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Hiya Heads, It's taken me some time to calm down and type this in a professional manner, but I'm still fuming! For the 2nd time in a month, and many more times this year, I've had problems with FedEx. This time, it's another lost shipment. After the package was picked up, it apparently never made it into their tracking system and now they can't locate it. Poof, vanished into thin air. This one is not too bad, the insured value was $325. However, the last one they lost was $3200. And get this, after a week of getting the run-around, they called us to tell us that they finally tracked the package, but they still can't find it. They said it was delivered to the wrong location, by a temporary driver and he doesn't recall what business he delivered it too. To make things more interesting, we had to go through the usual pile of claim paperwork only to be told that they are not going to pay us the amount that we insured it for. We were told that we needed to submit 3 estimates for the replacement value of the package and then they'll reconsider the claim. The last time I went through the claim process on a package that was a total loss, I finally was forced to settle on an amount that was less than half of the insured amount. Talk about getting screwed. After speaking with a couple of other vendors, I'm finding that this is a common practice amongst all the package carriers - UPS, FedEx, etc. I have an insider at the State Attorney General Office and she's bringing home the complaint forms tonight. So, do any of you have a similar story? I want to hear it.
Feeling better now,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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We do a lot of custom painting on Harleys and such. I sent a custom tank to CA from OH by UPS and when it arrived it looked like a fork lift had put it's fork into the side of the tank. They denied the clain and told me I should package my shipments better.
I'm ready to go 'postal' some days.
-------------------- Jerry VanHorn, Pres. Pure Sports Designs, LLC Pro Sign Design / United Wholesale Signs www.prosigndesign.comwww.unitedwholesalesigns.com West Liberty, OH 937-465-0595 866-942-3990 Since 1990 Posts: 925 | From: West :Liberty, OH | Registered: May 2004
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-------------------- Jerry VanHorn, Pres. Pure Sports Designs, LLC Pro Sign Design / United Wholesale Signs www.prosigndesign.comwww.unitedwholesalesigns.com West Liberty, OH 937-465-0595 866-942-3990 Since 1990 Posts: 925 | From: West :Liberty, OH | Registered: May 2004
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I sold a mug press & glazer via e bay. I packaged up in hopes that even the idiots at UPS could not harm it. Well guess what...yup, you guessed it, then damaged it.
I sent it via UPS thru Staples. I insured it for the cost of the equipment when I bought it new.
After geting the royal run around, I finally got paid, UPS accepted responsibility fot the damaged goods. I was some amazed! But here's the rub, I sent it thru Staples, they have their own hotline staffed by non english speaking folks, they could not tell me anything, nor could UPS, the folks @ UPS told me that they could not release information to me because I shipped it thru Staples. I was like a dog chaseing my tail!
I finally had enough after getting threatened to be sued by the guy I sold the stuff to. I didn't blame him, it had been almost 3 months! He was much more patient that I would of been!!
Finally after a bad day, I figured I would see if it could be worse. I went to the Staples store and started demanding answers. Of course nobody could help me so I camped out and wailted for the manager to come back from lunch. He starts off with the old there's nothing more I can do, blah blah blah. Well, it amazed me on how many answers he crapped out and how helpful he became when this raging nut just would not let up (yup, that's me!) I walked out with a couple of phone numbers & names. I had the check within a week.
The morale of the story.....I don't use Staples for much, and I don't use UPS unless I have to. The USPS is not much better, but a little bit.
-------------------- Mike Berry New England Posts: 534 | From: New England | Registered: Jan 2002
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Just Last week With FEDEX.. Letterhead Sign Supply sent me 5 pounds of smalt. paid extra so I could have in 2 days so I would have time to use it properly. I Have a sign out front that all deliveries are to made to shop in rear. So the idiot leaves a door tag on my front dor of the house saying if I want the package I have to drive 50 miles to pick it up after 6pm.. I drove around town for 30 mind and found the wench. Got the materials anyway so job was done on time But God whats the Education level of these people.
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Remember the fun commercials by DHL showing the stooges wrecking deliveries because the carrier wasn't using their own guys? I was working as a courier for a rinky-dink outfit and we took DHL and FedEx stuff all the time. The only outfit that actually always uses their guys is UPS. That doesn't mean they're any better at getting the stuff delivered... I also worked Shipping&Receiving a year and a half and we used UPS. I use the USPS and have MUCH better results. But I know how to pack.
