UPS or should I Say Oooops

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..

I uwse Mail Boxes, ETC to pack my gear sent by UPS. Costs slightly more, but nary a problem in many items shipped. UPS is about to purchase Mail Boxes Etc. so tough time denying claim packed by "them"

I can shed some light on this subject. UPS denies ALL claims whether they are insured, not insured, original box or not. They ALWAYS say it is as a result of poor packing, that is their only defense. And most important, they ALWAYS settle the claim when they are sued in small claims court. File the proper paperwork with UPS (claims form) send them everything they ask for. Expect to be ignored, put on hold, hung up on and to have few or none of your calls returned. Go straight to small claims court, no need to wait. If by a miracle, they contact you before the court date, get your check and just don't show up for court. If they don't respond or don't send you the check before the date, go to court. The legal department moves MUCH quicker than the claims department. Only 5% of people file claims and they are the ones who get their checks quickly. All of this information is based on a legitimately packed box and legitimate claim. If they think you insured something for a much higher value and packed it poorly to get the loot, your bluff will probably be called and you will have to go to court. In the event of a legitimate claim with plenty of photos, receipts, names of the people you spoke with etc.. they will settle right quick in a hurry.

I have to support Ericbee on this issue. UPS ignored my claim until I informed them that I was including all of the customer service reps and department manager by name in my lawsuit against UPS. I assured them that this wasn't personal, simply the only way that I could resolve the issue which had gone on for nearly 2 months. The day before the date I had given as my filing date, the check arrived. As might be summized, FedEx now has my business.

ericbee, ewe are mistaken - ups *will* make payment for damaged goods - even if they were poorly packed, or were damaged prior to shipment. i was the buyer in two such incidents, & ups paid both times, w/no hassles - once to a dishonest seller, the other time to an incompetent seller. w/the dishonest seller, i even told the ups claims person, when they came over to inspect the goods, that i thought it was damaged prior to packing. go figure...

ymmv, doug s.