OT: Rant about UPS...

From: jamesd <jdickens_at_ameritech.net>
Date: Sat Jun 14 22:27:00 2003

pehaps it's because the USPS is commited to using freeware (linux) on some of
there systems and this is how they stay up to date.... :)

or the postal sorters think they are music or cool software and pocket a few
packages...



On Saturday 14 June 2003 10:04 pm, Jerome H. Fine wrote:
> Chad Fernandez wrote:
> > I like shipping USPS, but only on light things now. I used them for
> > most things until they raised there prices.
>
> Jerome Fine replies:
>
> Just to confirm the USPS experience mentioned earlier,
> I have send a number of packages of CDs to the US
> from Canada. I don't know exactly where they go
> astray, but about 20% of them did not arrive. These
> are usually packages of less than 100 grams, so they
> can be sent as "thick" letters. Even the ones which
> arrive usually take a few weeks - even though as
> letters they are sent via AIRMAIL.
>
> As mentioned earlier, the difficulty of collecting on
> insurance PLUS the extra cost does not seem to
> be worth while. My suggestion is to increase the
> funds received by about 20% to cover the extra
> shipments. OR ask the person receiving the package
> if they want insurance and in that case it is usually
> less expensive to send the packages without any
> tracking/insurance for the 20% that do not arrive.
>
> Usually, I am asked to send 3 Freeware CDs and
> since the amount is only about $ US 12 to $ US 15,
> anything but normal mail would increase the total
> by more than 50% - not worth while at this level
> with a missing rate of less than 20%.
>
> What I don't understand is why such a low percentage
> of letters go astray, but a much larger percentage of
> packages?????????????
>
> Sincerely yours,
>
> Jerome Fine
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Received on Sat Jun 14 2003 - 22:27:00 BST