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shipping in (long) circles

updated fri 29 aug 03

 

dneese on tue 26 aug 03


Hello David and anyone shipping pottery. I just don't do it anymore unless I
absolutely have to. Packing and shipping is not what it used to be and David
Hendley said that. I spent many an hour over the years wrapping, packing,
labeling boxes to ship. There wouldn't be any problems cause the down the
street local UPS people saw me on a regular basis. Like David, maybe one or
two broken pieces in the last 10 years. Never raised a fuss. Usually had
another piece just like it to ship just in case. Never filed a claim unless
it was for $$$. But now, it is a different story. I haven't been back to a
UPS counter since last Christmas. Everyone knows the lines that form at that
time of the year to ship packages home for Christmas. I had 6 ready to go.
Some that needed it double boxed from experience after 20 years. Forms
filled out, check filled out, ready when it was my time. They went through
every box like I had never been there before when I said it was ceramic. "Oh
this won't ship". Called the supervisor. She looks, feels, presses,
squeezes, calls another person to look. "No, have to add more peanuts". More
paper, $3 extra on this one, $2 on this one. Then it happened. I blew a
gasket right there in front of the longest line. Boiling mad. What do you
mean this double bubble wrapped 6 inch bottle taped in cardboard won't ship!
It is the only thing in this 12 inch square box stuffed with peanuts. "Well,
sir, it is our regulations, we have no fragile program." All of them
sounding out the same sentence. "It has to be double boxed". I knew it, you
know it would have made it dropped off a 2 story building it was over packed
so well. I suppose I got out of there before they called for the police. UPS
forms and Styrofoam peanuts flying. Merry *##*#! Christmas *#^%$ and I
didn't go softly. Told everybody in line loudly to take their business to
one of their competitors.
Now, I go to the Helotes Post Office even if there is only one person at
the 4 person counter and a line out the door. Calmly place a tightly packed
box(es) on the scale. "Do you want me to mark this package "fragile" for you
Dale"? "Insurance? OK, I can do that". What else can I do for you today?
How's the family? "Any stamps today?" "The dogs doing OK?" Seems to have
dropped my blood pressure a couple of points right there.
I may have had some one take a package since to be shipped UPS one other
time but they won't see my face in their place of business anymore. Packing
and shipping is not what it used to be.

Dale Tex
"across the alley from the Alamo"
San Antonio, Texas USA

Lois Ruben Aronow on wed 27 aug 03


Here in New York, I have what is quite possibly in worst post office
in the USA. Across the street from one of the city's roughest housing
projects, the lines are long and the clerks are surly. I once went in
to post card stamps. Was told "we don't sell them here". Excuse me?
Am I am the post office?? Never get our mail delivered properly.
Good thing we know our neighbors, or we'd never get our mail.

But - I do have the world's nicest UPS man. Bill. I don't understand
all the fuss about long lines at UPS, as one phone call and they'll
come right to my studio and pick up all boxes. You don't even need to
make a phone call - you can do it all on line. Yes they have
regulations, and they have nice instructional brochures printed out
explaining them in plain english. I know I have to double box. I
know how many peanuts I need to use. But when Bill comes to my door,
he already has the form printed out on his handy electronic thing-y
and I don't have to do anything. He has a set route and I know what
time he hits my area, so i don't need to leave the studio or stay late
or anything. If He tries to make a delivery and no one is there, he
will usually come back later (time permitting) to re-deliver.

So I nominate Bill for UPS employee of the month. The postal service
can keep their surly clerks. Oh, and I have seen them literally toss
the boxes behind them, trying to hit the bin. They often miss and the
box lands on the floor. Right in front of me.






************
www.loisaronow.com
=46ine Craft Porcelain and Pottery
New Work for Summer 2003
New Show and Retail information

Connie Christensen on wed 27 aug 03


Lois wrote:
...But - I do have the world's nicest UPS man. Bill. I don't understand
all the fuss about long lines at UPS, as one phone call and they'll
come right to my studio and pick up all boxes. You don't even need to
make a phone call - you can do it all on line. .....

Lois
I think we may have a tie for world's nicest UPS man - Bob. He even carries
dog biscuits.

Connie
Denver, CO

Lois Ruben Aronow on thu 28 aug 03


On Wed, 27 Aug 2003 17:19:09 -0600, you wrote:

>Lois wrote:
>...But - I do have the world's nicest UPS man. Bill. I don't =
understand
>all the fuss about long lines at UPS, as one phone call and they'll
>come right to my studio and pick up all boxes. You don't even need to
>make a phone call - you can do it all on line. .....
>
>Lois
>I think we may have a tie for world's nicest UPS man - Bob. He even =
carries
>dog biscuits.
>
The UPS man who came to my house, Phil, had the key to my front door,
and would sign for me and put the package inside. What service!! He
was known in this nabe as the Mayor, and basically had keys to
everyone's home. =20

Alas, his wife, a pharmaceutical exec, got a *huge* promotion. (I was
told it as more than his UPS salary). They moved to California and I
understand he now spends his time as a kept man, gardening to his
hearts content. God I miss him.




************
www.loisaronow.com
=46ine Craft Porcelain and Pottery
New Work for Summer 2003
New Show and Retail information