Yet again, UPS the WORST most incompetent shipper.

BurningSkies · #1 07-03-2010, 09:36 AM

Earlier this week, UPS had a shipment for my apartment. Nothing special, but twice they refused delivery because of 'adult signature required'. Funny, for a pair of shoes and given that it was a no signature required box.

The third time they came by, we were here. UPS drove up and promptly delivered a box to our across the street neighbors. Didn't even come to our door. We watched from our 2nd floor balcony. Moments later the shipping listed:

THE RECEIVER HAS MOVED. UPS ATTEMPTING TO LOCATE RECEIVER TO COMPLETE DELIVERY, NO DELIVERY WAS MADE / A POSTCARD HAS BEEN SENT TO THE RECIPIENT REQUESTING THAT THEY CONTACT UPS.

For the record, I've lived here since 1996. I haven't moved and the house is clearly occupied. You know, cars out front, flowers in planters in our yard, etc. After some long calls with UPS the line was that they had someone new out the route who wasn't really trained yet and that the box would be back and without a problem the next day. And it was.

Now, last night I get a voice mail from UPS about another shipment, saying there was an exception for a shipment. Yup. SAME REASON. I was home during the time that the UPS truck supposedly came by. I call again, and go through the SAME DEAL and they apologize that they won't have someone locally who can talk to me until next Tuesday. I explain that the same thing happened earlier this week and that the driver obviously KNOWS we live here and just doesn't like to deliver.

Not as horribly awfully incompetent as when they left my brand new Dingwall unattended on the front porch and made a stranger off the street sign for it. But in a way much more lazy and pathetic.

I mentioned that FedEx seemed to have no trouble delivering to my front door twice this week, and the phone was a bit silent for a few moments.

hover · #2 07-03-2010, 09:37 AM

and you didn't walk outside when he showed up...why again? I'm not excusing any of their ridiculous lazy antics, but still.

Gard · #3 07-03-2010, 10:24 AM

UPS isn't even CLOSE to the most incompetent overall shipping agent. Yes, occassionally there's a bad apple (i.e. lazy @$$ driver, etc), but overall they do a pretty good job in comparison to others (see my sig file).

Frankly, my list in order of really bad shipping companies, top three:

USPS
DHL
FedEx Ground

UPS doesn't get in the top 5, and usually isn't even in the top 10 for me (and I ship a LOT of stuff).

Unrepresented · #4 07-03-2010, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

UPS isn't even CLOSE to the most incompetent overall shipping agent. Yes, occassionally there's a bad apple (i.e. lazy @$$ driver, etc), but overall they do a pretty good job in comparison to others (see my sig file).

Frankly, my list in order of really bad shipping companies, top three:

USPS
DHL
FedEx Ground

UPS doesn't get in the top 5, and usually isn't even in the top 10 for me (and I ship a LOT of stuff).

+1.

DHL was terrible. That's why they're largely out of the domestic market.

Relic · #5 07-03-2010, 12:49 PM

UPS and USPS have both been fine in my experience. FedEx is by far the worst

metallicafan18 · #6 07-03-2010, 01:14 PM

UPS is a joke.

I ordered a bass 2 weeks ago and when they pulled in, they didn't even come to my door. The package needed a signature. They "knocked" on my garage door. Then left. How am I supposed to hear through the garage door? I ran to my car and chased him down the street until he finally pulled over. He said he didn't know I had a front door. (Seeing that I have a huge sidewalk that leads right to it and it is clearly visible as you pull in the driveway.)

Sbociol · #7 07-03-2010, 01:59 PM

I sent china pottery (extremely fragile,obviously) from Italy to Canada and it got there without any issue in the expected three days...

MJ5150 · #8 07-03-2010, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hover

and you didn't walk outside when he showed up...why again? I'm not excusing any of their ridiculous lazy antics, but still.

Same thought I had. Walk out there and talk to the driver. If they really were new, I am sure they would have appreciated some help with the logistics of their new route. It almost feels like you waited for them to fail so you could call and complain.

