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UPS strikes again

Just to issue a warning to anyone shipping UPS this Christmas season. I had a piece of audio gear (an integrated amp)that I thought I would ship UPS to my Dad in Ohio to help build him a little system while I was visiting for the hollidays. I took the package to UPS in Austin TX and paid $27.00 dollars ABOVE the normal shipping to have it sent (they said garunteed) in two days. Well, what do you know it snowed in Ohio, and to make a long story short I am visiting my Dad with no amp.

Having called UPS they still can't say when the package will be delivered, and they WILL NOT refund any shipping charges. I can understand there are things outside of everyones control happening here, and I know that in the grand sceme of things this is a small problem. My gripe is that I paid for sevices that were not rendered....... I am willing to pay the regular UPS shipping, but it seems like they should be reembursing people who paid for special service that wasn't fulfilled.

Although no small print was offered at the time of purchase, I guess I should of known.

Merry Christmas (Really)

Chris
cmo
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Art, you can get rates better than The UPS Store by creating your UPS shipment online and scheduling a pick-up. The pick-up costs a tad more, but it's still substantially less than going through the UPS Store. Also, you can create your UPS shipment online, pay for it online and print a shipping label...all at the standard UPS rates, and then just drop the package off at The UPS Store.
artmaltman
769 posts
 
Thanks Tvad, this sounds like a great approach. As you would surmise, the manager of the store did not suggest this option!
Art
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,132 posts
 
"Also, you can create your UPS shipment online, pay for it online and print a shipping label...all at the standard UPS rates, and then just drop the package off at The UPS Store."

You can do the same thing w/Fedex Ground on the net (if you have a Fedex "ground enabled" account" and drop it off at any Kinkos. Fedex Ground about 25% cheaper than UPS and sometimes a day faster. Be careful, though, they tried to charge me for weekly pick-up. Cheerfuly credited my account, but I never asked for pick-up and never used it.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Swampwalker, you are correct. Sadly, I created a Fedex account, and
tried on several occasions to create shipments which were never
successfully completed...some software glitch between the Fedex system
and mine. I've never had a problem with the UPS online experience, so I
continue to use "Brown", although I'd welcome the
opportunity to use Fedex and save some money. All in all, my
experiences as a shipper with Fedex...both online and brick and mortar
have been unpleasant.
kray's avatar
kray
63 posts
 
tvad, i agree, my dealing with fedex have been unpleasant as well. i can't stand fedex for different reasons. i will gladly pay a couple bucks more for UPS.

also what i usually do is print out the label at home, and i just give it to a UPS driver. if you're in a major city Brown trucks are everywhere. if for some reason i can't give it to one, i just drop it off at one of the stores.

one thing about the stores. they always try to make extra money off you. they shake it, to see if they can add filler, or tell me "we won't ship in that box cause it says it's a denon 2200 dvd player", what a crock! i asked why and they said cause someone could steal it knowing what's inside, how do you know that's what's inside? anyway.....
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