UPS~I give up?

[W7WV]

I must quit using UPS for shipping.
I cannot do enough to educate and help my local depot.
3 years ago when I developed the property I am on I knew they and other services would have a problem finding the home. So I went to the local depot and gave them a set of directions and a map.
I had nothing but problems for the next 1 1/2 to 2 years.
My packages tracked that they did not have a valid address or they needed directions. Even though they had them in the local computer they did not access them. They just throw the stuff on the truck even though they don't know where the stuff goes. This does not make any sense to me. Why would you take a package out not knowing where it goes? Why would you carry it more than once?
Even if they had phone numbers on the packages I never got a call from UPS.
Finally I got mad and wrote to UPS Corporate and they straightened the local depot out, for about the next 6 months.
My property is now on the maps and even in the back of the local phone books but UPS still has problems.
Now we are back to square one and the UPS folks can't seem to find my place again. Of the last 5 items I had coming in via UPS I had to go get most of it myself unless I wanted to call and wait for another delivery.
So I wrote Corporate UPS again. I got a call from the local depot telling me this problem was again fixed.
Yesterday I was expecting a new computer which had to be signed for. I noted it was out for delivery which is normally late in the day. So we waited and waited to sign for it.
You guessed it. Another problem. They stated this time that I had requested that I pick it up at the depot and they are holding it. The only problem is that I never called them to hold it. Somebody is a bit more than confused. Now I will admit that I did have them hold a package Monday morning by tracking number. My new FT-990 was inbound and I was headed to town anyway so I just wanted to pick it up and avoid any delays for the new toy. But I had it held via the tracking number, so why would they hold the next package?
Funny that I don't have these types of problems with FEDEX or DHL services.
I cannot believe that UPS is this bad nationwide so I must assume this is a local management problem? I have never has this type of problem in other areas I have lived in with UPS but then again none of the other properties I have had were rural as such.
I know a lot of shipper's use UPS only. It's going to give me a big problem boycotting their services. I will just have to tell the shipper that if they only use UPS I will cancel the order and shop elsewhere.
Frustrating, to say the least. I am really beginning to wonder if all these delays are simply due to the fact that I am on the end of the route and the driver wants to go home so they just make excuses.
Has anyone else had the experiences I am having?

[w0aew]

UPS: Unimaginably Poor Service.

[WS2L]

Even though I try to avoid using UPS whenevve possible I don't have any problems as far as them finding where I live.

A few years ago I ordered a GAP vertical which was shipped to me by UPS. When I opened the box I was amazed to see that one of the lower sections of the antenna was bent and could not be used or straghtened out. It must have taken something quite heavy to bend this part the way it was. So basically my problem with them came in the way of several damaged packages including the antenna.

[KD6NIG]

The only problem I had with them was once tossing an item on my porch that (should have) required a signature.

A quick phone call to them telling them that I was being honest and the fact that I could have not been, and claimed the package never arrived, and I haven't had a problem since.

I think the fact they got another driver helped too-this guy knows my work schedule and won't try to deliver till after 3pm now, and also knows that if I don't come to the door that I don't have an issue with my wifes grandparents next door signing for something.

Don't get me started on FedEx though-the ones who, for some odd reason, decided to toss a package onto my driveway instead of on my porch, which allowed the grandparents dog easy access to it-and like newspapers, he had it redistributed all over the yard in under 10 minutes.

That book was replaced by Fed-Ex and I had it in 2 days.

Its not the first time they've done that either-just that the other times I managed to get outside while he was still trying to get the box open. I don't use them much anymore.

[w3bny]

gaak.. I feel yer pain. I wince everytime UPS shows up as a shipping option. From Califas to deepest darkest southern MD via USPS Priority mail.... 3 days! UPS... 7 days and USPS is half the bloody price.

Fedex Delivers on Saturdays.. UPS.. no way! If it wasnt for the nice UPS lady that services our neighborhood... PEH!

