Rikki Gill on fri 13 jan 06
I recently shipped 5 large boxes via UPS. It was a set of dinnerware going
to the DinnerWork show in Louisville. I phoned UPS and they guided me
through their
process.
I weighed, [on my baby scale that I use for clay] measured and told them
where this shipment was going. They asked if I wanted same or next day pick
up. They brought their bar coded, pre printed labels for each package. They
gave me a guaranteed date by which everything would arrive. I don't think
they charged me for pick up. They did require me to list contents of each
box and the value of each box separately.
This worked in my favor, because they broke four pieces in two boxes, and I
had the cost info available. Fortunately, I had back ups. They paid me
promptly [within two weeks] for
breakage and reimbursed me for the shipping costs as well.
I was shocked! It was so easy. This all took place during the height of
my [and their] pre holiday frenzy. I sent the replacement items, they
arrived fine, and the ordeal was over.
They might cost more, but for now, since I don't ship much, it is
worthwhile.
Rikki Gill
www.rikkigillceramics.com
Richard Aerni on fri 13 jan 06
Hi Rikki,
This is generally how I ship my parcels via UPS. I call in the order, make
it for ground, for the next day (that's cheapest for this method), and since
I don't have a computer at the studio with a printer, have them do up the
labels for me. They come pick everything up the next day, which gives me
overnight for compiling and printing out my own invoice with packing and
shipping charges included. However, there is a charge for all of this. If
you preprint your own labels using their software (free), the rates lower,
and they charge a good bit for coming by on a "call in" basis. I know this
since for a short while I used their everyday pickup option, where they stop
in late each afternoon whether there is a parcel or not. I think it was
something like $15 dollars per week for this option, but the rate per parcel
was significantly lower. I can't recall the exact difference, but it seemed
like it amounted to at least $2-4 dollars per package (I generally ship
large and heavy parcels). Ultimately, I cancelled this service, since I
didn't ship enough to justify it. But, I would think that for someone doing
internet orders, or who has a gallery and ships pots for customerns, that
would be the way to go.
Oh, and I had two instances of breakage last year. Both times UPS paid
promptly and without fuss. Of course, my driver says my packages are the
tightest and best packed on his route. That being said, he also recently
told me that his supervisor cuts open all of my boxes now at the processing
center because they know I ship ceramics and they are high risk. I
expressed some shock at this, and said I sincerely hoped that his supervisor
took the care that I did in packing while reclosing and taping my boxes.
Best,
Richard Aerni
Rochester, NY
On Fri, 13 Jan 2006 16:08:08 -0800, Rikki Gill wrote:
>I recently shipped 5 large boxes via UPS. It was a set of dinnerware going
>to the DinnerWork show in Louisville. I phoned UPS and they guided me
>through their
>process.
>I weighed, [on my baby scale that I use for clay] measured and told them
>where this shipment was going. They asked if I wanted same or next day pick
>up. They brought their bar coded, pre printed labels for each package. They
>gave me a guaranteed date by which everything would arrive. I don't think
>they charged me for pick up. They did require me to list contents of each
>box and the value of each box separately.
>
David Hendley on sat 14 jan 06
Rikki, you did pay more for this service from UPS.
You paid extra to have your boxes picked up and you paid
more for the service of talking to a person on the phone and
having them, not you, print the shipping labels.
No judgment here - if you are happy, great.
But, again, the cheapest way to ship via UPS is go to their
website and enter your information and print your own labels.
Then, you can drop off your packages at any UPS agent
location or hand them to a UPS driver.
David Hendley
Old Farmhouse Pottery
david@farmpots.com
http://www.farmpots.com
----- Original Message -----
>I recently shipped 5 large boxes via UPS. It was a set of dinnerware going
> to the DinnerWork show in Louisville. I phoned UPS and they guided me
> through their process.
| |
|
