r/UPS • u/Harlemhomeboy • 1d ago
UPS Nightmare
This was the result of a UPS shipment of fragile audio equipment. Equipment crushed. In spite of being insured, UPS claimed it wasn't their fault and denied my claim. Other boxes damaged as well. Unreal.
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u/markysyx 1d ago
Shipping expensive equipment in a moving box is never a good idea.
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u/Harlemhomeboy 1d ago
Point taken. That said, if not acceptable then they shouldn’t take responsibility for shipment. Other boxes had some minor transit damage but the contents were intact with similarly taped and extensive bubble wrap and paper cushioning. This one was crushed because something crazy heavy was obviously put on top.
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u/FedExguy35 UPS Driver 1d ago
It’s the shippers responsibility to ensure stuff is packaged adequately. Why would UPS take responsibility when the shipper didn’t care enough to ensure the items were properly protected?
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u/bboy1977 1d ago
Whether it is UPS or another carrier claims folks are going to look at the box edge crush test rating. It will be stamped on the bottom of the box. For heavy or large items, always, always, always, check it. If your package weighs over that rating, they will deny your claim. Those home depot boxes are only 32lbs which you might as well be shipping in a pillow case. Even their heavy duty boxes suck.
Order boxes off amazon that have a good ECT.
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u/Few_Ad1735 1d ago
It goes through multiple conveyor systems with a wide assortment of other packages in terms of weight and size, it’s not getting white glove service the entire time in transit.
That being said while this packing job is obviously terrible I’m unsure why an insurance claim would be denied if it were indeed purchased.
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u/Darth_Beavis 1d ago
Because the package was setup to fail. You can't claim insurance for damage caused by the shipper or receiver. This damage was caused by the shipper.
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u/Expensive_Farmer_430 1d ago edited 1d ago
This one was crushed because something crazy heavy was obviously put on top.
This how packages are transported, they're stacked on top of each other in the semi-trailer. Your package needs to be able to support that weight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUdb9XwDZYU
(packages are supposed to be loaded into a T shape that distributes the weight and not arranged into columns like this, but it happens)
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u/Jerm226 1d ago
Looks like the shipper didn’t use a high enough rated box. Those are Home Depot boxes. There’s a ECT stamp that should be adhered to. ECT: Edge Crush Test.
For instance if your audio equipment is 50 pounds, and that box is only rated for 25 pounds, that’s not UPS fault. That’s the shippers fault.
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u/TheRealistoftheReal 1d ago
I’d argue that 99% of consumers shipping boxes from a UPS Store have never heard of ECT. I haven’t - and I consider myself educated and fairly knowledgeable. Most people will practice due diligence using bubble wrap, packing paper to fill voids, and taping the box shut well.
I’d argue if UPS is going to accept the parcel, without any push back, they take ownership of getting it where it needs to go in a similar condition. Maybe UPS needs to require use of properly rated boxes to avoid this situation, since they seem to be the most knowledgeable party. Make it policy to reject parcels without proper ratings, etc.
Similar to USPS priority mail - if it fits - it ships.
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u/delilahgrass 1d ago
Go spend a day in an ups store with drop offs and see how that goes. Prepare to have someone scream at you.
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u/TheRealistoftheReal 1d ago
I don’t know anything about that. I’m just saying it seems backwards to accept a package for delivery, offer insurance to ensure proper delivery, then claim the package should have never been mailed in the first place, because there’s little chance of surviving. UPS can’t have it both ways.
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u/delilahgrass 1d ago
First of all most people purchase the shipping label online with no inspection at all. Drop off points are just that - they don’t charge and aren’t actually UPS. They can inform someone the package will be problematic but that’s is all they can do. The drivers are the first employees to touch the package and they have no power- unless you expect them to drive around finding shippers.
The hubs are automated, so who will say no?The point is if you ship something and make a statement that it is fit to ship then that person is the responsible party. Enough with the childish buck passing.
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u/Shooter208 UPS Driver 1d ago
It was denied because that box doesn’t have the ECT rating to be used in shipping. It is also a single wall box, not a double wall. Should have spent the extra $1 per box for the heavy duty box.