Posts: 1859 | From: / | Registered: Nov 1998
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I've been fortunate with UPS. I credit a lot of that to my awesome driver (Dave) or his normal replacement when he's on vacation (Pat). During heavy times or bad weather when they know they're running late, they've called me from their personal cell phones to tell me they're running late and ask if I want to meet them to get my packages earlier.
As for FedEx, when I order stuff I beg them not to ship it FedEx. I'm sure in other areas, it's a great courier. FedEx delivers whenever and wherever they want to. Doesn't matter who's name or address is on the package, they leave it wherever they want. My neighbor called me to tell me my new laptop was setting outside her door. How nice. They've tried bringing packages here for the neighbors & I point out which house that really goes to so the driver can turn & ask me if I'll take it to them. WTF?
USPS: Forget it, unless it's something I don't really care about. I had a $250 purchase totally destroyed by them. The box looked like they had decided to throw it out a third story window. Repeatedly. It was insured. I was told to fill out about 900 pages in triplicate, get several written estimates of repair and replacement and IF the numerous people who had to sign off on it decided to sign off on it, I might see SOME payment in about 6 months.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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You guys are startin' to scare me too, especially Kissy's story. As we speak, I'm in a similar ordeal.
I have a freind in Ca. that always drives around with a scripture verse on the back of his van. It's painted on magnetic sheeting. After years, his old one fell off, so he asked me to make a new one. He wanted to pay the going rate, I told him $125. I had an idea for the artwork that I really liked, it's a type of illustration that has several images overlapped, all pertain to the theme of the verse. It took days and days to complete, but I didn't want him to know that. If I had to charge someone off the street for the same thing, it would be $1200, $1500, who knows? Just for a 17" x 23" magnetic, but it's labor intensive.
So I made my own cardboard tube, thought I did a good job. I sent it USPS. Not wanting to pay a lot of money for insurance, I insured it for $300 (MISTAKE).
Time goes by, no package for my freind. Finally, after weeks, he gets the package, but it's damaged. So he takes it in for the insurance claim, and tells them it's worth $120. Apparently, I'm supposed to do some or all of the paperwork, but now they're telling me I've got to PROVE it's worth $300. Like your policy is only good conditionally??? Didn't tell me that up front.
The worst part is that I thought there were a few others doing hand painted work here, but I can't find 'em. 70 shops and I'm the last painter?? I know an old school guy in the next town, but gettin' ahold of him has been tough.
So I might need to post it here, and get estimates from you folks.
-------------------- James Donahue Donahue Sign Arts 1851 E. Union Valley Rd. Seymour TN. (865) 577-3365 brushman@nxs.net
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what's for lunch, Benjamin Franklin Posts: 2057 | From: 1033 W. Union Valley Rd. | Registered: Feb 2003
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Very competative here in Queensland so the service is excellent.
If I phone an order in to the Sign Supplies before 10am I get it same day to my doorstep from Brisbane 2 hours drive away. The regular driver evens knows me well enough to stop by me working downtown to hand me a parcel
A little off subject, but I use an Insurance Broker to handle everything. Car,van,house,contents,business,stock,public liability etc. Once a year he finds the best deal on all my individual Insurance Covers. Lumps them together and finances them over 10 months so I don't have to fork out huge sums at any one time. Plus if I have a problem all I have to do is pick up the phone and call him. I had a $1500 check for computer repair and data restoration within a couple of days of filing the quotes. Work hadn't even been done!
posted
I've had problems with both Fed Ex and UPS.
I think UPS is worse but maybe because i use them more. I have noticed with UPS that if the package is awkward either because of size or weight, it usually arrives with the box somehow damaged.
I bought a replacement blade for my IOline plotter from the manufacturer on the west coast and they charged me $7.95 for shipping this tiny little item (Fed Ex). So the item arrives in an envelope, i open it and find the plastic case inside a plastic zip bag is smashed to smithereens (sp). I call and complain to IOline that for $.37 they could have sent it USPS and it wouldn't have faired any worse. They sent me a new blade.
