UPS strikes again

[Stinsok]

A buyer contacted me to let me know that UPS tracking shows a package was delivered on his front porch, but it was no where to be found. I contacted UPS, they started an "investigation." The next day, the buyer let me know he found the package. It was left leaning against his mailbox post 200 ft. from his porch. It was left out in wet weather.

[reasonbass]

For some reason all the big carriers just leave the package on the front door, set it and forget it. Before I used sign their little tablets but now, they just do drive by's.

I for one would use Fed Ex since they let you pick up your package at a Kinko's or Fed Ex store for free. UPS does too, but they will charge you for it.

[Johnny Crab]

As would have FedEx and DHL for a RESIDENTIAL delivery. Says so in their small print somewhere.
Solutions?

1) Use USPS and force the buyer to go to the Post Office and sign for it
OR
2) Send it to the buyer's place of employment

DHL left a bass out in the snow with one buyer of mine and FedEx/UPS have left packages wherever they want out here(boonieland, mailbox 300 yards down a gravel road). Examples: My wife's FedEx'ed dishes got left in the rain in boxes, King Cakes sent from New Orleans relative got eaten by outside dogs because they were left on our porch.
For shipping I use USPS(Priority, Insured, Signature required) and for receiving from overseas(EMS from Japan to my post office by work).

IF a seller or company is shipping UPS or FedEx, I have them deliver to me c/o My Employer at Day Job. The warehouse guys call me when stuff arrives. I just got 2 BOSE repaired units delivered UPS today at work(PAS vertical arrays of singer's unit had gone out).

Good luck.

[gttim]

I got an expensive delivery from FedEx on Tuesday. They left a delivery notice on the door, and right below it was the box. Seemed a little redundant, but I kinda thought I would have to sign for it. Didn't. However, the delivery was made quickly and placed under my overhang. UPS delivered an expensive and rather large delivery last week. Right at my door, under the overhang. They seem to be treating me right even during the busy holiday.

Oh wait, am I allowed to post positive stories about them?

[PSPookie]

What, an anti-UPS rant on TBOT!?!?! That's unpossible!

[ack]

I bought a bass from a TB'er that arrived yesterday (via UPS). My doorbell rang, and I saw our usual UPS driver waving as he walked away. The box, clearly marked "This End Up!" & "Fragile" was indeed standing upright under our covered front porch and leaning against the house. Perfect.

I get it inside and notice the box is creased on one side. Inside the box is gig bag, surrounded by foam wrap and thick packing paper. I literally have to remove most of the packing material before the gig bag budges.

Unfortunately, an otherwise beautiful Peavey 5'er now has a chip all the way down to the wood and cracks in several spots. It's ugly.

I feel bad for the seller - he's been great to work with and got it out to me real quickly.
This is the first time I have experienced damage by UPS - I use them a lot.
Hopefully, UPS makes quick work of the insurance claim for the seller - it's obvious (even from the pictures I took and sent to the seller) that the crease in the box matches exactly to the damaged spot on the bass:



I don't want to bash any of the carriers, but "Fragile" usually means the contents are fragile (duh), and if the box had been standing up (as indicated on the box), this probably wouldn't have happened.

[McHaven]

UPS left my new PC 2 doors down with strangers. I met up with him during my freakout of trying to find my package and the driver told me all about where he left it. Strange, he has delivered to my address before. ***

[Jhengsman]

Originally Posted by reasonbass

For some reason all the big carriers just leave the package on the front door, set it and forget it. Before I used sign their little tablets but now, they just do drive by's.

I for one would use Fed Ex since they let you pick up your package at a Kinko's or Fed Ex store for free. UPS does too, but they will charge you for it.

When people complaign about postal carriers one point which often comes up is the private UPS driver runs while the public letter carrier walks. Drive by's with the driver scribbling a counterfeit signiture, since yours is not legable anyway, is faster.

[MatticusMania]

I dont want to jinx it, but so far Ive not had any problems with any shipping facilities...

[Valiant Bandit]

Originally Posted by ack

I bought a bass from a TB'er that arrived yesterday (via UPS). My doorbell rang, and I saw our usual UPS driver waving as he walked away. The box, clearly marked "This End Up!" & "Fragile" was indeed standing upright under our covered front porch and leaning against the house. Perfect.

I get it inside and notice the box is creased on one side. Inside the box is gig bag, surrounded by foam wrap and thick packing paper. I literally have to remove most of the packing material before the gig bag budges.

Unfortunately, an otherwise beautiful Peavey 5'er now has a chip all the way down to the wood and cracks in several spots. It's ugly.

I feel bad for the seller - he's been great to work with and got it out to me real quickly.
This is the first time I have experienced damage by UPS - I use them a lot.
Hopefully, UPS makes quick work of the insurance claim for the seller - it's obvious (even from the pictures I took and sent to the seller) that the crease in the box matches exactly to the damaged spot on the bass:


I don't want to bash any of the carriers, but "Fragile" usually means the contents are fragile (duh), and if the box had been standing up (as indicated on the box), this probably wouldn't have happened.

