One ounce could readily go via USPS for about 39 cents. Add an ounce for a
bubble envelope and we are still under a dollar.
UPS is not always the shipper of choice ... certainly not for items that
can travel via First Class mail and frequently not for items that can go
via prioprity mail.
Apparently Delta is just dropping everything in a box and waiting for the
brown truck to pull up outside. But the white truck with the red & blue
stripes will ALSO make pickups and, in many cases, charge less than the
brown truck.
Just my two cents ... I don't think shippers give much thought to
providing cheap shipping from the customers point of view because they
know that, as long as the charge doesn't get TOO crazy, they can always
recoup it from the customer.
Bill
"Locutus"
snip
>
> As the owner of a company that ships over 500 packages a month, I can tell
> you that USPS does not have the infrastructure required to handle any
> serious volume. We do not offer USPS to our customers for a couple of
> reasons, first, they do not offer any sort of tracking service, only
> delivering confirmation. Second, USPS's technology in regards to
> processing/handling shipments is *really( poor (entering the shipment,
> printing labels, pickups, tracking). Basically, it's a big PIA to ship
> anything via USPS, and the only thing it is really good for is for
> shipping those small few dollar parts, and it's just not worth the time
> and effort for such low margin items.
My company receives several shipments a day from UPS, FedEx and Airborne.
FedEx is the most efficient, UPS is a close second followed by Airborne.
When we ship, we use UPS, the tracking system is great and customers like
it.
We, nor any of the companies that ship to us would consider the USPS. They
are slow, and not very user friendly.
Personally, I'd rather have a package shipped to me via UPS as the driver
actually puts the package on the porch or it he thinks its a tool, he'll put
it around back by the shop, away from prying eyes.
The mailman just drops it over the wall, rain or shine, sprinklers or not,
he just drops it over the wall.
Dave
Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
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"Bill" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> One ounce could readily go via USPS for about 39 cents. Add an ounce for a
> bubble envelope and we are still under a dollar.
>
> UPS is not always the shipper of choice ... certainly not for items that
> can travel via First Class mail and frequently not for items that can go
> via prioprity mail.
>
> Apparently Delta is just dropping everything in a box and waiting for the
> brown truck to pull up outside. But the white truck with the red & blue
> stripes will ALSO make pickups and, in many cases, charge less than the
> brown truck.
>
> Just my two cents ... I don't think shippers give much thought to
> providing cheap shipping from the customers point of view because they
> know that, as long as the charge doesn't get TOO crazy, they can always
> recoup it from the customer.
>
> Bill
As the owner of a company that ships over 500 packages a month, I can tell
you that USPS does not have the infrastructure required to handle any
serious volume. We do not offer USPS to our customers for a couple of
reasons, first, they do not offer any sort of tracking service, only
delivering confirmation. Second, USPS's technology in regards to
processing/handling shipments is *really( poor (entering the shipment,
printing labels, pickups, tracking). Basically, it's a big PIA to ship
anything via USPS, and the only thing it is really good for is for shipping
those small few dollar parts, and it's just not worth the time and effort
for such low margin items.
"Chris Friesen" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Locutus wrote:
>
>> As the owner of a company that ships over 500 packages a month, I can
>> tell you that USPS does not have the infrastructure required to handle
>> any serious volume. We do not offer USPS to our customers for a couple
>> of reasons, first, they do not offer any sort of tracking service, only
>> delivering confirmation.
>
> Shipping USPS makes it *MUCH* cheaper for us Canadians since they only
> charge a flat $5 for brokerage.
>
> UPS wants $23 for an import permit, $4.25 to collect the fees from you if
> you don't have a brokerage account, and then a sliding scale of brokerage
> fees depending on the value of the item you're importing. (For a $40 item
> they want $19.45 in fees!)
>
> And of course, all these fees are taxable.
>
> When all you need is a $3 part, it's pretty gruesome to end up with a $30
> brokerage charge on top of the shipping cost.
>
> Chris
That's why we don't ship to Canada. :)
and we have little to no recourse against credit card chargebacks.
"George Max" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> I cringe everytime a package is sent to me via UPS. Every single time
> it looks like a gorilla threw it around his cage. One time UPS even
> spilled what looked like used motor oil on it. Another time the box
> looked like it was deliberately crushed. All boxes, even the
> undamaged ones are very dirty. It's like they've got a rule that
> everything goes through a dirt mister or is dragged several hundred
> feet down a country road.
>
In the 5 years we have been in business we have had less than 10 packages
reported damaged, and UPS paid for the damage in every case but one. I think
you might be using a wee bit of hyperbole. :)
>
> The people that will send via USPS are more favored by me when I have
> the choice.
>
There are probably very few companies within your favor, I know none of our
competition ships USPS, and I can't recall any company I have ever purchased
from other than a small mom & pop shop that offered USPS shipping. For the
reasons I previously stated I would imagine.
