main@ap-gto.groups.io | UPS delivery

Home Guidelines Messages Hashtags Subgroups

Date Date 1 - 20 of 47

UPS delivery - be VERY careful

Joe Zeglinski #17573 Hi, I just wanted to warn folks about putting too much faith in the way some couriers deliver expensive goods to you - like your brand new, very expensive telescope mount. My AP900 just arrived - in two (unexpected) deliveries - what a UPS fiasco! I received a phone call from UPS at customs, that my 5 box AP shipment was being cleared, and because it was over the UPS policy of goods exceeding $500 in declared value, UPS calls to see if you wanted to (optionally) "prepay your C.O.D." by phone. DO NOT DO THIS ! First, if you do anyway, phone them back locally, yourself, since you can't be sure WHO is really calling you for your personal credit card number. Second, if you prepay them the C.O.D., to save the small flat $4.68 (?) fee, to save the card hassle later, the driver then has no reason to ring your doorbell. Unaware of this, I made that mistake. On the Easter weekend, after being told that delivery would definitely NOT be until AFTER the weekend, on Monday, and also previously confirmed by UPS that they do NOT make deliveries on weekends, the "first" UPS driver showed up Easter Saturday morning, and left just one of the five, AP900 boxes, on the front porch, and quickly disappeared - no yellow tag saying it was a partial delivery, no UPS paperwork on the carton of course (except for the label), the UPS driver did NOT even have the courtesy of ringing the doorbell, while I was home and having breakfast, to WARN me that my expensive package was sitting in plain view on the front porch! What if I were out of town, visiting family at Easter, or gone shopping, fully confident that, there would be no way the shipment was to arrive before the agreed upon date? Seems UPS "driver time" is much more valuable than my over $10,000 item, left sitting on the porch! Now wise to their careless or inept habits, I kept a lookout through the window, for more of the 5 boxes in that one AP shipment, to arrive on Monday. Sure enough, UPS driver #2 dropped the 4 remaining AP900 cartons, on the front porch - and yes, once again, took off without ringing the doorbell. Why should he - the C.O.D was already prepaid, so no reason to greet the customer, and WARN him about the extremely expensive boxes piled on the front porch! I wonder how these two UPS drivers would feel if their car dealer, or car repair mechanic, drop off their brand new car on the street in front of the house, with the keys in the ignition, doors unlocked? A new Saturn vehicle would come close to the cost of an AP900, in comparison. If you use UPS "STANDARD" delivery - least expensive, 3 day delivery - the package should only come on a weekday (unless UPS screws up, once again). All the other, special, more expensive EXPRESS, etc. two day shipments, CAN be delivered on a Saturday - mine was the STANDARD, but the UPS drivers are easily confused, it seems. So, be careful about using these premium services - which could come on a weekend. Before I retired, I used to have a personal business policy of NEVER using UPS because of their problematic performance, but I thought they had now improved over the years. Well, it's now back to FEDEX, which I had always used previously, and rarely (if ever) had any problems. Bottom line: DO NOT prepay the C.O.D. - this FORCES the driver to ring your doorbell to collect the credit card payment for the UPS service fee. If he takes off before you can get to your front door - damn they're quick, in a hurry - then they would NOT just leave your $10,000 packages sitting, in plain public view, on the front porch! Besides, they would make two more agreed upon delivery retries. Otherwise, you may have to reclaim your AP mount from the local "fence". P.S. The AP paperwork clearly states "Contact the consignee upon arrival of shipment". Well, UPS did, from somewhere along the border, but only to ask for their C.O.D. fee prepayment, if I wanted to do that. BAD MISTAKE ! Joe
More All Messages By This Member
Jerry Lodriguss #17575 At 02:54 PM 4/10/2007, you wrote: Before I retired, I used to have a personal business policy of NEVER using UPS because of their problematic performance, but I thought they had now improved over the years. Well, it's now back to FEDEX, which I had always used previously, and rarely (if ever) had any problems. Well, I just had a nightmare experience with FEDEX delivering my AP 600E mount, so don't trust them either. Jerry
More All Messages By This Member
Salyer <salyer@...> #17574 Sorry to hear about your experience. I've got an AP900 on the way. Why was there a COD? Greg toggle quoted message Show quoted text At 02:54 PM 4/10/2007, you wrote: Hi, I just wanted to warn folks about putting too much faith in the way some couriers deliver expensive goods to you - like your brand new, very expensive telescope mount. My AP900 just arrived - in two (unexpected) deliveries - what a UPS fiasco! I received a phone call from UPS at customs, that my 5 box AP shipment was being cleared, and because it was over the UPS policy of goods exceeding $500 in declared value, UPS calls to see if you wanted to (optionally) "prepay your C.O.D." by phone. DO NOT DO THIS ! First, if you do anyway, phone them back locally, yourself, since you can't be sure WHO is really calling you for your personal credit card number. Second, if you prepay them the C.O.D., to save the small flat $4.68 (?) fee, to save the card hassle later, the driver then has no reason to ring your doorbell. Unaware of this, I made that mistake. On the Easter weekend, after being told that delivery would definitely NOT be until AFTER the weekend, on Monday, and also previously confirmed by UPS that they do NOT make deliveries on weekends, the "first" UPS driver showed up Easter Saturday morning, and left just one of the five, AP900 boxes, on the front porch, and quickly disappeared - no yellow tag saying it was a partial delivery, no UPS paperwork on the carton of course (except for the label), the UPS driver did NOT even have