i've heard all kinds of bad things about various couriers... like leaving expensive electronic equipment outside, in the rain. (i can't remember if that was UPS or not, but i think they're all as bad as each other).
I remember an article, which might have been linked on Slashdot, where someone ordered computer gear and monitors and it was shipped UPS, and it came in a box that was abused so badly it looked like it had literally been dragged behind the truck. There was also damage to the items etc. The article even had accompanying pictures... it was terrible to look at, and you had to wonder how the UPS guy could deliver that with a straight face.
He even had one hell of a time getting them to cough up money for the replacement, even though couriers are insured for damages.
sadly i've lost the link, but i saw a wonderful story once about Parcel Farce Force deliving a computer once. (you can probably imagine it - large holes in the packaging, etc...)
Seriously we get people coming in to ship all the time with horror stories about UPS and USPS. I don't know where to exactly pinpoint what makes the difference between companies, but FedEx seems to always be a notch above on a consistent basis.
We order a lot of stuff that comes via courier, so over the years we're talking probably at least 100 deliveries, if not more, so I'm basing it on fairly extensive personal experience.
I think that it might be that they hire fuckwits at UPS? We have the same FedEx guy, and he comes so regularly that he remembers our name and to come around to our door. And maybe FedEx pays better so that their staff are nicer/better, because I swear the UPS guys never give a shit.
I know PreZ also attributes it to the fact they often overload the UPS truck, and drivers apparantly aren't allowed to come back until their trucks are empty, no matter how late that is... which would lead to very short "waits" at people's doors, so that they can hurry on to the next delivery.
It's happened so many times that I've been home (even at our previous apartment), and that they've never even bothered to knock or ring at all, even though they say they have (and I know this has happened to vgnwtch too). And I know they lie on their tracking devices/site when they put
( ... )
And yes, the USPS sucks ass on many occasions too.
When I lived in Holland I never ever had mail get lost. While living in the US for 5 years I've had several packages which got lost, never to be found again.
Delivery confirmation is certainly the way to go with them to guarantee some form of tracking.
UPS is the worst ever. They will leave packages at the door that are valuable/electronic items. We also had to re-route a package but UPS could not contact the local sodding distribution center!!! What, they don't have people and phones at such centers? What the fuck is wrong with these people!?!?
Not only do they leave valuable packages at the door, they'll even leave packages that require signatures at the door, without even getting said signatures. I swear it's completely optional that they collect the signatures.
I think the only reason so many people use UPS is because it's a bit cheaper than FedEx, but christ... they're so much worse.
I've always had the same problems with UPS, I avoid them like the plague if I can. Most times I don't even get a notice until they say it's the third attempt. I've had several times where I actually was home and they didn't even bother to ring. Not to mention the stupid office is only open 9-5 Monday through Friday, who can go pick something up with those hours???
One of my neighbors works for them and he actually sympathized with me, he said our driver was a complete idiot and actually tried to pull some shit with him before he knew he was also an employee. Thankfully, he's been really cool, if he sees I have a slip he'll pick up the package for me when he goes to work.
I never have those problems with FedEx either. They're usually really good about leaving notices and they're open until 8:15 during the week and on Saturdays. I need to start a really successful mail-order business and make it a point not to use UPS.
Our UPS center is open until 6pm, which is better than 5, but still not great. At least I can go there during the day, but if you have a job, you're still screwed. FedEx here is open until 7pm I believe (not sure if they're open until later than that, but I know they're open until 7 at bare minimum).
I've had several times where I actually was home and they didn't even bother to ring.
Yep, this happens a lot. Now I realise that they probably try to deliver to many homes where there is nobody home, but still, that doesn't mean they can stop trying to even ring the doorbell. A friend of mine was waiting on a package once and they rang, and she opened the door almost straight away, but the UPS guy was already most of the way back to his truck, because he hadn't bothered to wait at all... he'd just rung the bell and walked off immediately. It's ridiculous.
I never have those problems with FedEx either.I'm so glad FedEx started in on the Ground arena of courier deliveries, seeing as UPS pretty much dominated that, unless you want to use
( ... )
Made by infinitemonkeys... s/he has more Black Adder icons. If you use the 'icons' tag, then it should be easy to find the post where this icon, and the visually similar ones (the Eddie Izzard and Noel Coward ones I've been using) come from. Besides more BA icons there are more EI, NC icons, as well as Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, Jarvis Cocker and a couple more.
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I remember an article, which might have been linked on Slashdot, where someone ordered computer gear and monitors and it was shipped UPS, and it came in a box that was abused so badly it looked like it had literally been dragged behind the truck. There was also damage to the items etc. The article even had accompanying pictures... it was terrible to look at, and you had to wonder how the UPS guy could deliver that with a straight face.
He even had one hell of a time getting them to cough up money for the replacement, even though couriers are insured for damages.
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Yeah that's right. :P
Seriously we get people coming in to ship all the time with horror stories about UPS and USPS. I don't know where to exactly pinpoint what makes the difference between companies, but FedEx seems to always be a notch above on a consistent basis.
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I think that it might be that they hire fuckwits at UPS? We have the same FedEx guy, and he comes so regularly that he remembers our name and to come around to our door. And maybe FedEx pays better so that their staff are nicer/better, because I swear the UPS guys never give a shit.
I know PreZ also attributes it to the fact they often overload the UPS truck, and drivers apparantly aren't allowed to come back until their trucks are empty, no matter how late that is... which would lead to very short "waits" at people's doors, so that they can hurry on to the next delivery.
It's happened so many times that I've been home (even at our previous apartment), and that they've never even bothered to knock or ring at all, even though they say they have (and I know this has happened to vgnwtch too). And I know they lie on their tracking devices/site when they put ( ... )
Reply
When I lived in Holland I never ever had mail get lost. While living in the US for 5 years I've had several packages which got lost, never to be found again.
Delivery confirmation is certainly the way to go with them to guarantee some form of tracking.
Reply
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I think the only reason so many people use UPS is because it's a bit cheaper than FedEx, but christ... they're so much worse.
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One of my neighbors works for them and he actually sympathized with me, he said our driver was a complete idiot and actually tried to pull some shit with him before he knew he was also an employee. Thankfully, he's been really cool, if he sees I have a slip he'll pick up the package for me when he goes to work.
I never have those problems with FedEx either. They're usually really good about leaving notices and they're open until 8:15 during the week and on Saturdays. I need to start a really successful mail-order business and make it a point not to use UPS.
Reply
I've had several times where I actually was home and they didn't even bother to ring.
Yep, this happens a lot. Now I realise that they probably try to deliver to many homes where there is nobody home, but still, that doesn't mean they can stop trying to even ring the doorbell. A friend of mine was waiting on a package once and they rang, and she opened the door almost straight away, but the UPS guy was already most of the way back to his truck, because he hadn't bothered to wait at all... he'd just rung the bell and walked off immediately. It's ridiculous.
I never have those problems with FedEx either.I'm so glad FedEx started in on the Ground arena of courier deliveries, seeing as UPS pretty much dominated that, unless you want to use ( ... )
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Made by infinitemonkeys... s/he has more Black Adder icons. If you use the 'icons' tag, then it should be easy to find the post where this icon, and the visually similar ones (the Eddie Izzard and Noel Coward ones I've been using) come from. Besides more BA icons there are more EI, NC icons, as well as Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, Jarvis Cocker and a couple more.
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