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> Locutus <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>
>>As the owner of a company that ships over 500 packages a month, I can tell
>>you that USPS does not have the infrastructure required to handle any
>>serious volume. We do not offer USPS to our customers for a couple of
>>reasons, first, they do not offer any sort of tracking service, only
>>delivering confirmation. Second, USPS's technology in regards to
>>processing/handling shipments is *really( poor (entering the shipment,
>>printing labels, pickups, tracking). Basically, it's a big PIA to ship
>>anything via USPS, and the only thing it is really good for is for
>>shipping
>>those small few dollar parts, and it's just not worth the time and effort
>>for such low margin items.
>>
>>
> In the last 2 years, the USPS had about 1/2 billion worth of business
> from ebay sales alone. They may not be the first choice for the size
> and weight of whatever it is you are shipping, but for certain
> size/weight ranges they are far less expensive than UPS.
>
> [disclaimer: I've worked for th Postal Service for the last 24 years]
>
> --
They certainly are cheaper, I never said they were not. I can see why a lot
of eBay sellers would us USPS. But for higher volumes, the process is too
cumbersome to be efficient.
George Max <[email protected]> writes:
>I cringe everytime a package is sent to me via UPS. Every single time
>it looks like a gorilla threw it around his cage. One time UPS even
>spilled what looked like used motor oil on it. Another time the box
>looked like it was deliberately crushed. All boxes, even the
>undamaged ones are very dirty. It's like they've got a rule that
>everything goes through a dirt mister or is dragged several hundred
>feet down a country road.
I have received about 50 shipments by UPS this summer for a project and I
don't recall any being crushed or unreasonably dirty. The vast majority
were just as clean and new as they where when the shipper handed them off
to UPS.
Brian Elfert
On Tue, 17 Oct 2006 16:02:56 -0400, Locutus wrote:
> "George Max" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> I cringe everytime a package is sent to me via UPS. Every single time
>> it looks like a gorilla threw it around his cage. One time UPS even
>> spilled what looked like used motor oil on it. Another time the box
>> looked like it was deliberately crushed. All boxes, even the
>> undamaged ones are very dirty. It's like they've got a rule that
>> everything goes through a dirt mister or is dragged several hundred
>> feet down a country road.
>>
>
> In the 5 years we have been in business we have had less than 10 packages
> reported damaged, and UPS paid for the damage in every case but one. I think
> you might be using a wee bit of hyperbole. :)
>
>>
>> The people that will send via USPS are more favored by me when I have
>> the choice.
>>
>
> There are probably very few companies within your favor, I know none of our
> competition ships USPS, and I can't recall any company I have ever purchased
> from other than a small mom & pop shop that offered USPS shipping. For the
> reasons I previously stated I would imagine.
I sent my son a much-needed computer. He lived in Minnesota, I shipped
from Michigan.
It went to Chicago AND RETURNED TO MICHIGAN 3 times. On the 4th trip to
Chicago, some genius sent it on to Oregon. When it got to Oregon someone
pulled out a map and actually sent it to Minneapolis (that's a city in
Minnesota that UPS has trouble finding).
When it got there it was crushed beyond belief ... utterly destroyed. The
monitor had left here packed in peanuts in an inner box that was secured
inside a larger box with roughly 4 inches of spray-in-place foam.
Because I am an individual and not a company, UPS refused the honor the
insurance they had so eagerly sold me with nary a whisper about only
paying off on commercial shipments.
Whenever a vendor offers me a choice, I ask that merchandise NOT be
shipped via UPS.
I seem to have a regular driver (for now). He has stopped the practice of
lugging my stuff back into Detroit and making me come fetch it as pennance
for not taking a day off work when I think that a package MIGHT be due to
arrive. Of course that will only last until I get a different driver.
The stuff I ship will fit in a Priority envelope. I can buy postage online
to print on my Dymo labeler and call USPS for a pickup. If there is a
particular rush, I can drive the one mile to an all-night post office.
The ability to handle a large volume of freight doesn't mean much to me
when a shipper can't seem to find Minneapolis and they renege on the
insurance coverage they insisted I buy.
They wouldn't even refund the premium.
Bill
A Lurker <[email protected]> writes:
>My gripe is with FedEx Ground. We have a FedEx Priority distribution center
>in the next town, but FedEx Ground is shipped though two terminals in the
>next state 50 and 100 miles away many times with contract drivers in
>private vehicles and days later from tracking estimates.
FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, and FedEx Freight are all seperate companies
owned by FedEx.
They all operate completely seperately which seems silly. You would think
they could have huge economies of scale by combining some of the
operations, particularly FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight.
FedEx just bought Watkins Freight and renamed them FedEx LTL. Why they
didn't combine them into FedEx Freight is just silly. Around here, the
FedEx Freight terminal and the FedEx LTL terminals are blocks apart.
Brian Elfert
On Tue, 17 Oct 2006 23:32:17 +0100, bigegg <[email protected]>
wrote:
>>
>> UPS sucks.
>
>You must have a VERY bad local depot.
Seriously, maybe that's the problem. I know exactly where it is, I've
been there before. I'd say which one it is, but I don't wanna enrage
the gorillas over there any further.