-Mike

jp58 · #9 07-03-2010, 02:15 PM

I've never had problems with FedEx, but UPS and DHL have really ticked me off before.

Once, DHL left a box outside in the rain. One that had sensitive and fragile and all kinds of other things on it, then the driver said we signed for it (no confirmation) and then they denied the insurance claim.

Later the claim went through, but not until around 5 hours on the phone with them.

beelzelboss · #10 07-03-2010, 02:49 PM

Fedex ground is great! Always consistent, on time, and never giving me any problems.

Buslady7803 · #11 07-03-2010, 03:00 PM

i can tell stories..friends of mine who ship live turtles, didnt matter if it was DHL or UPS or whatever...supposed overnight would turn into 2-3 days while a poor turtle was in a box in a cold (or hot) warehouse (as the either cooling or heater pack quits after 24hrs)

Nappa · #12 07-03-2010, 03:42 PM

I've only had problems with USPS. Otherwise everything I have shipped has been on-time. It kinda sucks though that I am not home whenever they deliver a package. With work and school. So that usually adds a day to the expected time and since I live in an apartment complex there is an entryway that protects the packages from the weather.

mulchor · #13 07-03-2010, 05:25 PM

Dimwits and drug addicts deserve a good job, too.

I went thru this last week, also with UPS. They'd left a note the day before saying they'd deliver between 10 and noon. I waited all day. The part I hate with that is being afraid to take a shower or even a decent poop for fear they'll come while you're indisposed.

Apparently they did the drive-by decide no one's home from the street routine. To top it off, I stayed on hold for literally over 26 minutes when I phoned them about it. "Your call is important to us, please stay on the line." All this for about $20 of electronics stuff.

I'm of the upbringing that any job is worth doing right. Granted wearing the little shorts and shlepping boxes is just a step above 'you want fries with that,' but if you can't do a minimum skills job well, what good are you.

Ziltoid · #14 07-03-2010, 06:11 PM

The delivery guy here is the same for usps/fedex/etc probably because we're a small town and they contract him, not really sure, and honestly, he's awesome, never had any problem at all.

FilterFunk · #15 07-03-2010, 06:29 PM

I hate it when you enter the tracking # at the UPS site, and it tells you the delivery has been "rescheduled" with no explanation. You've already been waiting a week or so, now they tack on another 4-5 days!

**Staccato** · #16 07-03-2010, 07:45 PM

Another kicker - UPS is going to a higher percentage of part-timers than the current work force-to keep from paying benefits or health insurance...

It should be even more fun after THAT transition!

Relic · #17 07-03-2010, 08:13 PM

I dont really think it depends on the carrier but more the individual drivers or how they manage the local depots. It's just a guess but I really suspect it to be the case.
FedEx seems to be highly regarded on TB, but I have had so many darn incidents with them it's pathetic...leaving packages at the wrong house. Claiming no one was home when my front door was wide open and I was waiting for the package, stuff arriving beat to hell.... I never had any issues with USPS, UPS, or even DHL, yet so many here have. Thus I think it's not so much the individual company although it IS their responsibility ultimately to make sure their drivers and management are doing their jobs properly.

MJ5150 · #18 07-03-2010, 09:21 PM

I have a good relationship with my UPS guy, and the FedEx guy is a long time friend of mine. Although they don't load their trucks, I never have an issue getting an item once it shows as "out for delivery".

-Mike

Relic · #19 07-03-2010, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buslady7803

i can tell stories..friends of mine who ship live turtles, didnt matter if it was DHL or UPS or whatever...supposed overnight would turn into 2-3 days while a poor turtle was in a box in a cold (or hot) warehouse (as the either cooling or heater pack quits after 24hrs)

I used to do a "turtle rescue" thing, no joke. We exclusively used DHL because they were the only ones reliable enough at the time to ship overnight.

BurningSkies · #20 07-04-2010, 06:02 PM

FedEx has always been completely solid for me. UPS never fails to set the bar lower than they set it the last time.