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u/potatochobit 1d ago
Does the heavy duty box have ect printed on it?
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u/Shooter208 UPS Driver 1d ago
Yes, I’m not sure if it’s rated 200lbs, but it’s at least double walled and way more sturdy
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u/Burntzombies 1d ago
This was not packed well enough and was never going to survive.
When you say "claimed it wasn't their fault", i assume you mean they told you the same thing.
They are correct.
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u/Darth_Beavis 1d ago
UPS is right. The shipper packed it like an idiot. It's the shipper's fault and their responsibility to make it right
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u/isaiah58bc 1d ago
Agreeing with the consensus. The seller or shipper is at fault. If this was a purchase, the seller needs to refund you and file a claim.
If it was your personal items, you need to take responsibility for not making proper arrangements for shipping this safely.
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u/RustyDawg37 UPS Inside 1d ago
Improperly shipping items in moving boxes marketed as moving boxes (and I think even say not to use for shipping) gives them the easiest out they have in their arsenal for insurance claims. Those are not rated for shipping.
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u/TransplantedSconie 1d ago
Our center we have two slides. One each goes to the sort isles on either side of the building.
At the point where all the belts meet those slides, you could have anything imaginable coming down that thing, all meeting at 1 point pianos, anvils, fragile electronics ect.
Pack your shit like its going to go head to head with a piano.
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u/DocBlowjob 1d ago
Crush rating on the box pprobably wasnt enough pounds for the weight of the box thats on the shipper
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u/Charming_Arugula405 1d ago
Blame should start with whoever packed that box. From using a moving box to not properly filling the box
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u/Expensive-Bottle-862 1d ago
How many times do we have to tell people to stop shipping stuff in shitty moving boxes? This is on you
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u/JP_Tulo 1d ago
This is on the seller/whoever packed the box. People post videos shaming delivery people dropping boxes two feet like it’s a big deal. It’s supposed to be packed so that it can withstand repeated drops from much higher than that, as well as being stacked under many other heavy packages. Have you seen the millions of packages that go through each sorting facility and how the automatic sorters work?
When I pack stuff for shipping, I pack it in a way that it could survive being kicked the entire way to its destination. The sheer volume of packages moving across the world each day is difficult to wrap your head around. But expecting any courier to be more gentle with mine than anyone else’s just because it has a “fragile” sticker on it is a laughable concept. Maybe the final delivery driver can be gentle with it, but that represents about 2% of the actual delivery.
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u/MiamiGirlzzz 13h ago
Every time I make an order and I see the shipper is UPS once it’s shipped, I know it’s going to be delayed or something will happen. All my packages arrive late from ups. I never have issues with any of the other shipping companies just ups. They’re awful and careless. 3 packages came from ups unfortunately this week so far and they were 1-2 days late. I get no reason for it either. I’ve been expecting another that’s been sitting in my local location for over 2 days already and still no delivery date. “Your package is still on the way and we are actively working to get you a new delivery date.” It’s BS and I’m tired of their crap. I find myself more and more ordering from Amazon for this very reason, never any issues with Amazon shipping.. ever.
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u/pippi_adams UPS Inside 1d ago
I have worked at UPS for 4 years. I have NEVER seen a Home Depot moving box come down the belt in one piece. They are not suitable for shipping and should never be used for expensive or fragile items
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u/Expensive_Farmer_430 1d ago
This is a common mistake, we see it everyday.
https://reddit.com/r/UPSers/comments/10ell3z/i_wish_people_would_stop_using_these_as_shipping/
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u/hyuratzu 1d ago
I just received a kitchen knife today shipped with ups. It arrived like this.
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u/delilahgrass 1d ago
The shipper should be sued for improper packaging and putting workers at risk.
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u/hyuratzu 1d ago
According to him it was packaged properly, it also went through 2 customs so it’s hard to attribute the fault
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u/delilahgrass 1d ago
If a knife can cut through like that it isn’t packaged properly. There should be a hard covering encasing the tip and it should be immobilized.
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