Posted by Joan Bergstrom on 9/21/12 6:53pm
Msg #435299

UPS Stores

I had a account number for a structured settlement to be returned and the person at UPS wouldn't ship it because they "don't accept handwritten account numbers". They would only accept a computerized air bill to ship.

She said the stores were franchissed and that's why they don't.

I am glad that 98% of the time I am dealing with FedEx.

Reply by Karla/OR on 9/21/12 7:11pm
Msg #435300

AMEN to that!

I experience the same issue here in Eugene, Oregon. The local store is probably 5 minutes from me - instead I have to travel an extra 15-20 each way to get to the hub when I have an account number and not an air bill. I was told by an employee at the local UPS that the local stores "do not want to deal with that."

At the hub, UPS has a "Customer Service" sign on the outside of their building. IMO, they do not have a clue as to what that means (in comparison to the service FedEX provides). The UPS hub "Customer Service" area is in a huge warehouse - nothing pretty about it. If you are a UPS truck driver, you wouldn't think a thing about going in there!!! The employees that I've encountered at the hub are far from the likes of the FedEX people.

I have thought many times about writing a letter to the UPS people but figured it was wasted breath. Instead I should write a letter to FedEx and give them a pat on the back for getting it right.

Just part of the ugly we have to deal with. :O)

Reply by anotaryinva on 9/21/12 7:19pm
Msg #435302

I have thought many times about writing a letter to the UPS people but figured it was wasted breath. Instead I should write a letter to FedEx and give them a pat on the back for getting it right.

Girl after my heart.

Reply by Karla/OR on 9/21/12 7:50pm
Msg #435306

:O) n/m

Reply by MW/VA on 9/21/12 8:31pm
Msg #435313

It's a total PIA. They just won't accept it unless you're

using your own acct. for shipping. They're claiming too much fraud.
Fedex does provide much better service all around, IMO.

Reply by Jessica Ward on 9/21/12 9:00pm
Msg #435323

UPS doesn't allow them to check the validity of the account

before shipping. You could literally put ANY letter/number combo in there and if it's no good, it would bill back to the store, and then they also get franchise penalties.

Pre-printed waybills are the way to go. If you use a handwritten one, either know the franchise owner (luckily, I'm on great terms with my local store-they even order my UPS shipping supplies for me, because UPS never approves my orders based on my shipping volume) or drop in a drop box.

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 9/21/12 10:00pm
Msg #435333

Re: UPS doesn't allow them to check the validity of the account

I know the owner but he wasn't there. Like Karla said: the hub is far away and I had a signing to do and didn't have the 30-40 minutes to run over there.
The UPS Store is accross the street and is really convient or it use to be.

Reply by jba/fl on 9/21/12 10:02pm
Msg #435334

Give me a label or it doesn't leave Orlando. Period. n/m

Reply by MW/VA on 9/22/12 8:42am
Msg #435378

IMO that's their internal problem & they need to fix it.

The customer shouldn't be subjected to that. They will refuse a shipment & that's not good business.

Reply by ToniK on 9/21/12 10:33pm
Msg #435335

Hmm I wonder cuz I always just go in and leave it on the counter for the folks to handle and dont wait around for a receipt. Havent had an issue cuz TS gets their packages.

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 9/21/12 11:44pm
Msg #435341

When I started in this business 10 years

it was pretty much split between FedEx & UPS until around 2008 or 2009 and UPS fell off the radar and it became almost all FedEx.

UPS has almost completely missed out in the loan mortgage business; their inability to check an account number and verify it's account, tells me their system very much needs to be upgraded to FedEx ability.

Reply by jba/fl on 9/21/12 11:52pm
Msg #435342

Not wanting to go back through the responses, one said

that it was the franchises who don't want to do this extra work or don't have the capability to do so. Since most of UPS is now franchises, it is not the same and they are lacking in areas.

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 9/22/12 12:05am
Msg #435343

I owned a 7-11 Store for 14 years

and I agree that the individual store makes this decision.

If I owned a UPS Store I would definitely be hands on and make these decisions to ship or not.

If I wasn't in the store my manager would make these decisions.

How many fraudulent shipments go through each month compared to how much an owner can make by using their common sense is beyond me?

If would be like locking the beer cooler because you had a couple of 6 packs of beer stolen every month and making the clerk go to the cooler and get the beer for the customer.

Both of these things are truly "customer no service".

Reply by HisHughness on 9/22/12 12:13am
Msg #435344

I hate UPS. Some day I hope I have the opportunity ...

... to pee on their bankruptcy petition.

Reply by Clem/CA on 9/22/12 1:03am
Msg #435347

Re: I hate UPS. Some day I hope I have the opportunity ...

LOL by that time it will be a dribble... if not already....

