Posted by Michelle/AL on 11/10/08 9:06am
Msg #269353

Shipping Docs via UPS

I’m a fan of FedEx.com and UPS.com when it comes to shipping documents back to the Title or Signing Company. I like the email confirmations that get sent to me and the recipient (and whoever else needs to know). I like typing in an addressee’s information one time and having it available to me indefinitely. I also hate manually completing Airbills. There’s never enough room for me write out everything.

As a rule, when I print docs I print my shipping label. FedEx.com has never been a problem. Recently, when using UPS.com I started to receive error codes – prompting me to enter additional information like: invoice number, balance due on the account, etc. After the 3rd time of this happening I called UPS and learned that they added additional security features requiring users to provide detailed information that only accountholders would know or be able to provide. I can’t just enter the UPS account number anymore.

At least now I know and will stock up on UPS Airbills. I got spoiled. It feels as if I’m being forced to use a rotary dial phone all over again (yes, I’m that old). I'm glad most of the companies I work with use FedEx.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 11/10/08 9:10am
Msg #269354

Beware the online airbill system - it has been the root of chargebacks to notaries in many cases - handwritten airbills are your safest measure against chargebacks - both UPS *AND* FedEx...JMO

Reply by sue_pa on 11/10/08 9:41am
Msg #269361

what Linda said

A charge back will happen sooner or later ... it appears in this climate the past few months, perhaps sooner. Even if you get it worked out, you still have to expend the UNPAID time and then expend it another time for the $10 charge back fee to be removed.

We've been telling people this for YEARS ... a neater air bill, saving a minute or two, etc. ... I don't get it.

By the way, I hand fill out the air bill at the table about 75% of the time ... if they're signing away, I don't bother but if they have to go outside for their drivers license, call LO, have to go find check book for a voided check, etc., I've got the air billed out in that time.

Reply by PAW on 11/10/08 9:16am
Msg #269356

I've been using the online shipping for both UPS and FedEx (as well as others) for almost 20 years, without problems. As for UPS requiring more information, you typically only need to update your profile and shipping methods once each year. I've never had to jump through any hoops to ship anything. (Just sent a package by UPS last week with no hassle.) I do use the "optional" reference fields to show (1) the order/file number and (2) my invoice number.

If you're getting errors, check your profile setting to ensure that these items are not required to complete the airbill.

Reply by Michelle/AL on 11/10/08 11:52am
Msg #269379

Thanks, PAW. Hadn't thought of checking my profile.

Like you I haven't had any chargeback problems.

Reply by MW/VA on 11/10/08 9:38am
Msg #269360

This is probably a new safeguard. I was recently billed for charges that had nothing to do with me or my client. UPS took the charges off, of course. I'm guessing they're having "phishing" issues. I continue to use online services for Fedex & UPS--it works best for me.

Reply by Dawn/PA on 11/10/08 10:20am
Msg #269363

I use to prepare labels on line, but not anymore. Collections is hard enough without the added stress to fight for charges. I have a lot of fedex airbills that I have collected from boxes, but the UPS boxes never seems to have them.

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 11/10/08 10:23am
Msg #269364

When I write out an airbill , the recipient info and act #..

are very neatly written.
Try as I may, the only parts of the shipper info that are legible
are my zip code, cell phone #, bwr name and TC file #

Reply by jba/fl on 11/10/08 11:30am
Msg #269375

Re: When I write out an airbill , the recipient info and act #..

Mine are all from: TC to TC, same info both boxes. As for finding airbills: large office buildings usually have a room, some UPS stores w/give 1 or 2 at a time. Hard to get more tho.

FedEx is requiring more hoops to jump through now - becoming difficult to get their supplies in any quantity without the large buildings....I think they are all having problems getting paid and just aren't taking any chances. Where have I heard that lately???hummm

Reply by Claudine Osborne on 11/10/08 11:50am
Msg #269378

Re: When I write out an airbill , the recipient info and act #..

I hand write all of my airbills. I will use the online service when I cannot get supplies. I agree these supplies are getting harder and harder to find! In the from & to field I always put the TC company info there. I will not use my own info, I do not want to pay for shipping, this is not my responsibility.

Reply by Michelle/AL on 11/10/08 11:58am
Msg #269381

JBA/FL - I order my supplies online free of charge and

receive them within 78 hours at my doorstep. Have you tried ordering online? This is the only way I can get my hands on legal size emvelopes for FedEx.

Reply by jba/fl on 11/10/08 8:02pm
Msg #269405

Michelle - FedEx is not the problem--Kinko's everywhere, but

UPS is a problem. I have acct. with them and only get envelopes, labels are the hit and miss but am fortunate that I am near big office bldgs w/mail rooms, plus am on the road a lot and always checking boxes wherever I go.

Your suggestions are great for everyone though.

Reply by nolanotary on 11/10/08 10:05pm
Msg #269415

Re: Shipping Docs via UPS...You'll be sorry you did

Using your account information to ship docs back is a very bad idea. I used too until UPS tried to charge me for 3 sets of docs I sent back to First Title & Escrow. Apparently First Title & Escrow refused to pay, so UPS billed me for those 3 shipments. Took many hours to clear up that fiasco and as a result, I refuse to send anything UPS anymore...even if recepient pays. Since then, I use only airbills from FedEx boxes or Kinko's to return docs and never put any of my info on the label.

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 11/11/08 12:34am
Msg #269418

Paw is the luckiest notary in America

that he hasn't been nailed is a miracle! Lucky you!

The best advice for everyone else is do what has been suggested:

hand write the invoice and make the sender & recipient the same company name and information.

Reply by PAW on 11/11/08 7:20am
Msg #269423

I don't consider it luck

I am very pragmatic and detailed. I always confirm account numbers before using them and double check it prior to sending. On very rare occasions, will I drop a package immediately after signing. I usually return to my office, verify the documents once again, and generate the airbill, again verifying account numbers. I also email the recipient the airbill information with a request for confirmation of the email. Since doing that, I have not had one package returned nor billed to me. Prior to that, I had a couple billed back because **I** made an error in the account number. Wasn't a big deal and the title company, in one case, and the broker in the other, made full restitution without any hassle. So I do not consider it luck, but attention to detail and pragmatism.

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 11/11/08 10:38am
Msg #269438

3rd luckiest here, and I agree it's not luck

I suspect it has more to do with client selection than luck. I think it goes hand-in-hand with all the other payment issues - cripe, I know this sounds rather arrogant, but it is what it is I guess. I never did 'get it' - WHY don't some of us have the problems that it SEEMS so many others have? It's certainly not luck, not location (we're scattered all over), so what IS it?

I'm not implying I/we can't get burned or don't, but I know for some of us it is so few & far between that it's just not a "problem".

Reply by MichiganAl on 11/11/08 8:32am
Msg #269426

I guess I'm the seconded luckiest

I've been generating my airbills online for years with no problems. All my regulars are listed in my account. A few clicks and I've got my airbill. The time I save not having to hand write 60 to 70 airbills a month is substantial (and my time is money), and I'm much less likely to make a mistake printing out information that I've saved and already verified than hand writing it.

So if I were so bold as to presume to speak for what's best for everyone, I'd say the best advice for everyone is to do what works for them.

Reply by PAW on 11/11/08 9:37am
Msg #269432

Thank you Al ...

I knew I couldn't be the only one using online airbill generation and not having all the problems so many are exclaiming to have.

I too agree with what you say, "... everyone is to do what works for them."