Shipping and Insurance

[mdschulze]

My first and last experience with UPS was about 8 months ago. I sold a limited edition framed print on Ebay and needed to ship to California. I had the item professionally packaged and insured the item for $300 (Item sold for $225 plus $25 shipping).

Once the package arrived, I received an email from the buyer stating that the package had a hole through it and she could hear glass moving around inside. After opening the package, the frame was broken and the shards of glass had scratched the print. After about 8 weeks, I received a refund for about $218 (not exact total). UPS explained that the $18 was for the shipping costs and their value of the print, $200. I lost $32 out of the deal and 8 weeks wait time. I appealed their decision and was declined based on their theory of what they thought the print was worth (even though I insured for more than the amount). I'll never use their services again.

[ChiefBenderForever]

UPS sucks period. They throw packages where ever and don't even look at the door number or address. I will never forgive them for giving $5000.00 of electronics to someone else and having record they dropped it off on my doorstep while I was at home waiting. I had no recourse, no help, and will hate them for ever and never use them again, UPS sucks !

[carrigansghost]

I sent a package with a D381 card in it to a fellow board member on May 9th insured for $150. He emailed me the other day with no reciept yet. I ask the PO for any info and they could only tell me that it was scanned in the person's home state. They asked if I could return next Monday to see if they could get any more info. The other two packages mailed that morning were received in two days.

Should I start to worry?

Rawn

[HexsHeroes]

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Within the past year, for any package sent to me that requires a signature, I have had to request that it be sent to me via FedEx, instead of U.S.P.S.

My workday begins before the local branch opens, and ends after they close. My branch no longer has weekend hours, and it is (now) against policy to have a package forwarded from one branch to another. Since I commute an hour to work, lunch hour visits to the post office are out of the question. My neighbors all work, so no on is around to sign as my agent. And living very near the local high school (and having occassionally been victimized by some rowdy/questionable behavior and pranks), I am hesitant to sign and have the package left on my doorstep. FedEx has four local service branches, with open hours until 11-PM. Perfect remedy for my situation.

[jezzeaepi]

If you are going to buy insurance, then do it through the post office. UPS and Fedex both suck when it comes to paying out claims in my experience.

Ups-I used to work at a UPS store(independent reseller of UPS services) and had to work as the liaison between the customer(who's package got broken) and UPS(who broke the package). No matter how cut and dry the case was, they never paid without a ton of effort. We had a customers package that were literally run over by a truck(the package was flattened) and they still gave us a hard time about if it was "packaged" well enough. We package them well enough to be thrown off a truck, but not to be run over by one...

Fedex- Have been fighting them, and the independent reseller who sold me the insurance for 4 months over a $3200 claim where they delivered my package to the wrong building.

Moral of the story, Fedex and ups insurance aren't worth the hassle if you can avoid it.

[egbeachley]

Originally Posted by mdschulze

I'll never use their services again.

That's a pretty childish reaction. They are very clear that they will only pay out what an item is worth. Same as your homeowners policy and automobile policy. If you buy more than fair value you are wasting your money.

BTW, check your homeowners policy and look to adjust it. Mine had a home valuation from 4-5 years ago and I was able to reduce it and save $200 per year.

[chaddurbin]

UPS is GAI, fedex is PSA....usps is SGC (taking service, performance, and customer service into consideration).

[mdschulze]

Originally Posted by egbeachley

That's a pretty childish reaction. They are very clear that they will only pay out what an item is worth. Same as your homeowners policy and automobile policy. If you buy more than fair value you are wasting your money.

BTW, check your homeowners policy and look to adjust it. Mine had a home valuation from 4-5 years ago and I was able to reduce it and save $200 per year.

My question is... how do they know what my item was worth? There had been no similar sale on Ebay nor in any other auction (that I could find). I had printed proof of what someone was willing to pay for it an auction setting. UPS told me that this was their best estimate.... but could not provide any evidence, just their best estimate. I declared the exact amount (minus shipping costs) at the time of shipping and they gladly took my money for insurance of $300. They allowed me to over-insure but they wouldn't pay the full amount... for their mistake. Childish as it may be... I won't use their services anymore. Screw me once shame on you, screw me twice..... won't happen again!

BTW... thanks for the tip on homeowner's insurance.... that's something I hadn't thought of. It's been 4 years since I've been in my house as well... Thanks. -Mike