Reply by Karla/OR on 9/22/12 2:32am
Msg #435354

I should print all the negative responses about UPS on this post (without your author names of course) and take it to the manager of my local store. I could have a chat with him and see if it makes any difference. Film at 11!!!

Reply by Jennifer Jackson on 9/22/12 4:26am
Msg #435361

ME TOO!!! I love Fed Ex. UPS needs to get with the program. A lot of the franchises don't even carry the air bills that you fill out... WHY? I asked the actual UPS location and they said because they have to order and pay for them for their stores so the owners don't order them...crazy!

Reply by Linda_in_MI on 9/22/12 6:55am
Msg #435371

Re: UPS Stores-it's the bottom line

Airbills are not stocked because it costs the stores money. And unless you are shipping large as in size or large as in volume the amount the stores receive as revenue is pennies on the dollar. So for them, financially it makes more sense to refuse service or direct you to the dropbox down the street

Reply by Luckydog on 9/22/12 8:49am
Msg #435382

Re: UPS Stores-it's the bottom line

IF They insist on using UPS, I go to the drop boxes, stack up on supplies (raid the box) I use the buyers name and address for the return and of course the title companies info. UPS is famous for back charging, and learned a long time ago, I am not going to get stuck, in the least, let the buyer pay for his own shipping docs. They got me twice in 8 years, and that is 2 x too many. The UPS stores suck, and they do not like to give pout supplies. Best going to the box or several, and getting what you need.

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 9/22/12 11:39am
Msg #435403

Stuff like that is why I refuse to ship UPS. I have had that rule in place for a while now and have not had any issues with companies providing me either a FedEx acct. number or label instead of UPS shipping information.

Reply by Gerry Grummons on 9/22/12 11:52am
Msg #435406

I use my UPS a/c and simply use the bill to third or receiving party and save the info so it's real simple to print an airbill. Just enter the third party a/c #

Reply by HARRY_PA on 9/22/12 1:13pm
Msg #435419

Ups stores are all franchises. If they accept a package and it has a problem account it will be charged back to that store. They can afford that no better than you. My business (pack & ship) is not a franchise but I work under the same rules. Bring in a package with a preprinted label and I will be glad to accept it. With a hand written shipping document, sorry no. I do not want to pay for your shipment. This policy has changed in the last 18 months. I guess Ups doesn,t want to pay for your shipment either.

Harry

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 9/22/12 1:14pm
Msg #435420

UPS stores are all so different.... and really, they're no different than an independent box and ship store, except for the franchise fee and marketing. Because of my bank (USAA) I often find myself in UPS stores to do check deposits. USAA really doesn't have branches, so they have their customers go to UPS stores (with the scanning ability) and they have real-time deposits for checks. It's an awesome service.

At any rate, I make it a point to get to know the OWNER of some of the stores, learn which ones they operate, etc. They get to know that I'm a notary, too, and I'm often able to pop in and drop off packages without all the fuss because the staff or owner know me

There are some UPS stores that I avoid like the plague, too. They're all so different, run differently and with different policies. It's all about getting to know them.

Reply by Karla/OR on 9/22/12 1:45pm
Msg #435423

Marian~ are you saying that if I drop by the local UPS store, introduce myself, and they then know that I handle mortgage docs vs. like say nose rings (!!) that the owner may then begin to accept just the shipping number with no label??? I am willing to try that.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 9/22/12 2:10pm
Msg #435425

Well, I don't know if it would work for you.... but it does help for me, especially with two particular owners. One of the reasons, I think is because I am in their shops often enough giving them business because of my bank. I don't need to ship via UPS terribly often, so when I do, it's more of a "Can you do me this favor?" type of thing, and they've always done it.

One of them did say that if something goes wrong, then it would get billed to her store, but she knows how to contact me if that happens. She's got my business card and I'm in her store 2-3 times a month.

Reply by HisHughness on 9/22/12 2:09pm
Msg #435424

***They're all so different, run differently and with different policies. It's all about getting to know them.***

I'm trying to picture a McDonald's operation in which you have to suck up to the franchisee to get your Big Mac with all the ingredients, along with a smile from the counter server, and I just can't bring that into focus. Nor can I do that for Exxon franchises, Taco Bells, Relax the Back, XXXtasy Adult Stores, or any other franchise operation.

I'm 75 years old. If I am really fortunate, I will live long eough to see every one of those damned brown trucks auctioned off to become Tastee Freez dispensers.

I really don't like UPS.

Reply by Karla/OR on 9/22/12 2:35pm
Msg #435427

@Marian~ I will certainly give it a try - I will also let them know that I have always bypassed the US Post Office and FEDEX for my personal mailings for birthdays and Christmas packages in order to give them my business. That may change depending on their response back to me. It has always been the handiest place to go, but I would have no problem going five minutes further to FEDEX.

@Hugh~ I love your rant and reasoning - very much agree.