Another Reason to Hate United Parcel Service

[bob p]

Some of you may know that I'm working on converting the Beauville over to disc brakes. Its been a lot of fun, until now...

I ordered a pair of Heidt's 2" Drop Spindles from Mike @ Heidts. Because I'm pretty close to their shop, Mike was able to get me overnight delivery using UPS Ground service.

Everything was going according to plan to get the disc conversion done this weekend: The Delco driver was scheduled to deliver all of my brake parts Friday afternoon, right about the same time that the UPS was supposed to deliver the Heidt spindles.

Because I needed to sign for the parts from the Delco store, I was sitting in my kitchen waiting for the divers to arrive. I checked for the UPS delivery. Its wasn't here yet, so I poured a cup of coffee and kept one eye looking out of the kitchen window for the delivery trucks.

I saw the Delco driver pull up, so I went outside and helped him check in my parts. As we were unloading my rotors, calipers, bearings, etc., he asked me what happened to that box from Heidt's.

"The box from Heidt's? You mean its here?"

He told me to turn around. This is what I found:

[bob p]

UPS, YOU SUCK.

The UPS driver knew that the box of parts was damaged. Instead of delivering the package and ringing the doorbell like they normally do, this driver snuck up onto my porch, dropped of a damaged box of parts and ran off like a thief in the night. He didn't even bother to ring the bell and ask me if I wanted to file a damage report.

The bad news is that some of the parts that were supposed to be in the box weren't there.

I called Mike at Heidt's, and they're helping me. Unfortunately, this means that I won't get to perform the conversion this weekend as I had planned. :(

I'm so unhappy that I just need to say it one more time:

UPS, YOU SUCK.

[BigBoyzToyz]

Are you complaining because the spindle is sticking out on one end? So what, it's cast iron. Additionally that's the shippers fault for not packing it securely. Any time you pack steel/cast iron you had better pad it securely to keep it from moving inside otherwise heavy items will blow the side off a cardboard box.

[D.S.]

Are you complaining because the spindle is sticking out on one end? So what, it's cast iron. Additionally that's the shippers fault for not packing it securely. Any time you pack steel/cast iron you had better pad it securely to keep it from moving inside otherwise heavy items will blow the side off a cardboard box.


No he's complaining because of this...

The bad news is that some of the parts that were supposed to be in the box weren't there.


Heavy parts like that should have been double boxed...

[BigBoyzToyz]

Yes, I saw that posted after I posted. It's Heidt's fault, they didin't pack that properly. Nothing inside that box should have been loose. Everything should have been packed in it's own seperate box, tightly to prevent movement.

[bob p]

In fairness to BBT, I think I posted my second post while he was typing his post, so he might not have seen it.

Yes, Heidt's could have done a better job at boxing the parts. The parts had plenty of opportunity to slide around in the box, and there should have been enough packing material in the box to immobilize the parts, so that the spindles wouldn't blow through the corners when UPS dropped the parts off of a conveyor belt.

I've dealt with UPS before. Their standard response in a situation like this one is to deny payment of the claim based on the argument that the parts weren't packaged to UPS standards, which require immobilization and 4" of padding material in every direction. You're right about this -- I think that double boxing would have made all the difference,

What bothers me most isn't the marginal packing, or the fact that the heavy parts blew out the corner of the box when the box got dropped -- what bothers me is that UPS is so haphazard and careless about how they handle their packages. The guy delivered a box that he knew was damaged -- it had parts hanging out of it! And instead of doing the right thing and ringing the doorbell to ask if I wanted to file a damage report, he just dropped of the package and ran away. How irresponsible. And unethical.

Looking at this from the perspective of Murphy's Law, if things can go wrong then they definitely will. When I was planning the brake conversion project I had extreme reservations about buying heavy mail order parts because I was afraid that something like this might happen. I sure am glad that I ordered only the spindles via mail-order. If UPS could do something like this with a fairly light weight package that had to travel less than 100 miles, I shudder to think about how things could have gone if I had ordered 200 lb of brake parts from an eBay seller in California like mgchevyparts, and UPS got to abuse them across 2000 miles while passing the boxes through several distribution centers. It could have been a real disaster trying to figure out who should be responsible for fixing the problem.