the courtesy of ringing the doorbell, while I was home and having breakfast, to WARN me that my expensive package was sitting in plain view on the front porch! What if I were out of town, visiting family at Easter, or gone shopping, fully confident that, there would be no way the shipment was to arrive before the agreed upon date? Seems UPS "driver time" is much more valuable than my over $10,000 item, left sitting on the porch! Now wise to their careless or inept habits, I kept a lookout through the window, for more of the 5 boxes in that one AP shipment, to arrive on Monday. Sure enough, UPS driver #2 dropped the 4 remaining AP900 cartons, on the front porch - and yes, once again, took off without ringing the doorbell. Why should he - the C.O.D was already prepaid, so no reason to greet the customer, and WARN him about the extremely expensive boxes piled on the front porch! I wonder how these two UPS drivers would feel if their car dealer, or car repair mechanic, drop off their brand new car on the street in front of the house, with the keys in the ignition, doors unlocked? A new Saturn vehicle would come close to the cost of an AP900, in comparison. If you use UPS "STANDARD" delivery - least expensive, 3 day delivery - the package should only come on a weekday (unless UPS screws up, once again). All the other, special, more expensive EXPRESS, etc. two day shipments, CAN be delivered on a Saturday - mine was the STANDARD, but the UPS drivers are easily confused, it seems. So, be careful about using these premium services - which could come on a weekend. Before I retired, I used to have a personal business policy of NEVER using UPS because of their problematic performance, but I thought they had now improved over the years. Well, it's now back to FEDEX, which I had always used previously, and rarely (if ever) had any problems. Bottom line: DO NOT prepay the C.O.D. - this FORCES the driver to ring your doorbell to collect the credit card payment for the UPS service fee. If he takes off before you can get to your front door - damn they're quick, in a hurry - then they would NOT just leave your $10,000 packages sitting, in plain public view, on the front porch! Besides, they would make two more agreed upon delivery retries. Otherwise, you may have to reclaim your AP mount from the local "fence". P.S. The AP paperwork clearly states "Contact the consignee upon arrival of shipment". Well, UPS did, from somewhere along the border, but only to ask for their C.O.D. fee prepayment, if I wanted to do that. BAD MISTAKE ! Joe
More
Joe Zeglinski #17577 Hi Greg, The COD was to cover Canadian sales taxes (GST & PST), as well as a relatively small, perhaps reasonable, UPS brokerage service fee (and GST) of about $150 CDN. I posted this lament about UPS because the latest production of AP900 mounts is going out - some outside of the USA - and I wanted to help others in our group get proper delivery. Obviously, if the AP900 is being delivered to an office, the driver is likely to see the receptionist. The UPS supervisor called to apologize for "his driver" - I had to remind him TWO drivers screwed up the same way on the same delivery. Hopefully, the internal memo has gone out, and you will get the driver knocking on your door, even if you decide to prepay the COD charges. If you are outside the USA, you will get a phone call from UPS customs clearance brokers at the border, since the "value of goods" imported is larger than $500. If you are in the USA, and there are no extra charges, the driver might still simply abandon your $10,000 AP900, on your front steps - or somebody else's, if he doesn't check the address too closely. One thing the AP's Export Clearance document states is to: "Contact consignee upon arrival of shipment". UPS didn't think "contact" applied to "arrival at my door". I am ecstatic about is the AP900 itself, which is both massive, but still fairly light to carry (in sections), compared to others. Glad my eyes weren't so large - I did not go for the much larger AP1200 - tempted, but the back wouldn't survive regular field transport. The mount is a thing of beauty to behold. Very well done Roland. The paperwork at Astro physics was handled expeditiously, and the mount was very well packed. Thanks Daleen. One tiny thing to watch out for, in your excitement to unpack, there was a small "unlabelled" 2 inch envelope, containing two thumb screws as an optional way of securing the GTOCP3 box, instead of set screws. It took a day to realize what they were for. I almost missed it among all the plastic packing peanuts, and it could have been thrown out. It should probably be put in the Hand Controller box, or at least a larger, more obvious, envelope. Good luck, Joe toggle quoted message Show quoted text ----- Original Message ----- From: "Salyer" <salyer@...> To: <ap-gto@...> Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2007 3:14 PM Subject: Re: [ap-gto] UPS delivery - be VERY careful Sorry to hear about your experience. I've got an AP900 on the way. Why was there a COD? Greg
More All Messages By This Member
ayiomamitis #17581 --- In ap-gto@..., Jerry Lodriguss <lists5@...> wrote: At 02:54 PM 4/10/2007, you wrote: Before I retired, I used to have a personal business policy of NEVER using UPS because of their problematic performance, but I thought they had now improved over the years. Well, it's now back to FEDEX, which I had always used previously, and rarely (if ever) had any problems. Well, I just had a nightmare experience with FEDEX delivering my AP 600E mount, so don't trust them either. Personally, I am a great fan of USPS ... great service, great rates and never a problem! Anthony. Jerry
More All Messages By This Member