>
>In my experience (in the UK), UPS are about the best of a bad bunch.
Bad bunch - grin :)
>
>I work for a company that ships 1,000 parcels a day by UPS.
That's a lot of packages.
>
>I would guess that less than 1 a week arrives in a damaged state - call
>it 0.02%
>
>Couple that to online tracking and insurance, it's my carrier of choice
>for heavier items.
I'll say this - the online tracking is nice. They provide a nice list
of suspects for sites my package was tossed around at.
On Wed, 18 Oct 2006 01:23:00 GMT, "Leon"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"George Max" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>>>
>>
>> No, no hyperbole. You've only been in business 5 years. Just wait.
>>
>> The package with oil on it was a set of mesquite boards ordered
>> through Texas Kiln products. My first TIVO was sent in TIVOs own
>> colorful box. Dirty. Very very dirty. The last time (several years
>> later) a couple months ago, TIVO sent one in their colorful box, but
>> this time packed in the center of a larger brown box which took the
>> brunt of the UPS abuse. 3 times within the same number of months, I
>> ordered blank DVDs from supermedia.com. Crushed in each case. The
>> 2nd box was hurt so bad it broke the cakebox inside that the DVDs
>> actually sit in. the spindle the DVDs are on was broke about 1/2 way
>> up. Fortunately all the DVDs were ok.
>>
>> I could go on. Want to hear more?
>
>
>I worked in the Automotive industry for about 25 years and our company
>shipped probably 40 to 50 packages a day and received back order releases
>daily from UPS. No problems ever unless it was not properly packaged to
>start with.
>
IMO, yours and Mike's experience is the exception. My own and Mr.
Millers are more alike. And I think the rule. I have a coworker that
also shares my experience. UPS is the butt of a lot of humor at my
employer.
UPS is NOT a class organization. They get used because quite frankly,
many times there is no other choice. Not because anyone wants their
substandard service.
When I send packages somewhere, I *always* use the USPS. For foreign
and domestic.
On Tue, 17 Oct 2006 16:02:56 -0400, "Locutus"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"George Max" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>>
>> I cringe everytime a package is sent to me via UPS. Every single time
>> it looks like a gorilla threw it around his cage. One time UPS even
>> spilled what looked like used motor oil on it. Another time the box
>> looked like it was deliberately crushed. All boxes, even the
>> undamaged ones are very dirty. It's like they've got a rule that
>> everything goes through a dirt mister or is dragged several hundred
>> feet down a country road.
>>
>
>In the 5 years we have been in business we have had less than 10 packages
>reported damaged, and UPS paid for the damage in every case but one. I think
>you might be using a wee bit of hyperbole. :)
>
No, no hyperbole. You've only been in business 5 years. Just wait.
The package with oil on it was a set of mesquite boards ordered
through Texas Kiln products. My first TIVO was sent in TIVOs own
colorful box. Dirty. Very very dirty. The last time (several years
later) a couple months ago, TIVO sent one in their colorful box, but
this time packed in the center of a larger brown box which took the
brunt of the UPS abuse. 3 times within the same number of months, I
ordered blank DVDs from supermedia.com. Crushed in each case. The
2nd box was hurt so bad it broke the cakebox inside that the DVDs
actually sit in. the spindle the DVDs are on was broke about 1/2 way
up. Fortunately all the DVDs were ok.
I could go on. Want to hear more?
>>
>> The people that will send via USPS are more favored by me when I have
>> the choice.
>>
>
>There are probably very few companies within your favor, I know none of our
>competition ships USPS, and I can't recall any company I have ever purchased
>from other than a small mom & pop shop that offered USPS shipping. For the
>reasons I previously stated I would imagine.
>
Then there is no choice if I happen upon your company and the kind of
stuff it sells. But I'm on a hair trigger now to go ape on UPS. In
fact, I may decide I don't need the item at all.
Amazon for one, will send via USPS. Fedex is another option.
UPS is careless with the package entrusted to them. And apparently
doesn't make the slightest effort to improve their service. When I
hear that they're on strike, I love it. It means for me, for a while,
I may get something sent via a method that doesn't put what I've
ordered at risk.
UPS should go out of business.
On 18 Oct 2006 04:22:00 GMT, Puckdropper <[email protected]>
wrote:
>
>It would appear that UPS is not a CONSISTANT organization. We've had
>little trouble with them, in fact most things get to our location in 2-3
>days in good condition.
>
>My sister worked at a MailBoxes, Etc. store for almost a year, and said
>that the FedEx guy would be kicking and dragging the packages out to the
>truck while the UPS guy would handle them at least decently.
>
>Puckdropper
That particular employee needs some discipline. That's unacceptable.
How does he know that the contents of the package will survive such
abuse?
