Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

[CaptNemo]

<span style="text-decoration: underline">Since all of our equipment has to come from somewhere</span>, I figured that the Equipment Forum was a appropriate place to post this.
I ordered some parts for a pistol from MidwayUSA and used the UPS Mail Innovations shipping because it was slightly lower cost than the normal Brown Label ground shipping.
I normally get my stuff in two days, now here it four days after I placed the order and I don't have my stuff to put the pistol back together... "Time is Money" is especially true here!
I just thought that would share my learning experience with my brethren and hopefully prevent any time delays for the rest of you.

 

[RoyPreston]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

is that the one where the post office delivers it for them? if it is that takes an extra day or two.I used that once not knowing that was what happened.

 

[Triad]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

Good info. We looked at this service to cut shipping costs, glad we passed on it. We were told it would only add one day.

 

[SnkBit]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

I use USPS exclusively, I have had exceptional service from them and they deliver on Saturday's. That can equate to a three day difference in receiving your items. To or from nearly anywhere in the CONUS averages three days door to door here in Amarillo, TX.

 

[Temp9]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

I never use any of the services where USPS covers just the last bit of delivery, like Fedex Smart Post or the UPS Mail Innovations that you mentioned. Not only are these awfully slow, but there have been reports of "lost" packages where neither shipping company will claim responsibility. Fedex/UPS will claim they left it with USPS, and USPS will claim they never got it. End result, no package, no resolution.

I like UPS Ground for shipping to/from my half of the country and USPS Priority for shipping to/from the other half of the country.

 

[Iggy]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

If it's USPS all the way from pick up to drop off, then that's what I always use.

If its USPS with a UPS pick up and drop off, I skip it. It takes maybe a week if you're lucky.

 

[Mister Ouchie]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

I forgot they did that and made the same mistake on an order I am still waiting for...

 

[coulthard_west]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

I never had problem with midwayusa and ups. I order a package on Monday and as long a everything is in stock I always get them by Thursday.

 

[-Claybuster-]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

I still get mine in two days using UPS Mail Innovations if I run up to the post office and pick it up otherwise it takes three days now.

 

[ORD]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

Thanks for posting this info. I recently saw that Midway added this option to their shipping options and was curious with it saving about $5-6 on shipping with my last order. I skipped it and went with the basic UPS instead as it was the next cheapest option...DAMN glad I did!!

This is one of a couple horror stories I have heard with this newer service offering. Bad enough to deal with one common carrier...let alone two who both have their own issues and agendas. Think I'll spend the extra money and skip the additional wait/bulls#it!

 

[CaptNemo]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

Since I had it shipped to work and we have a PO Box for our normal mail delivery, I went by the post office to check the box... No Joy...
This was not worth the fifty cents I saved over UPS Ground.
To add insult to injury, I got in a hurry and didn't check for a discount code...



.

 

[shrompman420]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

i just shipped a big box of stuff usps hoping for the best it went along way. i just get nervous with usps. i do like they dont ask what your shipping.

 

[B3dlam]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

I try to only ship USPS the only thing that screws he here is our local post office they like to wait to put the 'package' delivered slip in my post office box until just after they close their lobby so I cant get it until the next day or after the weekend is over. It wouldn't bother me so much except with modern tracking I can see they received it and it was 'out for delivery' at say 1030 AM and they don't close till 5pm.

 

[Fred @ Bison Tactical]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

I only use USPS to ship things that are worth very little and when I don't care about timeline. Otherwise I use UPS or FEDEX here is why:

1. UPS tracking works from pickup all the way through delivery. USPS doesn't, you can't track the package through every step. UPS tracking is included, USPS you have to pay extra for tracking
2. UPS shipping includes $100 insurance - USPS you have to specify, and it costs more.
3. If you have a lost package UPS is very good about staying on top of finding it. With USPS it takes a long time, and there is no certainty they even know where the package left the system.
4. If you have insurance with USPS the times to get reimbursed are very long. With UPS it is much shorter once a package has been lost.
5. It seems that packages get lost more frequently with USPS than with UPS (anecdotal).

 

[Micdalen]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

We have been having problems as of late with UPS service in our area. We regularly receive shipments from the same suppliers for the last 4 years. In the last 3 months it seems to be averaging 2-3 days longer to receive shipments, from the same suppliers. It seems all the shippers are having issues these days for whatever reason. I try to utilize USPS whenever package and contents permit.

 

[Triad]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

UPS is our Horse.

+1 on the comments by HeroFish.

 

[REL1203]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

I had an issue with their Innovations as well.. Took way longer than they said it would.. I called Midway, they gave me $10 GC i think. While it sucked, i loved that Midway did something to make up for it.

 

[Mike_in_FL]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

Thanks for relaying this info. While on the subject of shipping I am wondering if this is standard everywhere.

If the order comes UPS ground, they leave it at my house. If the driver is decent he hides it around my side door under the carport rather than sitting out front for everyone to see. And it generally doesn't matter what the value of the item may be.