brian_clever <brian_clever@...> #17582 I completely agree with this. Unfortunately USPS has size and weight limits that make them not an option for a lot of astro gear :( Regards, Brian C. --- In ap-gto@..., "ayiomamitis" <ayiomami@...> wrote: --- In ap-gto@..., Jerry Lodriguss <lists5@> wrote: At 02:54 PM 4/10/2007, you wrote: Before I retired, I used to have a personal business policy of NEVER using UPS because of their problematic performance, but I thought they had now improved over the years. Well, it's now back to FEDEX, which I had always used previously, and rarely (if ever) had any problems. Well, I just had a nightmare experience with FEDEX delivering my AP 600E mount, so don't trust them either. Personally, I am a great fan of USPS ... great service, great rates and never a problem! Anthony. Jerry
More
ayiomamitis #17583 --- In ap-gto@..., "brian_clever" <brian_clever@...> wrote: Brian, I completely agree with this. Unfortunately USPS has size and weight limits that make them not an option for a lot of astro gear :( I have everyone locally (in Greece) hooked on the services of USPS. Since the post office is involved, it also means customs clearance by the local post office clerk for a mere 5 euro flat fee (i.e around $6.50) and also home delivery! ;-) As for the weight limitations, it is quite high at around 65 lbs. For EMS and two-day global express guaranteed, I recall something like 44 lbs. For both my AP160 and AP1200GTO, each box was under the 44 lb limit and I did not have any problems. I am expecting a Mach1GTO this month and I am almost certain it will fall within these limits as well. I have been using USPS for all of my equipment purchases during the past few years and I cannot recommend them enough! Anthony. Regards, Brian C. --- In ap-gto@..., "ayiomamitis" <ayiomami@> wrote: --- In ap-gto@..., Jerry Lodriguss <lists5@> wrote: At 02:54 PM 4/10/2007, you wrote: Before I retired, I used to have a personal business policy of NEVER using UPS because of their problematic performance, but I thought they had now improved over the years. Well, it's now back to FEDEX, which I had always used previously, and rarely (if ever) had any problems. Well, I just had a nightmare experience with FEDEX delivering my AP 600E mount, so don't trust them either. Personally, I am a great fan of USPS ... great service, great rates and never a problem! Anthony. Jerry
More All Messages By This Member
davidjmcdonald #17584 Anthony - there's a difference between UPS and USPS. Personally, and I'm clearly fortunate, of all shipment to me from across the pond, I've never had an ounce of trouble from any of the main couriers (UPS and FedEx) or postal services (USPS or An Post - Ireland). Lots of heartbreak when they give me the Import and Sales tax bill of course, but safely delivered goods in one piece. FWIW Dave toggle quoted message Show quoted text -----Original Message----- From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] On Behalf Of ayiomamitis Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 9:26 PM To: ap-gto@... Subject: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful --- In ap-gto@..., Jerry Lodriguss <lists5@...> wrote: At 02:54 PM 4/10/2007, you wrote: Before I retired, I used to have a personal business policy of NEVER using UPS because of their problematic performance, but I thought they had now improved over the years. Well, it's now back to FEDEX, which I had always used previously, and rarely (if ever) had any problems. Well, I just had a nightmare experience with FEDEX delivering my AP 600E mount, so don't trust them either. Personally, I am a great fan of USPS ... great service, great rates and never a problem! Anthony. Jerry To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto Yahoo! Groups Links
More All Messages By This Member
ayiomamitis #17585 Dave, I remember about two years ago when I sent my ST-2k back to SBIG for service and they ignored my pleads for them to return it using USPS. They used UPS and of course I got burned with their fees ... over $100 for a 2.5 kg package and I cleared the item through customs myself or, otherwise, it would have been nearly double that. I also have other bad experiences with UPS. I must confess that whenever FedEx was involved, everything was fine without the slightest problem. Anyway, I use USPS at each and every possible opportunity. They have fully earned my loyalty and business! Anthony. --- In ap-gto@..., "Dave McDonald" <dmcdona@...> wrote: Anthony - there's a difference between UPS and USPS. Personally, and I'm clearly fortunate, of all shipment to me from across the pond, I've never had an ounce of trouble from any of the main couriers (UPS and FedEx) or postal services (USPS or An Post - Ireland). Lots of heartbreak when they give me the Import and Sales tax bill of course, but safely delivered goods in one piece. FWIW Dave -----Original Message----- From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] On Behalf Of ayiomamitis Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 9:26 PM To: ap-gto@... Subject: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful --- In ap-gto@..., Jerry Lodriguss <lists5@> wrote: At 02:54 PM 4/10/2007, you wrote: Before I retired, I used to have a personal business policy of NEVER using UPS because of their problematic performance, but I thought they had now improved over the years. Well, it's now back to FEDEX, which I had always used previously, and rarely (if ever) had any problems. Well, I just had a nightmare experience with FEDEX delivering my AP 600E mount, so don't trust them either. Personally, I am a great fan of USPS ... great service, great rates and never a problem! Anthony. Jerry To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto Yahoo! Groups Links
More All Messages By This Member
Joe Zeglinski #17586 Hi Anthony, Does the US Postal Service "postman" ring the door bell, every time he delivers a $10,000 parcel? If so, I'm with you. Joe toggle quoted message Show quoted text ----- Original Message ----- From: "ayiomamitis" <ayiomami@...> To: <ap-gto@...> Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 4:26 PM Subject: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful --- In ap-gto@..., Jerry Lodriguss <lists5@...> wrote: At 02:54 PM 4/10/2007, you wrote: Before I retired, I used to have a personal business policy of NEVER using UPS because of their problematic performance, but I thought they had now improved over the years. Well, it's now back to FEDEX, which I had always used previously, and rarely (if ever) had any problems. Well, I just had a nightmare experience with FEDEX delivering my AP 600E mount, so don't trust them either. Personally, I am a great fan of USPS ... great service, great rates and never a problem! Anthony. Jerry To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto Yahoo! Groups Links
