Thread: UPS Sucks Bum

Yet another reason over and above their userous brokerage fees.

They lost a razor that one of the members here sent me. Tracking shows it made it all the way to my home town and then disappeared.

I called them to initiate a package search.

They politely told me that the shipper has to contact them to initiate a search or claim.

So despite the fact that the Shippee has paid for and owns the goods he or she requires the shipper to make a claim. If the shipper does not the shippee is shit out of luck.

If the shipper makes a claim, it is the shipper who is compensated (paid twice) and if the shipper (was e - typo) doesn't feel like forwarding the money then you are poop out of luck.

Yet another reason to use the mail.

- Bob

Technically the shipper (seller) is responsible for the goods until delivery unless the terms are "our dock" or they state ownership transfers otherwise. It puts a burden on the seller who in most cases would feel that once he hands the package over to UPS, USPS, etc... his part is over. The shipee (buyer) can always file a non-delivery claim with his credit card company or Paypal and get refunded unless deliver can be proven. The buyer always has more protection than the seller.

I know buyers always want the lowest shipping costs and balk if a razor costs more than $3.00 to ship but without insurance the seller takes all the risk.

Hopefully the package will turn up at some point. Does tracking show any status after arrival in your town?

Tony

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

Technically the shipper (seller) is responsible for the goods until delivery unless the terms are "our dock" or they state ownership transfers otherwise. It puts a burden on the seller who in most cases would feel that once he hands the package over to UPS, USPS, etc... his part is over. The shipee (buyer) can always file a non-delivery claim with his credit card company or Paypal and get refunded unless deliver can be proven. The buyer always has more protection than the seller.

I know buyers always want the lowest shipping costs and balk if a razor costs more than $3.00 to ship but without insurance the seller takes all the risk.

Hopefully the package will turn up at some point. Does tracking show any status after arrival in your town?

Tony

Tony, you certainly have more experience with this than I do as I don't run a business and only send things occasionally but...

One thing I remember for a fact from business law class is that businesses have a lot of protection in this country. According to the contract law, the seller has fulfilled his obligation once the package is shipped out. Mere proof of shipment is enough.

Now, it might not be followed to the letter in real life as you really have no leverage against credit card companies but if you were to end up in court, it would be different.

Of course, I only have elementary education in the contract law so if any attorney here can chime in, I'd like to know more for myself.

Originally Posted by RobertFontaine

If the shipper makes a claim, it is the shipper who is compensated (paid twice) and if the shippee doesn't feel like forwarding the money then you are poop out of luck.

- Bob

I don't understand this part, why would the "shippee" be forwarding any money to anyone? The shippee/you have already paid for goods and postage, then the shipper has been compensated (paid twice) wouldn't it be the shipper who has to forward money to they shippee since they have not received the goods?

Besides, do you really think one of our members will try and stiff you? I'm sure it will get sorted soon for you.

I probably read to far into this, so don't take it the wrong way if I got the wrong end of the stick.

P.S I hate post services too. They are either too expensive or too rough. I had a box came to me that was mangled (uninsured too, makes me think the wankers don't give a toss if theres no insurance) everything inside was broken or squashed except a bottle of wine, go figure.

typo in the initial rant... (corrected)

I have no issues whatsoever with the seller. I think the liability and responibility should rest with UPS not the seller and it makes little sense to me that they would not initiate a search based on a shipees call.

That the seller is stuck in the middle when UPS screws up a shipment sucks for the buyer and the seller but NOT for UPS who is actually at fault. This means that in quite a few instances UPS is quite likely to avoid taking responsibility.

To be clear, I the buyer can't initiate a search or a claim for my goods with UPS. In this instance I am sure that I have no problem with the seller BUT I often purchase goods from vendors I have far less faith in and who might very well be indifferent to me once payment was recieved.

The extremely professional indifference is wondrous to behold.

- Bob

Gosh, this is scaring me. I us USPS right now and really have not had any problems. UPS has been after me to use them but I think I'll just keep dong what I'm doing.

Yeah, UPS just kind of does what they
want to do. I was supposed to receive
a package and the guy came to my
door looking to pick up a package FROM
me for shipment. I told him I didn't
have any and that I was expecting one.
Next night the same thing. Eventually
UPS told the vendor I had bought the
items from that I refused to accept the
package I was expecting in the first
place, which never happened.

John

Originally Posted by RobertFontaine

That the seller is stuck in the middle when UPS screws up a shipment sucks for the buyer and the seller but NOT for UPS who is actually at fault. This means that in quite a few instances UPS is quite likely to avoid taking responsibility.

The seller is ultimately responsible for making sure you get your package. You paid for that service. It is appropriate that the seller has to do the legwork. A major retailer, in fact, would likely refund your money before all the red tape is cut. The problem is that ebay vendors are not major retailers.

Originally Posted by ScottS

A major retailer, in fact, would likely refund your money before all the red tape is cut. The problem is that ebay vendors are not major retailers.

Excellent point! Any decent retailer should refund your money until the issues are sorted out but few will. With private sellers, even though the rules are the same it gets more difficult. Many times guys are selling because they need the funds and coughing up a refund instantly may not be as easy as it is for a business. If I was on the reciving end in this from a private seller I cut a lot of slack, from a true retailer though I'd expect a refund, etc...

I had a large shipment of boxes go lost 2 weeks ago. I called Uline, my supplier and they instantly refunded my card AND sent out replacements the same day. Once the lost goods were found they then recharged me for what I received. Great supplier and exactly how business should work.

Again though, with a private seller and a group member I'd be more tolerant.

Tony

You're spot on, Tony. I suppose I look at eBay as a giant gamble in the first place-- I don't spend more than I'd be upset about losing, unless it's through a giant eBay vendor with thousands of transactions regularly. This outlook keeps my blood pressure down.