In article <[email protected]>, "Mike Marlow" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"George Max" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>
>>
>> The package with oil on it was a set of mesquite boards ordered
>> through Texas Kiln products. My first TIVO was sent in TIVOs own
>> colorful box. Dirty. Very very dirty. The last time (several years
>> later) a couple months ago, TIVO sent one in their colorful box, but
>> this time packed in the center of a larger brown box which took the
>> brunt of the UPS abuse. 3 times within the same number of months, I
>> ordered blank DVDs from supermedia.com. Crushed in each case. The
>> 2nd box was hurt so bad it broke the cakebox inside that the DVDs
>> actually sit in. the spindle the DVDs are on was broke about 1/2 way
>> up. Fortunately all the DVDs were ok.
>>
>> I could go on. Want to hear more?
>
>I have to say, you've had an experience. I've been receiving weekly (or
>greater) shipments from both UPS and Fed Exp for twenty years now and I've
>never even come close to what you describe. In fact in those twenty years,
>I cannot remember a damaged shipment.
I've received exactly one box delivered by the USPS that was so badly mangled
I feared for its contents. Ditto FedEx.
And I've lost count of the number of crushed boxes I've received from UPS.
>It's possible something way back when
>did arrive damaged, but it would have been so long ago that I really don't
>remember it. As far as dirty goes - never - absolutely never encountered
>that.
OTOH, I see that frequently with UPS, and *never* with any other carrier.
>>
>> UPS is careless with the package entrusted to them.
I'll vouch for that. On a couple of occasions, I've had to go to their local
facility to pick up a package -- and I've had the experience of seeing how
they treat the packages. To call their handling of packages "careless" would
be a compliment.
>>And apparently
>> doesn't make the slightest effort to improve their service. When I
>> hear that they're on strike, I love it. It means for me, for a while,
>> I may get something sent via a method that doesn't put what I've
>> ordered at risk.
>>
>> UPS should go out of business.
>
>Don't know what makes your experience so different from mine, but it sure
>is.
My experience with UPS is much closer to his than to yours. In my opinion,
*you* are the exception. :-)
--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.
On 22 Oct 2006 01:34:07 GMT, A Lurker <[email protected]> wrote:
>Mark & Juanita <[email protected]> wrote in
>news:[email protected]:
><snip>
>>
>> UPS actually works better for me; USPS is not the swooftest.
><snip>
>
>Just adding my 2 cents .... both USPS and UPS deliver to the doorstep
>(we're out in the country and rural delivery with USPS). Both are efficient
>pleasant and provide dog bones for the dogs. UPS "Parcel Princess" is
>really hot, but that's another story!
Same thing I've found. USPS leaves dog bones, and the regular UPS
driver leaves packages inside the garage next to the basement door.
Never had a damaged box with either of them. Maybe they're just more
careful in less populated areas where there's a decent chance they'll
have to actually deal with you if they mess up the packages. Post
office only has two mail carriers in my town, and they alternate on a
regular two-week cycle, so it wouldn't be tough to tell *exactly* who
did something stupid with the mail. I'm sure there's only one UPS
driver, but I'm usually not here when they deliver.
On Sat, 21 Oct 2006 02:27:36 -0000, "Bill" <[email protected]> wrote:
>I sent my son a much-needed computer. He lived in Minnesota, I shipped
>from Michigan.
>
>It went to Chicago AND RETURNED TO MICHIGAN 3 times. On the 4th trip to
>Chicago, some genius sent it on to Oregon. When it got to Oregon someone
>pulled out a map and actually sent it to Minneapolis (that's a city in
>Minnesota that UPS has trouble finding).
>
>When it got there it was crushed beyond belief ... utterly destroyed. The
>monitor had left here packed in peanuts in an inner box that was secured
>inside a larger box with roughly 4 inches of spray-in-place foam.
>
>UPS refused the honor the
>insurance they had sold me
>
> shipper can't seem to find Minneapolis and they renege on the
>insurance coverage they insisted I buy.
>
>They wouldn't even refund the premium.
>
>Bill
Nice touch
Locutus wrote:
> As the owner of a company that ships over 500 packages a month, I can tell
> you that USPS does not have the infrastructure required to handle any
> serious volume. We do not offer USPS to our customers for a couple of
> reasons, first, they do not offer any sort of tracking service, only
> delivering confirmation.
Shipping USPS makes it *MUCH* cheaper for us Canadians since they only
charge a flat $5 for brokerage.
UPS wants $23 for an import permit, $4.25 to collect the fees from you
if you don't have a brokerage account, and then a sliding scale of
brokerage fees depending on the value of the item you're importing.
(For a $40 item they want $19.45 in fees!)
And of course, all these fees are taxable.
When all you need is a $3 part, it's pretty gruesome to end up with a
$30 brokerage charge on top of the shipping cost.
Chris
George Max wrote:
> On Tue, 17 Oct 2006 14:00:04 -0400, "Locutus"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> "Bill" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>> One ounce could readily go via USPS for about 39 cents. Add an ounce for a
>>> bubble envelope and we are still under a dollar.
>>>
>>> UPS is not always the shipper of choice ... certainly not for items that
>>> can travel via First Class mail and frequently not for items that can go
>>> via prioprity mail.
>>>
>>> Apparently Delta is just dropping everything in a box and waiting for the
>>> brown truck to pull up outside. But the white truck with the red & blue
>>> stripes will ALSO make pickups and, in many cases, charge less than the
>>> brown truck.