More All Messages By This Member
Joe Mize #17590 Living in "Bubbaville" redneck country I'm forced to rely on UPS. I am quite please with their friendly, prompt and coutrious service...joe :) toggle quoted message Show quoted text ------- Original Message ------- From : ayiomamitis[mailto:ayiomami@...] Sent : 4/11/2007 5:08:00 PM To : ap-gto@... Cc : Subject : RE: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful Dave, I remember about two years ago when I sent my ST-2k back to SBIG for service and they ignored my pleads for them to return it using USPS. They used UPS and of course I got burned with their fees ... over $100 for a 2.5 kg package and I cleared the item through customs myself or, otherwise, it would have been nearly double that. I also have other bad experiences with UPS. I must confess that whenever FedEx was involved, everything was fine without the slightest problem. Anyway, I use USPS at each and every possible opportunity. They have fully earned my loyalty and business! Anthony. --- In ap-gto@..., "Dave McDonald" <dmcdona@...> wrote: Anthony - there's a difference between UPS and USPS. Personally, and I'm clearly fortunate, of all shipment to me from across the pond, I've never had an ounce of trouble from any of the main couriers (UPS and FedEx) or postal services (USPS or An Post - Ireland). Lots of heartbreak when they give me the Import and Sales tax bill of course, but safely delivered goods in one piece. FWIW Dave -----Original Message----- From: ap-gto@... [ mailto:ap-gto@...] On Behalf Of ayiomamitis Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 9:26 PM To: ap-gto@... Subject: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful --- In ap-gto@..., Jerry Lodriguss <lists5@> wrote: At 02:54 PM 4/10/2007, you wrote: Before I retired, I used to have a personal business policy of NEVER using UPS because of their problematic performance, but I thought they had now improved over the years. Well, it's now back to FEDEX, which I had always used previously, and rarely (if ever) had any problems. Well, I just had a nightmare experience with FEDEX delivering my AP 600E mount, so don't trust them either. Personally, I am a great fan of USPS ... great service, great rates and never a problem! Anthony. Jerry To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto Yahoo! Groups Links To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto Yahoo! Groups Links
More All Messages By This Member
Joe Zeglinski #17587 Does anybody know of any "insurance limits" or problems, with the USPS or the couriers? I would hate to go into litigation for years over a $10,000 mount, as they try to figure out whose fault it was. That could be a lot of lost observing time. Please comment. Thanks, Joe toggle quoted message Show quoted text ----- Original Message ----- From: "ayiomamitis" <ayiomami@...> To: <ap-gto@...> Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 5:08 PM Subject: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful Dave, I remember about two years ago when I sent my ST-2k back to SBIG for service and they ignored my pleads for them to return it using USPS. They used UPS and of course I got burned with their fees ... over $100 for a 2.5 kg package and I cleared the item through customs myself or, otherwise, it would have been nearly double that. I also have other bad experiences with UPS. I must confess that whenever FedEx was involved, everything was fine without the slightest problem. Anyway, I use USPS at each and every possible opportunity. They have fully earned my loyalty and business! Anthony. --- In ap-gto@..., "Dave McDonald" <dmcdona@...> wrote: Anthony - there's a difference between UPS and USPS. Personally, and I'm clearly fortunate, of all shipment to me from across the pond, I've never had an ounce of trouble from any of the main couriers (UPS and FedEx) or postal services (USPS or An Post - Ireland). Lots of heartbreak when they give me the Import and Sales tax bill of course, but safely delivered goods in one piece. FWIW Dave -----Original Message----- From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] On Behalf Of ayiomamitis Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 9:26 PM To: ap-gto@... Subject: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful --- In ap-gto@..., Jerry Lodriguss <lists5@> wrote: At 02:54 PM 4/10/2007, you wrote: Before I retired, I used to have a personal business policy of NEVER using UPS because of their problematic performance, but I thought they had now improved over the years. Well, it's now back to FEDEX, which I had always used previously, and rarely (if ever) had any problems. Well, I just had a nightmare experience with FEDEX delivering my AP 600E mount, so don't trust them either. Personally, I am a great fan of USPS ... great service, great rates and never a problem! Anthony. Jerry To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto Yahoo! Groups Links To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto Yahoo! Groups Links
More All Messages By This Member
