UPS Rides again

[gbrobbins]

Boy Talk about screw jobs. UPS is the best , I have come to the conclusion UPS is one of the biggest rip off's I have encountered recently.

First I bought a box for a boat. just sold, from UPS. because of the size had to pay $13.92 for the box and I had to cut down 8 inches. Got an estimate from the internet, size, 40 X 14 X14, 15lbs my scale weight. Estimate from Internet UPS was $41.32

Went to the local UPS store. Boat wieghed in at 13 lb
Estimate said shipping weight was 41lb. Operator said that is the way that UPS, FED EX, charge. They charge by the volume of the box. To add insult to injury, he took out his trusty tape measure an measuref the box. It measured 39 X14 1/2 X 14 1/2. He charged for me for 15 X15. The price went up to $47.00. If the box is a fraction over, they go up to the next even number.

I will be looking for a different method of shipping boats in the future. Will have to take boat etc to UPS, Post Office etc and get true price before I quote shipping cost on any boat I sell in the futjre.

Onward and upward. LOL the only thing I can say is UPS is more reliable (I GUESS_

GB Robbins
Port St. Lucie, FL

:censored: :censored:

[pmpjohn]

It's not just UPS. Any time a package goes "oversize" they all charge by volume. Basicly you are paying the 70# rate. DHL,FedEx and USPS will all do the same thing. I used to work for Warehouse Hobbies and most of our boats cost over $100.00 to ship. Not that it's not a rip but what you gonna do. Still can't drive it there for that.

John

[toesup]

Went to the local UPS store. Boat wieghed in at 13 lb
Estimate said shipping weight was 41lb. Operator said that is the way that UPS, FED EX, charge.

You will find thats the way most freight companies charge, size / volume = a calculated weight... even if your package only weighs ounces..

[gbrobbins]

John, you are right. The thing that bugs me is that they give you a quote which you in turn advise your buyer of the cost and then they bounce the price up etc etc. When you make a deal you stick to it. I would not go back to the buyer and say it costs more, when you have received his money.

Just more careful in the future.

G B Robbins
Port St. Lucie, FL

:mad: :mad:

[dostacos]

what can brown do TO you..... :eek:

[pmpjohn]

I went to the DHL site to get a quote to ship a 3LB 40" x 16' x2' package to England. The website said $145.00. Thinking this must be a mistake I called DHL. The lady says "Yes, the site is wrong, it will be $160.00". I told her my guess was that we would both lose the business,I was right.

John

[420TEE]

Several years ago I wanted to order a gang mower for my big old John Deere for something like $1600. Shipping wasn't too bad but they wanted to charge me $150 to have the driver drop the crate on my front yard with the power tailgate lift. So they lost a $1600 sale over it. Stupid. :censored:

[Aerominded]

Re: shipping, today's rates may be the "good old cheap days" in the not too distant future... :eek:

[steveciambrone]

Try USPS website they offer internet rates, you pay online and get a prepaid mailing label, just drop it off at the post office and your done, don't even have to wait in line. Your size box is still under the USPS limit and the limit for most foreign countries. EBAY/paypal offer the same services, it has worked well for me.

Steve

[gbrobbins]

tks Steve> I'll try that the next time. I;ll check in to that now .

Whoa Hee.

GB Robbins
:D :D

[der kapitan]

Try USPS website they offer internet rates, you pay online and get a prepaid mailing label, just drop it off at the post office and your done, don't even have to wait in line. Your size box is still under the USPS limit and the limit for most foreign countries. EBAY/paypal offer the same services, it has worked well for me.
Steve
USPS is the way that I go with most all of my shipping. It's usually the least expensive, and the handling is more gentle. ;)

I avoid the box crushers like UPS---. :eek:

[TRWXXA]

You were being charged by something called, "dimensional weight". It's not a new practice, nor is it uncommon. All shippers do it (including USPS) and there is a standard set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Low-weight, high-volume packages require extra handling, and take up valuable space in trucks and aircraft. The shipper makes up this cost by charging a rate, based on a standard density, for these oversized packages. Your 14-pound, 5 cubic foot package was essentially taking up the same space as 45 pounds of regular freight, so you were charged accordingly.