>>>
>>> Just my two cents ... I don't think shippers give much thought to
>>> providing cheap shipping from the customers point of view because they
>>> know that, as long as the charge doesn't get TOO crazy, they can always
>>> recoup it from the customer.
>>>
>>> Bill
>>
>> As the owner of a company that ships over 500 packages a month, I can tell
>> you that USPS does not have the infrastructure required to handle any
>> serious volume. We do not offer USPS to our customers for a couple of
>> reasons, first, they do not offer any sort of tracking service, only
>> delivering confirmation. Second, USPS's technology in regards to
>> processing/handling shipments is *really( poor (entering the shipment,
>> printing labels, pickups, tracking). Basically, it's a big PIA to ship
>> anything via USPS, and the only thing it is really good for is for shipping
>> those small few dollar parts, and it's just not worth the time and effort
>> for such low margin items.
>>
>
>
> I cringe everytime a package is sent to me via UPS. Every single time
> it looks like a gorilla threw it around his cage. One time UPS even
> spilled what looked like used motor oil on it. Another time the box
> looked like it was deliberately crushed. All boxes, even the
> undamaged ones are very dirty. It's like they've got a rule that
> everything goes through a dirt mister or is dragged several hundred
> feet down a country road.
>
> It's more a testament to the quality of the box and manner in which
> the merchandise was packed that anything arrives undamaged. In the
> case of the above mentioned crushed box, the contents *were* damaged.
> The people that will send via USPS are more favored by me when I have
> the choice.
>
> UPS sucks.
You must have a VERY bad local depot.
In my experience (in the UK), UPS are about the best of a bad bunch.
I work for a company that ships 1,000 parcels a day by UPS.
I would guess that less than 1 a week arrives in a damaged state - call
it 0.02%
Couple that to online tracking and insurance, it's my carrier of choice
for heavier items.
--
BigEgg
Hack to size. Hammer to fit. Weld to join. Grind to shape. Paint to cover.
http://www.workshop-projects.com -
Plans and free books - *Now with forum*
George Max <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
*trimming and snipping*
>
> UPS is NOT a class organization. They get used because quite frankly,
> many times there is no other choice. Not because anyone wants their
> substandard service.
>
*snip*
It would appear that UPS is not a CONSISTANT organization. We've had
little trouble with them, in fact most things get to our location in 2-3
days in good condition.
My sister worked at a MailBoxes, Etc. store for almost a year, and said
that the FedEx guy would be kicking and dragging the packages out to the
truck while the UPS guy would handle them at least decently.
Puckdropper
--
Wise is the man who attempts to answer his question before asking it.
To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm
Doug Miller wrote:
>
>
> I've received exactly one box delivered by the USPS that was so badly mangled
> I feared for its contents. Ditto FedEx.
>
> And I've lost count of the number of crushed boxes I've received from UPS.
>
>
Well, you have to expect that when their ships are so tight* to begin
with...
rm
*reference to their advertising campaign.
On Tue, 17 Oct 2006 14:00:04 -0400, "Locutus"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"Bill" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> One ounce could readily go via USPS for about 39 cents. Add an ounce for a
>> bubble envelope and we are still under a dollar.
>>
>> UPS is not always the shipper of choice ... certainly not for items that
>> can travel via First Class mail and frequently not for items that can go
>> via prioprity mail.
>>
>> Apparently Delta is just dropping everything in a box and waiting for the
>> brown truck to pull up outside. But the white truck with the red & blue
>> stripes will ALSO make pickups and, in many cases, charge less than the
>> brown truck.
>>
>> Just my two cents ... I don't think shippers give much thought to
>> providing cheap shipping from the customers point of view because they
>> know that, as long as the charge doesn't get TOO crazy, they can always
>> recoup it from the customer.
>>
>> Bill
>
>
>As the owner of a company that ships over 500 packages a month, I can tell
>you that USPS does not have the infrastructure required to handle any
>serious volume. We do not offer USPS to our customers for a couple of
>reasons, first, they do not offer any sort of tracking service, only
>delivering confirmation. Second, USPS's technology in regards to
>processing/handling shipments is *really( poor (entering the shipment,
>printing labels, pickups, tracking). Basically, it's a big PIA to ship
>anything via USPS, and the only thing it is really good for is for shipping
>those small few dollar parts, and it's just not worth the time and effort
>for such low margin items.
>
I cringe everytime a package is sent to me via UPS. Every single time
it looks like a gorilla threw it around his cage. One time UPS even
spilled what looked like used motor oil on it. Another time the box
looked like it was deliberately crushed. All boxes, even the
undamaged ones are very dirty. It's like they've got a rule that
everything goes through a dirt mister or is dragged several hundred
feet down a country road.
It's more a testament to the quality of the box and manner in which
the merchandise was packed that anything arrives undamaged. In the
case of the above mentioned crushed box, the contents *were* damaged.
The people that will send via USPS are more favored by me when I have
the choice.
UPS sucks.