Marj Christen #17588 Joe (and Anthony), The down side of USPS is that if a package is lost, there is no one central company to deal with. There is the US post office and the post office of the other country. It takes a long time to track something down. We had a situation years ago where both post offices blamed the other. After about 6 months, the package was returned to us. Fortunately, it was an small accessory. Marj Christen Astro-Physics, Inc 11250 Forest Hills Road Machesney Park, IL 61115 Phone: 815-282-1513 Fax: 815-282-9847 www.astro-physics.com Please include this e-mail with your response. toggle quoted message Show quoted text -----Original Message----- From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...]On Behalf Of Joseph Zeglinski Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 5:33 PM To: ap-gto@... Subject: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful Does anybody know of any "insurance limits" or problems, with the USPS or the couriers? I would hate to go into litigation for years over a $10,000 mount, as they try to figure out whose fault it was. That could be a lot of lost observing time. Please comment. Thanks, Joe ----- Original Message ----- From: "ayiomamitis" < ayiomami@otenet. <mailto:ayiomami%40otenet.gr> gr> To: < ap-gto@yahoogroups. <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> com> Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 5:08 PM Subject: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful Dave, I remember about two years ago when I sent my ST-2k back to SBIG for service and they ignored my pleads for them to return it using USPS. They used UPS and of course I got burned with their fees ... over $100 for a 2.5 kg package and I cleared the item through customs myself or, otherwise, it would have been nearly double that. I also have other bad experiences with UPS. I must confess that whenever FedEx was involved, everything was fine without the slightest problem. Anyway, I use USPS at each and every possible opportunity. They have fully earned my loyalty and business! Anthony. --- In ap-gto@yahoogroups. <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> com, "Dave McDonald" <dmcdona@...> wrote: Anthony - there's a difference between UPS and USPS. Personally, and I'm clearly fortunate, of all shipment to me from across the pond, I've never had an ounce of trouble from any of the main couriers (UPS and FedEx) or postal services (USPS or An Post - Ireland). Lots of heartbreak when they give me the Import and Sales tax bill of course, but safely delivered goods in one piece. FWIW Dave -----Original Message----- From: ap-gto@yahoogroups. <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> com [mailto: ap-gto@yahoogroups. <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> com] On Behalf Of ayiomamitis Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 9:26 PM To: ap-gto@yahoogroups. <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> com Subject: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful --- In ap-gto@yahoogroups. <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> com, Jerry Lodriguss <lists5@> wrote: At 02:54 PM 4/10/2007, you wrote: Before I retired, I used to have a personal business policy of NEVER using UPS because of their problematic performance, but I thought they had now improved over the years. Well, it's now back to FEDEX, which I had always used previously, and rarely (if ever) had any problems. Well, I just had a nightmare experience with FEDEX delivering my AP 600E mount, so don't trust them either. Personally, I am a great fan of USPS ... great service, great rates and never a problem! Anthony. Jerry To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups. <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto> yahoo.com/group/ap-gto Yahoo! Groups Links To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups. <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto> yahoo.com/group/ap-gto Yahoo! Groups Links
More All Messages By This Member
Steve Reilly <sreilly@...> #17589 Let's put this all in perspective. Your personal experiences will differ regardless of carrier. It's not the service per sey but the individual that's making the deliveries. I've got a UPS delivery guy I wouldn't trade for the world. And he treats all his customers the same way and remembers most of us by name. Things are a little different if he's off or on vacation. Two Fed Ex drivers will leave the packages in the garage, and DHL leaves them on the screen porch, all out of harms way. Let's face it, you have good and not so good delivery persons in all of the services. If the primary poster is concerned about the treatment of his packages, telling us here does very little, talk to the carrier. It's the only way you can hope to "cure" the problem. Just my opinion of course. Steve toggle quoted message Show quoted text -----Original Message----- From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] On Behalf Of Joseph Zeglinski Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 6:27 PM To: ap-gto@... Subject: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful Hi Anthony, Does the US Postal Service "postman" ring the door bell, every time he delivers a $10,000 parcel? If so, I'm with you. Joe ----- Original Message ----- From: "ayiomamitis" <ayiomami@...> To: <ap-gto@...> Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 4:26 PM Subject: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful --- In ap-gto@..., Jerry Lodriguss <lists5@...> wrote: At 02:54 PM 4/10/2007, you wrote: Before I retired, I used to have a personal business policy of NEVER using UPS because of their problematic performance, but I thought they had now improved over the years. Well, it's now back to FEDEX, which I had always used previously, and rarely (if ever) had any problems. Well, I just had a nightmare experience with FEDEX delivering my AP 600E mount, so don't trust them either. Personally, I am a great fan of USPS ... great service, great rates and never a problem! Anthony. Jerry To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto Yahoo! Groups Links To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto Yahoo! Groups Links
More
