[Heathkit] shipping.. an old sore spot

[Glen Zook]

I have had exactly no problems with FedEx ground including some units that were very poorly packed.  However, UPS, at least anything that goes through their Mesquite, Texas (Dallas area), hub is badly shaken even if the box makes it OK.  This results in loose hardware, parts literally coming loose from the chassis, etc.  I have received wood crates that were badly damaged.  I get parts shipments from Mouser which is on the south side of Fort Worth.  Well over 90% of the boxes come in badly damaged.  Fortunately, Mouser packs very well and usually the parts come through fine.  However, on at least 2 occasions the boxes were opened, expensive parts removed, and then the box resealed with UPS tape.  The inexpensive parts were still there!  Mouser is aware of this and they do replace the missing parts without any problems.  I suspect that someone in the Mouser shipping department is notifying someone in the UPS hub in Fort Worth when expensive parts are
 shipped.  However, I this is only a supposition and I definitely have absolutely no proof.

Of the last 3 things that have been sent by UPS (the vendor uses only UPS) 2 were misdirected and 1 never arrived.  This has been in the past month.  Supposedly the box that never arrived was delivered to me, according to their on-line information.  However, after a claim was made UPS sent a representative to my house to inquire.  The representative admitted that they had no idea as to which driver was given the shipment, let alone where it was delivered!

The first misdirected shipment was coming from Fort Worth.  It got sent to Oklahoma City before coming to Dallas. The second shipment was a birthday present for my wife.  It was coming from Norman, Oklahoma, about 200 miles from Dallas.  Tracking it on the UPS website showed it going to no less than 3 locations in Alabama, then to Mississippi, and finally to Dallas.

Until about 5 years ago I used UPS and had no problems at all.  My relationship with UPS started in 1970.  The company that I owned use to ship anywhere from 5 to over 20 shipments a day.  Unfortunately, around 2005 a large number of the shipments started to be damaged and several were lost.  I definitely know how to pack!  But when things like fork lift tongs being run through the box start happening no amount of packing is going to do any good.  By the way, UPS did try the "improper packing" thing about the fork lift tongs.  That did not "fly"!

In the UPS centers, at least here in the Dallas area, there is a large sign over the counter which informs shippers that the package will be opened and the packing inspected to insure safe shipment.  This was, I am told, because of high levels of damage claims.  It is grounds for instant firing of an employee if he/she does not check the packing.  When the packing is inspected by a UPS employee UPS takes full legal responsibility (whether they like it or not) for the package.  But, they still try the "improper packing" claim whenever a package is damaged.  When it is "pointed out" to them that their employee inspected the package and certified that it was properly packed, UPS does relent and pay the damage claim.

Now the problems that I see are in the handling of the packages at the UPS "hubs".  As for the delivery personnel, I have no gripes at all about them.  At least those drivers who make deliveries to me are extremely good.  They definitely go out of their way in the service they provide.  But, I cannot say the same thing for those who handle the packages at the hubs.

Glen, K9STH

Website:  http://k9sth.com


--- On Tue, 11/2/10, Carl <km1h at jeremy.mv.com> wrote:

With me its FedWrex that destroys the incoming packages as their shipping> customers appear to have the lowest packing IQ. Ive not had an outgoing UPS destroyed yet, BUT I know how to pack. Im also tired of UPS bashing, as all package companies, including USPS, are handled pretty much the same.