"George Max" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>>
>
> IMO, yours and Mike's experience is the exception. My own and Mr.
> Millers are more alike. And I think the rule. I have a coworker that
> also shares my experience. UPS is the butt of a lot of humor at my
> employer.
No, I think mine is the rule as USP is a growing company. If you experience
was the rule they would have been out of business years ago. I have heard
of complaints about UPS since the early 70's but have really never seen a
reason for the complaints. Ther is always going to be a problem some where
in a company that is this big.
>
> UPS is NOT a class organization. They get used because quite frankly,
> many times there is no other choice. Not because anyone wants their
> substandard service.
Not the case in Houston. Ther are plenty of alternatives.
"George Max" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>>
>
> No, no hyperbole. You've only been in business 5 years. Just wait.
>
> The package with oil on it was a set of mesquite boards ordered
> through Texas Kiln products. My first TIVO was sent in TIVOs own
> colorful box. Dirty. Very very dirty. The last time (several years
> later) a couple months ago, TIVO sent one in their colorful box, but
> this time packed in the center of a larger brown box which took the
> brunt of the UPS abuse. 3 times within the same number of months, I
> ordered blank DVDs from supermedia.com. Crushed in each case. The
> 2nd box was hurt so bad it broke the cakebox inside that the DVDs
> actually sit in. the spindle the DVDs are on was broke about 1/2 way
> up. Fortunately all the DVDs were ok.
>
> I could go on. Want to hear more?
I worked in the Automotive industry for about 25 years and our company
shipped probably 40 to 50 packages a day and received back order releases
daily from UPS. No problems ever unless it was not properly packaged to
start with.
Mark & Juanita <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
<snip>
>
> UPS actually works better for me; USPS is not the swooftest.
<snip>
Just adding my 2 cents .... both USPS and UPS deliver to the doorstep
(we're out in the country and rural delivery with USPS). Both are efficient
pleasant and provide dog bones for the dogs. UPS "Parcel Princess" is
really hot, but that's another story!
My gripe is with FedEx Ground. We have a FedEx Priority distribution center
in the next town, but FedEx Ground is shipped though two terminals in the
next state 50 and 100 miles away many times with contract drivers in
private vehicles and days later from tracking estimates.
I request all shipping UPS or USPS. FedEx was good when I was in corporate
America with a big budget, but sucks for the residential customer.
Brian Elfert <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> A Lurker <[email protected]> writes:
>
>>My gripe is with FedEx Ground. We have a FedEx Priority distribution
>>center in the next town, but FedEx Ground is shipped though two
>>terminals in the next state 50 and 100 miles away many times with
>>contract drivers in private vehicles and days later from tracking
>>estimates.
>
> FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, and FedEx Freight are all seperate
> companies owned by FedEx.
>
> They all operate completely seperately which seems silly. You would
> think they could have huge economies of scale by combining some of the
> operations, particularly FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight.
>
> FedEx just bought Watkins Freight and renamed them FedEx LTL. Why
> they didn't combine them into FedEx Freight is just silly. Around
> here, the FedEx Freight terminal and the FedEx LTL terminals are
> blocks apart.
>
> Brian Elfert
>
Marketing and systems are probably the biggest opportunities for synergies
in the business. Operations will move together as makes sense, just not
too quickly. There are niches in every business.
Patriarch
On Tue, 17 Oct 2006 23:14:27 GMT, [email protected] (Scott Lurndal)
wrote:
>George Max <[email protected]> writes:
>
>>
>>I cringe everytime a package is sent to me via UPS. Every single time
>>it looks like a gorilla threw it around his cage. One time UPS even
>>spilled what looked like used motor oil on it. Another time the box
>>looked like it was deliberately crushed. All boxes, even the
>>undamaged ones are very dirty. It's like they've got a rule that
>>everything goes through a dirt mister or is dragged several hundred
>>feet down a country road.
>
>They must not like you, particularly. I've been getting packages from
>UPS for over a quarter of a century, often daily; and have had maybe
>two packages with damage. YMMV.
>
>scott
Yep, I must be on a list.
I met one great UPS employee once. I had been tracking my mesquite
lumber and saw that it had made it as far as the depot near my house.
Later that same day, I saw a note on my shipment that it was being
returned (!) I called and no one could say what happened. Later that
evening, the UPS driver shows up anyway with it. Of his own
initiative, he recognized that it was rough lumber, and would I care
to look at it and see if it was any good. Bravo for him. Boo hiss
for the idiots at UPS.
I took the lumber, oil and all, knowing I'd plane it off whatever hit
the wood anyway.
Now you know the rest of the story.
"George Max" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> The package with oil on it was a set of mesquite boards ordered
> through Texas Kiln products. My first TIVO was sent in TIVOs own
> colorful box. Dirty. Very very dirty. The last time (several years
> later) a couple months ago, TIVO sent one in their colorful box, but
> this time packed in the center of a larger brown box which took the
> brunt of the UPS abuse. 3 times within the same number of months, I
> ordered blank DVDs from supermedia.com. Crushed in each case. The
> 2nd box was hurt so bad it broke the cakebox inside that the DVDs
> actually sit in. the spindle the DVDs are on was broke about 1/2 way
> up. Fortunately all the DVDs were ok.