Bob Holzer <b.holzer@...> #17598 You also have to be careful that Astro-Physics sends to the right address. They just screwed me royally by sending it to my house, where no one is home to sign for it, instead of my office as directed. I guess I'll miss our star party this weekend now. Thanks AP. Bob toggle quoted message Show quoted text ----- Original Message ----- From: Marj To: ap-gto@... Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 6:46 PM Subject: RE: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful Joe (and Anthony), The down side of USPS is that if a package is lost, there is no one central company to deal with. There is the US post office and the post office of the other country. It takes a long time to track something down. We had a situation years ago where both post offices blamed the other. After about 6 months, the package was returned to us. Fortunately, it was an small accessory. Marj Christen Astro-Physics, Inc 11250 Forest Hills Road Machesney Park, IL 61115 Phone: 815-282-1513 Fax: 815-282-9847 www.astro-physics.com Please include this e-mail with your response. -----Original Message----- From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...]On Behalf Of Joseph Zeglinski Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 5:33 PM To: ap-gto@... Subject: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful Does anybody know of any "insurance limits" or problems, with the USPS or the couriers? I would hate to go into litigation for years over a $10,000 mount, as they try to figure out whose fault it was. That could be a lot of lost observing time. Please comment. Thanks, Joe ----- Original Message ----- From: "ayiomamitis" < ayiomami@otenet. <mailto:ayiomami%40otenet.gr> gr> To: < ap-gto@yahoogroups. <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> com> Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 5:08 PM Subject: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful > Dave, > > I remember about two years ago when I sent my ST-2k back to SBIG for > service and they ignored my pleads for them to return it using USPS. > They used UPS and of course I got burned with their fees ... over $100 > for a 2.5 kg package and I cleared the item through customs myself or, > otherwise, it would have been nearly double that. > > I also have other bad experiences with UPS. I must confess that > whenever FedEx was involved, everything was fine without the slightest > problem. > > Anyway, I use USPS at each and every possible opportunity. They have > fully earned my loyalty and business! > > Anthony. > > --- In ap-gto@yahoogroups. <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> com, "Dave McDonald" <dmcdona@...> wrote: >> >> Anthony - there's a difference between UPS and USPS. >> >> Personally, and I'm clearly fortunate, of all shipment to me from > across the >> pond, I've never had an ounce of trouble from any of the main > couriers (UPS >> and FedEx) or postal services (USPS or An Post - Ireland). Lots of >> heartbreak when they give me the Import and Sales tax bill of > course, but >> safely delivered goods in one piece. >> >> FWIW >> >> Dave >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: ap-gto@yahoogroups. <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> com [mailto: ap-gto@yahoogroups. <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> com] On > Behalf Of >> ayiomamitis >> Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 9:26 PM >> To: ap-gto@yahoogroups. <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> com >> Subject: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful >> >> >> --- In ap-gto@yahoogroups. <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> com, Jerry Lodriguss <lists5@> wrote: >> > >> > At 02:54 PM 4/10/2007, you wrote: >> > > Before I retired, I used to have a personal business policy of >> > > NEVER using >> > >UPS because of their problematic performance, but I thought they >> had now >> > >improved over the years. Well, it's now back to FEDEX, which I had >> > >always used >> > >previously, and rarely (if ever) had any problems. >> > >> > >> > Well, I just had a nightmare experience with FEDEX delivering my AP >> > 600E mount, so don't trust them either. >> >> Personally, I am a great fan of USPS ... great service, great rates and >> never a problem! >> >> Anthony. >> >> > >> > Jerry >> > >> >> >> >> >> To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see >> http://groups. <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto> yahoo.com/group/ap-gto >> Yahoo! Groups Links >> > > > > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list > see http://groups. <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto> yahoo.com/group/ap-gto > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > >
More
ayiomamitis #17592 Joe, ALL of my mail is kept at a post office box for daily pick-up including notices for parcels etc. ;-) Anthony. --- In ap-gto@..., "Joseph Zeglinski" <J.Zeglinski@...> wrote: Hi Anthony, Does the US Postal Service "postman" ring the door bell, every time he delivers a $10,000 parcel? If so, I'm with you. Joe ----- Original Message ----- From: "ayiomamitis" <ayiomami@...> To: <ap-gto@...> Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 4:26 PM Subject: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful --- In ap-gto@..., Jerry Lodriguss <lists5@> wrote: At 02:54 PM 4/10/2007, you wrote: Before I retired, I used to have a personal business policy of NEVER using UPS because of their problematic performance, but I thought they had now improved over the years. Well, it's now back to FEDEX, which I had always used previously, and rarely (if ever) had any problems. Well, I just had a nightmare experience with FEDEX delivering my AP 600E mount, so don't trust them either. Personally, I am a great fan of USPS ... great service, great rates and never a problem! Anthony. Jerry To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto Yahoo! Groups Links
More All Messages By This Member
