[Heathkit] SHIPPING DAMAGE

[Glen Zook]

The UPS Mesquite hub is widely known as a "problem
child"!  The labor unrest has been very great at this
location for several years.  However, I have also
heard from people in other areas that are having the
same problem.  Not everywhere, but enough that many
people have stopped using UPS.

Also, anything that goes through Mesquite is severely
vibrated.  I have received equipment for repair that
the box showed no outside damage yet the unit inside
had been vibrated so badly that there were shorts,
components come loose, etc.!  Also, several months ago
a customer sold his R-388 Collins to someone else
while it was still here.  The person who bought the
unit specified UPS and had them pick up the receiver. 
The box showed no damage at all when received, but
even the long screws that held the rubber feet onto
the cabinet were completely vibrated out!  Also, there
was some damage to a couple of rotary switches that
had been vibrated so badly that the contacts were no
longer aligned correctly.

Now, my local delivery drivers are just super.  They
go way beyond the "call of duty" in the way that they
handle the boxes, etc.  The problem is at Mesquite
and/or at some other hub.  Now, since shipments from
companies like Mouser only go through the Mesquite hub
(Mouser is on the south side of Fort Worth) and those
boxes come through almost always with damage, that
eliminates anything except Mesquite!  The boxes that I
get from Mouser seldom exceed 2 pounds and often are
less than 1 pound.  Mouser uses excellent quality
boxes and yet UPS tears them up on a regular basis!

FedEx ground (I don't normally use FedEx air) has been
great since I switched over.  The FedEx office and the
UPS office are just about 2 blocks apart and both are
within 2 miles of my house.  Also, FedEx charges
usually run between 30% and 50% less than UPS as well
as generally handling the shipment much better.

As I said, I used UPS from 1970 until late 2001.  It
wasn't until UPS started tearing up most of the things
that I shipped out as well as receiving that I stopped
using them.  Prior to 2001 the major thing that I had
happen was the fork lift tong through the box.  As I
said before, UPS tried to claim "improper packing"
even with this item!  Frankly, there isn't much that
one can do to stop a fork lift tong!  It was so funny
to listen to the UPS customer service representative
trying to explain how "improper packing" could result
in a fork lift tong being run through the package! 
The person was really serious!  He was following
orders to blame any shipping damage on "improper
packing".  Finally, I went to his supervisor and the
supervisor had to admit that UPS was at fault.

Anyway, I have been very plesantly surprised at the
care that FedEx ground gives the shipment.  As for the
United States Postal System:  A fair amount of the
parcels now are actually being shipped by UPS instead
of the "normal" Post Office routes.  I don't know if
UPS is giving these parcels better handling than the
"normal" UPS items.  I certainly hope so!

Glen, K9STH




--- RLucch2098@aol.com wrote:

All that sounds like the problem is in YOUR area. I
say that because I have sent 1000's of items thru UPS,
some very heavy items.

=====
Glen, K9STH

Web sites

http://home.comcast.net/~k9sth
http://home.comcast.net/~zcomco

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