My auntie recently passed, and I was called on to help with the items from her estate. Her sister, my Mother, was to receive Auntie's beloved 1943 Kenmore Commander Torpedo vacuum cleaner. She was still using it at the time of her demise. I cleaned it inside and out and I packaged it up just so, and then I shipped it off to Mother via UPS. Not only did it arrive a day late, but the box was completely smashed. It looked like it was run over by my Buick Riviera. Mother was just sick as she opened what was left of the box, only to discover that the cannister itself was flattened. I feared the worst, but took it to our local repairman anyway. I was told that it was totaled and there was nothing I could do. When I spoke with UPS, they said that it was a packaging problem and they wouldn't give me my money back. They seemed to care less about the value of the sentimenallity of the vacuum. I swear I could hear a snicker in the voice of the UPS representative. I'm just sick about the vacuum and also the way society laughs off vacuums like they are not big deal. Now, how will I ever find another one to replace Auntie's? Thanks a lot UPS for wrecking my life.
It may have just been a vacuum to you, UPS, but it was a lot more than that to me.
- Thread starter reallyrug
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jaker15
Well-known member
Oh my God
I am terribly sorry to hear about that!
UPS is the worst when it comes to handling things, especially stuff that's valuable! I would never use them to send anything again. Would it be worth opening a lawsuit with them for it? I hope you can find another Kenmore just like it, even though your aunt's was one of a kind. So sorry about your loss.
I am terribly sorry to hear about that!
pr-21
Well-known member
UPS is TERRIBLE.....
I agree 100%, UPS is absolutely terrible for shipping anything. I actually waited on the ups man one day because I was sick and tired of receiving mangled vacuum boxes. Sure enough when my box came every corner was smashed in and some of the seams were coming apart. I confronted the UPS guy. THEY COULD CARE LESS!!!!!!!!
His reaction was call customer support.......
Not only does this happen to vintage vacuums, but with TOL Cleaners NIB as well, unless they are double boxed. I ofter wonder if the seals inside a vacuum have been damaged after that much abuse.
Fed Ex is a much better shipping option than UPS in my book.
The new in box ones can be shipped back, but the truly vintage vacuums that come around once in a great while can't be replaced or REPAIRED most of the time.
Ok that is my rant on UPS.
PR-21
Bud Mattingly
I agree 100%, UPS is absolutely terrible for shipping anything. I actually waited on the ups man one day because I was sick and tired of receiving mangled vacuum boxes. Sure enough when my box came every corner was smashed in and some of the seams were coming apart. I confronted the UPS guy. THEY COULD CARE LESS!!!!!!!!
His reaction was call customer support.......
Not only does this happen to vintage vacuums, but with TOL Cleaners NIB as well, unless they are double boxed. I ofter wonder if the seals inside a vacuum have been damaged after that much abuse.
Fed Ex is a much better shipping option than UPS in my book.
The new in box ones can be shipped back, but the truly vintage vacuums that come around once in a great while can't be replaced or REPAIRED most of the time.
Ok that is my rant on UPS.
PR-21
Bud Mattingly
marks_here
Well-known member
Have you seen how UPS handles the packages?? I watched from the UPS hub in Nasville OMG what they do....It doesn't matter if they have fragile on them, they throw them. They are on such tight & demanding time schedules that's all get can do to keep up. You should see how they deliver packages they throw them from some of the sidewalks as our news channel 4 here did an undercover story after so many people called them up to complain about the same thing.
This is my opinion but if you can ask for different shipping carriers & pay the extra amount & insurance for that reason....peace of mind. Oh & check web blogs to see how many others have dealt with this & put your own story in there...maybe a lovely lawyer might be reading & y'all can get a class action lawsuit against them for irreplaceable items not to mention the stress that has been placed upon you & others just to meet an impossible imaginary quota!
This is my opinion but if you can ask for different shipping carriers & pay the extra amount & insurance for that reason....peace of mind. Oh & check web blogs to see how many others have dealt with this & put your own story in there...maybe a lovely lawyer might be reading & y'all can get a class action lawsuit against them for irreplaceable items not to mention the stress that has been placed upon you & others just to meet an impossible imaginary quota!
nycwriter
Well-known member
USPS isn't much better ...
