UPS = Load of CRAP!

Some of you know that I bought my Fantasia Cosmos lamp in another state. Arizona. I live in Virginia. I worked hard coordinating the shipping, pickup and payment for all this. I had a UPS store in Phoenix pickup, pack and ship the item. I also insured the item for $500 dollars as it would cost that much to get another one - if I could find one.

Well, the item was damaged - of course - and I filed a claim. I have been jumping through hoops getting info and pics over to them and it's been 3 weeks since I heard anything until today. Supposedly, UPS found a copy of the Craigslist ad that showed I only paid $75 dollars. UPS is "hinting" at the fact that since I only paid $75 dollars, that is all I will be getting. The lady at the UPS store that I have been in contact with since the begining of all this and the one that packed it and charged me the $330 dollars to pack and ship it, told me that UPS only covers the COST of the item. Which is crap. Insurance is to cover the cost of repair/replacement of said item incase of loss or damage. Is that not correct? Anyways, the "investigation" is still ongoing. The lady at the store told me that if I found it for $75, I can find it again for that price. I told her that is not true and it was a once in a lifetime find.

Anyways, I expressed my distaste with UPS with her on the phone and the fact that if necessary - I will find an attorney to assist me in this matter. I am not joking either. She said to not be hasty and see what happens. They have neither approved or denied it.

This really pisses me off. This thing is something that I will NEVER find again for $75. If I do, I would be shocked. Not to mention how long it would take waiting (years), if it ever happened again. Statistically slim. I showed them the $450 dollar one at mildreds as well. I have a copy of an estimate to replace the damaged domes at that comes in at over $480 dollars. I have not given that to them yet, but I will if necessary.

I insured this item just for this reason. I insured it for what it would cost me to repair/replace. UPS picked it up, packed it, shipped it and broke it. Please tell me how they can tell me they are only responsible for $75 dollars? Even if that is true - a full shipping and packing refund is in order - at the very least.

This just really gets me going. It really does.

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Permalink Reply by LampHead on March 25, 2009 at 5:52pm

Sorry to say but you will only get $75, shipping costs are not covered in loses. I have worked in the transportation industry for over 15 years and have dealt with claims before, its not pretty and the manifests spell out what they are responsible for. Its all ruled by the US Government ( go figure ). You could have purchased "excess liability" insurance that will cover for a specific $$$ amount but I do not think UPS offers that through their standard parcel service.

Trying to claim on any insurance is crazy, I had a glass piece broke by the post office that was insured....they told me I had to ship it back to the shipper so they (the shipper) could file the claim since they were the ones who purchased the insurance....totally insane. Good luck I really hope you make out OK.

LampHead

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Permalink Reply by Kris on March 25, 2009 at 7:24pm

Yeah, I don't know what is going to happen. It just defeats the whole purpose of insurance. Insurance is there to protect you incase something happens. It's purchased to repair or replace an item in cast it's damaged. If they don't honor that, then why have it?

As for other carriers - there are none. It's either FedEX, UPS or USPS.

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Permalink Reply by LampHead on March 25, 2009 at 8:55pm

I know how you feel Kris, I usually purchase the insurance when buying from Ebay, kind of like a assurance that the seller actually sends out the item. I have heard of people not buying insurance and not getting their package and the seller tells them they should have bought insurance...so for that reason alone I have always purchased it. We always have to remember that NO companys follow arrows or fragile markings, like Ultrafixation said the guys on the belts are making $8 an hour for 4 hours a day....they dont care and sadly neither does UPS or FedEx as long as they get their packages sorted.

Overall the USPS is probably the best way to ship things since they have no "drop belts" that sort out packages like UPS or FedEx, although lately around here they have been "losing" alot of peoples mail in the wrong mail boxes. Our choices really suck....LOL

LampHead

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Permalink Reply by Kris on March 26, 2009 at 10:12am

Got a call today from the UPS store. They are only going to pay $75 (what I paid for the lamp). However, since it was packed and shipped by them - they are going to be refunding that as well. Because of that, I can't complain. The lady is going to call me when the check comes in and will let me know the exact refund amount.

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Permalink Reply by Kris on March 26, 2009 at 11:26am

Thanks for the offer - really appreciate it. They won't go for it. I have tried several times and they said it does not matter what it's worth, it only matters what you pay for it. Which is a crock of you know what.

I have dealt with UPS insurance claims before. Even if the item was worth $500 and thats what you paid and you filed a claim for that, they would then ask for an estimate to repair the item. They will pay whatever is cheaper. That's just how they work. Which again, is a crock of ..