Wow man I feel bad for you. That is one hell of a dent on that bass. I actually lost a bass in the mail in August. I had moved into a new condo complex and was eagerly tracking a jazz bass from Seattle to Las Vegas. I woke up one afternoon and was SO excited to see that the bass had been "delivered" on USPS.com . I went to the main office to pick up the bass - except they didn't have the bass. Nope, the stupid mailman delivered it to the wrong condo so someone got a blue lefty bass. I was pissed, devastated and heartbroken.

Amazingly my wife surprised me today and told me she had bought me the exact clone bass for me for Christmas- and was having it shipped to her mother's house so it'll arrive nice and secure.

My God how do people destroy packages like that and keep their jobs?

[LiquidMidnight]

Originally Posted by ack

Wow, I actually whinced a little bit looking at that picture.

The only shipping damage I can recall is a ding that one of my Aguilar cabinets took in shipping. I can't remember who delivered it, UPS or Fed-ex. I have two of the same cab, and I always used the ding to tell them apart.

[reasonbass]

I shipped an amplifier through FedEx ground and somehow they manage to put the wrong address and the wrong shipper name. Now I have to go to the Kinko's and see what the hell is up!

[prd004]

What ever happened to the days when you had to sign for your package?
For years UPS delivered to my home, and if no one signed, no box, end of story. Since I was rarely home, I always had to arrange a will call (kind of a hassle but I never had any problems).
Recently I bought an expensive preamplifier on eBay and much like the other tales in this thread, the box was dumped on my porch, no signature.
Well, I was shocked to see the package on my porch after work, and before I exited my vehicle I was annoyed. As I approached my door I knew something was wrong, the box was too small for the preamp. Inside the box was a pair of children's shoes.
I got my money back but UPS lost the preamp, the seller got shafted, and I was annoyed, disappointed, and lost faith in UPS

[reasonbass]

Originally Posted by prd004

What ever happened to the days when you had to sign for your package?
For years UPS delivered to my home, and if no one signed, no box, end of story. Since I was rarely home, I always had to arrange a will call (kind of a hassle but I never had any problems).
Recently I bought an expensive preamplifier on eBay and much like the other tales in this thread, the box was dumped on my porch, no signature.
Well, I was shocked to see the package on my porch after work, and before I exited my vehicle I was annoyed. As I approached my door I knew something was wrong, the box was too small for the preamp. Inside the box was a pair of children's shoes.
I got my money back but UPS lost the preamp, the seller got shafted, and I was annoyed, disappointed, and lost faith in UPS

I have the receipt where I wrote the correct address. So I will take their butts to small claims court if I have to.

[Richland123]

Just had 4 packages delivered to my house via UPS over the last month and all they did was put them on my back porch and leave and I was even home every time. Somebody could easily steal them and I would never know they were there. The only way they do not leave them is if the seller (sender) requires a signature that you either sign for the package or UPS leaves a note to pick it up at one of their sites.

[ack]

Amazing - 2 UPS guys came to the door last night and said "we need the damaged package back - re-packaged and taped". I told them that someone from UPS was supposed to call and arrange an inspection. They were put-off because I didn't have the box "ready" for them. They told me that they would be back the next day (today) and for me to just leave it on the front porch.

I asked them if they were going to leave me a receipt when they picked it up. They had no intention to do so and they had a huge attitude about it...like I've inconvenienced them or something.

I called UPS and told them that without a receipt indicating that they picked up the damaged goods, there's no guarantee that the seller gets his insurance settlement. They called back later and said they've added a receipt request to the pickup.

I mean, none of this is rocket science. To prove that point, I've circled a couple of key elements on the box that they may have missed on the initial trip.


They also said that they want a copy of the sales agreement indicating the sale price of the bass. They can go scratch.

I love these guys. They ruin a beautiful bass (and Christmas present) and treat everyone else like s%&t because they're busy this time of year.

[bobunit]

Originally Posted by prd004

What ever happened to the days when you had to sign for your package?

With FedEx, I usually have to select the signature option for the shipment which I believe is an upcharge.

Seems like Brown loves to leave stuff on my front porch. From a new set of truck tires to a complete bass rig. Good stuff.

[canadian_man_44]

Knock on wood....but I've never had UPS just leave a package....even when a signature wasn't required. They've always knocked on the door, made sure I lived at this address and gave the parcel to either my wife or me.

[Bassmanmike1]

I was told by a UPS employee on the phone, that it is pretty much up to the discretion of the driver whether they get a sig or not.

I tried to ship a hard drive to a friend in Chicago, and his UPS driver steadfastly refused to leave it without a sig even though I put instructions on the shipping lable to do so. My friend works during the day, so he was never home to sign for it. They made three attempts and then sent it back to the shipper. (New Egg) I got a refund for it, had to reorder it, sent to my house this time, in California. I put it in a box and sent it via USPS and he got it on the first try.

On the other hand my driver rarely gets a sig. Just rings the bell and walks away. Doesn't even wait to see if someone answers the door. Fortunately I live in a pretty nice low crime area and my front door is not visible from the street.

[baba]

I ALWAYS choose signature required. I have no faith that it will actually cover any damage to the package/goods given the horror stories I've heard, but I get it to ensure that if they lose the package altogether (some UPS drone steals it), it is insured for actual value and I am reimbursed.