>
> I could go on. Want to hear more?
I have to say, you've had an experience. I've been receiving weekly (or
greater) shipments from both UPS and Fed Exp for twenty years now and I've
never even come close to what you describe. In fact in those twenty years,
I cannot remember a damaged shipment. It's possible something way back when
did arrive damaged, but it would have been so long ago that I really don't
remember it. As far as dirty goes - never - absolutely never encountered
that.
>
> UPS is careless with the package entrusted to them. And apparently
> doesn't make the slightest effort to improve their service. When I
> hear that they're on strike, I love it. It means for me, for a while,
> I may get something sent via a method that doesn't put what I've
> ordered at risk.
>
> UPS should go out of business.
Don't know what makes your experience so different from mine, but it sure
is.
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
In article <[email protected]>,
Locutus <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>As the owner of a company that ships over 500 packages a month, I can tell
>you that USPS does not have the infrastructure required to handle any
>serious volume. We do not offer USPS to our customers for a couple of
>reasons, first, they do not offer any sort of tracking service, only
>delivering confirmation. Second, USPS's technology in regards to
>processing/handling shipments is *really( poor (entering the shipment,
>printing labels, pickups, tracking). Basically, it's a big PIA to ship
>anything via USPS, and the only thing it is really good for is for shipping
>those small few dollar parts, and it's just not worth the time and effort
>for such low margin items.
>
>
In the last 2 years, the USPS had about 1/2 billion worth of business
from ebay sales alone. They may not be the first choice for the size
and weight of whatever it is you are shipping, but for certain
size/weight ranges they are far less expensive than UPS.
[disclaimer: I've worked for th Postal Service for the last 24 years]
--
No dumb questions, just dumb answers.
Larry Wasserman - Baltimore, Maryland - [email protected]
"Locutus" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> In article <[email protected]>,
>> Locutus <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>As the owner of a company that ships over 500 packages a month, I can
>>>tell
>>>you that USPS does not have the infrastructure required to handle any
>>>serious volume. We do not offer USPS to our customers for a couple of
>>>reasons, first, they do not offer any sort of tracking service, only
>>>delivering confirmation. Second, USPS's technology in regards to
>>>processing/handling shipments is *really( poor (entering the shipment,
>>>printing labels, pickups, tracking). Basically, it's a big PIA to ship
>>>anything via USPS, and the only thing it is really good for is for
>>>shipping
>>>those small few dollar parts, and it's just not worth the time and effort
>>>for such low margin items.
>>>
>>>
>> In the last 2 years, the USPS had about 1/2 billion worth of business
>> from ebay sales alone. They may not be the first choice for the size
>> and weight of whatever it is you are shipping, but for certain
>> size/weight ranges they are far less expensive than UPS.
>>
>> [disclaimer: I've worked for th Postal Service for the last 24 years]
>>
>> --
>
> They certainly are cheaper, I never said they were not. I can see why a
> lot of eBay sellers would us USPS. But for higher volumes, the process is
> too cumbersome to be efficient.
Personally I don't like to recieve items via USPS, especially small ones.
I've never had UPS wrap anything up in the junk mail.
"Bill" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> One ounce could readily go via USPS for about 39 cents. Add an ounce for a
> bubble envelope and we are still under a dollar.
>
> UPS is not always the shipper of choice ... certainly not for items that
> can travel via First Class mail and frequently not for items that can go
> via prioprity mail.
>
> Apparently Delta is just dropping everything in a box and waiting for the
> brown truck to pull up outside. But the white truck with the red & blue
> stripes will ALSO make pickups and, in many cases, charge less than the
> brown truck.
>
> Just my two cents ... I don't think shippers give much thought to
> providing cheap shipping from the customers point of view because they
> know that, as long as the charge doesn't get TOO crazy, they can always
> recoup it from the customer.
Something you may not be aware of is that UPS and FedEx both offer services
where they actually maintain the parts inventory at one of _their_
warehouses and deliver from that stock.
If Delta is doing enough volume on parts they might be using one of those
services. If they are it pretty well rules out using USPS.
On Wed, 18 Oct 2006 12:32:36 GMT, "Leon"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"George Max" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>>>
>>
>> IMO, yours and Mike's experience is the exception. My own and Mr.
>> Millers are more alike. And I think the rule. I have a coworker that
>> also shares my experience. UPS is the butt of a lot of humor at my
>> employer.
>
>No, I think mine is the rule as USP is a growing company. If you experience
>was the rule they would have been out of business years ago. I have heard
>of complaints about UPS since the early 70's but have really never seen a
>reason for the complaints. Ther is always going to be a problem some where
>in a company that is this big.
>
>>
>> UPS is NOT a class organization. They get used because quite frankly,
>> many times there is no other choice. Not because anyone wants their
>> substandard service.
>
>Not the case in Houston. Ther are plenty of alternatives.
