UPS shipping costly lesson today

[j-c-c-62]

So, I recently shipped a few Mopar items recently in a UPS purchased 24x12x12 box, item shipped was approx 22x10.5x10.

Today Ebay notifies me UPS states actual shipment was 24x13x13 and upcharges me nearly 50% of original shipping cost that I have to eat.

I call the local UPS store that supplied the 24x12x12 cardboard standard box, and they state those are "inside" dimensions, and any amount over is increased in one-inch increments.

So why wasn't new dimension then 25"x13"x13"?

Sounds like a nice candidate for a class action lawsuit and substantial refund settlement.

 

[YY1]

Any dimension over 12" costs extra.

Sounds like a scam to get the other 2 dimensions into that "extra" cost category.

I can just see the boardroom meeting-

"hey, I got a GREAT idea...why don't WE offer boxes for sale.....but wait...get this....."

 

[Runcharger]

They are crooked, no doubt about it.

 

[matthon]

I was screwed on shipping by a local place that ships with all shippers.

Quoted me $200 to ship a trans via FedEx, I watched it the entire way, at the last stop before delivery they weighed it again and charged me $1,320.

FedEx would end the call when I called, literally tell me they were hanging up. They also sent me emails that looked like junk and went to junk folder so I would accept their bs by not responding.

Long story short, I disputed with my bank, used a bank issued card, and was refunded the entire amount.

 

[j-c-c-62]

Seems as a minor point the box was labeled on outside clearly and only "24x12x12", seems in fairness that marking should be at the least, on the inside if denoting an inside dimension only.

 

[toolmanmike]

Wow that's BS. You get a box from them that is the proper size to ship your items. It should cost X $$ to ship to the location you need to send it to, not extra because of the thickness of the cardboard.

 

[Pecos Bill]

It falls in the same category as the lumber company selling you dimensional lumber. A 2x4 is only a 2x4 in it's rough cut stage. It is through its processing stage that the size is reduced to its finished appearance. In short, the company can call it whatever it wants. A deer can call a skunk a flower if it wants to.

 

[rbkt65]

I now use Pirate Ship and so far with great results.

 

[haywire 440]

Wow, that’s is excessive punishment and like as @YY1 mentioned some likely treacherous marketing going on. The small print in business transactions are a killer. Big companies trying to pad their bottom line.

Pirate Ship has been discussed here and on A-bodies and it’s a great opportunity to save on shipping UPS or USPS. Though I understand they will also up charge if the weight or dimensions are not correctly measured. As a defense I always state higher numbers. It pays off big time in reducing shipping costs!

As an example, when needing to ship 2 used 1964 gas tanks I measured both tanks together and had a weight of 50lbs. Cost through UPS $435, I knew it would be high. Same numbers with Pirate Ship $181 but then I got numbers on packaging in separate boxes and it reduced the cost again to about $50 each. That was doable and honestly when I was done actually packaging them I measured and weighed again and got another estimate from Pirate Ship. It was about $2 more for each. Once again state slightly larger numbers and I haven’t had any issues.

I now use Pirate Ship and so far with great results.

 

[Billccm]

FedEx and UPS have joined the list of businesses that consider the customer the enemy.

Airlines, Insurance, Banks, and the big two shippers all have no intention of pleasing their customers. This includes Southwest airlines.

 

[XS22J8R]

I used to enjoy selling stuff online, resources like ebay were great for selling and shipping was reasonable and rarely caused any issues for me. I even sold some items to people overseas in Europe and Australia.
Now everything sucks, and I look at stuff I have cluttering up the house and would love to find new homes for. But selling online has become such a headache between selling platforms going downhill, scammer buyers, and shipping costs and hassles, that I view selling stuff with the same enthusiasm I have for scheduling a colonoscopy!
Props to you guys who will still jump through the hoops to sell online and ship. Swap meets or else watching stuff gather dust is about it for me now. Hopefully things improve someday.

 

[haywire 440]

So, I recently shipped a few Mopar items recently in a UPS purchased 24x12x12 box, item shipped was approx 22x10.5x10.

Today Ebay notifies me UPS states actual shipment was 24x13x13 and upcharges me nearly 50% of original shipping cost that I have to eat.

I call the local UPS store that supplied the 24x12x12 cardboard standard box, and they state those are "inside" dimensions, and any amount over is increased in one-inch increments.

So why wasn't new dimension then 25"x13"x13"?

Sounds like a nice candidate for a class action lawsuit and substantial refund settlement.

Sure hope there is a way to reduce this financial pain through dialogue with them.

 

[hemi71x]

I went thru this two weeks ago with UPS, and the Pirate Ship agency that i use in sending out my parts sales.
Sent a brake proportioning valve and lines to my buyer in southern California, from me up here in the northern, Sacramento, California area.
When the box got down to the last UPS terminal, they tell me that i was off on the measurements of the box, and it's weight, and then Pirate Ship dinged me for more $$$$$$$.
I couldn't have been off more than a 1/4" inch in the dimensions in the box, but got dinged for an additional fee.
And the box weighed in at less than five pounds, all packaged up.
Didn't dispute it, as i figured it would have been a loosing battle from the get go.

 

[Rick@Laysons]

The last time they tried that on me, the first question I asked our corporate rep was "So....did you measure that package BEFORE or AFTER you smashed it up? Because I know for a fact what it measured when your driver picked it up..."

That ended the conversation and the oversize charges were removed....haven't had much of an issue since then....

 

[eldubb440]

scumbags at every turn..... beware

 

[Runcharger]

Only thing they understand is not using them. Right now when I buy parts the shipping is typically the same cost as the parts. These companies all blame the cost of fuel and drivers etc. Well the cost of fuel has been almost stagnant the last few years and these companies all break their owner operators and lease operators by not paying them enough to stay in business. All big business seems to have the same MO lately, massive compensation for p-poor CEO and upper management, screw the customer and the working masses. It will end though, that's for sure because it is not sustainable.

 

[YY1]

If "they" are going to start measuring at the last terminal...

They need to be prepared to refund all costs up to that point, but still return the item to the point of origin.

 

[j-c-c-62]

Kinda of like a statute of limitations, one you accept it, it's yours, or don't accept it.
I think a jury will buy that.

 

[haywire 440]

I remember now that the UPS drop off store did weigh one package and the weight was under what I got. They also weighed the other box, which I had 2 pounds heavier and it too was under what I told them and that was a bathroom scale. Edit: No measurements though.

It sounds logical to have the drop off point weigh and measure in front of you as a witness. Possibly a photo of these figures would be another proof of correctness.

I like Mr. Laysons technique!

The last time they tried that on me, the first question I asked our corporate rep was "So....did you measure that package BEFORE or AFTER you smashed it up? Because I know for a fact what it measured when your driver picked it up..."

That ended the conversation and the oversize charges were removed....haven't had much of an issue since then....

 

[j-c-c-62]

I also now understand they weigh by the oz and round up to next pound, not sure it that is a full oz or any oz rounds up.

I wonder how soon gas stations will start to round up to the next gallon?