Right now I'm really glad that I spent more and bought all of my other parts locally instead of just buying the cheapest kit.

[BigBoyzToyz]

I know how frustrating it is to be anticipating some new "toys" only to have this happen. Kind of like being a kid again at Christmas, waiting to open your presents.:happy0030:
I would think Heidt's ships enough heavy stuff to know better. I blame it on the min wage clowns these guys hire today. If you remember, when we were young (younger) we were taught to do a job right, didn't matter how much I got paid, with pride. The young folks today are totally irresponsible and really couldn't give a rats behind. Made in the USA and packed by morons.

[gconnsr]

The bad part is all of these delivery companies are the same, I've had problems with damaged parts from all of them. It seems like they just don't care.

[carls 56]

sorry bob that happaned. :hmmmm: i think both companies are to blame. you pay for both doing a bad job. :(

[belairdave]

sorry bob that happaned. :hmmmm: i think both companies are to blame. you pay for both doing a bad job. :(

Carl, You hit that nail right on the head....

[tjsdelivery]

My disc brake kit from mgchevy in CA to MN via UPS made it unscathed. Packed well in individual boxes within a box. It's a vendors issue.

[ProjX57]

sorry bob that happaned. :hmmmm: i think both companies are to blame. you pay for both doing a bad job. :(


:dito:

Exactly.................:banghead:

[r66ss]

bob

not all drivers are like that , Ours is excellent , even on damaged boxes. This driver your telling us about DOESNT REALLY CARE ABOUT HIS JOB :sad0049:
These people are paid GOOD MONEY :)

[anderssonbros]

What a bummer... :mad:
Knock on wood, but I have had no problems with UPS ....so far.... :eek:

[bob p]

My disc brake kit from mgchevy in CA to MN via UPS made it unscathed. Packed well in individual boxes within a box. It's a vendors issue.

Glad to hear it. I'm still thinking about buying a rear disc conversion kit, so I thought I'd ask -- what brand of components came in your kit from mgchevy? Were they name-brrand components or no-names?

[gconnsr]

I ordered an air compressor pump that was packaged good as far as moving around in the box and had all the stamping ( do not drop, this side up, fragile) but the tape job was weak because of how heavy the pump was, anyway, the box got dropped somewhere along the line and the top came open so they stuck the box in a new box with no markings. The box looked like it was in World war 3 or something by the time I received it. Same story about leaving it at the door, called and threw a fit insisting they use a different shipping company and the same thing happened again. First on was Fed-Ex, second was UPS. Can't win. My son worked for DHL and I've heard the storys about the guys that unload the planes. They like to play catch with the boxes, it's fun time for them.

[wraplock]

I own a mail order business and am no fan of UPS. BUT that said, they clearly spell out the packaging requirements for shipments bases upon the weight of the contents in their user guide. I used to ship a 90 lbs carton in a 275 test corrugated carton. I had a damage claim for $500 that they refused to pay. When I was directed to the guide I found that the 90 lb contents needed to be packed in a 350 lb. test carton. If you do not follow the guidelines to the letter they will not accept a claim for damage by either the shipper or the recipient. I no longer ship anything weighing over 60 lbs with UPS. If the shipper doesn't add insurance your package is only cover for $100.00. Lots of companies wont insure the package to save on shipping costs. If you ship several hundred pkgs a week you can cover all your damage claims out of pocket and still save money. So be sure to ask the vendor to insure your package, in all cases the title to the property conveys to the customer the minute it hits the UPS truck. That means it's yours good or bad at your door. A good company will handle the claim for you but know that they don't have to.

Also in rural areas UPS is not required to obtain a signature for delivery. They can leave it on the property say near the garage door or front porch.

You can track your inbound packages i(f you have a tracking number) at WWW.UPS.Com
instead of sitting home watching for the big brown truck.

And lastly as far as shipping cost, a little known fact is that different companies have different rate charts based upon their volume. One company may pay less for the same package weight to the same destination zip code than another user.