>
The alternatives I speak of are on checkout at many online shopping
sources.
I like shopping on the internet. It saves the hassle of actually
going to a brick and mortar with all the attendant traffic problems.
Not to mention driving a goodly distance and using expensive gas to
get there. Only to find they don't have the item I'm looking for.
But shipping. It's like Russian roulette. The merchandise will
probably be o.k., but the packaging sure shows signs of abuse. It's
like the shipper (usually UPS) isn't too concerned that the contents
survive the journey, only that the package arrives at it's destination
somewhat intact.
On Wed, 18 Oct 2006 19:00:18 -0000, Brian Elfert <[email protected]>
wrote:
>George Max <[email protected]> writes:
>
>>I cringe everytime a package is sent to me via UPS. Every single time
>>it looks like a gorilla threw it around his cage. One time UPS even
>>spilled what looked like used motor oil on it. Another time the box
>>looked like it was deliberately crushed. All boxes, even the
>>undamaged ones are very dirty. It's like they've got a rule that
>>everything goes through a dirt mister or is dragged several hundred
>>feet down a country road.
>
>I have received about 50 shipments by UPS this summer for a project and I
>don't recall any being crushed or unreasonably dirty. The vast majority
>were just as clean and new as they where when the shipper handed them off
>to UPS.
>
>Brian Elfert
I'm please to hear that. Really. Maybe my local distribution center
(if that's the problem) will clean up it's act. I doubt it though.
Until then, I pick other shipping methods when possible.
George Max <[email protected]> writes:
>
>I cringe everytime a package is sent to me via UPS. Every single time
>it looks like a gorilla threw it around his cage. One time UPS even
>spilled what looked like used motor oil on it. Another time the box
>looked like it was deliberately crushed. All boxes, even the
>undamaged ones are very dirty. It's like they've got a rule that
>everything goes through a dirt mister or is dragged several hundred
>feet down a country road.
They must not like you, particularly. I've been getting packages from
UPS for over a quarter of a century, often daily; and have had maybe
two packages with damage. YMMV.
scott
On Sat, 21 Oct 2006 02:27:36 -0000, "Bill" <[email protected]> wrote:
>On Tue, 17 Oct 2006 16:02:56 -0400, Locutus wrote:
>
>> "George Max" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>>
>>> I cringe everytime a package is sent to me via UPS. Every single time
>>> it looks like a gorilla threw it around his cage. One time UPS even
>>> spilled what looked like used motor oil on it. Another time the box
>>> looked like it was deliberately crushed. All boxes, even the
>>> undamaged ones are very dirty. It's like they've got a rule that
>>> everything goes through a dirt mister or is dragged several hundred
>>> feet down a country road.
>>>
>>
>> In the 5 years we have been in business we have had less than 10 packages
>> reported damaged, and UPS paid for the damage in every case but one. I think
>> you might be using a wee bit of hyperbole. :)
>>
>>>
>>> The people that will send via USPS are more favored by me when I have
>>> the choice.
>>>
>>
>> There are probably very few companies within your favor, I know none of our
>> competition ships USPS, and I can't recall any company I have ever purchased
>> from other than a small mom & pop shop that offered USPS shipping. For the
>> reasons I previously stated I would imagine.
>
Just got a package from Overstock.com -- they shipped via USPS. Also got
my Daytimer via internet; it also shipped USPS. Most stuff does ship UPS,
but quite a bit still is shipped by even big-name places through USPS.
UPS actually works better for me; USPS is not the swooftest. We have a
cluster box; packages are placed in special boxes and the key left in the
regular box. What the postal person doesn't seem to understand is that on
the side where they load the mail, the whole back opens and the full width
of a box is available. However, on the customer side, there is a flange
that constitutes the door frame. I can't remember how many times I have
gotten packages that just fit on the mailman's side, implying that I have
to disassemble the package inside the mailbox in order to get the contents
out of the receptacle. UPS just leaves the stuff on my doorstep.
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
If you're gonna be dumb, you better be tough
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
"A Lurker" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> . FedEx was good when I was in corporate
> America with a big budget, but sucks for the residential customer.
FedEx is pretty reliable though. I love it when people spend extra for an
overnight shipment to a person that is away on vacation for the next two
weeks. We have a customer that pays for the previous shipment when he
wants another. Instead of mailing a check for 39¢ early in the week, he
overnights at the last minute for $12. I wonder why he does not have the
cash to pay his bills.
"Teamcasa" <[email protected]> writes:
> Personally, I'd rather have a package shipped to me via UPS as the driver
> actually puts the package on the porch or it he thinks its a tool, he'll put
> it around back by the shop, away from prying eyes.
> The mailman just drops it over the wall, rain or shine, sprinklers or not,
> he just drops it over the wall.
While our normal UPS driver knows where we like packages, we had one
substitute driver leave one by the side of the road. In a snowbank.
0.3 miles from the house.
Our mailman brings packages to the door if they won't fit in the box
(we have an oversized box, too).
So, I think it depends on the individual drivers, not the company they
work for.