UPS gripe

[Canadium]

I ordered some insert samples from TechMet. Zero cost, free samples.
They shipped via UPS on Jan 27. Left Redmond WA on Feb 3.
They have still not arrived.
A week ago UPS told me they were being held by US Customs. I doubted that as US Customs doesn't inspect outbound packages.
Yesterday they told me that it was held up in Vancouver because of severe weather. I actually laughed.
In seven days, it will be a month since it was shipped.
I don't ever expect to see the samples.

Reminds me of the time UPS vanished one of my packages. Tracking showed it went in the opposite direction to California! Apparently no one there thought that CA at the end of my address might mean Canada! The vendor just wrote it off and gave me a refund.

 

[slow-poke]

We have seen this story play out many times, some monster company being run like the mafia is in charge, eventually the company is in financial trouble and then goes bust. Problem is it usually takes decades to happen.

 

[David]

In a fit of pique I called UPS to find out exactly WTH was going on with my package.
The fellow I got was very sympathetic to my case. He agreed that it should not have taken that long.
Apparently it is due for delivery on the 24th.
I also said that if there are any charges owing to expect a fight. He said there were no charges.
We shall see.

 

[PeterT]

It may not have been under your control, but I have heard more than a few stories about problems when the items are declared as 'samples'. There are specific definitions on both sides of the border & if it 's interpreted to not meet ALL of the criteria so a monkey could make that determination, into Limbo she goes. This used to a common mode for people to ship things to fly under the radar, now it almost begging for a 'look at me'. My friend went through this with legitimate electronic sample parts. As soon as he got them to put an invoice for $5 the same items flowed nicely, but not all vendors are amenable because now they have to show $5 of revenue somewhere & GST# and yada-yada. And to add insult, I had a friend who lived in Regina & would get things from USA no problem yet the EXACT thing would get hung up coming to Calgary. One would think the same customs rules but apparently not.

Exporting Samples: What You Need to Know

To export samples without customs delays, penalties or service issues, you need to understand the three Ds: Documentation, Description and Dollars.

www.shippingsolutions.com

Same goes for 'gift'. Avoid that classification unless you are thoroughly familiar with definitions.

 

[David]

It may not have been under your control, but I have heard more than a few stories about problems when the items are declared as 'samples'. There are specific definitions on both sides of the border & if it 's interpreted to not meet ALL of the criteria so a monkey could make that determination, into Limbo she goes. This used to a common mode for people to ship things to fly under the radar, now it almost begging for a 'look at me'. My friend went through this with legitimate electronic sample parts. As soon as he got them to put an invoice for $5 the same items flowed nicely, but not all vendors are amenable because now they have to show $5 of revenue somewhere & GST# and yada-yada. And to add insult, I had a friend who lived in Regina & would get things from USA no problem yet the EXACT thing would get hung up coming to Calgary. One would think the same customs rules but apparently not.

Exporting Samples: What You Need to Know

To export samples without customs delays, penalties or service issues, you need to understand the three Ds: Documentation, Description and Dollars.

www.shippingsolutions.com

Same goes for 'gift'. Avoid that classification unless you are thoroughly familiar with definitions.

Good to know.
Last time I got sample from Techmet it was smooth like butter but a lot has changed since then.

What really bothers me in this instance is that UPS clearly lied to me.
They told me the delay was due to inspection by US Customs. Unless something radical has changed since Jan 6, US Customs does not inspect outbound packages. Inspection is the responsibility of the destination country.
Last week they told me it was held up due to severe weather in Vancouver. There was no severe weather in the Lower Mainland last week.
On Wednesday, the 19th they told me that on the 18th the truck was in an accident in Vancouver. Umm OK
Last night I filed a claim.
After filing the claim the package was found and was moving from Tacoma to Redmond and has now left Redmond. I guess that means it never was in Vancouver.

 

[skippyelwell]

UPS , one thing they are good at is dropping the ball .

And motors.

 

[jorogi]

Inspection is the responsibility of the destination country.

IIRC, in the last few months Canada has committed billions to stem the flow of tons of illicit drugs and hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants outbound across our borders.

 

[jcdammeyer]

I'm not so sure I'd blame UPS employees for a lot of the problems. Nor even upper management. Somewhere in the middle they have some major software problems. I spent a few hours yesterday and this morning trying to ship 5 boxes to the USA. Got to the pay part. Then unknown error.

IMHO, this is unacceptable. And yet the overall user interface for even creating a packing list showing which items were in which boxes etc. was really good. However, a vague error like that is unacceptable.

So instead, off to FedEx, not nearly the same detail or issues. Simpler user interface. Dropped off the boxes. Got email confirmation.

 

[David]

I got signed out of the app overnight so they definitely had some issue. But that doesn't excuse the nonsense since Feb 2 onward.

 

[Tom O]

I’ve got enough lawyer in me to totally take them to task for this BS

So next project?

 

[Mike R]

Its funny, but I recall now that UPS has been bad for as long or longer than I can remember. 30 years ago my older brother ordered a used MGB rear axle (like the whole thing drum to drum) from a used parts supplier and they shipped UPS ground. That axle got lost and never showed up. I mean, how do you loose a 5ft long lump of steel? Anyways, that lead to a fun find of an aluminum axle housing instead. Sure made driving that car more fun, was way too light in the rear after the 2x 6v batteries had been removed from over the axle and a single 12V lump place up front...