Don

[bob p]

...If you ship several hundred pkgs a week you can cover all your damage claims out of pocket and still save money. So be sure to ask the vendor to insure your package, in all cases the title to the property conveys to the customer the minute it hits the UPS truck. That means it's yours good or bad at your door. A good company will handle the claim for you but know that they don't have to.
Don, I think that some companies make a conscious decision to save money by packing cheaply, and taking their chances on having it bite them. If they ship enough volume, they know just what it takes to get away unscathed most of the time, so they do nothing more than the bare minimum and pay a claim out of pocket when the need arises.

This approach is good for them because it saves them money. It completely ignores the fact that your time gets wasted while they pinch pennies. It really irks me when I pay a merchant an extra fee to insure a package for $400 instead of $100, and instead of buying the insurance they just pocket the difference and hope that the package arrives undamaged. I;ve had cases where I paid for extra insurance, didn't get it, and the merchant quietly pocketed the extra money. Then they had to pay the claim out of pocket. I always prefer to buy locally if I can, even if it costs more, just because I value my time.

[wraplock]

"It really irks me when I pay a merchant an extra fee to insure a package for $400 instead of $100, and instead of buying the insurance they just pocket the difference and hope that the package arrives undamaged. I;ve had cases where I paid for extra insurance, didn't get it, and the merchant quietly pocketed the extra money. Then they had to pay the claim out of pocket. I always prefer to buy locally if I can, even if it costs more, just because I value my time.[/QUOTE]

Well in the shipping business we call this "self insured". If I choose to add for insurance but not "buy" it from UPS and your merchandise arrives damaged, I or rather my business is on the hook for the damage claim beyond the $100.. As a consumer, and I often am, I personally prefer to deal directly with my vendor as UPS couldn't care less about my relationship with my customers or Vendor. Often times I can replace a shipment faster than UPS can get a claims adjuster out, with less headache to my customer. And If I packed it there won't be any question as to wether or not I'm gonna cover it or if the box or packing were appropriate to the weight or bulk of the contents.

Don

[bigdave R.I.P.]

I worked for ups 23 years ago while in college. I loaded the semis at night. They have a minimum amount of packages you have to pack an hour . Back then it was 700 per hour. I was up to 2000 an hour while checking every zip code and city on each package. You build walls out of the packages/boxes to keep them from moving in transit. If the truck wasn't full when it had to leave things could shift. heavy boxes were set in the lower section for balance. I remember boxes broken open from the conveyors and picking up pieces and trying to get them back together. stuff happens. usuaully it's the packaging that fails.
That being said I don't know what has changed. Drivers aren't required to get a signature if the value is at a certain point. Drivers are under more pressure to deliver and pick up packages in their route in a certain time frame.
I know getting to know the drivers helps. Mine realised I was working on a car with all the deliveries he made and was always willing to do more when we talked a bit. Putting a face to a name or address does make a difference:)

[gconnsr]

I actually asked all of the drivers to leave all packages at the door. I don't fault the end delivery guy for damage, I figure it probably happed before him and he's just the poor guy that has to deliver it. It still burns me up when I get a damaged package and it happens way to often, I really have to question the quality control of the shipping companies. They need to do some cracking down on this stuff. From what I can see it's all of them, not just one.

[Corvette]

I had to pick upa package one day at the airport (live lobsters) and had to go to a dilvery bay. While i watch 2 UPS drivers filled there trucks with parcels. one carried the boxes back and forth the othere climbed in to the shipping container and threw every single box from the container into the back of his truck (well at least the ones that made it anyway) They were all packaged pretty well but did have brakeable or fragile on them. I'm not sure how you package somthing right for that kind of shipping Spray foam?

[gconnsr]

I had to pick upa package one day at the airport (live lobsters) and had to go to a delivery bay. While i watch 2 UPS drivers filled there trucks with parcels. one carried the boxes back and forth the other climbed in to the shipping container and threw every single box from the container into the back of his truck (well at least the ones that made it anyway) They were all packaged pretty well but did have breakable or fragile on them. I'm not sure how you package something right for that kind of shipping Spray foam?