Joe Zeglinski #17591 Thanks Marj, That is indeed excellent information. I forgot about the possibilities of not one government agency but also a foreign one mixing things up. I can imagine the bun fight there would be on a lost shipment using the Iranian postal service :-) I think I would trust our North American postal agencies, in spite of the fun we have with their "snail mail" here. Someone once quipped that the reason our postal rates are so high, and delivery so slow ... "storage" ;-( Joe toggle quoted message Show quoted text ----- Original Message ----- From: "Marj" <marj@...> To: <ap-gto@...> Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 6:46 PM Subject: RE: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful Joe (and Anthony), The down side of USPS is that if a package is lost, there is no one central company to deal with. There is the US post office and the post office of the other country. It takes a long time to track something down. We had a situation years ago where both post offices blamed the other. After about 6 months, the package was returned to us. Fortunately, it was an small accessory. Marj Christen Astro-Physics, Inc 11250 Forest Hills Road Machesney Park, IL 61115 Phone: 815-282-1513 Fax: 815-282-9847 www.astro-physics.com Please include this e-mail with your response. -----Original Message----- From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...]On Behalf Of Joseph Zeglinski Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 5:33 PM To: ap-gto@... Subject: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful Does anybody know of any "insurance limits" or problems, with the USPS or the couriers? I would hate to go into litigation for years over a $10,000 mount, as they try to figure out whose fault it was. That could be a lot of lost observing time. Please comment. Thanks, Joe
More All Messages By This Member
ayiomamitis #17593 Joe, With five packages, the good thing is that you have a distribution of the $10k total price with the two-part equatorial head being the primary bulk of the cost. Going by shear memory, something around $5500 rings a bell as being the max possible insurance when using EMS (the excellent courier branch of USPS). Anthony. --- In ap-gto@..., "Joseph Zeglinski" <J.Zeglinski@...> wrote: Does anybody know of any "insurance limits" or problems, with the USPS or the couriers? I would hate to go into litigation for years over a $10,000 mount, as they try to figure out whose fault it was. That could be a lot of lost observing time. Please comment. Thanks, Joe ----- Original Message ----- From: "ayiomamitis" <ayiomami@...> To: <ap-gto@...> Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 5:08 PM Subject: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful Dave, I remember about two years ago when I sent my ST-2k back to SBIG for service and they ignored my pleads for them to return it using USPS. They used UPS and of course I got burned with their fees ... over $100 for a 2.5 kg package and I cleared the item through customs myself or, otherwise, it would have been nearly double that. I also have other bad experiences with UPS. I must confess that whenever FedEx was involved, everything was fine without the slightest problem. Anyway, I use USPS at each and every possible opportunity. They have fully earned my loyalty and business! Anthony. --- In ap-gto@..., "Dave McDonald" <dmcdona@> wrote: Anthony - there's a difference between UPS and USPS. Personally, and I'm clearly fortunate, of all shipment to me from across the pond, I've never had an ounce of trouble from any of the main couriers (UPS and FedEx) or postal services (USPS or An Post - Ireland). Lots of heartbreak when they give me the Import and Sales tax bill of course, but safely delivered goods in one piece. FWIW Dave -----Original Message----- From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] On Behalf Of ayiomamitis Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 9:26 PM To: ap-gto@... Subject: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful --- In ap-gto@..., Jerry Lodriguss <lists5@> wrote: At 02:54 PM 4/10/2007, you wrote: Before I retired, I used to have a personal business policy of NEVER using UPS because of their problematic performance, but I thought they had now improved over the years. Well, it's now back to FEDEX, which I had always used previously, and rarely (if ever) had any problems. Well, I just had a nightmare experience with FEDEX delivering my AP 600E mount, so don't trust them either. Personally, I am a great fan of USPS ... great service, great rates and never a problem! Anthony. Jerry To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto Yahoo! Groups Links To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto Yahoo! Groups Links
More All Messages By This Member
ayiomamitis #17594 Hi Marj, Depending on how the package is sent via USPS, there is the ability to track a package online and literally step by step as it travels from office to office (in the US) and something similar in the foreign country. For example, I am jumping when I see the note "Left local customs office at xx:xx AM" when tracking an item since it will be at my post office within 24 hours. Anthony. --- In ap-gto@..., "Marj" <marj@...> wrote: Joe (and Anthony), The down side of USPS is that if a package is lost, there is no one central company to deal with. There is the US post office and the post office of the other country. It takes a long time to track something down. We had a situation years ago where both post offices blamed the other. After about 6 months, the package was returned to us. Fortunately, it was an small accessory. Marj Christen Astro-Physics, Inc 11250 Forest Hills Road Machesney Park, IL 61115 Phone: 815-282-1513 Fax: 815-282-9847 www.astro-physics.com Please include this e-mail with your response. -----Original Message----- From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...]On Behalf Of Joseph Zeglinski Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 5:33 PM To: ap-gto@... Subject: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful Does anybody know of any "insurance limits" or problems, with the USPS or the couriers? I would hate to go into litigation for years over a $10,000 mount, as they try to figure out whose fault it was. That could be a lot of lost observing time. Please comment. Thanks, Joe ----- Original Message ----- From: "ayiomamitis" < ayiomami@otenet. <mailto:ayiomami%40otenet.gr> gr> To: < ap-gto@yahoogroups. <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> com> Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 5:08 PM Subject: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful Dave, I remember about two years ago when I sent my ST-2k back to SBIG for service and they