Why dosen't anyone ship USPS?

[fourstringdrums]

In the store. And the only reason I paid that ridiculous amt for the supplies was I had to get it out that day, and had already been several places looking for stuff. The UPS Store has quoted me several insane prices in the store; I`ve never shipped with them. Once, they told me they didn`t sell supplies, but that they would pack a bass for me...for $60. Another $60 - $70 to ship it.

Holy crap. I've been charged for packing before and of course for the materials, but never more than like $10.

 

[michael_atw]

In the store. And the only reason I paid that ridiculous amt for the supplies was I had to get it out that day, and had already been several places looking for stuff. The UPS Store has quoted me several insane prices in the store; I`ve never shipped with them. Once, they told me they didn`t sell supplies, but that they would pack a bass for me...for $60. Another $60 - $70 to ship it.

UPS Stores add on top of the UPS price. It is likely between the $32 you paid for the packaging and quite possibly a $15-$25 hike on top of it by the UPS Store you wen to that you overpaid by double what the real cost of the package was. After breaking it down, the original number doesn't look so bad.

Did you sell the bass on Ebay? Why did it need to go out so fast?

 

[michael_atw]

Holy crap. I've been charged for packing before and of course for the materials, but never more than like $10.

I've messaged people on Ebay and said to them "Hey, this price could be alot cheaper" and they say "No, that's what UPS Store quotes to pack it." :scowl: I've had people moan to me saying they ate an $80 shipping charge while charging me $30 trying to get good feedback out of me. I think to myself, I could have shipped that package for $30. I have no interest in rewarding for ignorance, but service.

 

[SBassman]

... but you still get the occasional package that doesn't even show that it's in the postal system until after it's delivered.

I've seen that, too.

Outside of the lousy tracking, though, I think they do alright. I have sent many packages USPS without a problem. And the price is right.

 

[SBassman]

here's a pic of package that arrived from UPS today. unfortunately, i am not exaggerating, but in my area this is the norm rather than the exception.

personally, if i were the driver, i'd be embarrassed to drop off a package looking like that.

Whoa. Is there a bass in that box? Did it survive?

That box looks like it re-entered the earth's atmosphere from space.

 

[Mike Shevlin]

I've always had great luck with FedEx & horrible experiences with UPS~ just this week I ordered a computer with a company that uses UPS only & it arrived destroyed and the box in tatters~

 

[fjadams]

FedEx in my area sucks, UPS costs a ton ($50-$60) to ship 2 the east coast but the post office only cost me $23 to ship from SoCal to PA...why don't more people use them?

I only use USPS unles there is no other option. Nothing makes one feel better than paying UPS for overnight shipping on a Thursday and not getting it til Mon or Tue since they don't work weekends, and there is no refund for not getting it when paid for. Also I live in a fourplex, so UPS does not deliver, anything ever, I have to go pick it up at their distribution center. USPS and FedEx both deliver here, and on weekends too.

 

[lindseyp]

fedex sucks in everybody's area.

Not mine; they're my go-to people. I comparison shop, though. I haven't had the USPS beat FEDEX much, usually the other way around. But I also follow each company's packing rules to compare pricing. Also a FEDEX outbound shipping facility is closer to me than the UPS or USPS, so FEDEX gets most of my outbound business.

 

[PrietoBass]

Brown has always been good to me.

 

[pasta4lnch]

^^ +1

USPS here in my area of NYC (Queens) is so horrifying I've had boxes shipped back and sent UPS.

They deliver only once (and that is wishful thinking - I've seen them just write out tickets for big boxes w/o trying a buzz). If you go pick up there is a line usually 30 deep with one rude inept person helping them (and 16 closed windows w/ clear view of 20 chatting employees standing around doing nothing) . . . as far as mail goes I get someone else's mail EVERY DAY. I've had tons of mail never reach me. If it rains - no mail (yet I get the mail the next day totally soaked). Snow - no way, and double the mail the next day. Heck even if it's nice out there are plenty of days I get no mail and a butt load the next day - I see the guy/girl snoozing in the truck all the time (not always the same person - sleeping mid day must be policy).

Oh and here's a good one - I subscribed to a mag that came w/ a free CD every issue for a year . . . never got one CD!

I'll pay what ever the up charge to NOT use USPS . . . /rant

 

[parsons]

Ive shipped a bunch of stuff with USPS and they've lost one package. It was a ballast for an HID light to my car. It was sent insured with signature required upon delivery.

I went to file my claim, the PO pulled up their records on it and he showed me a picture on his computer of the signature. It was a straight line. No letters, numbers or smiley faces. The "received by" field was also left blank. I asked if that was supposed to have a name it in, and it wasnt supposed to be blank. They still denied my $200 claim with this evidence right in front of their face.

So yes, the consensus on here is correct. If you want to use USPS, its ok but dont ever expect any customer service. If you ever have to file a claim, dont dare waste your time doing so.

 

[parsons]

^^ +1

USPS here in my area of NYC (Queens) is so horrifying I've had boxes shipped back and sent UPS.

They deliver only once (and that is wishful thinking - I've seen them just write out tickets for big boxes w/o trying a buzz). If you go pick up there is a line usually 30 deep with one rude inept person helping them (and 16 closed windows w/ clear view of 20 chatting employees standing around doing nothing) . . . as far as mail goes I get someone else's mail EVERY DAY. I've had tons of mail never reach me. If it rains - no mail (yet I get the mail the next day totally soaked). Snow - no way, and double the mail the next day. Heck even if it's nice out there are plenty of days I get no mail and a butt load the next day - I see the guy/girl snoozing in the truck all the time (not always the same person - sleeping mid day must be policy).

Oh and here's a good one - I subscribed to a mag that came w/ a free CD every issue for a year . . . never got one CD!

I'll pay what ever the up charge to NOT use USPS . . . /rant

Sounds like you have your typical USPS employees serving you on your tax dollars. I feel your pain.

When I lived in a third floor apartment before I purchased my house, I've caught USPS, UPS, FedEX and DHL drivers writing a tag to place on my door instead of carrying up the package and knocking first. They are laziest pieces of **** on the planet.

 

[pasta4lnch]

It really is incredible how poorly they are run. There's no recourse either. You call the 800 to complain and they happily take your complaint down but it ends there.

UPS has always done right by me. Fed Ex too - with the exception of throwing packages to my 3rd floor balcony (luckily the few times they have done that nothing has broken)

 

[michael_atw]

with the exception of throwing packages to my 3rd floor balcony (luckily the few times they have done that nothing has broken)

You have some hard to believe stories. I think that one surpasses them all.

 

[trunkshope6]

i use usps exclusively, even though work under contract for ups and man the things ive seen

I do take a little extra care of the guitar shaped packages

 

[pasta4lnch]

You have some hard to believe stories. I think that one surpasses them all.

First time it was w an entire faucet package. Heavy! I was walking up the stairs reading the slip like...that looks like the word "balcony" written on it. Naaah couldn't be Next was some comp equipment. Craziness!

Fwiw I think I prefer that to just leaving it there...had a Garmin stolen a month ago. Got it replaced easy though...

I'd like to note I live in a relatively nice area...go figure