[Hallicrafters] Shipping radio sets via UPS

[Mark Bell]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Bell" <bell at blazenet.net>
To: "Dan" <hankarn at pacbell.net>
Sent: Monday, June 24, 2002 11:18 PM
Subject: Re: [Hallicrafters] Shipping radio sets via UPS


> > First and foremost MBE etc. has never been able to pack anything like a
> > BA properly.
>
> I had my first experience with MBE today here in Lancaster PA.  I was
> shipping a small 10 pound package to the west coast (contents: one very
old
> and well worn FT-227R which I packed).  The UPS web site said around $12,
> and the USPS web site said around $17.   So, UPS was the way to go.   I
> called the MBE store that was along the way home to get their hours, and
> specifically asked the girl if MBE charged additional for services above
and
> beyond UPS charges.  "Oh No Sir".  Well,  I then noticed that there was an
> MBE about 2 blocks from the office, so I just took the package there after
> work.  It cost me $19.75 to send !!!  I just about hit the roof.  The
> counter cretan said "How do you think we make our markup? "   When I told
> him the info I got form the first MBE store he just smiled and said "Oh
> really, I'm surprised"  -- it was the kind of smile that made you just
want
> to smack 'em upside the head.......  So much for MBE in my books.
>
> I did get some interesting info from ol' smiley though.  He said packaging
> for UPS should be such that it can withstand a 3 foot fall 3 times;
that's
> due to
> their belt / conveyor system... or truck drivers.... of airline
handlers....
>
> After reading the comments on this thread,  I think there is one point
that
> is being missed.  Weather it's UPS,  USPS, FedEx etc,  the line people
could
> care less if your package gets damaged in transit.   They don't have to
pay
> for it.  Payment for damages comes out of the corporate kitty, not their
> paychecks.  There's no incentive for them to give a rat's rear end about
> your precious SX-28, or my precioius B&W 5100 etc.
>
> One other thing I found out last week is that by the end of the year,  you
> will NOT be able to call your local Post Office.  You'll have to use a
1-800
> nation wide number.   The local USPS people here in Lancaster said the
Post
> Office is doing this as they feel it will "incrase their customer
> interaction" and save their local employees from "getting calls from irate
> customers".  So, last week I experienced this great new policy as I tried
to
> call the post office about 1 mile from the office.   Got some girl in who
> knows where that asked what I wanted.  I kept telling her I wanted the
phone
> number of the local post office.  She finally relented, and gave me a
local
> number somewhere in Lancaster.  After talking with them for a few minutes,
> they finally agreed to direct connect me to the post office I wanted....
> they couldn't give out the number.   I finally talked to the local post
> office girl I usually do, and got my question answered in under 1
> minute...after spending about 10 minutes on the phone.  It takes me less
> time to drive there....
>
> OK, steam let out for tonight.....
>
> 73 Mark K3ZX
>
>
>
>
>