Grimmer on sat 17 oct 98
Hi,
Some things we all should know about UPS:
UPS is the largest handler of packages in the world. A small customer for
them spends $1000 per week in shipping charges, bar codes its own packages,
and transmits all daily shipping data electronically to UPS so the sort
stations know what is coming. These small customers have problems with
damaged packages even after the UPS Package Testing Labs give the 'thumbs
up.' Individuals don't really mean squat to UPS.
Every package you ship with UPS will be thrown. It must be able to withstand
several drops from six feet.
Every package you ship with UPS will be stood upon by the person loading the
Pups (those semi-trailors you see on the highway). The loaders build a tight
wall top to bottom, side to side, front to back, with your boxes. How do
they reach the top? Stand on boxes.
Every package you ship with UPS will be sorted on high-speed conveyor belts.
If there is a hold-up and your box comes to a halt, the package slamming
into it from behind at 30 MPH may be a Garfield pillow, or it might be a 70
lb boat anchor.
That said, no other carrier offers time specific ground service and tracking
capability for less than the price of first class mail.
steve grimmer
put himself through grad school doing shipping for marine supply but lives
in
marion illinois.
----------
>From: the cat lady
>To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
>Subject: Re: Packing Charges
>Date: Fri, Oct 16, 1998, 8:38 AM
>
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>At 09:15 AM 10/16/98 EDT, you wrote:
>>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>>Dear Kim,
>>Nearly every sale at the BMAC in Philly seems to be FOB (Freight on Buyer)
>>It is customary to add a packing fee over and above shipping costs. I've
>>seen everything from 2% to 9% and everything in between.
>>
>>If you ask retailers, they would prefer everything added in the price of
>>the piece... it's easier to pack several flat tiles or dinner platters
than
>>to pack one Michael Sherrill Tea Pot... when you include the packing cost
>>in the price of the work it raises the perceived value AND all costs are
>>covered in case of breakage by UPS.
>>
>Just my $0.02 here - I was recently talking with UPS (Canada) and
>they are NO LONGER insuring and paying claims for ceramic and glass.
>Period. They say they were "burned" too many times.
>
>I asked the person to check my packing (the last package had arrived
>with 1 broken piece which I had to absorb) and he pronounced it fine
>*BUT*, and I'll try to quote "if a 150 lb box falls on your box..."
>and he shrugged. Basically, Too Bad.
>
>So, be aware - ask before you ship...and if you hear what I heard,
>put pressure on UPS; and change shippers. Perhaps lost business
>from long time customers will help change things around?
>
>sam - alias the cat lady
>Melbourne, Ontario
>SW Ontario CANADA
>http://www.geocities.com/paris/3110
>scuttell@odyssey.on.ca
>
>"Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods.
> Cats have never forgotten this."
Jonathan Kaplan on sun 18 oct 98
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Hi,
> Some things we all should know about UPS:
>UPS is the largest handler of packages in the world. A small customer for
>them spends $1000 per week in shipping charges, bar codes its own packages,
>and transmits all daily shipping data electronically to UPS so the sort
>stations know what is coming. These small customers have problems with
>damaged packages even after the UPS Package Testing Labs give the 'thumbs
>up.' Individuals don't really mean squat to UPS.
>Every package you ship with UPS will be thrown. It must be able to withstand
>several drops from six feet.
>Every package you ship with UPS will be stood upon by the person loading the
>Pups (those semi-trailors you see on the highway). The loaders build a tight
>wall top to bottom, side to side, front to back, with your boxes. How do
>they reach the top? Stand on boxes.
>Every package you ship with UPS will be sorted on high-speed conveyor belts.
>If there is a hold-up and your box comes to a halt, the package slamming
>into it from behind at 30 MPH may be a Garfield pillow, or it might be a 70
>lb boat anchor.
>That said, no other carrier offers time specific ground service and tracking
>capability for less than the price of first class mail.
>
>steve grimmer
Steve makes some very imporant points here, and provides an insight to UPS.
To add to this. We have shipped with UPS since 1976, and have seen the
system change over these many years, and have changed our packing system
during these many years so that we get less than 1% breakage and have never
had a problem collecting a claim for even this small percentage. We have
never been threatened to have shipping of our products stopped by UPS or
claims not paid. The point is is you value your work, take the time to
develop a packing system that can take the abuse as Steve described in his
post by UPS. We have, and I've described it many times on this list. In
fact, there will be a section in Steve Branfman's new pottery text on my
system (thanks Steve!)
We have been extremely proud of our track record with UPS. We now use their
Teleship shipping system(we are MAC based) which allows us to ship,track,
etc. print the bar coded labels, all from our Teleship terminal. Thier UPS
Online Office (for PC's) is another breakthrough in this same area.
Hey, take the time and spend the money to pack your work correctly. Don't
you work too hard, too long, often at not enough money to have your work
arrive as shards in a crushed or mangled box?
Jonathan
Jonathan Kaplan, president
Ceramic Design Group LTD/Production Services
PO Box 775112
Steamboat Springs CO 80477
plant location
1280 13th Street Unit 13
Steamboat Springs CO 80487
(970) 879-9139 voice and fax
jonathan@csn.net
http://www.sni.net/ceramicdesign/
John H. Rodgers on sun 18 oct 98
-- [ From: John H. Rodgers * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] --
For years I shipped fine porcelain all over Alaska and in the Lower 48
States. Didn't take long to get the message about shipping. Settled in on
using the good old US Postal Service. Shipped all boxes first class insureed
.. Service was excellent, and breakage was rare.
John Rodgers
Just back from Kentuck Fine Crafts Show at Northport, Ala. Gad! What a show
!!!!
--
the cat lady on mon 19 oct 98
>To add to this. We have shipped with UPS since 1976, and have seen the
>system change over these many years, and have changed our packing system
>during these many years so that we get less than 1% breakage and have never
>had a problem collecting a claim for even this small percentage. We have
>never been threatened to have shipping of our products stopped by UPS or
>claims not paid.
I think you mis-understood me. This was not against me personally.
They have made a policy change (at least in Canada) to not insure and
pay claims on ceramic and glass objects. AND they've discontinued
shipping framed pictures (glass panel don't forget) as well. I was
told this when I called in for pick-up and they asked the contents.
It was re-inforced by the driver.
>Hey, take the time and spend the money to pack your work correctly. Don't
>you work too hard, too long, often at not enough money to have your work
>arrive as shards in a crushed or mangled box?
>
I, too, take great care in packing. Double boxing, etc. but sometimes
a piece does break en route. Until last month, I've made a total of
2 (paid) claims against UPS. From now on, if it breaks, we "eat" it.
sam - alias the cat lady
Melbourne, Ontario
SW Ontario CANADA
http://www.geocities.com/paris/3110
scuttell@odyssey.on.ca
"Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods.
Cats have never forgotten this."
Susan Goldstein on tue 20 oct 98
That same policy (no insurance payments to ceramic artists) exists here in
central Kentucky, although it is not in writing. I have been searching for
another way to ship without increasing the costs but have been unsuccessful.
Has anyone found a way around UPS? ( my packages are too big for the postal
service)
Susan
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