My mental image of these companies goes back to a cartoon i saw once where a guy is throwing a package over his shoulder while saying "Fragile, that's an interesting word, wonder what it means".
Thanks, Steve
-------------------- Steve Racz Racz's Handcarved Signs Posts: 1078 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2004
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I worked as a receiving clerk at a factory for several years where we took in several dozen UPS packages per day so I've seen alot of damage. I've also been to the UPS terminal here several times and watched how they chunk the stuff around. They throw your packages, drop them(sometimes) on the corners.
My Anchor computer stencil arrives with the ends crushed about 80% of the time. When you run that through the plotter, it won't track accurately. It gets frustrating sometimes.
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7404 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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Well, it's a new day and after another round of calls, I still have no answers. I was told that these things take time and managers are busy, I guess they're hunting down other missing packages, and I should call back later, after 1 pm. I won't hold my breath for an answer. Another horror story was with UPS and a vendor. We ordered 3 custom Dibond panels from the vendor and they were valued at about $300 each. It took UPS 3 tries and the vendor 6 panels to get us what we ordered. I'm sure they're still fighting that one. Anyway, if you live in Pennsylvania, you can file consumer complaints on line at http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/ppd/bcp/compform/cmplnt.cfm
still mad but, havin' fun,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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I ordered 2 neon signs for a customer. The wholesaler was in North Dakota I think, shipping to Upper Michigan. The supplier used a huge box, packing peanuts up the wazoo, very well packaged. One of the signs came in with part of a neon tube broken. When he shipped them, he told them of the contents, insured them with a copy of the invoice for proof of value, they checked his packaging, and they denied the claim ...COMPLETELY. Wouldn't even refund the insurance. He decided to stop shipping neon.
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 5406 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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The other day I needed to ship a package to canada with fedex ground. So I go to the fedex store, wait 30min in line, ten the guy tells me that I have to go home, start a fedex account, go online and print out a waybill then bring the package back to him. They couldn't print out their own forms!
posted
My all-time favorite UPS story - I've told it here before, but its been awhile.
When I lived on Block Island in the '80s I got all my supplies through UPS. Now, UPS did not actually deliver on-island, they delivered to the boat in Point Judith, where packages were locked into a container box for the ferry trip. Once on the island, the container box was brought onto the dock, whereupon the packages entered into the care of the UPS contract delivery service, which in those days, was a guy named Earl.
You had to know Earl to appreciate him. He was a native Islander, about 90 years old, who almost never spoke. To anyone. People thought Earl was either mean or stupid; he wasn't - mostly, like a lot of people who have spent their lives in relative isolation, he was just shy. Earl was skinny and hunchbacked, yet despite age and size was incredibly strong - I had personally seen him lift items that two younger men would have struggled with. He always wore green Dickies shirts and work pants, very neat if a little shabby, and a blue Cat Diesel ball cap.
His delivery vehicle was a yellow two-ton box truck, which he drove at a stately and unvarying fifteen miles per hour, up and down all over the Island, down every possible driveway and dirt road, all day, every day. Earl simply did not stop at intersections, so if you saw him coming, at fifteen mph in that bright yellow truck, with that wizened little face peering over the steering wheel from under that blue Cat Diesel ball cap, you had plenty of time to get out of the way. And you'd better.
In summer, people come to the island and rent houses for weeks at a time, and inevitably, they discover they need a new sweater or swimsuit or whatever, so they order from Lands End or LL Bean or Sears by phone with a credit card and it gets shipped UPS. Which on the island meant Earl. Most of these people were in a temporary home, not quite sure of the correct address (mostly because on Block Island there aren't really any addresses anyway). So Earl would get a package addresssed to someone he'd never heard of, at a location that was vague at best, which made it a total crapshoot if a package found its way to the proper recipient.
Despite these obstacles, Earl actually did a heroic job of tracking people down for deliveries, and probably managed to deliver at least 80 or 90% of the packages he handled. The remaining ten percent he took home and put in the cellar of his two-hundred year old farmhouse, at the end of a dirt road out in the middle of the Island. If you knew Earl, and were expecting a package that didn't arrive, you could go to his house and he'd let you go down cellar and find it. Most often though, if you were smart, you'd go see Earl on the dock when he was loading packages onto the box truck, and he'd give them to you there. It saved a lot of hassle that way.
