Tom,
I'm getting pissed at UPS. I'm going to try using FedEx for a while. I sent a box almost a month ago to Dale. I put it in a box that originally had paint in it. I didn't notice the dull red square that indicates a hazardous material printed on the box. The box was clearly NOT containing the original contents since I had to fudge the top a bit to fit some racks inside. I declaired the contents when they took my request for a pick up as "bike parts". What do they do with that information? The driver took it to the distribution center and almost a month passed before I got a call to come pick it up, 20 miles away. I get there and the counter person said I could not just mark out the red square, I had to use a whole new box, which they would gladly sell me. I paid for the shipment when my driver picked it up. I was told that not only they couldn't send it along, I would have to pay again for shipping. I made a mistake by not seeing the red square on the box, but they couldn't care less what was INSIDE the box or that I already paid them to deliver it and had to drive 40 miles to pick it up from them because they are "not allowed" to move the box. I have stood by UPS for many years, but now I'm pissed off. When I asked why it took so long for them to call me they said we tried to call last week but couldn't get through (in other words my line was busy when they called) so they set it aside until next week when they try again. I can think of a number of better options than that for getting this package on the way. I had no idea the box had been sitting there for nearly a month.
Brian Baylis
La Mesa, CA
Hello all:
As of Jan 1 2004, UPS has raised their pricing for all services (as they do every year). A COD tag now costs somewheres around $9.00. This is the cost of the tag alone- the privelege of UPS accepting your check- exclusive of the freight rates. UPS Adjusted their dimensional weights a couple of years ago, so now there is a standard box size (anything under OS 1 size), OS 1 size and, and OS 2 size. OS 2 is anything larger than a box that would fit a 26" mtn bike wheel without a tire. UPS charges anything at or above this dimension the same as 70lbs. The OS 1 size is charged the same as 35lbs. This makes it very expensive for bike dealers to have stuff shipped to them and now must add freight to their selling price in some fashion. (I am guessing their suppliers are not marking up their UPS rates to their dealers like mailboxes etc does). For mere mortals, going to the local UPS dropoff location (like mailboxes etc), you will probably get reamed. FedEx and all the others follow suit as UPS is the Big Daddy and basically sets the price for this stuff. This is a daily battle we have where I work, trying to keep the freight down for us and our customers. Invariably we look like the bad guy cuz the freight bill always seems to get larger and larger. But the costing of the freight shouldn't prevent sellers from just dumping a frame or wheels or parts into a box and sending it on its way. Packing materials cost money too, and the time to wrap the parts needs to be taken into account. It may seem excessive to the buyer, but most of the cost is going to UPS and not to the 'greedy' seller.
Tom Martin
Oakland CA
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> First, I apologize to those tired of hearing about ebay and paypal. Here's
an EXACT quote I just got from the guy regarding the crushed and crimped
stays.
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> "I"t has been a while, but if I remember correctly the indentation you are
talking about, is meant to be there. I wouldn't effect the integrity of the
frame as a whole. "
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> Meant to be there?? Give it a rest! This now screams negligence and lies
to me. Email me offlist for his name and user ID. I wouldn't want to see
other members get a bike like this from him...
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> Walt Skrzypek
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> Falls Creek, Pa
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: NortonMarg@aol.com
> Sent: Jan 6, 2004 3:29 AM
> To: wspokes@penn.com
> Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: Re: [CR]Opinion needed, ebay gone wild.
>
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> In a message dated 1/5/04 7:46:55 AM Pacific Standard Time,
wspokes@penn.com writes:
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> So last evening, I am settled down enough to go and look at this bike and
see what I can do. I put it up for sale on the list and was going to wipe it
off and clean it up. I remove the kickstand to find the rear crimped and
crushed under the kickstand. Caveat Emptor? Am I just stuck with this lemon?
This isn't even remotely worth the funds I paid for it now and I am really
irritated. First, besides ruining the bike cosmetically, it needs a repaint
anyway...I would have described the paint and beat up and well used...not as
"the usual scratches and blemishes!". Is this frame structurally sound being
crimped in that area?
>
> What leg do I have to stand on with this bike? any? any advice
appreciated.
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> Hi Walt,
> I fit was mis-represented, tell the seller you want to send it back. Both
the size and the condition seem to be wrong. Eat the shipping, but send it
back. It's either that or sell it for a loss. OR, file an ebay fraud claim.
Only good for a couple hundred, but it worked for that jerk in Oz who sold
me that horribly repainted English frame. I relisted it with an "accurate"
description and used that as evidence with ebay. The seller got his account
canceled (for awhile). Try to work it out with the seller first.
> Stevan Thomas
> Alameda, A