Other the other hand, I used to cringe any time I was to receive something through Fed Ex until recently. I believe there is an option for the shipper to request a signature at time of delivery. I thought there used to be a way to "waiver" around this by signing something with Fed Ex and granting them the right to leave the package at the address.

Regardless of whether this is possible or not, I've recently found that once you receive an email confirmation of shipping, you can opt to have it delivered to a local Fed Ex shipper. In my case this is a small Kinkos. I setup email notifications on the Fed Ex website and know when it arrives at the store, which is also open later.

If I don't use this option and I miss delivery, I have to drive 10 miles to pick it up from the main FE area office versus just making a stop on the way home from work. Just wondering if others are aware of that option and if they're using it also.

 

[txgw]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

UPS still can't/won't reliably deliver to my house. I live out in the country and have had my stuff dropped of at other peoples houses and businesses in the two towns that I live in between. One of them is 15 miles away the other is 20. Probably half my packages I have to go track down so it usually takes an extra day or two anyway.

Example, I just ordered a new barrel. Was supposed to show up Friday but the substitute driver couldn't find our house (even though our address is on the high line pole in front of our house). So Monday they sent it back out after I called them and gave them my telephone number to call for directions. Monday the deliver it to an office 20 miles away, even though he drove within a half a mile of my house. He did this because he is running behind and thought I would go by there and see it. So after several more phone calls to find out this is what he did, I finally end up getting my package on Tuesday (yesterday).

So long story short getting packages UPS is a HUGE pain for me. FedEx is usually not bad. We never have any problems with USPS.

 

[eracer]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

The problem is the 'super-rural' addresses.

UPS simply can't figure out where 'Sector 3, Route 2, Plot 3654A S1374 W6894' is.

It would be nice if they would ship to GPS Lat/Long coordinates for some of you guys.

 

[scotharr]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

My experience is that UPS ground is much more expensive than FedEx. I have used FedEx exclusively for years and they have never let me down. Once and a while I will check UPS prices against FedEX: they are almost double what FedEx charges. USPS....ya, I use them for low dollar stuff.

 

[fdkay]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

I hate UPS.
It takes 9 days for me to get something from the north east. USPS will deliver the same package in four.

I don't understand why more companies don't take advantage of the flat rate boxes. Usually cheaper than UPS and much faster.

 

[Jackalope33B]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

USPS FLAT OUT SUCKS!!
No wonder they are going under.. I mailed a guy something 2 weeks ago Priority mail. He lives 4hrs from me. Well, after it left my post office, it went MIA.. I called up USPS and they told me there was nothing that can be done and they would keep an "eye out" for it. Well, USPS called me the next day and said the package was just scanned in New Jersey...... 3000 miles from me! WTF!!!!!

 

[MD2Colo]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

Funny you post this...

I've had issues twice in the last two weeks with USPS and shipments. One from Midway (5rd lr-308 mag) and one sending some AICS skins to a guy in CA. Skins arrived (thankfully) two days late and totally off of the internet tracking radar; the other shipment from Midway is lost in the sauce. The shipping number sends me to a UPS tracking number page but displays some quasi-eyed USPS shipping info.
I should call midway before I bitch any more, but hey wtf

 

[Triad]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

Everybody has their shipping quirks. I cant stand to deal with FedEx. Never the same driver, we have the same issues over and over; cant find you, cant leave it, we knocked on the door etc....

FedEx may be cheaper on the actual shipping cost, but you pay out the ass in headaches and red tape.......

The only fedex guy I have ever seen more than once, only wants to talk about how cool the scope is on the Siaga 12 that he hunts coyote with.....

I get this all the time:
Q: Cant you just put it in an envelope and mail it to me????
A: Sure, the postage is $2.50 and I charge $25.00 per hour to stand in line at the post office.

 

[scotharr]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Triad</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

I get this all the time:
Q: Cant you just put it in an envelope and mail it to me????
A: Sure, the postage is $2.50 and I charge $25.00 per hour to stand in line at the post office.
</div></div>

Exactly! I refuse to take USPS money orders anymore for just this reason. Half the time, after waiting 20-30 minutes to get to the front, they say, "Oh, we can't cash this,not enough money in the register." My bank does not accept postal money orders and neither do I anymore.

 

[bassani]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

midway has some good deal but they seriously over charges for shipping on every order. Way over cost

 

[redhooker]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

I accidentally used this new shipping crap from Midway. Ordered saturday, checked my tracking and this damn box has travelled to more fukkin places than Johnny Cash! Still not here but it's been to 3 cities in Florida alone WTF

 

[Fred @ Bison Tactical]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fdkay</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I don't understand why more companies don't take advantage of the flat rate boxes. Usually cheaper than UPS and much faster. </div></div>

I use USPS about 1/3 of the time. I find that shipping in Flat Rate boxes is actually usually more expensive than Priority Mail, unless your shipping something heavy. I don't mind USPS unless the item is important (ie, costs a lot), or it really needs to be delivered quickly.

