Is UPS always this bad?

[30ranfordfan]

I will admit, I have very little experience dealing with UPS. I have never shipped with them, and recieved packages via them maybe once or twice before. The entire company seems like a joke though.

This past friday, my cell phone rang while at work. The number was my buzzer at my building (which does happen from time to time. I have the buzzer hooked to my cell phone). It was a UPS delivery guy. I explained that I was not home, but asked him to simply leave the delivery slip and I could pick the package up the next day at their Guelph store (which is about a 5 minute drive from where I live).

Saturday morning I go to the store. I give my yellow delivery notice to the girl working. She takes it (without saying a word) and goes to a table.... looks at a few packages.... and after about 5 minutes, returns to her computer. Working in silence, she spends another 5 minutes on the computer before saying "It's in Kitchener".

Now, Kitchener is the next city over from Guelph, and not really all that far out of the way. It does depend on what part of town.... but whatever. Someone has made a mistake (not her) so I figure there is no point in questioning her on it (she seemed clueless anyway) so I just ask for the address, and say I'll just go and pick it up.


I start to drive (grab a coffee) and go to punch the address into my GPS. Guess what? The address she gave me (65 Trillium Parkway) doesn't exist. There is no Trillium Parkway. I'm pretty close to home, so I just went home and googled it. There was a Dr, a Court, and a Park Place (didn't see the 'Park Place' as an opion on my GPS... otherwise I would have just guess that one) and it was indeed 'Trillium Park Place'.

So I drive out to this 'Customer Care Centre', which takes about 30 minutes. What happens when I get there?? I find that it is CLOSED. Not that I missed the window of business hours on Saturday..... this location is not actually open on weekends.

Maybe this is my fault. I could have specifically asked "Is that store open today?" but you would think that if I ask for the address, and say that I will pick the package up..... she might have mentioned that the store is only open through the week.

On top of all that, the store hours are only until 6:30. Rush hour traffic around here can be a nightmare. I should be able to pick it up after work today, but there's no gaurentee I'll be able to get there in time.


What infuriates me even more.... while I do like automated phone services, that can handle basic inquiries..... there is no option dialing their 1-800 number, to talk to an actual person. I would like to phone somebody and ask them to have the package sent back to Guelph. Maybe if I navigate through their horribly laid out website, I could find the phone number for their local stores.... but using the 1-800 number, talking to a live person isn't an option! What's worse, getting tracking info via the phone or internet simply says that the package is in 'Kitchener'. There are several locations in Kitchener.... so I guess I'm supposed to depend on the employee that couldn't tell me about business hours, to be correct with the location.



Urgh.

[reoddai]

I make sure not to use UPS because of their outrageous brokerage fees.

The fact that they have poorly trained personnel has nothing to do with it. Its just a nice bonus knowing that there's more than one good reason no to use them.

GL with getting your package.

[Yipper]

I shipped a package with FedEx today.

I was amazed how much is cost me: $27.00 after taxes. Priority Overnight, next day before noon. West Coast to East Coast with insurance.

That is a heck of a deal for the service I imagine they provide.

We'll see when it arrives tomorrow.



As for UPS. All I have is horrible experiences with them. Ridiculous fees. I had $100 item shipped via UPS for some ridiculous reason the guy put $100 value on it (shakes my head). I got dinged $50. 50 dollars, half what the card is even worth....!!!!!!! At most taxes would be $10... so are they telling me fees are $40.

[netsinah]

I'll second the comment above about the UPS fees. I stopped using them years ago because of their exorbitant prices. Sorry to hear about your problems tracking down the package.

[Gibby]

I shipped a package with FedEx today.

I was amazed how much is cost me: $27.00 after taxes. Priority Overnight, next day before noon. West Coast to East Coast with insurance.

That is a heck of a deal for the service I imagine they provide.

We'll see when it arrives tomorrow.



As for UPS. All I have is horrible experiences with them. Ridiculous fees. I had $100 item shipped via UPS for some ridiculous reason the guy put $100 value on it (shakes my head). I got dinged $50. 50 dollars, half what the card is even worth....!!!!!!! At most taxes would be $10... so are they telling me fees are $40.

Yep that is their charged to you for clearing the item through customs !

I will never buy anything from the USA if this is my only shipping option USPS is the way to go !

[centrehice]

UPS in the United States is phenomenal, especially if you get to know the driver.

I've had the same woman driver for the past 7 years here, and she will do everything for me as well as taking all mistakes (if any) or any damaged returns. She processes everything from her truck, then follows up the next day in person.

Unbelievable service. I am also fortunate to have a great USPS bunch at my local P.O. who will go to untold lengths to satisfy.

[30ranfordfan]

Have to come back here, and give credit where credit is due.

I did some more digging, and called the local store. Within 5 minutes of talking to the guy, and explaining the problem, he asked my name and said the package was there (in Guelph, where it should have been).

All the running around was likely due to nothing more than a poorly trained employee - and while that does reflect poorly on them (in my eyes at least) the service was fine.

[sjw241]

The Kitchener depot is only open for pickups from 630-830am, and then from 4-6pm. It is really annoying. I had such a bad experience with a package from them that it makes me ill just thinking about it. It wasn't hobby related but it was a time sensitive document that I needed to get and then return in a short time frame. Long story short is that they made mistake after mistake and I didn't get the package on time. in the end it cost me a weeks pay and lots of aggravation because someone screwed up!

And their brokerage fees are insane! On a package valued at $140 I paid $80 in brokerage fees and taxes. It is highway robbery!! If the package was sent USPS I would have had the taxes and duty to pay which I am fine with, it would have only been around $24.

[Tanguayfan]

UPS charges brokerage fees for anything shipped across the border, not including any duty/taxes that you may have to pay. It starts at $7.00 for up to $40 value, and skyrockets from there. Expect to pay at least $20 up to $46, as long as the value is under $350.

[Drewk86a]

All the more reason to use USPS whenever possible. Fed Ex and UPS costs are notoriously high compared to USPS. Heck, I can get a flat rate priority box crammed with whatever I can fit for the price of a 9x6 envelope at UPS or FedEx.

Here's something else you may not know. USPS delivers 70% of FedEx's packages. That's right! To save delivery costs, FedEx drops packages off at the local post office and the USPS carrier delivers them. Imagine, you pay FedEx $20 to ship a package. they take your package to the post office, pay $6 to have the USPS deliver it and put the other $14 in their pocket! Pretty lucrative racket!