Make sure you carefully research what your actual shipping costs will be before quoting someone a price.

Now...

$14 for a cardboard box?!!! :eek: That's crazy!!

[patmat2350]

It takes more time and it's not fork-proof... but I reinforce large cardboard boxes. Say a 1x1x4 foot box... squares of pressboard in either end, and a 1"x2" square frame at the midpoint... pretty much crush resistant.

And I never depend on peanuts to keep the item away from the box sides. Maybe as filler, but only after using solid foam (pool noodles, old styrofoam blocks...) as barriers around the item.

Always ask yourself- Can I drop this packing job on its end from 2 feet up?
If "no", repack it.

[patmat2350]

I once tried to use a kitty litter bucket (the heavy plastic type with snap on lid) to ship a heavy engine part. It was the perfect size, tough, with a handle even. UPS wanted to charge extra because it wasn't an "easy to handle" plain box.

[Aerominded]

Hee hee, do you have any idea how much the kitty litter company invested in developing their "easy to handle" packaging??? :D "easy to handle" sells!!!

[W.L Upshaw]

I Shipped some orders last week with USPS and was quite surprised just how much the rates went up last month, we only get told about the $0.01 cent increase, thoise soft pouch envelopes are now charged at the bulk rate, I sent one with a couple of fittings in it, it weighed in at 1.4 ounces and it cost 1.55 to mail, then I add the Delivery Confirmation which goes on everything I mail. I raised my S&H charges the end of last year and I am already in the RED on shipping my orders out.

When I ship my really large hulls out, the Fuel Surcharge is now greater then the freight charges. They used to charge this on actual weight only and now they charge it at the Dimensional Weight rate.
There is no end in sight for the rapidly increasing shipping cost

[gbrobbins]

Thank goodness, I'm not the only person who is frustrated with shipping costs. After I got home I looked at my invoice and there was a charge of $6.00 for service and $3.00 fuel charge. I understand the fuel charge BUT $6.00 to wait on me. Baloney

The future buyers will have to be ready for some real bucks in shipping costs.

G. B Robbins
:mad: :mad:

[der kapitan]

I Shipped some orders last week with USPS and was quite surprised just how much the rates went up last month, we only get told about the $0.01 cent increase, thoise soft pouch envelopes are now charged at the bulk rate, I sent one with a couple of fittings in it, it weighed in at 1.4 ounces and it cost 1.55 to mail, then I add the Delivery Confirmation which goes on everything I mail. I raised my S&H charges the end of last year and I am already in the RED on shipping my orders out.
There is no end in sight for the rapidly increasing shipping cost
You're right Lee, I raised my shipping charges early this year, and it has already been shown that I didn't raise them enough---. :eek:

And the box prices went up, as did the shipping costs to get them---. :p

Of course, the customers aren't happy over this, but then how many of them
mail out large packages on a regular basis, and become familiar with the current rates? ;)

[steamboatmodel]

If you are shipping anything to Canada be kind and use USPS, UPS charges us a brokerage fee that can sometimes be more that the items original cost.
Regards,
Gerald

[mr.boat]

Note.
When sending items that are big and light. All Shipping companies will charge Volumetric weight. ( L X W x H ).
I had this with a bar of Chocolate one Christmas from London to N.Y.
Actual weight 1.1kg inc packing, volumetric weight 3kg. :eek: trippled my delivery costs.

[RGinCanada]

Gerald:

If you must accept UPS shipments to Canada, take the premium service, it includes the brokerage fees, and will get it to you in a day or two for the same combined price.