I found in my local shipping place that UPS seems to be typically cheaper - but I think they may depend on a number of factors:

1. Where your located
2. If your shipping directly and do a lot of business (better rates) or if you shipping through a shipper (who is upcharging the rates they get from the other shippers) ie. Kinko's.

I setup a direct ship with UPS and USPS, and its actually cheaper to ship with the local shipper UPS than if I do it myself - since they get better rates (and I only ship once in a while).

However I did have a problem shipping USPS where I chose signature delivery, and they guy was on deployment. His wife didn't sign for the package, and it took a bit of work to track down, and then they had to go pick it up. At least UPS tries to redeliver it a few times before they give up.

 

[aard3]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

I recently ordered a $100 in parts from Brownells, shipped via USPS. After a week I checked the tracking number... it said it was "delivered", even though I never received it.

Called the local PO, they never called me back. Went down there and talked to the post master, apparently they occasionally just "lose" things. Here's the kicker...they scan all packages as "delivered" once they reach the local PO... NOT when they actually deliver it...so it was lost somewhere between the local PO and my place... kinda sounds like it defeats the purpose of "Delivery Confirmation" to me! lol

Best part is that they didn't want to accept a claim, since they are claiming it was delivered... even though they freely admit that they can't guarantee that because they don't actually scan it when they deliver it!

Anyway, buyer beware... dealing with USPS is a total PITA, no wonder they are bankrupt.

FYI: When I called Brownells they said if I haven't received it after 10 days they would reship the order... so here's a plug for Brownells for some good customer service!

 

[bunsen27]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

I had a similar experience with USPS "loosing" a package. I live in a decent sized urban area and a large subdivision. The substitute carrier delivered it to the wrong address. Granted there are four streets in the sub division with "River" as part of the name, but USPS could not determine where they delivered it to in error. Although they acknowledged the error they did not want to submit a claim as lost because they had scanned it delivered. Long story short Apex Tactical were great and sent me new parts in 3 days and filed a claim with USPS. Six weeks later the original package showed up in my mailbox. the post master still wsn't able to tell me where it had been all that time.

UPS is always my first choice these days. Fed Ex if I know it's going to hit my doorstep on Sat.

 

[Fred @ Bison Tactical]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

So, I have a question for all of you. When say a seller like Apex above sells something to a person. If that person can choose to ship USPS or UPS and decides on USPS because its cheapest, who should be responsible for the "lost" item?

1. Should the seller be responsible to work it out with the shipping company?
2. Should the buyer be responsible to work it out with the shipping company?
3. Should it be dictated by what the sellers shipping policies say?

While it sounds like in both cases above the seller went above and beyond to make things work out (taking a loss by sending replacements) isn't it really the buyers "fault" for choosing USPS in the first place?

As a buyer would you rather:

1. Have only the option of choosing UPS or Fedex
or
2. Have USPS as an option but be responsible for working out any problems with USPS?

Just curious as sometimes I sell things like anyone else, and wanted to get a gut check on what everyone else thinks, and since come of you have clearly said you like USPS because they can deliver to your house while other vendors have problems.

 

[bunsen27]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HeroFish</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So, I have a question for all of you. When say a seller like Apex above sells something to a person. If that person can choose to ship USPS or UPS and decides on USPS because its cheapest, who should be responsible for the "lost" item?

1. Should the seller be responsible to work it out with the shipping company?
2. Should the buyer be responsible to work it out with the shipping company?
3. Should it be dictated by what the sellers shipping policies say?

While it sounds like in both cases above the seller went above and beyond to make things work out (taking a loss by sending replacements) isn't it really the buyers "fault" for choosing USPS in the first place?

As a buyer would you rather:

1. Have only the option of choosing UPS or Fedex
or
2. Have USPS as an option but be responsible for working out any problems with USPS?

Just curious as sometimes I sell things like anyone else, and wanted to get a gut check on what everyone else thinks, and since come of you have clearly said you like USPS because they can deliver to your house while other vendors have problems. </div></div>

Whether I choose UPS/Fed Ex or USPS is irrelevant. As a buyer, until it hits my doorstep and my grubby little mitts in satisfactory condition; any issues are between the seller and shipper. If it arrives and the item is damaged; it is still between the seller and shipper.

As an online retailer you are charging the buyer shipping & handling fees as a pass through cost. If as part of those fees you are not properly insuring your shipments, with the shipping agent, to recoup your cost in case of a lost or stolen item, and expect the buyer to take the loss, that's just not smart business practices and poor customer service. You as a seller are contracting with the shipper to act as your agent/representative to deliver your product in the condition you sold it to me.

If I'm selling and shipping something that is how I view it, because as I buyer I want to be treated that way. YMMV

 

[Jackalope33B]

Re: Shipping of Equipment - Beware !!

Well, I sent a package through USPS priority. It took 2 weeks for the package to arrive. It came a with a "sorry for the damage." The package was cut open, and my item was not in there. It had a Coaxial crimper and Coaxial stripper pliers in the package. WTF WTF WTF?!?!?!?!??!