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Login to post Forums » Off-topic discussion » UPS Fail: Best Method of Recourse?

May 20, 2010 9:18 p.m. redvalkyrie New Reader

Today I received the AE86 GTS transmission I have been needing. Unfortunately, it appears UPS dropped the box twice--cracking one of the mounting ears and shearing off the shift fork pivot ball in the bellhousing.

The box was incredibly well packaged and I believe the seller when he states the tranny was not that way when he shipped it. There is damage to the box indicative of the damage to the tranny.

Obviously, UPS needs to be contacted. My question is what's the best method of diplomacy in dealing with UPS? I want to be prepared for the battle ahead.
May 20, 2010 9:22 p.m. Datsun1500 Dork

Keep all of the packaging, without it you are out of luck. Was it insured? If not the most you get is $100. If it was insured, the sender needs to claim damage (since he is the one that bought the insurance) and they send him the check (I always thought that was strange)
May 20, 2010 9:49 p.m. Trans_Maro Dork

UPS will ask you to ship the unit back.

Don't

Make them come to your house and inspect it.

If you ship it back they will try to screw you by saying it was already damaged when it was shipped.

Shawn
May 20, 2010 10:08 p.m. pigeon HalfDork

Datsun1500 wrote:

Keep all of the packaging, without it you are out of luck. Was it insured? If not the most you get is $100. If it was insured, the sender needs to claim damage (since he is the one that bought the insurance) and they send him the check (I always thought that was strange)

+1 Take lots of photos, document everything, but it's really the seller's claim, not yours, as that's who contracted and paid for the service. KEEP ALL PACKAGING - UPS WILL deny the claim without it. They will send a supervisor out to inspect everything. He/she will likely want to take some of the packaging or the item with them, don't let that happen. Let them take photos, etc. but they take nothing. Keep the lines of communication with the seller open and clear, and make sure he knows that he needs to take the lead on this with dealing with UPS' insurance.

Good luck. UPS has been doing this a long time and is very good at screwing people on damage claims.
May 21, 2010 12:42 a.m. Travis_K Dork

I haven't heard of anyone having much luck in that situation. UPS is all about loss prevention, not customer service, so they will just say it was that way before it was shipped, too bad most likely. Id still see what you can do to get them to cover it though.
May 21, 2010 1:33 a.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

When the UPS inspector arrives, administer the poison. Show him the anti-venom, start the timer and then release him.

It's all you can do really.
May 21, 2010 4:29 a.m. petegossett SuperDork

Did someone sign for it when it was delivered? If so, you're probably screwed - unless the seller is willing to work their ass off to fight UPS.
May 21, 2010 7:49 a.m. GameboyRMH SuperDork

UPS (pronounced "oops") strikes again.
May 21, 2010 9:19 a.m. P71 SuperDork

[Bender] You're boned! [/Bender]
May 21, 2010 12:19 p.m. Schmidlap Reader

I've got no help, but here's a humorous thread over a corner-carvers about the hilarity that is UPS:

"Is your UPS guy as retarded as mine?"

Bob
May 21, 2010 12:29 p.m. spitfirebill Dork

I bet you didn't tip him/her.
May 21, 2010 12:42 p.m. EastCoastMojo SuperDork

Schmidlap wrote:

I've got no help, but here's a humorous thread over a corner-carvers about the hilarity that is UPS:

"Is your UPS guy as retarded as mine?"

Bob

That's freakin' hi-larious! I couldn't see those tires at all behind the turtle!
May 21, 2010 12:48 p.m. redvalkyrie New Reader

Well, UPS packaged the box...the seller dropped it off at a UPS store and let them handle it. It's insured for $150--what I paid.

Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to read this thread before UPS was at my door this morning wanting to take the package at my tranny...
May 21, 2010 2:04 p.m. WilD HalfDork

I hope you didn't give it to them, and wish you luck if you did.

I had a similar situation involving an electric guitar. It is true that the sender has to make the claim. They wanted to take it but I and the sender got angry and asked them why I should give them back a guitar they already damaged and then run the risk of being short both a guitar and the money. They accepted detailed digital photos instead. I got my money about a week later and was happy.
May 21, 2010 5:34 p.m. redvalkyrie New Reader

They took it...however I got it back. My UPS guy had said the inspection would happen at the local UPS and that it would be sent back to me. I called UPS and they said I wouldn't get it back. When I explained that I needed it back immediately and I only wanted payment for repairs, they had the UPS driver turn around and bring the tranny back.
May 22, 2010 8:31 p.m. cwh SuperDork

I guess that I am extremely lucky. I ship a LOT of stuff international by UPS, FedEx, DHL and freight forwarders. In 2 1/2 years have not had a single damaged shipment. Knocking on wood, crossing fingers etc.
May 22, 2010 9:44 p.m. pinchvalve SuperDork

UPS (and every other shipper) cannot guarantee anything against damage. It's just the nature of the beast. They offer insurance to cover a replacement, and if you choose not to pay for it, you are generally screwed. The only reason I ever got any satisfaction from UPS is that I shipped hundreds of packages a day and they did not want to loose my business. FYI - I went to FedEx and was much happier.
May 24, 2010 9:02 a.m. Strizzo SuperDork

the company i work for also ships a good bit of stuff, and all over north america. UPS lost a shipment requiring last minute reprinting of everything that was lost, and really couldn't care less about our business. we now use fedex for everything within the US, and DHL for international, and are much happier
May 24, 2010 9:11 a.m. 4cylndrfury SuperDork

+1 fedex...my business ships with both ups and Fedex - thousands of packages a day leave my site. Fedex is the easiest to work with by far!

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