[Boatanchors] USPS Info

[The Pollacks]

I guess this has gone on long enough for me to add my coupla cents....

Personally, I've only had one package (out of many dozens both ways) damaged
by any of the shippers.  Just lucky, I guess, but I am a careful packer.  (I
just sent a box of 1952 78 rpm code records, maybe a dozen or so, by FedEx
Ground, with no damage.)  The one package that was damaged was FedEx ground,
and they made good on it immediately with no hassle.  

As far as the signature requirement goes, I can understand the shipper's
policy.  They're taking the risk up to $100 with no signature, but if they
don't want to take the risk of loss for more than that, I respect their
right to require a signature.  After all, they're the ones on the hook for a
claim of non receipt, and if they find that the history shows too many
claims, they're entitled!  It's their risk, so, IMHO, they have the right to
set the rules!  If other shippers have no such policy, go ahead and use
them!

Ron K2RP

-----Original Message-----
From: boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Glen Zook
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2010 1:19 PM
To: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net; Rob Atkinson
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] USPS Info

Obviously, you have never dealt with UPS's Mesquite, Texas (Dallas area),
hub.  They routinely damage even wooden crated items.  Those boxes that
survive their handling processes are so badly shaken that hardware comes
loose and so forth.  It doesn't matter how well the item is packed, if it
has to go through Mesquite there is a very high percentage chance that the
shipment will be damaged.

I routinely get parts from Mouser (which is located on the south side of
Fort Worth and I am on the north side of Dallas) and Mouser uses UPS.
Fortunately, Mouser knows how UPS handles the shipment and they pack very
well.  However, at least 50% of the boxes that I receive from Mouser are
badly damaged but the parts make it OK.  But, there is also a problem with
theft within the UPS system.  On several occasions I have received packages
which have had relatively expensive items removed but the "cheap stuff"
remains.  Those boxes were resealed with UPS marked tape!  Mouser knows
about this situation and replaces the missing items with no problems.  A few
weeks ago (I was told this by one of Mouser's representatives) one of their
local shipments arrived missing the parts but, instead, there was a roll of
Texas Lottery tickets in the Mouser box!  The box had been resealed with UPS
marked tape.

I routinely use FedEx Ground for shipments and have never had anything
changed from no signature to requiring a signature.  The last "high value"
shipment that I sent out was a couple of weeks ago and it arrived with no
signature requirement.  By the way, I definitely declare the actual value of
the shipment and pay the extra fee.

Now I don't know about regular FedEx because I don't use that service.

I do know that I have received items that were very poorly packed that were
shipped by FedEx that arrived without any damage.  Conversely, I have
received a significant number of VERY well packed items shipped by UPS that
were definitely damaged.

Glen, K9STH

Website:  http://k9sth.com


--- On Thu, 3/25/10, Rob Atkinson <ranchorobbo at gmail.com> wrote:

Wait, it gets better.  I had a couple of radio items to ship out to a guy
about a week later, and I started out going to UPS but the office I planned
to go to had closed.  So I'm driving around on my  lunch hour and there's a
FedEx office so I grudgingly go there and ship out the package.  But, I in
no uncertain terms, check the box that says Signature Not Required, and off
it goes.  That evening I look at the progress of it with the tracking
number.  I find to my amazement that FedEx changed delivery to signature
required.  Nothing was said to me, my consent was not asked for,
nothing.   I immediately contact the addressee and apologize,  telling him
it was not my idea to put him through what I went through with these people
the week before.
 
Later I google FedEx Signature Requirement and find a lot of other people
are just as annoyed as I with the inconvenience this causes. Apparently,
this is a recent FedEx policy change.   They will still leave minor items
worth less than around $100 but anything they think is worth more than that
they will change to signature receipt required whether you like it or not. 
It would be okay if I lived in a high crime area or was getting a $10,000
item, but I don't, and have never had anything stolen that was left at my
front door.   I've had it with FedEx; It's UPS for me from now on as I am
told they will leave packages if you want them to.   About the "United
Parcel Shakers" thing, I have had two packages damaged by UPS and in both
cases, it was because the shippers had no idea how to pack them.   Things
like that are not UPS's fault.


      
______________________________________________________________
Boatanchors mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/boatanchors
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Boatanchors at mailman.qth.net

List Administrator: Duane Fischer, W8DBF
** For Assistance: dfischer at usol.com ** 


This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html