This is more of a vent out of frustration but it may help someone the next time they ship something. It all started a couple of weeks ago when I shipped a distributor to one of the members here through USPS (about 400 miles shipping). First off they charged $17.00 to send the thing, this was shipping, 100 bucks insurance no overnight or special delivery or anything like that. Supposed to be delivered in two to three days, took over a week and then it was damaged when it got there. On the 17th I shipped two complete seats from 70030 to 06514. I estimated the UPS cost to be 46 for both seats as per there little calculator thing. Went to ship the seats (my wife actually as I had to work) and it cost $119 to ship them PLUS the packaging. I planned on two seperate boxes, but they told her they would have to put them in one box!?!?! One's too big but two in one box is OK? They were supposedly guaranteed to be there in 4 days, they got there today. I also sent a carb to a member here that was another 4 day guaranty, shipped the same day as the seats he still hasn't gotten it. Believe it or not this is not all, I sent TWO money orders to members here on last Saturday, today in my PO Box are two envelopes marked insufficient postage or something to that effect. What is so ball-busting about this is I bought the pre-paid postage envelopes from the POST OFFICE THEMSELVES. The next thing I guess that will happen is the postal money orders will bounce. Iguess the main thing is do a little research before shipping, I know some of you do it all the time and know of some other options. Just make sure everything is clarified up front and before you give someone a price. For those that read this far thank-you and do you know of any course of action I can do to get some compensation from UPS? I am going to contact them as soon as I get confirmation there is no damage to the items.

 

lesson i learned over the free christmas thread give away is to:

1. package everything yourself
2. pack that isht tight with no jiggle sound
3. tape it up good
4.most shipments should be around 8-18 bucks....... larger items..i.e.seats...around 25-50 bucks pair
5.usps for smaller items
6.ups for larger...i heard dhl was decent

b

 

UPS is about as bad... i think they hire people on foot to deliver any package I have shipped to me or from me...

 

Just my experience: the shipping cost calculator at www.fedex.com was very accurate so far, and they were always cheaper than UPS.

And yes, I agree with above: package yourself so the box stays below their limit (dimensional).

Use lots of old newspapers and other light stuff to protect the item(s).

For example seats: these don't have to be in boxes. If you wrap them in bubble wrap and tape cardboard to them the shipment is a lot smaller than if you use a box and they're still protected ... I sent wheels (rims and tires) across the country for $20 each (FedEx) and I was very surprised that is wasn't more $$$

I never used UPS so I can't really say much about them other than that their online shipping calculator made me use FedEx ...

 

Just got a message something poke a hole in the top of one of the seats, so this is going to get interesting afterall they are the ones that packed the things. I have learned alot from this deal, it just about makes me want to go postal.

Steve

 

don't....... they (USPS) are by far worse

 

UPS has a guarenteed service refund. If it was not there in time call the 1800 number and give them the tracking number they should be able to get you your money back. As far as packaging did they take it to a UPS store or a customer counter? UPS stores are independatly owned and make most of their money off of packaging. Also the bigger the package the more money it cost to ship. As things get over 100 inches in length or height there is additional cost.

 

I realize that if something is bigger it costs more to ship. I followed there little shipping calculator to the "tee" and it wasn't even close to the real thing, I'm not sure they just didn't take advantage of my wife. All she knew was I had to get the stuff shipped because I told the people I would so she did what it took to ship it. Like I said maybe all this will help at least one person to avoid this.

 

Getting anything, and I mean anything out of the US I prefer to use USPS air and get the person sending to pack themselves.
UPS charges way too much to ship to Australia and when it gets here, even if it is under the value required to charge duties, duties are charged.
I can get stuff up to a value of $200 into Australia with no duty by using USPS.
Just ordered some seals for my Bonneville, $16 plus shipping. I forgot to ask for USPS and it is coming UPS. It will probably cost me another $60 by the time they get here

 

Never never ever, under ANY circumstances, use DHL. They truly suck at delivering any type of packages.

Brett

 

I've found UPS to be reliable,but always package my own stuff...unless I order things,and even then,no issues yet...

 

If you have to use UPS, only go directly to the shipping center or an office supply store with UPS shipping that doesn't charge extra. If you go to a Mailboxes, etc. type place, they will RAPE you...

I have a friend that has had a business where he constantly mails out packages. He only uses FedEx. He said they are the only ones that get it there consistently on time or better, and also never break anything.

 

Never had any problems with UPS or FedEx. The postal service on the otherhand, lets just say i wont be sending/recieving anything important from them again

 

I have never used DHL, but I have used Airborne Express Ground, which DHL owns now. I have had very good luck with them on truck-ship size items (bench seat, Eldorado bumpers, fenders). They are way less than any truck carriers I have found and they deliver to the door instead of having to do a dock pickup.

 

There is a fine line where items are better to be shipped vis the USPS vice UPS. I have found that in mailing a lot of ebay items, lighter items under (under 12 lbs or so), go cheaper through the USPS. UPS will save much money on heavier items.

For example: A big block water pump mailed to the same location was $9.00 via USPS and $14.00 through UPS.

A cast manifold was $32.00 via USPS and $18.00 with UPS.

 

I learned this as well and it can really help keep the costs low. i bought a catalytic converter from a forum member and it only cost $17 to ship. It arrived at my door as it came off the car plus a FEDEX sticker on the side.

 

This reminds me of one of my favorite (and worst) jokes.

What does it mean when the post office flag is at half mast?

They're hiring.

 

Now that's .......


but

 

I bought an item off ebay the other day that was 15 dollars. It was a power supply for a digital camera. Not very big. Just a deal you plug into the wall socket to charge the battery on a digital camera. No mention was made of shipping, other than buyer pays the shipping. The shipping and handling was 17 dollars. 17 dollars for a buy it now item of 15 dollars.

 

lol, of that 17, 7 was probably for shipping, and 10 for HANDLING... It is amazing to see some of the "shipping costs" these people try charging.