U.S.P.S (Shipping Guitars)

[SEEGERMANY]

There's only a handful of members on this forum that know me and as far as I know, I've never had any bad dealings or problems with trading, buying, selling, or shipping. Matter of fact, I try to go above and beyond on packing and shipping. Well, thanks to USPS and my trusting nature, those sons of bitches have tarnished my reputation (no, I'm still an asshole and love to stir shit, I'm referring to my business rep).

In the past, I've always used UPS or FedEx and for the most part, I've had good luck. One of my friends in Florida suggested that I try USPS and until today, I had been pleased with the results. Now, I know things go wrong and for the most part, I'm pretty understanding. But when someone blatantly lies to me and it involves my hard earned money, it's fucking "game on!"

Last week, I mailed a guitar to Florida using USPS Priority Mail. I was told the package would arrive in 2 or 3 days. Ok, it did arrive in 3 days. That's not the problem. I specifically asked the clerk if I would be able to track the package and she said "yes" and then presented me with a receipt. So I paid for shipping, insurance, and the ability to track the guitar. Well folks, just for your info, USPS doesn't gaurantee Priority Mail shipping times nor do they offer tracking. Two different clerks stood there and lied to my face and told me that I'd be able to track the progress of the packages. So, this afternoon, my old, crabby ass is headed to USPS and I may not get a refund, but I'm going to chew on some asses!

I want to apologize to two of our JCF members who I recently shipped guitars to. One fella has received his package, the other is anxiously awaiting arrival of his guitar. Hopefully, it will arrive tomorrow as scheduled. So, I guess it's back to FedEx and UPS.

[shreddermon]

Not sure about tracking, but they do offer delivery confirmation on Priority Mail. I use that for parts every now and then. Never shipped a guitar that way, though.

[Bengal]

I generally don't like using USPS for shipping stuff like guitars. I once had an Ibanez PGM90HAM take 4 weeks to get from Dallas, TX to Des Moines, Iowa. Granted it was in December. But 4 weeks is a bit long. Funny thing was, he shipped 2 guitars to me at the same time. I got the Strat in 4 days...

I only use Fed Ex now. UPS got pricey a little while ago...

[SEEGERMANY]

"but they do offer delivery confirmation on Priority Mail"

Yes, they do. But for the cat waiting anxiously on the other end of a deal, that's of little comfort. I just don't like being misled. Let me rephrase that. I don't like being lied to.

[heartfielder]

I ship guitars all the time. I use ONLY USPS. You lose the tracking option for the US but can track to Europe. Delivery confirmation tells you when it arrives but the buyer will probably have contacted you sooner than that to say all is well. I have found that USPS get my stuff to it's destination quickly, safely and cheaper than other carriers. I have also found that the clerk at the Post Office may not know all the tracking particulars but I have disregarded that with the positive performance they have exhibited. Just my 2 cents.

[shreddermon]

Well, it's probably no consolation, but I just shipped a guitar by UPS last night, and their clerks were just as incompetent. Both clerks working at the time didn't know about the "adult signature required" option, nor how to view it online.

And the chick working the counter has screwed up the shipping address both of the last two times I've shipped a guitar. Same girl both times. And, luckily, I caught it both times before walking out the door. That UPS outfit will no longer be getting my business.

When customers know your company's services better than your own employees do, you know something's wrong.

[Chasbo]

Wow sorry to hear about this Mark. For the record, although I have had some problems with USPS Priority Mail, they are usually hassle free. Seems to me that any shipping these days tends to put you a situation where the shipper does everything they can to get your business and then afterwards don't have the time of day for the customer. Pretty darn sad.

[rjohnstone]

I only use USPS Priority.
I know they do not offer tracking, but I use it for delivery confirmation.
The idiot that told you they did was just that, an idiot.

In the past, I've had people tell me they never received packages, so when USPS offered delivery confirmation, I started using it all the time.

I've nailed a few fucktards who tried to pull the "I never got it" bullshit.

USPS still has the best track record for the fast and safe arrival of everything I have ever shipped.