[w0aew]

Quote[/b] (w3bny @ Nov. 16 2006,08:14)]If it wasnt for the nice UPS lady that services our neighborhood... PEH!
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[WF7A]

Quote[/b] (w3bny @ Nov. 16 2006,00:14)]If it wasnt for the nice UPS lady that services our neighborhood... PEH!
She services the neighborhood? The slut. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif I bet in high school when she made the team, she made the team. ;>

Seriously, use FedEx Ground instead of UPS, if and when possible--the rates are considerably cheaper and I haven't had a "bad" delivery yet. UPS...ugh. I think it's short for "OOPS, I accidentally ran over your package four times."

Of course, if you're ordering from a vendor you may not have a choice in the matter.

[w3bny]

Quote[/b] (WF7A @ Nov. 16 2006,08:36)]
She services the neighborhood? The slut. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif I bet in high school when she made the team, she made the team. ;>[/QUOTE]
I thought about that after the fact.. heh.. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[W7WV]

The problem that I seem to run into is there are a lot of shipper's that have an exclusive shipping contract with UPS for better rates I will assume.
So when you order things you cannot always control how it will be shipped.
Sure, you can ask in advance, but if they only ship UPS what are you going to do except cancel the order?

[W4CBJ]

Yep, had the same problem with UPS. Not just once but several times. We had a LARGE buildindg about one block away from the Coast Guard station on the next street. Completely different address. (not similar). Seems like the UPS drivers can't read and ASSUME. Let no one knock the US Postal Service...They get it right every time ! 73 Joe W4CBJ.

[al2i]

Since I get packages almost every other day, I'll throw in my $0.02 comment.

UPS and FedEx have been so good that I am simply humbled. I don't know how they do it, but most deliveries are here in two days or less and I have only had one shipment that was damaged. The only times I've had to ship elsewise because of size or weight, I've used Evergreen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evergreen_Marine) or Span-Alaska (http://www.spanalaska.com/html/index.html).

[al2n]

Quote[/b] (al2i @ Nov. 16 2006,11:52)]Since I get packages almost every other day, I'll throw in my $0.02 comment.

UPS and FedEx have been so good that I am simply humbled. I don't know how they do it, but most deliveries are here in two days or less and I have only had one shipment that was damaged. The only times I've had to ship elsewise because of size or weight, I've used Evergreen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evergreen_Marine) or Span-Alaska (http://www.spanalaska.com/html/index.html).
That is because Alaskans must pay 2nd day air on almost every shipment, a cost of at least 20 bucks. That is fine if you are buying something that costs a couple hundred, but for that 10 dollar item, the shipping is terrible.

What UPS does not tell you is that all the Alaska freight is used as ballast on the trans-Asia flights that stop here to refuel.

That means UPS charges us up the wazoo for a shipment that they consider filler for the weight and balance of their aircraft.

Only time this changes is during the holidays when the volume of packages picks up.

UPS and FedX both operate their second largest bases in the world here in Anchorge, yet they tell this terrible story when you ask them why they charge so much to ship up here. One would think that they hire dog sleds to bring the packages up here.

Perhaps I am a bit biased because I know how they operate behind the scenes. I rarely do business with a company that only ships with UPS.

[K9STH]

From 1970 until 2003 I used UPS for just about everything that I shipped. Then, starting in the Fall of 2003 UPS started tearing up over 75 percent of the things that I was receiving and shipping. Even triple boxed items! If the box was not in shreads (or obviously been "run over") the contents had been vibrated so bad that components were broken, screws vibrated loose, etc.

I went to FedEx ground for everything that I ship out (unless the customer insists on UPS and then I make them have UPS come by and pick up the item). In the past 3 years I haven't had a single item damaged either incoming or outgoing that was shipped by FedEx ground. This includes some incoming items that were VERY poorly packed!

Mouser, which is located on the south side of Fort Worth, uses UPS exclusively (I live about 50 miles from Mouser's location). About half of the boxes that I receive are definitely damaged. Fortunately, Mouser puts in so much packing material (primarily "bubble wrap") that the parts make it fine. That is except for 2 boxes that were opened, some "high dollar" parts removed, and the box resealed with UPS tape! Mouser replaced the items without any hastle. However, I don't know who at UPS could use the parts, but obviously someone could!

Glen, K9STH