Lost UPS Shipment ... I'm bummed

[cbsmokin]

Originally Posted by Slowpokebill

Well it appears that UPS, the boys in Brown, are sending my smokes on a nation wide tour. They went back to Florida from Salt Lake City Utah and now they have made a stop in Kentucky. I wonder where they will go next.

So watch for my cigars in a major city near you.

At least they will be aged when you get them.

[mistabman]

Originally Posted by Homebrewer

I ordered the Oliva sampler from Famous on the Dec. 28th. Famous sent it out right away, but now the delivery date has been updated so to speak. The UPS website says I'll get it today. So I get a full 10 day wait. I can get a USPS package from across the country in 3 days.

And check this out:
http://gizmodo.com/5123563/brown-can...oss-thats-what

What can brown do for you?

I ordered that same Oliva sampler. I got the package on monday, but had a scare when I was looking for it. The GF got home first, and I told her to look on the front porch for the package (which is where UPS and USPS always leave them.) "no dice" she says, but finds a door hanger from this new BBQ joint down the road. As I'm asking her for the number of the BBQ place while the hairs on the back of my neck are starting to stand up, she walks around to the back of the house and finds my box on the back deck. I breathed a sigh of relief and tried to get my blood pressure back down.

THEN, yesterday, I got another shipment from famous, the gran habano #5 5 pack that cigarmonster had for 9.95 the other day, and that box is just smashed to hell and back. Luckily, there were about 2 air packs for every cigar in the box, so the cigars were fine.

USPS > UPS fo sho.

[Slowpokebill]

My sticks arrived this morning after their three week national tour. They have been put to bed in the humidor for a well deserved rest.

They are in good shape ... I do appreciate that TampaHumidor packs them well sealed with a water pillow.

[fallguy81]

i feel your pain, i still have yet to recieve 5000 baseball cards that should have been here before new years.

[Chuckie]

Originally Posted by mistabman

THEN, yesterday, I got another shipment from famous, the gran habano #5 5 pack that cigarmonster had for 9.95 the other day, and that box is just smashed to hell and back. Luckily, there were about 2 air packs for every cigar in the box, so the cigars were fine.

I received a package from Famous awhile back from UPS and the box was also pretty smashed up. When the driver handed it to me, he said I should "check the contends out" before he left. He asked if I knew what it was and I told him it was cigars as I opened the box. He looked a little worried but when I got it opened, he said "Oh, they have shipped with us before." as he was walking off the porch. Famous uses plenty of air packs as mistabman said. Kudos to Famous for that.

[hotreds]

Originally Posted by Cigary

TIP#3,,,make friends with your delivery people

That should be tip#1! Never hurts to befriend these folks, they will usually go the extra mile for you if you do. It's worth it!

[Herf N Turf]

A few things to consider:

You are going to see more "horror stories" about UPS than any other, since they are the largest transportation company in the world. They don't mis-sort, or damage more packages than the others, but since they handle three times more than the next closest guys, well... you do the math.

The shipper is soley responsible for packaging. Period. Accounts are briefed on requirements prior to contract. The package/contents must be able to withstand a three foot deadfall and the weight of packages pressing against it when stacked to the roof of a trailer. 99.9% of claims are due to inadequate packaging by the shipper.

Based on the shippers request, the driver is at liberty to leave a package in what he/she considers to be safe (defined as "not readily visible from the street") place in the case of no one being home, -or- with a neighbor. In cases where people are never home during delivery times, it's best to make specific arrangements with the driver, as in the case of the above poster and his garage door.

You have the option of requesting "signature required" on any shipment through UPS. The shipper must make the request to UPS. This is a good idea in urban, or otherwise "questionable" areas, since following drivers and taking delivered packages has become a pass-time for miscreants. You may also have the shipper request the the package be, "held at center." This means that you may pick the package up at the customer counter of your local hub, or center. Additionally, you can call that center and ask them to hold it there for you. If you get the little yellow note of failure, just call and they will hold it there the next day, rather than making another attempt.

As another poster has said, "befriend your driver." Nearly all UPS drivers are very friendly, approachable people. They have a great job, get to work outside, meet a lot of happy people receiving things in great anticipation and they are very well paid ($65-90k/yr). Most will go the extra mile for you and bend over backwards to accomodate you.

I've used everone in the business and have by far had the best results consistently from UPS. They're not the biggest for nothing.

