Shipping via UPS.

Why was my package damaged? Your package was damaged because it wasn't packed right! Why wasn't it packed right? It wasn't packed right because it was damaged. If it was packed right, it wouldn't be damaged! Do you guys all work for Tony Soprano? No, some of us still work for Uncle Junior!

Why was my package damaged? Your package was damaged because it wasn't packed right! Why wasn't it packed right? It wasn't packed right because it was damaged. If it was packed right, it wouldn't be damaged! Do you guys all work for Tony Soprano? No, some of us still work for Uncle Junior!

We shipped UPS almost daily from mid 1989 Feb 1997. We finally stopped. We had only one item damaged, BUT, we quadruple packed and double boxed EVERYTHING we shipped. This took about 15 minutes to 2+ hours per shipment. We finally had to stop. We were spending 3/4 of each day packaging items to prepare them for UPS war. Also, the tracking and COD problems with UPS were a nightmare. Ever been told: "someone will call you back in an hour"? I think the UPS people are silently laughing when they tell you this. We have had very good luck wih FED EX, and for CODs, they can't be beat (one day to get your check back, not 2-8 weeks to never), but by far, DHL is the best, and the most expensive. We ship DHL next day air usually less than the UPS or FED EX 3 day rate (which isn't much more than the take forever to get there ground rate). Customers love geting their packages in, typically, 17-20 HOURS (!) from the time we ship them. So little time in transit cuts down on the possibility for dalage or loss. For any of you who think UPS is less epxpensive than UPS, you are WRONG. If you are comparing UPS ground to FED EX Air, then you are something I won't mention here. Compare UPS 1, 2, or 3 day to FED EX 1, 2, or 3 day. There about the same. Compare FED EX 1 day costs to UPS ground? What will your next comparison be: A Pinto to a Lamborghini? Package your items for war, and sentd them by UPS ground. OR Save the time and potential problems and send them by DHL or FED EX (note: DHL does not offer COD).

I have read a fair amount of problems about UPS at different audio forums.As I know somewhat how UPS operates from speaking to different levels of employees. Yes a certain amount of damage will occur, and to a lesser degree mistakes.I have shipped and recieved dozens of packages containing audio products and have had no problems with deliveries or damage since they were all packed and taped well.I have also recieved many more packages for my carpet cleaning business over the last 10 years,many with bottles of liquid and have not had any problem as as of yet.Those who have had problems will call this luck.I represent the silent majority who has not had the level of bad luck that others have had.Proper packaging is the secret to minimizing and even eliminating problems. Overkill is the best packing method by using extreme amounts of protective packing and loads of tape,too much is better then not enough.Many do not grasp this concept and do a substandard packing job,and then it's every body elses fault. As far as a cod package being delivered with out cod.If the sender's receipt has cod written on it this is an open and shut case of UPS being totally at fault.The downside of UPS is that it can take an average of 2 weeks to get paid from a cod.Certain items that cannot hold up to rough handling such as audio speakers or other delicate items should be sent by an alternative method.I will agree that Fed Ex has been a preferrable way to ship for many and if their prices fit into ones shipping budget then this is the way to go,and you get paid within a few days not 2 weeks or in some cases even longer as with UPS.

I am in the group that has terrible luck with UPS. I think that it would be safe to say that some level of damage has occurred on about every type of audio product I have ever dealt with. I once shipped a transistor amp, a small one, about the size of a Sony DVD or Pioneer Laser player. When It arrived, the torrodial transformer that was attached to the steel chassis with a 3/8" bolt, was sheared completely off. The transformer was free to slide about during the shipment, and needless to say, there was hardly a part inside the chassis that was recognizable. The explanation from UPS was that on some of the shipping facilities, the parcel ramps go as high as a two story building, and netting along the side "stops" the parcels from falling off. Well, mine must have fallen to the concrete below to shear off that steel bolt and all the components inside. This is only one of about 15 instances with UPS in the past years. I now have Federal Express ship on my computer, and only unbreakable things get shipped via UPS. Actually, no one has mentioned the US Post Office. I have better luck (identical packing) with the Post Office than UPS. By the way, I agree with hellohifi on DHL. I just got two 135 Lb crates with very expensive amps inside (yesterday) and the runner rails on the bottom are not even splintered! Must have had some TLC to avoid that.