For our customers, shipping fees (which we actually under-charge for and lose money on) and delivery times (even when we ship same day) make up 97% of our customer complaints. :(

[TRWXXA]

Always ask yourself- Can I drop this packing job on its end from 2 feet up?
If "no", repack it.
Better make that 5 feet up. And also try to picture several other boxes being dropped on top it from that height. ;)

[Greysquirrel]

What I don't understand is the difference between companies for shipping the same item from the same region. I just had to order a dog crate for my wife's dog who has a back injury and we have to keep him confined when we are not home, the price from two companies where the same, both had $8.99 standard shipping but one wanted an extra $18.65 for an oversized charge, the crate was the same model and size and manufacturer and both where coming from the same state. And both are large catalog sales outfits, if one was a mom and pop store or an individual I could understand it.
Of course it's a no brainer who I gave my business to.

[ThrustTugKeith]

<<If you must accept UPS shipments to Canada, take the premium service, it includes the brokerage fees,>>

I think UPS ..ALWAYS charges that " Brokerage Fee " as they have their own Brokerage House. I bought a Clarinet off E-Bay for $35...the person who sold it to me was mad cause she " didnt get what SHE thought the Clarinet was worth", and valued it at $300. I also told her to ship it USPS, but she shipped it UPS. When the horn arrived, the UPS dude wanted $130 at the door...cash!!!!!
Thats why I dont sell or buy off of E-Bay anymore.

[Ghost 2501]

makes you wander, is it cheaper if you want to ship something from New york to San Francisco, to take the time off work (holiday), put said item in trunk of dodge neon, then drive to san fran and back again. even with American gasoline prices

[RGinCanada]

TTK:
From the UPS website:
UPS offers free+* routine customs clearance of UPS Worldwide Express Plus™, UPS Worldwide Express™, UPS Worldwide Express Saver™ and UPS Worldwide Expedited™. Use the chart below to calculate the customs brokerage fee for your inbound shipments.

You will still pay the same total amount :(, but you get the package faster.

You can appeal and get refunded the GST portion of the overpayment. UPS charges brokerage fees based on the declared value, so maybe there is an appeal process there too.

But yeah, USPS is the way to go for importing. $5.00 fee + actual taxes.

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

makes you wander, is it cheaper if you want to ship something from New york to San Francisco, to take the time off work (holiday), put said item in trunk of dodge neon, then drive to san fran and back again. even with American gasoline prices

That's kind of what we did with Billy's "Minaymo".
He was coming up,.. He wasn't coming up, I was going down..
wait a friend went down sooner... "Minyamo" picked up by Billy's friend,
Billy picked up his boat.

Just to avoid the extra jostling it might have inccured during shipping.
:o

[hpiguy]

So, you gave the wrong size online and got an estimate of $41.

You went to the location, and they measured it accurately, and it was now $47.

I don't see where THEY did anything wrong. Maybe I'm missing something.

[der kapitan]

Due to the "fuel costs" everybody is jumping on the "let's jack up prices" bandwagon. :eek:

But what have our elected (and overpaid) officials been doing---? Diddly Crap! :p

Maybe it's time to totally clean house---. ;)

[Norway2112]

So, you gave the wrong size online and got an estimate of $41.

You went to the location, and they measured it accurately, and it was now $47.

I don't see where THEY did anything wrong. Maybe I'm missing something.

Was this remark necessary?...or beneficial to the conversation? :cool:

I recently paid $30 to FedEx a standard box weighing 3.0 lbs to the west coast from the Midwest...astonished I just saw it as a sign of things to come. Too bad our salaries don't increase at even half the pace!

:( --From the school of..."if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all"

[hpiguy]

Was this remark necessary?...or beneficial to the conversation? :cool:

I recently paid $30 to FedEx a standard box weighing 3.0 lbs to the west coast from the Midwest...astonished I just saw it as a sign of things to come. Too bad our salaries don't increase at even half the pace!

:( --From the school of..."if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all"

LOL, you are totally cool with bashing on a company, or companies that have done nothing wrong, BUT you don't want some truth on the conversation?

The remark IS necessary and very beneficial. He's blaming UPS and trashing them (trust me, I've had my bad turns with them also) for something HE made a mistake on. He mismeasured the box. How is that even close to UPS' fault?

Has UPS done something wrong, by all means, lay into them. but in this case, they didn't do anything wrong besides follow a policy that has been in place since they've been in business.