[nateb]

There's only a handful of members on this forum that know me and as far as I know, I've never had any bad dealings or problems with trading, buying, selling, or shipping. Matter of fact, I try to go above and beyond on packing and shipping. Well, thanks to USPS and my trusting nature, those sons of bitches have tarnished my reputation (no, I'm still an asshole and love to stir shit, I'm referring to my business rep).

In the past, I've always used UPS or FedEx and for the most part, I've had good luck. One of my friends in Florida suggested that I try USPS and until today, I had been pleased with the results. Now, I know things go wrong and for the most part, I'm pretty understanding. But when someone blatantly lies to me and it involves my hard earned money, it's fucking "game on!"

Last week, I mailed a guitar to Florida using USPS Priority Mail. I was told the package would arrive in 2 or 3 days. Ok, it did arrive in 3 days. That's not the problem. I specifically asked the clerk if I would be able to track the package and she said "yes" and then presented me with a receipt. So I paid for shipping, insurance, and the ability to track the guitar. Well folks, just for your info, USPS doesn't gaurantee Priority Mail shipping times nor do they offer tracking. Two different clerks stood there and lied to my face and told me that I'd be able to track the progress of the packages. So, this afternoon, my old, crabby ass is headed to USPS and I may not get a refund, but I'm going to chew on some asses!

I want to apologize to two of our JCF members who I recently shipped guitars to. One fella has received his package, the other is anxiously awaiting arrival of his guitar. Hopefully, it will arrive tomorrow as scheduled. So, I guess it's back to FedEx and UPS.

Normally, I would have emailed you directly about this. But, since I saw the thread, I will just reply here.

When I emailed you saying that the tracking number wasn't working was only a concern that something must have been mistyped. I never suspected wrong doing at ALL. You have been a good guy to deal with. So, all is well in California =) The only person that is suffering sounds like the guy at the USPS counter when you get there and the poor guy that you shipped it too is going to be suffering at my hand because of me ringing his cell phone off the hook this Friday saying "Is it there yet... Is it there yet??!" Don't sweat it mang... all is well. You have been great to deal with and I appreciate just knowing that you did follow up on it. No apology necessary =)

Cheers,

-Nate

[Shawn Lutz]

I've had good luck with USPS and UPS. I think the timing has a lot to do with it. All carriers are handling increased volumes due to the holidays and gifts beeing sent. Also, I dont know about the USPS but I know UPS and FedEx all hire seasonal employees to help with the increased shipping traffic. So you may have a new hire that doesn know jack shit...

[toejam]

Mark, USPS should refund your shipping funds. I sent a package somewhere last year, Priority, and it got there a day or so later than it should have. I talked to the clerk at my post office, and she refunded my money. I only wanted about half the shipping cost back, but they gave me the whole thing.

[SEEGERMANY]

Nate,

Instead of replying to your email, I wanted to let others know of the problem so that they might be better informed than I was. For USPS to give me a receipt and tell me the tracking number VH blah blah blah US would allow me to track its progress, well, it's just dishonnest. Like Shawn said, maybe it was a clueless newbie. Maybe I can get ToeJam to ban her ass!

[toejam]

Maybe I can get ToeJam to ban her ass!

I would like to do that! :ROTF:
USPS tracking is a joke. Whenever I send something, I get either Delivery Confirmation or a Certified receipt, just so I can tell when it gets to its destination. Putting the numbers in their online site only will tell you when the transaction took place at the post office, and also when it arrived at its destination. It doesn't track where the hell it is in between, which really sucks! Sometimes their site doesn't get updated very quickly either, so you can't even be sure if it got there on time until some days later.

[Bengal]

Since I'm a USPS noob, can you answer a question for me?

If you send something Priority, are there numbers on the reciept that can verify that a transaction has taken place and something was shipped? Not like tracking something but more like what Toejam said above, verify where the transaction took place, that kind of thing?

[SEEGERMANY]

Yep, there was a VH 007 007 007 US that indicated that USPS had fucked me out of additional fundage.

Seriously, this is the message I received when entering the number. "Delivery status information is not available for your item via this web site. A return receipt after mailing may be available through your local Post Office. P.S. You whine like Dave Mustaine!"