When my baby brother was home for Christmas from Tacoma, Washington last Christmas, he tried to stuff some of his old books and other items from his old bedroom into his suitcases. Mom suggested he just set aside the stuff he wanted, and she would pack it and ship it for him.
Now, my mother is absolutely anal about packing; fresh bubble wrap, tissue, space between boxes, waterproofing, and a finished product that'so textbook perfect it's almost a shame to open it up.
So you can imagine my brother's surprise when he got the box from Mom about a week after getting back home, beaten up and sloppily taped together. He was even more surprised when he opened the box and found one of his cherished three-volume boxed book sets broken into, one of the books missing, and another random book jammed into the box. Upon further inspection, he found two other items missing, and a few unopened letters addressed to a woman in Oregon thrown in as well.
Nice, huh?
When my baby brother was home for Christmas from Tacoma, Washington last Christmas, he tried to stuff some of his old books and other items from his old bedroom into his suitcases. Mom suggested he just set aside the stuff he wanted, and she would pack it and ship it for him.
Now, my mother is absolutely anal about packing; fresh bubble wrap, tissue, space between boxes, waterproofing, and a finished product that'so textbook perfect it's almost a shame to open it up.
So you can imagine my brother's surprise when he got the box from Mom about a week after getting back home, beaten up and sloppily taped together. He was even more surprised when he opened the box and found one of his cherished three-volume boxed book sets broken into, one of the books missing, and another random book jammed into the box. Upon further inspection, he found two other items missing, and a few unopened letters addressed to a woman in Oregon thrown in as well.
Nice, huh?
nycwriter
Well-known member
Indeed ...
"just to meet an impossible imaginary quota"
I doubt very many UPS customers would mind -- or even notice -- an extra day of transit in exchange for packages carefully handled.
"just to meet an impossible imaginary quota"
I doubt very many UPS customers would mind -- or even notice -- an extra day of transit in exchange for packages carefully handled.
super-sweeper
Well-known member
Gosh, this is heart wrenching! Terrible! Another reason for me to stay off of shipping and buy in person!
kirbylux77
Well-known member
USPS isn't much better....
Matt, I hear you & understand your story. However, I do have to disagree with you on this one. I think a LOT has to do with how a person packs their items to begin with. I bought my Electrolux Grand Marquise from Rhode Island back in 2012, & it was sent via USPS to the Canadian border & handed off to Canada Post for delivery with no problems, the package was in PERFECT condition both inside & out. And I can't recall ever having an issue with UPS or Purolator deliveries in the past 5 years either. But then again, who knows, maybe the Canadian divisions are run differently due to different government regulations, so therefore less problems? All I know is that a LOT has to do with how a person packs their parcels for travel, that way if rough handling DOES happen it may stand a better chance of surviving.
Rob
Matt, I hear you & understand your story. However, I do have to disagree with you on this one. I think a LOT has to do with how a person packs their items to begin with. I bought my Electrolux Grand Marquise from Rhode Island back in 2012, & it was sent via USPS to the Canadian border & handed off to Canada Post for delivery with no problems, the package was in PERFECT condition both inside & out. And I can't recall ever having an issue with UPS or Purolator deliveries in the past 5 years either. But then again, who knows, maybe the Canadian divisions are run differently due to different government regulations, so therefore less problems? All I know is that a LOT has to do with how a person packs their parcels for travel, that way if rough handling DOES happen it may stand a better chance of surviving.
Rob
kirbylux77
Well-known member
Oh, and might I also add, this during times that Canada Post here in the past couple of years has had MAJOR cutbacks & losses, & is drastically changing how mail deliveries are carried out & how they do business.
Rob
Rob
nycwriter
Well-known member
Rob ...
... with all due respect, you've never seen how my mother packs shipments.
The stuff is better-packed than if it came from the factory.
And any possible shortcomings in her packing job certainly wouldn't explain my brother's missing books ... one of which missing out of a three-volume boxed set, with another book jammed inside, damaging the box itself.
And, of course, unopened letters addressed to some woman in Oregon re-sealed back inside my brother's package.
... with all due respect, you've never seen how my mother packs shipments.
The stuff is better-packed than if it came from the factory.
And any possible shortcomings in her packing job certainly wouldn't explain my brother's missing books ... one of which missing out of a three-volume boxed set, with another book jammed inside, damaging the box itself.
And, of course, unopened letters addressed to some woman in Oregon re-sealed back inside my brother's package.
