posted on February 7, 2004 05:53:18 AM
..has anyone experienced the ups stores' packing services? i decided to use the services this week...would like to hear some feedback...thanks a mil!, myoldtoy
posted on February 7, 2004 11:12:50 AM
I used it a few years back with some items that needed special packing / handling when it was still Mailbox,etc worked out well. Rates were good items arrived all in one piece, customers happy.
I sold an oil painting on commission this November. We decided to use the UPS store because it was the only professional mailing company in our area (we didn't feel up to the task of packaging a $2000 painting ourselves!). The whole ordeal was a disaster. First of all... the charges seemed a little high... even for what it was. It was over $250 to ship the 2x3 foot painting from Virginia to New York. Next... we dropped it off to be shipped in the first week of December. Well... by New Years... our bidder still hadn't received his package. We called up the UPS store and found out why. THEY HADN'T SHIPPED IT YET! Their excuse? They hadn't had the right materials to make a box for it. Of course... they hadn't told us this in advance, nor had they told us that their would be any delay. All-in-all it was one of the worst experiences we've had dealing with company. I would not recommend them, nor would I use them again.
..while i appreciate all threads, yours helps fill my search - your dilemma adds another question to my laundry list...quite frankly, i had not thought of your problem..
..i will not use the store for a simple package like a toy truck, but,rather on the tedious packing of a hi priced guitar, etc. while price is an object, itis not a dealkiller with me...because my time is worth the difference...
..but having said that, i shipped couple erte prints last year, and i had my son build awoodn crate for them...so know where you coming from...
i wonder how many more "ugly dragons" gonna rear their head at the ups store...thanks again for the "enlight."
myoldtoy
posted on February 7, 2004 05:31:57 PM
Most if not all UPS stores are independently owned. Which means that the only thing really comparable between them is the shipping company they use. (UPS)
I have never shipped from the local one but wouldn't hesitate to if I needed it.
I know the owner and he is a real nice guy.
You might want to try it out once and see how it works out. If they act like they just want to get rid of you like a lot of companies do nowadays, you are probably best to avoid them.
posted on February 7, 2004 08:08:27 PM
You are right, these are franchises so it is impossible to compare one location to another. I think they are great for a private mailbox service - no waiting around for UPS or Fedex.
As far as shipping, I've only shipped a few things. Generally, their rates are not that great, and it is expensive to have them pack a package. I'd rather do that myself. For a $2000 painting, I would probably try to use a shipping company and freight it.
posted on February 8, 2004 10:17:15 AM
The rates for retail store is higher than the "Occassional" rate or the "Weekly Pickup" Rate. The rate difference is only a few dollars for lower weight items, but the difference grows exponentially with greater weight. If you want to keep more of your money, do it yourself. If you can make more money doing other things besides packing, than give it to the UPS Store.