[eber]

I have found that it is really hit or miss with the boys in brown, I have worked at multiple apartment complexes and they were horrible. the one I work/live at would leave me packages outside my door when i was not home (this is in a common hallway.) both times they were expensive items one was my Kershaw shun classic kitchen knives coming back from sharpening (only $500 worth of knives left in the hallway!!! GRRR) On the other hand the UPS driver that goes to my mother's house is great, we have a bench on the porch, if someone is not home he leaves it under the bench out of the elements and prying eyes. I will be having my smokes delivered to my moms from now on.

[jrizzo222]

Yeah these guys are not too trustworthy. I have ran into some of their ex box handlers over the years that have bragged about getting their DVD collections and golf clubs from working there.

[Herf N Turf]

Originally Posted by jrizzo222

Yeah these guys are not too trustworthy. I have ran into some of their ex box handlers over the years that have bragged about getting their DVD collections and golf clubs from working there.

Then, your "hommes" are bragging, for bragging' sake. ALL UPS facilities enforce "zero tolerance" integrity policies and have security on site. Opened packages are reported to security and investigated... immediately. I personally know of an entire HUB being locked down, in order to find a single package.

Have you ever tried to secrete a golf club in your trousers? DVD shipments to Walmart and Blockbuster get special attention.

I'd love to know how these "gangstas" are doing this under such conditions.

Ain't it what the www is about? Anecdotes, and hearsay?

Ain't it.

Now that you're an expert in transportation, do a test. Ship 100 items through UPS, 100 items USPS and 100 items FedEx. See what happens. Period. Period. If your results vary, please report them.

Gimme a break!

[Chuckie]

Originally Posted by Herf N Turf

Now that you're an expert in transportation, do a test. Ship 100 items through UPS, 100 items USPS and 100 items FedEx. See what happens. Period. Period. If your results vary, please report them.

Gimme a break!

Me thinks Herf N Turf may have a little more brown in his closet than the rest of us....

[ca21455]

I have to give a thumbs up to UPS. They have always delivered on time as promised. The person that delivers to my house is a great guy and takes very good care of the packages. I told him were I would like the package when delivered when no one is home and he always takes great care to abide by my wishes.

Like any other business I am sure there will be a few errors and some employees that are not up to par, but in 30 some years of doing business with them at home and at work I have to say they do an excellent job.

[PipesandGOP]

Originally Posted by Herf N Turf

Then, your "hommes" are bragging, for bragging' sake. ALL UPS facilities enforce "zero tolerance" integrity policies and have security on site. Opened packages are reported to security and investigated... immediately. I personally know of an entire HUB being locked down, in order to find a single package.

Have you ever tried to secrete a golf club in your trousers? DVD shipments to Walmart and Blockbuster get special attention.

I'd love to know how these "gangstas" are doing this under such conditions.

Ain't it what the www is about? Anecdotes, and hearsay?

Ain't it.

Now that you're an expert in transportation, do a test. Ship 100 items through UPS, 100 items USPS and 100 items FedEx. See what happens. Period. Period. If your results vary, please report them.

Gimme a break!

I'm sorry but there are plenty of ways for this to happen. Here in Fayetteville it was as easy as employees thinking they were simply doing their job by carrying packages to the supervisors vehicle so he could bring them to nearby centers or stops on his way home which he was known for doing. Little did they know his wife and him had stolen over about 50k in packages over a very large amount of time. And yes, some of these were large items.

No, this was not something being talked about just to brag in the case I'm talking about- it was on the local and state news for weeks.

I did want to add though, just like in any business- there are some good guys and some bad guys. Heck, I had a guy at barnes and noble tell me tonight he thought they carried a cigar magazine but wasn't sure what it was and refused to check on the computer or look in the back for me to see if they weren't just on the shelf, even after I told him the last time I bought a copy of CA, that's what had to be done (and they did have it, another lady went and got it for me from the back)... sheer laziness and it comes in any job you look at if you look long and hard enough. Obviously not all who work for UPS are bad, but there shouldn't be anything wrong with pointiing out issues.

[Kreth]

I've had pretty good luck with our local UPS and FedEx guys, although I know a lot of the guys on a golf forum I frequent hate Brown with a passion. Our FedEx guy even made an extra stop back when I ordered my wife's engagement ring.

[J.Lazy]

treated myself to a box of AF short stories from JR cigars awhile back and i was tracking that package as if it was gold. so when the due date came and nothing showed i tracked it again on ups and they said it was delivered and signed by someone i did not know! i was pissed.it turns out that my next door neighors wife who i never spoke to signed for them and then claimed she just left them in front of my door.never did find out what happened to them but Jr cigars sent a replacement box asap so i was happy.