I'm really sick of this current attitude where we try to blame everyone else for our mistakes. Get mad at a company or a store clerk for not reading clearly defined policies or for us making a simple mistake.

If you can't handle the truth, you have a rough road to travel my friend.

[frankg]

:) I like a number of other manufactures have had to raise my shipping charges due to the resulting charges that FedEx has seen fit to affix to the standard shipping rates. If the standard charge for my weekly shipping charges is say $500.00 dollars, the OTHER charges amount to almost another $500.00. And do not think that all the extra money is fuel surcharge, no,no. There are charges for this and charges for that. I will not ship out of the lower 48 states with FEDEX or UPS. If I can ship the package thru the USPS, then I will take the order, if it can not be shipped thru the mail, then I am sorry I will have to give up the sale. :)

[Predreadnut]

Tues. I went to a place called Going Postal to return a HO Big Boy loco to the manufacture for repair. Goin Postal deals with UPS, Fed Ex, DHL and the USPS. They will weigh and measure your package and show you what each of these cos. will charge you to send it. They also have their opinions(thru alot of experience) of who is the best and worst.Athough they admitted that they have had horror stories with all of them, they did have their favorites depending on the type of item to be sent. In my case, DHL was the cheapest and USPS was the most expensive. I went with Fed Ex, it was second cheapest and they said it was there favorite for fragile items. I was surprised to find out that none of the shippers would insure my loco for more than $100, even if I paid more for it.? Hopefully it gets there and back in one piece.

P.S. It cost me $12.19 to send a diecast(Heavy) HO Big Boy from Mo. to FL by Fed Ex, which included a box and "peanuts".

[Norway2112]

Interesting Tim, because I shipped an N Scale Challenger back to Athern, only weighing 3.0 lbs via FedEx...experienced the same issue on insurance...wonder why that is?! I like how mine was twice the cost of yours, yet not even half the weight. Distance was further, but at that point the actual cost associated with the difference in (MO to Fl as opposed to KY to CA) distance becomes minimal.

To another point, I fully respect freedom of expression, but attacking individuals and businesses are two entirely different things. Businesses are not protected with the same rights to privacy and defamation laws as individuals. My previous point was not to attack an individual. Apparently we have some commercial public defenders out to protect the businesses they are likely not even paid to represent. This is my FINAL two cents on this particular issue being pushed by certain interests. I assure you the road is pretty smooth...

[Predreadnut]

What?...I got a good deal? Wow,that never happens. :) Maybe a chain store like Goin Postal gets a better rate? I think I'll be going to them for my shipping needs from now on. As for insurance, I remember the ladies saying that no one will insure a "collectable" for over $100. So what do you do if you are shipping a valuable coin? or baseball card? :confused:

[420TEE]

I remember reading about Harry Winston, the wealthy NY jewelry dealer who owned the Hope Diamond. He wanted to loan it to the Smithsonian to put on display so he wrapped it in a small box and sent it regular mail. Got there no problem.
I just read he insured it for $142.00 and it cost $2.90 postage.

[hpiguy]

To another point, I fully respect freedom of expression, but attacking individuals and businesses are two entirely different things. Businesses are not protected with the same rights to privacy and defamation laws as individuals. My previous point was not to attack an individual. Apparently we have some commercial public defenders out to protect the businesses they are likely not even paid to represent. This is my FINAL two cents on this particular issue being pushed by certain interests. I assure you the road is pretty smooth...

WOW, just WOW. You can't be serious. You just can't be. That post is a joke right?

You don't like that I bring some facts about the discussion (the poster screwed up, not UPS in this particular case) so you accuse me of being a "commercial public defender"?

Are you high on CA fumes or something?

People bring FACTS to the table and point out that an angry post is actually misguided and you get all hissy.

NO ONE "attacked" you, in ANY way. What was done was, people pointed out facts about this post. YOU personally don't like facts you don't agree with, so you had a temper tantrum of sorts and started accusing me of having "commercial" interests in the topic.

Your ignorance is hysterical.

Keep tossing blame all over the place except at yourself. You were the exact type of person I was speaking of.