My son told me the same thing basically about unloading the planes when he worked for DHL, (small airport here) it would be so easy for them to crack down on this stuff I can't understand why it keeps happening. It seems to be an acceptable way of doing things to the shipping companies, because this was an every day thing out here.

[gregs55150]

A short time ago I was a temporary tractor trailer driver for UPS and I can tell you that in the couple of monthes I worked there they really lean on those parcel delivery drivers.They expect the drivers to go at warp speed and use up all of their break and lunch times when their delivery truck breaks down.Thats why those guys dont worry about each thing they deliver.I wasnt pushed like that myself but I did have times to stay within when I drop/hooked trailers and made the runs between the distribution centers.Not all of the drivers are that way but some of them are.My friend used the USPS to ship a '66 Impala center console which was absolutly in the mintest condition I have ever seen.He packed it up himself and wasnt packed to me very well because it was loose in the box.This console was completly destroyed during shipping and I dont think there are repops out there yet.He fought with them for a few monthes before they paid up.Just my .02c
GREG

[mrferrisjr]

I guess there are stories about all. The worst one I ever had was with DHL. Ordered a motorcycle helmet. When the truck arrived, I was coming home and just passing my house when he walks up to the steps and tosses it up on the porch. Old house. Four feet up off of the ground and about 12 feet from the steps to the door. I guess he didn't want to climb the steps and it was easier to just throw it up there. He was very accurate to be tossing a square box. It tumbled all the way to the front door. It was a helmet and there was no damage, but it pi**ed me off the way he handled it.:mad:

[wrenchbend1]

Bob,
I cant begin to convey my feelings on being in this exact situation, however there are elements that quite possibly you may have overlooked. You can contact the 800 number and deal with the automated system till you get a person to assist you with a claim. Shippers that have enough complaints start to get the idea that adequate packaging is paramount and part of the actual sale (this is what is called HANDLING).
now for the Shipping portion. I work for FEDEX going on 21 years now and i can easily see the following:
1. Never assume the driver is the one who loaded his truck. Some drivers dont even load thier trucks they get a load of packages and told what area to deliver and make sure they get the priority stuff on time or it reflects on thier yearly reviews.
2. remember that the damaged package could have been damaged as early as pick up from the origin. The system of belts ,planes,loaders, cans,and right down to the driver who delivered the package, could have damaged the package. No one knows your pain more than you and your intentions once you got those parts in your hands.
there is a way to combat this as an orginization, but it needs orginization as a club and negotiations. mabe we can get it going in the future:anim_03:
Regards
Dave

[keith]

Yes, if you select UPS as the shipper, make sure to let the vendor know so they can pack the items in a cast iron box with EPP bumper foam packing and shackles and chains for security and insurance.:rolleyes:

Everytime I see a beat up package arrive at the door, I think of The opening scene of "Ace Ventura, Pet Detective", where he is hammering the delvery package on every item in site,, then a big boot at the end so it hits the door and lets you know it has arrived.

Hedit's should have definitely used a better box or at least doubled it, looks like chinaboard. I recieved a floor jack from Jegs, packaged in the same chinaboard box. both ends and sides of the box were blown open, then haphazardly strap taped together. The people in shipping at jegs should have double boxed. The jack didn't last long and it had to be sent back anyways, but I guarantee you they recieved it in a better box than they sent.

[drew57]

Hey Bob,

Sorry you had this incident..:sign0013: My UPS guy is a car buff like all of us, I had a package incident..he gave me his supers name and number..turned out to be the vendors fault..they sent another one out Air mail..next day..said keep the damaged one, no need to return..

It some times work out O. K. but you still loose the time you had set aside for the install though..

It will all come together..

