Using Fedex & UPS

My past experiences when I worked with a telephone repair company and we shipped all over the US (and received from all over too).

When items are received from FedEx and UPS and the boxes appear to rather destroyed...

Make note of the destroyed box with the driver immediately. After opening, keep all the original packaging. If item inside is destroyed, sometimes it is not the vendor's fault but it is UPS or FedEx. You can file a claim with them.

If the inside packaging is inadequate, you will have to go after the vendor. UPS & FedEx will not stand by a box that is smashed if there is not enough packaging that will help support the sides of the box.

Of the items that I have received from Ebay and other Halloween vendors, I have noticed that the packaging is extremely inadequate. Now most items can withstand being tossled and bounced around but not all.

When I was buying ebay items and needed to leave feedback, I would note that it needed more packaging. Don't know if they noticed, but I still left it.

Peanuts are lightweight and doesn't add to the shipping price. Does add cost to the shipper though, but I've seen in some cases they are more than covered on shipping costs. 

Two bits - hope this helps someone.

Sandy 

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Finally got it all together.... but forgot where I put it!

Thanks. I believe many people forget to make note of damaged boxes. Although quite often though I come home to find my box just left on the porch unsigned for. It is very difficult to report damage when you weren't there to claim it with the driver.

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Just Nurturing My Inner Deviant

That "peanuts" stuff I hate getting, but I never thought about it's weight.  Very good point. 

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Dead people are so passive....

Majority of my deliveries now get left on my front porch too. Very few come in for a signature - and the drivers know me now - (am I getting too much stuff???)

But at least definitely call the main phone numbers of the freight company as soon as you receive it and report it.

I hate getting the peanuts too (cats like to play in it and carry all around the house stuck to their fur with the static) but can't beat the "non-weight". 

Sandy 

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Finally got it all together.... but forgot where I put it!

Even if the delivery service just drops and runs you can still report damage. UPS and FedEx are extremely hard on packages. We've shipped stuff packaged like Fort Knox still end up smashed. The upside is that I've found it very easy to work with UPS on both sides of the fence - as a receiver and as a shipper - when it comes to damages or lost packages.

USPS is another matter altogether. Though they tend to handle packages with more care they also do not have tracking unless you go the expensive shipping route. They simply offer a delivery confirmation number which may or may not (depending on their mood) be updated online prior to delivery. Often times it will only show "we were notified by the shipper on such and such date blah blah blah ... this does not mean your item has shipped".

Also with USPS be aware that if it's insured by USPS it will be stamped "Insured" on the outside of the package. If it isn't stamped that does not mean it is not covered as many vendors use 3rd party insurance and you are not allowed to stamp the outside as insured if you are using one of those.

Regardless of whether or not the package is insured it is the legal responsibility of the vendor to get you your package. (IOW - insurance is protection for the vendor not the the buyer.) By law they have 30 days to ship. If they do not ship within that time frame (unless other arrangements are made such as custom items) then they are breaking the law. Also, be aware that if you paid via PayPal the selller must ship within 7 days according to their guidelines.

One other thing - remember USPS does not consider a package lost until 30 days have past. They will not even begin the process prior to that time.

Hope this helps.

Marsha

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Alter Your Ego

my cat loves nothing more than a huge box full of shipping peanuts!

 

good info in this post... ty! 

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i'm stuck in neutral... and i idle at difficult.