Original Packaging, you gotta have it.

Well Kevziek, I'm not defending anybody's job to do it in a substandard manner. I'm stating facts. As to underworked & overpaid, would you do that job for $8.00 an hour? Out in the elements? Don't deserve the job they have? Maybe it's the only one they could get. I would never defend anybody's kicking, dropping, crushing or otherwise damaging your or my packages, or anybody else's. I'm stating what I know goes on and advising those who care to read the post what goes on and hopefully how to avoid damages.

BTW, UPS is no worse than any other freight handling company. They just handle more packages and (unfortunately) damage proportionally more. It's a crap shoot as to what condition an item will arrive in, but you stand a better chance from the outset if you pack it yourself following some of the proven methods. As for receiving items, when I buy from an individual I always express my concern about shipping & find out how the seller ships. I'll make suggestions if I feel they need to be made & have been very LUCKY so far.

Lastly, I'm sorry to hear you're having so much trouble with UPS. No, I'm not affiliated with them in any way & can offer no suggestions as how to effectively deal with your situation. Maybe somebody else can shed some light on this.

The only comment I have concerning UPS pay scale may be drawn from my delivery person. He had to wait for me to write a check one day and we got into one of our many discussions.

He was excited to get off this particular day because he was going to pick up the brand new Corvette he had special ordered.

I ask if he had rich parents or had won the Texas Lotto, and he said "No, they pay me pretty damn well."

I guess he could be lying, living in a cardboard box at the side of the road, or not eating, but knowing him as long as I have, I believe him and also believe he is doing that well.

The dock hands and OTR / Delivery drivers are paid on VERY different wage scales. The guys "beating" the packages are typically part time employees ( UPS does this to get around paying full scale benefits ). These are people that couldn't care any less about their job, personal pride and / or your package. Sean
>

I want to clarify something. Drivers and dock workers are paid different rates. I was referring to dock workers at $8.00 an hour. That's at the low end of the scale but does not go much beyond $12.00 an hour. The last time I checked, UPS's top driver wage was just above $22.00 an hour. I'm sure I'm in the ballpark with that.

Also there is a question of attitude. We've all had dealings at both ends of the scale. A low paid employee in a dead end job that gives you 110% and you're amazed at the quality of service. Then there's the supposed professional at $55.00 or $80.00 or more an hour that is an arrogant anal retentive incompetent and inefficient worker that thinks the world revolves around them. Of course, reverse these two positions and you see what I'm getting at.

As for the package, it just depends on who handles it. Like I said, it's a crap shoot. That's just the way it is.