Press on..

drew

[classic gary]

So here's my UPS story. And it happened TODAY. Got the stainless pieces for the 1/4 panels for my '56. You know the long ones from the door to the rear bumper. I hear the truck drive up, out pops the driver with this LONG skinny box sorta shaped like a "C". It should not have been shaped like a C ! The driver saw my '56 in the driveway. The first thing he says to me is, lets open this up and look ........Yup, the two pieces are bent. He offers: keep it and deal with the sender, refuse and let the UPS insurance pay up. I'm not here to fight with people so I refused and am going to hafta deal with the UPS shipping insurance. No tellin' how long that is gonna take. I gotta say the driver was very up front about the whole thing. I'm still ******.:mad:.....but what am i gonna do...............
My fingers are crossed :confused0006:

[trifive]

Well, I have been using ups for years no problems, great drivers.

Otis :)

[chevman57]

Got the stainless pieces for the 1/4 panels for my '56. You know the long ones from the door to the rear bumper. I hear the truck drive up, out pops the driver with this LONG skinny box sorta shaped like a "C". It should not have been shaped like a C
Well Gary don`t expect any better from any other shipper. I bought a fender trim piece and the seller sent it USPS and needless to say he didn`t insure it and it was V-shaped when it arrived here. I had to eat that one thanks to the good ole USPS service.
Terry

[ProjX57]

I have ordered stainless in the past from different place's, and they have always shipped it in PVC, and no damage. My problem with USPS is they lose my stuff, and I never get it, or the money back, and they show that it was delivered to the post office, just not to my door. UPS......rough treatment. everything look's like it went by way of Iraq.............same with Fedex....not always, but if it is a heavy part, it better be really heavy duty, because it its going to undergo the test before it's get's to where it is going for sure. I think the blame is 50/50 seller/shipper.
Just can't get dependable help anymore I guess...............:confused0006:.My .02

[mac-55]

I USUALLY , get good service with ups . But ive notcied latley my normal driver and times have changed . Use to have a very careful fella that would be at my house around 1 oclock in the afternoon with deliveries.

Now i have 2 new guys that show up around 7 oclock in the evening.
Luckily i was sitting on my front porch the other night and live across the field from my folks , i dont have my mailbox up yet so my mail and deliveries go to thier place. SO im expecting a package thinking that ill get it the next day . There i am on the front porch at 7 in the evening and the ups truck drives past , so i go out to the truck to drive down to my folks place , the ups truck is leaving the driveway and i notce a couple packages , LEFT OUT BY THE ROAD LEANED AGAINST A TREE 100 YARDS FROM THE HOUSE AND THE GARAGE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Never even bothered to take it all the way up to the house , just leaned it against a tree outside and it just so happened it was getting ready to start raining and those boxes contained 900 dollars worth of brand new interior.

[keith]

Was up at brother Eric's house tonight helping get his drag race camaro ready for this coming weekend. Standing there we hear tires spinning and rocks flying, here comes a big brown elephant truck wheeling up the steep gravel driveway, almost gets stuck spinning out on the switchback corner.

Little UPS girl pops out of the truck with a severly taped up box. Eric had ordered a car cover and a 10x20 quick shade for his camaro so we could keep the dust and sun off of the murder(flat)black paint. both sides of the box caved in and again all taped up. The car cover was fine but the box had been put thru the wringer. the 10x20 quick shade box had been double boxed, that box weighed about as much as she did (142lbs), she could barely get both arms around it. we helped her pick it off the truck once she got it onto the step. not a scratch or ding on the heavy box,,go figure.

I asked the girl if she was getting ready to chain up to make the driveway,,lol! it was about 105°F at the time. sweat just pouring off her,,lol!

[chevender]

I know how UPS people are worked and how their payed. I can't believe they do the job as well as they do most of the time. I just expect what I order to be damaged. So far i've been lucky every time. If a company pays sub standard wages and treats people like garbage then that's exactly what you get...sub standard garbage.
Rick

[classic gary]

Little UPS girl pops out of the truck, that box weighed about as much as she did (142lbs), she could barely get both arms around it.
I asked the girl if she was getting ready to chain up to make the driveway,,lol! it was about 105°F at the time. sweat just pouring off her,,lol!

there's a picture, sweaty little girl in a uniform !!! Hmmm................
Did I just say that ?!

[bob p]

... reminds me of a beer commercial.