 

[David]

Its funny, but I recall now that UPS has been bad for as long or longer than I can remember. 30 years ago my older brother ordered a used MGB rear axle (like the whole thing drum to drum) from a used parts supplier and they shipped UPS ground. That axle got lost and never showed up. I mean, how do you loose a 5ft long lump of steel? Anyways, that lead to a fun find of an aluminum axle housing instead. Sure made driving that car more fun, was way too light in the rear after the 2x 6v batteries had been removed from over the axle and a single 12V lump place up front...

Nothing like a 40/60 weight bias to liven up the driving experience!

 

[ChazzC]

An Update!

Received these two texts today, after the Seller alerted me that the package was out for delivery (which I confirmed on the UPS App & site):

The first text didn't bother me: I regularly receive updates saying that a package that is out for delvery will be delivered "tomorrow;" the second text was correct – the pacakge was just dropped off, 6:31pm EST.

 

[jcdammeyer]

Its funny, but I recall now that UPS has been bad for as long or longer than I can remember. 30 years ago my older brother ordered a used MGB rear axle (like the whole thing drum to drum) from a used parts supplier and they shipped UPS ground. That axle got lost and never showed up. I mean, how do you loose a 5ft long lump of steel? Anyways, that lead to a fun find of an aluminum axle housing instead. Sure made driving that car more fun, was way too light in the rear after the 2x 6v batteries had been removed from over the axle and a single 12V lump place up front...

Ah the good old days. My '64 with non-syncro 1st (straight cut gears) was a hoot.

 

[Susquatch]

Unless something radical has changed since Jan 6, US Customs does not inspect outbound packages. Inspection is the responsibility of the destination country.

That leaves ITAR and ATF out of the process. They LOVE to look at stuff leaving too.

 

[David]

Seems the package is actually moving.

 

[architect]

I had a small $50 part ship from California 20 years ago via UPS and their fees totalled more than the cost of the part. I haven't used them since for overseas, and will always source elsewhere if the seller doesn't offer other shipping options.

 

[MrWhoopee]

I just did the dance with UPS. I had two shipments of tool steel and one from SendCutSend. All three were "Being Delivered" on Thursday, no show. Again "Being Delivered" on Friday. Again no show. I called the 800 number and after the usual BS she told me she would have the local terminal call. Received the call, was given some line about weather. It hasn't snowed in over a week, it's been raining, and we're able to get in and out with 2wd. I told her as much, and that Fedex and On-Trac had both been here. I asked to have the packages dropped at the local PO if their driver was too afraid to drive in. She said they couldn't drop at the PO and would deliver on Monday. Received the "Being Delivered" notice again on Monday, and again no show. I called again, went thru the usual BS, then got a call from the same woman at the local terminal. I had already contacted both shippers and told them to never ship my orders by UPS, and told the woman as much. She gave me the same weather crap and I unloaded on her. Told her if the driver was so afraid of a little mud (no snow on the road at all by then), that perhaps he should be reassigned to a route in the valley. She suggested I could drive to the terminal (45 miles one way) and pick them up. I informed her that I had paid to have the packages delivered and would expect a refund on the shipping plus mileage to do so. It was all I could do to keep from swearing at her.

On Tuesday my packages arrived. The regular driver had been on vacation and wondered why there were so many undelivered packages.
It took longer for my order from SendCutSend to travel the 140 miles from Reno than it did for them to process and ship.

 

[David]

I just did the dance with UPS. I had two shipments of tool steel and one from SendCutSend. All three were "Being Delivered" on Thursday, no show. Again "Being Delivered" on Friday. Again no show. I called the 800 number and after the usual BS she told me she would have the local terminal call. Received the call, was given some line about weather. It hasn't snowed in over a week, it's been raining, and we're able to get in and out with 2wd. I told her as much, and that Fedex and On-Trac had both been here. I asked to have the packages dropped at the local PO if their driver was too afraid to drive in. She said they couldn't drop at the PO and would deliver on Monday. Received the "Being Delivered" notice again on Monday, and again no show. I called again, went thru the usual BS, then got a call from the same woman at the local terminal. I had already contacted both shippers and told them to never ship my orders by UPS, and told the woman as much. She gave me the same weather crap and I unloaded on her. Told her if the driver was so afraid of a little mud (no snow on the road at all by then), that perhaps he should be reassigned to a route in the valley. She suggested I could drive to the terminal (45 miles one way) and pick them up. I informed her that I had paid to have the packages delivered and would expect a refund on the shipping plus mileage to do so. It was all I could do to keep from swearing at her.

On Tuesday my packages arrived. The regular driver had been on vacation and wondered why there were so many undelivered packages.
It took longer for my order from SendCutSend to travel the 140 miles from Reno than it did for them to process and ship.

Unbelievable.
I see that Travers has decided to ship to Canada exclusively via UPS. Won't be buying from them.

 

[Dan Dubeau]

Never had an issue with UPS here. Fedex on the other hand.....Nothing BUT issues. Right now having an issue with intelecom, that drove by last night, stopped at the end of the driveway, then took off. I thought the guy got out, and tossed my package (usb wireless adapter) on the porch, like some of them do, but then they marked it undeliverable because they said the front door was obstructed......Now they're not communicating, and have no rescheduled delivery attempt.