ignored my pleads for them to return it using USPS. They used UPS and of course I got burned with their fees ... over $100 for a 2.5 kg package and I cleared the item through customs myself or, otherwise, it would have been nearly double that. I also have other bad experiences with UPS. I must confess that whenever FedEx was involved, everything was fine without the slightest problem. Anyway, I use USPS at each and every possible opportunity. They have fully earned my loyalty and business! Anthony. --- In ap-gto@yahoogroups. <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> com, "Dave McDonald" <dmcdona@> wrote: Anthony - there's a difference between UPS and USPS. Personally, and I'm clearly fortunate, of all shipment to me from across the pond, I've never had an ounce of trouble from any of the main couriers (UPS and FedEx) or postal services (USPS or An Post - Ireland). Lots of heartbreak when they give me the Import and Sales tax bill of course, but safely delivered goods in one piece. FWIW Dave -----Original Message----- From: ap-gto@yahoogroups. <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> com [mailto: ap-gto@yahoogroups. <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> com] On Behalf Of ayiomamitis Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 9:26 PM To: ap-gto@yahoogroups. <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> com Subject: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful --- In ap-gto@yahoogroups. <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> com, Jerry Lodriguss <lists5@> wrote: At 02:54 PM 4/10/2007, you wrote: Before I retired, I used to have a personal business policy of NEVER using UPS because of their problematic performance, but I thought they had now improved over the years. Well, it's now back to FEDEX, which I had always used previously, and rarely (if ever) had any problems. Well, I just had a nightmare experience with FEDEX delivering my AP 600E mount, so don't trust them either. Personally, I am a great fan of USPS ... great service, great rates and never a problem! Anthony. Jerry To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups. <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto> yahoo.com/group/ap-gto Yahoo! Groups Links To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups. <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto> yahoo.com/group/ap-gto Yahoo! Groups Links
More All Messages By This Member
Joe Zeglinski #17595 True ... but TWO UPS delivery men - on the same delivery order, both screwed up? What are the chances. And when I asked the supervisor to call - he thought it was just an isolated case of one guy. He wasn't listening either. Besides, where do I get a personal UPS delivery man of my own? This is a city of 5 million people, and he doesn't know me from Adam. I think with all this technology of cell phones and wireless headsets , his truck computer should be phoning the next delivery customer, to say what his ETA would be. No answer, skip to the next one. But always see the customer. I did NOT, officially and legally, "Release the Driver" on the required form, from dropping off a package without a signature. That is part of the delivery contract (says so on the UPS web site). What if he left the AP900 on some other street, with the same house number - where would the signature be then. The Canadian postal service sometimes delivers people's mail to my house number meant for another street - so it does happen. Joe toggle quoted message Show quoted text ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steve Reilly" <sreilly@...> To: <ap-gto@...> Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 6:47 PM Subject: RE: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful Let's put this all in perspective. Your personal experiences will differ regardless of carrier. It's not the service per sey but the individual that's making the deliveries. I've got a UPS delivery guy I wouldn't trade for the world. And he treats all his customers the same way and remembers most of us by name. Things are a little different if he's off or on vacation. Two Fed Ex drivers will leave the packages in the garage, and DHL leaves them on the screen porch, all out of harms way. Let's face it, you have good and not so good delivery persons in all of the services. If the primary poster is concerned about the treatment of his packages, telling us here does very little, talk to the carrier. It's the only way you can hope to "cure" the problem. Just my opinion of course. Steve -----Original Message----- From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] On Behalf Of Joseph Zeglinski Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 6:27 PM To: ap-gto@... Subject: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful Hi Anthony, Does the US Postal Service "postman" ring the door bell, every time he delivers a $10,000 parcel? If so, I'm with you. Joe ----- Original Message ----- From: "ayiomamitis" <ayiomami@...> To: <ap-gto@...> Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 4:26 PM Subject: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful --- In ap-gto@..., Jerry Lodriguss <lists5@...> wrote: At 02:54 PM 4/10/2007, you wrote: Before I retired, I used to have a personal business policy of NEVER using UPS because of their problematic performance, but I thought they had now improved over the years. Well, it's now back to FEDEX, which I had always used previously, and rarely (if ever) had any problems. Well, I just had a nightmare experience with FEDEX delivering my AP 600E mount, so don't trust them either. Personally, I am a great fan of USPS ... great service, great rates and never a problem! Anthony. Jerry To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto Yahoo! Groups Links To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto Yahoo! Groups Links To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto Yahoo! Groups Links
More All Messages By This Member

1 - 20 of 47

Previous Topic Next Topic

Home Guidelines Hashtags Subgroups About Features Pricing Updates Terms Help Twitter