[toesup]

...the poster screwed up, not UPS in this particular case...

Actually, the original poster wasnt complaining about the fact he was charged because of the extra 1/2" on the size of the box ... even though he mentioned it in his posting.

The original poster was complaining that the 'volume' weight of his package was more than the actual weight.

[hpiguy]

So, he's complaining of his ignorance of a long standing and well known policy.

Large boxes take up lots of room on trucks, trains and planes. Regardless of weight. So to make up for the fewer packages they can carry they have to charge more.

[avidjeepr]

Hpi guy must work for UPS.Ha HaHa,
.

[hpiguy]

I make more money and work way less hours than a union UPS driver, so, no. Sorry to disappoint.

I'm posting all of this because I get sick of people blaming others for their mistakes or their not understanding of policies and rules.

Personal responsibility. It's not just for everyone else. It's for all of us.

[pmpjohn]

I have to add my 2c worth here. I am in agreement with hpiguy, and no I don't work for any shipping company either. None of us likes the rising prices of everything. All the more reason to do your homework properly and not be taken by surprize by well established policies.

John

[charlie eaton]

:( Time to end this before it gets out of hand :(

[der kapitan]

hpiguy seems to have an issue, or maybe a personal problem---. :rolleyes:

He shouldn't confuse "ignorance" with "uninformed"---. ;)

[hpiguy]

hpiguy seems to have an issue, or maybe a personal problem---. :rolleyes:

He shouldn't confuse "ignorance" with "uninformed"---. ;)

Maybe it's you with the problem? Since you claim I have an "issue", yet you don't know the definition of ignorance. My use of the word, is VERY correct in that context.

THAT you claim I'm confused as to a definition is, my friend, even funnier than the guy who claims I'm insulting him by providing facts.

You sir, are also ignorant it seems. And the kicker is, you proved it with the post above where you TRIED to embarass and correct me when all you did was prove how little YOU know when you did that.

You only bolstered my argument with your post. Thank you.

THERE ARE FACTS BELOW, MANY IN THIS THREAD MAY NOT WISH TO READ FACTS, SO STOP NOW.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ignorant

1 a: destitute of knowledge or education <an ignorant society>; also : lacking knowledge or comprehension of the thing specified <parents ignorant of modern mathematics> b: resulting from or showing lack of knowledge or intelligence <ignorant errors>
2: unaware, uninformed
— ig·no·rant·ly adverb
— ig·no·rant·ness noun
synonyms ignorant, illiterate, unlettered, untutored, unlearned mean not having knowledge. ignorant may imply a general condition or it may apply to lack of knowledge or awareness of a particular thing <an ignorant fool> <ignorant of nuclear physics>. illiterate applies to either an absolute or a relative inability to read and write <much of the population is still illiterate>. unlettered implies ignorance of the knowledge gained by reading <an allusion meaningless to the unlettered>. untutored may imply lack of schooling in the arts and ways of civilization <strange monuments built by an untutored people>. unlearned suggests ignorance of advanced subjects <poetry not for academics but for the unlearned masses>.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ignorance
the state or fact of being ignorant : lack of knowledge, education, or awareness

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignorance
Ignorance is the condition of being uninformed or uneducated, lacking knowledge or information.


God forbid anyone bring some FACTS to the discussion. Right?

Seems like "ignorance is bliss" in this thread with all of you jumping on me for proving that the initial post's anger was mishuided.


Take care.

[Kmot]

lol... :p

[gpzy]

This thread is just to :censored: en funny!!!

[charlie eaton]

Heeheeheeheeheeheeheehee!!!!!!!!!! ;) :D :D :D :D

[toesup]

So, he's complaining of his ignorance of a long standing and well known policy.

Large boxes take up lots of room on trucks, trains and planes. Regardless of weight. So to make up for the fewer packages they can carry they have to charge more.

Yes... And he has a right to complain about a policy that 'irks' a lot of people.

Unfortunatly, we cant all know all the rules and regulations for everything from end to end.

