UPS or should I Say Oooops

UPS pays all the time with or without 'manufacture' box. I purchase items on ebay on a regular basis. About 25% arrive damaged. This in spite of the fact I have shipper's put a "Electronic Equipment, Useless if Dropped" label on the box and I require the shipper to meed UPS standands. Generally, UPS takes anything, no questions asked. I have Fedex ground to be no better. UPS does pay the shipper the claim and I lose only my time. I'll check into the UPS packing service.

I am involved in a damage dispute with UPS right now. I sent a CD player in original packing plus double boxed and I added air cushion packing around the unit. I arrived with an internal part unattached and a chip out of the corner. UPS totally ignored me, I had to call them about 25 times over the course of 6 weeks before they would even acknowledge that they had my CD player. Finally after all that they inspected the package and called me a told me that it was not properly packed and that they were denying my claim. I had the package insured for retail value. I am going to file a lawasuit against them in small claims and see where this gets me. UPS are the worst company I have ever dealt with in regards to customer service. Has anyone else had to take UPS to court? What was the outcome?

In my business, I receive hundreds of UPS packages monthly. I have found that damage is almost always due to improper packaging. We see everthing from pocelean toilets to highly sensitive computer equipment. I have less than 1 claim per month. Most damage is caused when an item (EVEN IF WELL WRAPPED) is loose inside the box. The cardboard box is much stronger when it receives equal support from the inside. A box that is 25% bigger than the item with all excess space taken up with energy absorbing packing material will provide better protection than two ill fitting larger boxes. If the box is unsupported it will crush and tear easier when dropped or stacked on. UPS is not resposible for improper packaging ... the shipper is. Additionally, as the shipper, you must prepare the package to survive reasonable handling. "HANDLE WITH CARE" or "FRAGILE" stickers DO NOT make a difference if the item is poorly packaged!!! If in doubt pay a service to package the item for you.

PS - our sister division pays UPS shipping bills weekly at a rate of $20,000 per week (that's a s---load of boxes) and has a similarly low rate of claims. The business is 100%consumer electronics.

The reason for this thread is that at the UPS counter near my home there is a big banner reading "Electronic, Computers, etc...must be shipped in Original Manfacturer Box" ..the counter person actually cut open my box when I told her what was in the box. She denied the parcel, the supervisor reopened the box and said the same, and informed me if this was shipped, had she allowed it, which she would not, any damage claims would be denied since no orig box.

Seems to me we have some inconsistancies in UPS policy which could lead to a false sense of security sending Insured and a potenitial waste of $$ purchasing insurance which ultimatley can be denied based on non original packaging.
At least from the Oakland CA UPS outlet.

As an Economist and a lawyer, I am a "dollar voter"...when I make my vote if feel it is for VERY good reasons:

I do my best to avoid Mircosoft.

I DO NOT buy or use anyting with a NIKE Swoosh on it.

I DO NOT drink Strabuck's Coffee.

AND most important: I DO NOT use UPS (nor will I purchase something TO BE shipped via UPS)

It makes absolutly no difference to any of the above companies that I do not patronize them...but it means someting to me....thats my story and I am sticking to it..