In 1995 Earl died, at age ninety-eight or so, and when the executors came to the house they looked in the cellar, and found all those packages Earl never quite delivered. He'd been delivering for UPS for over thirty years, so you can imagine it was quite a pile. The executors called UPS, and they sent an inspector. He took one look at the pile, and called UPS, who sent three more people to sort and audit the pile of undelivered packages, which they estimated to have an aggregate weight of something over eight TONS. It took them six weeks, during which they counted and sorted and audited all day and drank heavily at night. One of the UPS auditors was heard to describe Earl's cellar as "the black hole of the New England district. Packages go in and they never come out."
-------------------- "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
Cam Bortz Finest Kind Signs Pondside Iron works 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988" Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Never had a problem with UPS. And the drivers are personable and very helpful. I always offer them a cold drink adn give them Xmas gifts.
But the FedEx is another story. Drivers are courtious but not professional. Lately one division of FedEx not sure what their name was(the red one?) was bought out. Dont know who it is that does their deliveries now but,,,, She scared me. Came in with a cigerette hanging outa her mouth, dressed in some yellow shirt and shorts, acted like she just came outa the recovery center. Geeses.. At first I didn't want to talk to her.
Over all ive asked my vendors to PLEEEEEEEEASE not use fedex..
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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I use both UPS and Airborne Express. During the UPS strike some years back, my KillerKarts always got delivered through A/E. Being a member of SEMA has its rewards and shipping A/E was certainly one of them, quick and safe delivery is part of their program.
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
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I've never had a problem with UPS! Of course, it is probably because the UPS guy and Byrd are buddies. She always runs to greet him on the other hand, she likes all men in uniform. If the weather is nice, she waits on the front steps for the mailman, and has a long 'conversation' with him, same with the cable guy and the 'bug man'.
-------------------- Si Allen #562 La Mirada, CA. USA
(714) 521-4810
si.allen on Skype
siallen@dslextreme.com
"SignPainters do It with Longer Strokes!"
Never mess with your profile while in a drunken stupor!!!
Brushasaurus on Chat Posts: 8831 | From: La Mirada, CA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I had some banners printed and shipped FedEx overnight. Called this morning to get the tracking number, called FedEx and they know nothing about it. According to FedEx the label was printed but the package was never picked up. The printing company said it was. After making 15 phone calls today trying to find out what was going on the package shows up. I sign for it, the client picks up the banners from me.
Two hours later I finally get a call back from FedEx telling me the driver remembers picking up the package, remembers unloading it at the terminal and that they've found my package. It was sent to the wrong terminal and was being rushed back out for delivery tomorrow.
I asked the nice lady for the current location of the package and she looked it up as currently in the FedEx system awaiting transport to our local terminal. Once there it would be slated for early morning delivery.
Since the banners arrived before this whole conversation I can't wait to see what shows up in the morning!
-------------------- Pat Whatley Montgomery, AL (334) 262-7446 office (334) 324-8465 cell Posts: 1306 | From: Wetumpka, AL USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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My parents have an African Grey too, Si- great bird! good talker, singer, whistler, alarm clock, background noise...!
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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Checkers, I feel your pain. I never use Fed-X or UPS to ship but I am very fortunate with the US postal office shipping things, usually to my daughter in Tx.
Air-Borne Express went out of business as the worst shipping company so far . . .
As for shipping stuff, I over-kill on packing materials, then add a little more
UPS is great to recieve from here. Nothing has ever arrived damaged.
In 14 years nothing had ever arrived late until this past christmas my daughter sent gifts to us but they were delivered to the wrong house by a season-rush extra who was helping the main driver.
However, the driver came over twice and did a neighbor hood search to no avail, and the office made several phone calls to both of us. My daughter did not insure the package but kept most of the reciepts and a UPS in Dallas reimbursed her for everything she had reciepts for . . .
Curses and reaping on people who get packages by accident and keep them . . . .
-------------------- Signs Sweet Home Alabama
oneshot on chat
"Look like a girl, act like a lady, think like a man, work like a dog" Posts: 5758 | From: "Sweet Home" Alabama | Registered: Mar 2003
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