking at the website and it looks like you're within the guidelines. I assume you packaged it. What I find odd is that they came back and said you owed $50 more. Was it exactly $50 more and did they give you a bill for the extra? If they boxed it, I can see the price. If not, it sounds like a scam.

Sartori · #18 12-19-2011, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christw

I shipped a Rickenbacker one state away [five hours drive] for $160 once. It was supposed to have been split by the seller and I but that never happened... Worst decision I ever made when it came to bass. He parted out my favorite bass ever for a ****ing truss rod cover.

Ouch.

Munjibunga · #19 12-19-2011, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

This is why I use Fedex. They tend to be much more consistent with their costs - although recently they have been going up.

I paid $93 to ship a cabinet 2,000 miles by Fedex. It blew my mind when what they charged me was exactly what the online calculator said it woud be. Too bad they dropped it and damaged two of the drivers. However, they paid me the insured value plus one-way shipping. Fedex did right by me.

JB36 · #20 12-19-2011, 10:42 PM

I'm not positive on the exact numbers, but I believe if it's length x width x height exceeds 25x25x25 it's billed at 75lbs or actual weight, whiche ever is greater plus the $50. I you entered dimensions under the total of 25x25x25 and the package is actually greater, the package will be audited by scanners and the bill will be adjusted and charged back. I would call the 1800# and dispute the measurements. I bet you get the $50 back.