Santa Does NOT Wear Brown Shorts
Written: Jan 10 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Large distribution system.
Cons: Doesn't care about the small, non-corporate customer.
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| happy2000usa's Full Review: UPS Ground |
The TV Show New Radio frequently depicts one of the major characters, Beth, spotting the UPS man and dragging him off to an unseen supply closet. Minutes later, they return, smiling, and the UPS man leaves. Until this holiday season, I never noticed that the UPS man never delivers any packages.
This Christmas we were running late so my wife elected to mail some packages at the local Mailbox Outlet. I have always been partial to Airborne Express, but that wasn't an option. She decided on UPS and mailed three packages. Two arrived in time for Christmas, the third never made it.
That package left the San Francisco Area on December 21 and, according to their tracking, went to Cach, Illinois, where it sat until the night of December 27. From there it went to Columbia, S.C., arriving on the 29th. The 30th, it went to Summerville, SC, where it stopped, just a few miles from its Charleston destination.
Waiting until after the holidays, I inquired and was told that the box had been destroyed in Summerville. Why, you ask? It seems it had arrived empty. Two inspectors had checked and determined it was improper packaging. Amazing. It was packaged and taped in the same manner as the two that made it, which were considerably more laden with toys and goodies. This particular package had an envelope containing a gift certificate, nothing more.
Since it was our fault for not taping it properly, UPS disclaimed any liability. I complained, explaining it was securely packaged and was told that another section would handle the disputed claim. They would call me within the hour. They never called.
I called back two days later and had to repeat the story. I was told the reason no one called is that they were not liable for the loss. I should make my claim against the mailbox outlet. I disagreed and again was told that someone else (whose name and number they could not reveal - - company policy) would call me within the hour. They never did.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch house, I was able to use my receipt, which had the gift certificate number, and discovered that the gift certificate had been cashed at a Home Depot in Chicago on December 30. (Remember the long delay in Cach, Illinois?) The box had evidently been retaped because it passed inspection departing Cach and during transit at Columbia. I called UPS again.
This time my problem, since it appeared a theft was involved, was referred to another section. You got it! "Don't call us, we'll call you within the hour." They never did. Only after I called who works for the Chicago police, who in turn contacted UPS to check on the reported theft, did they call. With great reluctance, and in an effort to keep their "superior customer relations image," they agreed to reimburse the $100. Mind you, they would not return the shipping fee, just the amount of the merchandise. I guess that's fair. Look at all of the entertainment I got for my $9.00 shipping fee!
Considering the amount of money UPS and the other carriers made from the e-shopping boom this last holiday season, you would think they would not waste much of their time, or mine, settling this matter. It's quite simple. I entrusted a package to them and they did not perform. Why waste the manhours (peoplehours) disputing such a paltry amount? I suppose that, in the end, numerous small claims make a large one that cuts into the bottom line. Maybe they do have frequent false claims.
As for me, I don't know what outfit Santa will be wearing next year when he delivers my presents around the country, but I can definitely say he won't ever be seen again in a pair of brown shorts. I met the grinch and his name was UPS.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
happy2000usa
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 - Top 1000 |
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Member: Wayne Arnold
Location: Tracy, California, USA
Reviews written: 97
Trusted by: 171 members
About Me:
Writer, editor, beta tester, pilot, traveler. I'm an easy mark, always evaluating new software.
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