[gpzy]

Yes... And he has a right to complain about a policy that 'irks' a lot of people.

Unfortunatly, we cant all know all the rules and regulations for everything from end to end.
Is RC Groups full of 12 year old kids?
If someone doesnt like the policy of one company, find another. If a person doesnt bother to read the fine print and gets screwed, oh well better read it next time.
Time to grow up.

[pmpjohn]

Yes... And he has a right to complain about a policy that 'irks' a lot of people.

Unfortunatly, we cant all know all the rules and regulations for everything from end to end.

Yes, and by chosing to air his complaint on a public forum he is opening the door for opposing views. The policy "irks" me as much as the next guy. However I am aware of it and all shippers do it. Complaining about it here will not pressure the shippers to change the policy. It will only expose your lack of knowledge about certain aspects of business you are trying to conduct. "Ignorance is no excuse of the law". If part of your business, full or part time, involves shipping merchandise then it is in your own best interest to know all the rules and regulations from end to end. Hopefully the OP has learned a valuable lesson and will not be caught out the next time.

John

[Basstronics]

Use DHL.

I build and ship subwoofer boxes all weighing well over 70 Lbs and as big as 8 cubic feet of volume via DHL. most expensive box to ship was $36 and it went from Ohio out west somewhere.

I take my things directly into an Office Max after getting an online quote. A majority of the time its about $1 cheaper or so to take it into the store.

[der kapitan]

Heeheeheeheeheeheeheehee!!!!!!!!!! ;) :D :D :D :D
What'd he say? :p

[charlie eaton]

The 2 book covers above!!!!!

[der kapitan]

The 2 book covers above!!!!!
Yes Charlie, the Dale Carnegie publication would be very useful and informative reading to some people in this forum---. :rolleyes:

[hpiguy]

The dictionary and encyclopedia would also be great reading for those that claim to know what words mean when trying to cut down others.

[der kapitan]

The dictionary and encyclopedia would also be great reading for those that claim to know what words mean when trying to cut down others.
Some people should back off from trying to affront others. Especially when they have hurled accusations of "ignorance", when they have demonstrated their own---.

[MILLERTIME]

I've had good luck with UPS.
Get to know your driver, mine always ask another boat Don.

[hpiguy]

Some people should back off from trying to affront others. Especially when they have hurled accusations of "ignorance", when they have demonstrated their own---.

I have shown ignoranceof the subject matter in this thread? Quote such please.

Just sour grapes from you for literally owning yourself when trying to insult me. Poor guy, can't use big words with the adults and then tosses a tantrum over it.

[der kapitan]

I have shown ignoranceof the subject matter in this thread? Quote such please.

Just sour grapes from you for literally owning yourself when trying to insult me. Poor guy, can't use big words with the adults and then tosses a tantrum over it.
What did he say---.? :p

[avidjeepr]

It doesn't really matter. :p

[Bob Bighinatti]

We all had fun with this one way of the other ,so let us all grab a
beer ,wine or a shot and get back to the drydocks and build and or
repair boats. :) :)
Bob Big :) :)

[Norway2112]

I agree, I don't know if the dead horse can take any more beating :p I have been happily sanding and filing on styrene all morning!

[lyman135]

Thank- you! This was starting to get bizarre. I can see both points of view, but honestly, I don't think it needs to be discussed anymore. I think both sides started to get off track and, I'm sure there are plenty of more interesting things to be discussed than fighting about shipping model boats! Basically, I guess what I'm trying to say is, DROP IT!

[Predreadnut]

Hey Norway, that's not a certain French liner you've been working on..is it? Pictures? Now, I've got to go to bed so I can work more hours and make less money than somebody......... :rolleyes: Whoops! :D

[gbrobbins]

Since I started this thread, I have learned several things. Some may call it igorance, I call it learning.

First:Since I don;t ship many boats, I have lerned several things for the futures. I won;t make the same mistakes again.

Second: I have learned that in our hobby, we have some ass's. So be it.

Thanks guys for the good points re shipping.

Close the thread and move on.

G. B. Robbins
Port St Lucie, FL
:D :D