2. misc-audio
  3. 182451-91149

UPS. Friend Or Foe?

Recently shipped two speakers and the stands all in very good (8/10) condition to a buyer in another state. One speaker and the stands were in the factory boxes, the other speaker boxed by UPS. 

The buyer sent pictures and said they arrived damaged.

All items were picked up by UPS and taken for inspection.

And the results were...UPS is not at fault because they have a policy, buried in very fine print, that it is the shippers' (sellers')  responsibility to ensure proper packaging.

My wife and I  also found out the local UPS stores are legally not affiliated with UPS!!!

We are currently attempting to discuss this with the owner of the local store.

Sad but true...

tomcarr
Post removed 
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,283 posts
 

Shipping large delicate devices is always risky business.  You can’t cut corners and have to go the extra mile to make sure items are essentially  bulletproof.   Is a bumpy and often rushed system and accidents happen all the time.  I avoid it all together as much as possible and look for the closest buyers possible. 

waytoomuchstuff's avatar
waytoomuchstuff
1,121 posts
 

I've been on the loosing end of UPS disputes for a long time.

Unfortunately, factory-supplied shipping cartons do not meet the "standards" for UPS packaging.  The rule of thumb for "correct" UPS packaging is that it needs to be able to survive a 2 foot drop.  Which translates into double boxing pretty much everything.

A recent UPS event involved a hand-made cello I purchased from the artist out of state.  I BEGGED them to "overpack" the piece.  It came in with the neck broken off.  A close look at the packing revealed there were pretty of opporunities for damage to occur.  

Palleting goods is a good idea.  It certainly adds enough bulk so that machines, not people, will be moving them around.  And, another layer of protection.

 

tomcarr OP
1,519 posts
 

Thanks for all the responses and excellent advice.

Hopefully will turn out as it should...

ebm
9,311 posts
 

I pack everything myself so things turn out great.I would never let UPS pack speakers or electronics.

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