UPS is in bed with the devil,


I sold my speakers recently and tried to ship them UPS, which has a maximum weight of 150 pounds. Since they came to me on another carrier who also has a 150 lb maximum, I figured I was good to go and they weighed about 150 pounds each.

I was quoted about $100 each on their website but it wouldn't allow me to actually schedule the shipment for some reason even though I have an account. I had to schedule it via the phone, so they charged me an extra $4 each for using a UPS operator in spite of the fact that the website wouldn't allow me to schedule it.

They picked them up but brought them back 5 days later because they were over weight by 16 pounds. They then sent me a bill for $10 for additional paperwork.

I got another bill tonoght for $50 for an excess weight charge.

They picked them up, drove them to the other side of town, held them for 5 days, brought them back, and charged me $270 to do so when the charge across the country was less than $200.

Yea, I know, it was my fault for being overweight, but this is ridiculous. UPS sucks!
herman
It wouldn't be so bad if they had charged me an overweight fee AND delivered them, but to charge extra and then return them is not right.

I did look through their 24 page legal disclaimer and the fee is in there and it says it is their option to deliver them or not. So they could have charged me extra and delivered them. In any case, any well run company would warm you when you claim a weight close to the limit so you know what you are up against.

I now have a freight company picking them up.
Apparently there are some shipping companies trying to move into the American market to offer some competition. UPS and FedEx are all over the world, but appear to be blocking any attempt to let foreign competition into America. But granted it would be tough to move into such an already established market with 2 big rivals. But more competition should have some sort of benefit.

And don't forget there are other alternatives to UPS and FedEx (and the USPS). Here in California we have Golden State Overnight. Other states/markets may have similar companies.

Still, it seems very wrong that UPS would charge you the shipping fee when they never actually shipped them. I can understand a small handling fee similar to a restocking fee, but to not refund any of your payment is robbery. Imagine ordering something at a restaurant and they tell you they are out of it but charge you anyway.
It took 5 days for those morons to figure out they were overweight? If they picked them up in the first place, then what's their problem. I would tell them where they could stick that bill! Seriously, you need to speak with a customer service supervisor and get the charges removed from your accout.
I thought "UPS" was used to describe the color of their trucks: Ugly Pieces of S%!@!T.