UPS delays

[Nabil-A]

Been tracking my package coming from Canada and all seemed well, however this mornign i woke up and found the following on UPS tracking page.

Has this happened to you, (note the red highlight is my doing).

At first i thought my package had returned to Canada.. but then i later realised Ontario CA, US refered to California.. So at least there is progress...

The other thing ive read on the web has been that UPS is rather lazy when it comes to updating their tracking scan info so it could also not really reflec the actual package location.

Just wondering if anyone would like to share their UPS / customs delay experiences


Date/
Time
http://wwwapps.ups.com/img/1.gifLocation
http://wwwapps.ups.com/img/1.gifActivity
http://wwwapps.ups.com/img/1.gifhttp://wwwapps.ups.com/img/1.gifhttp://wwwapps.ups.com/img/1.gifhttp://wwwapps.ups.com/img/1.gifhttp://wwwapps.ups.com/img/1.gif12 Jul 2005
7:36
http://wwwapps.ups.com/img/1.gif
ONTARIO, CA, US
http://wwwapps.ups.com/img/1.gif
PKG DELAY-ADD'L SECURITY CHECK BY GOV'T OR OTHER AGENCY- BEYOND UPS CONTROL
5:17
http://wwwapps.ups.com/img/1.gif LOUISVILLE, KY, US
http://wwwapps.ups.com/img/1.gif DEPARTURE SCAN
8 Jul 2005
22:28
http://wwwapps.ups.com/img/1.gif
MOUNT HOPE, ON, CA
http://wwwapps.ups.com/img/1.gif
DEPARTURE SCAN
20:49
http://wwwapps.ups.com/img/1.gif MOUNT HOPE, ON, CA
http://wwwapps.ups.com/img/1.gif EXPORT SCAN
20:45
http://wwwapps.ups.com/img/1.gif MOUNT HOPE, ON, CA
http://wwwapps.ups.com/img/1.gif ARRIVAL SCAN
19:30
http://wwwapps.ups.com/img/1.gif STRATFORD, ON, CA
http://wwwapps.ups.com/img/1.gif DEPARTURE SCAN
17:31
http://wwwapps.ups.com/img/1.gif STRATFORD, ON, CA
http://wwwapps.ups.com/img/1.gif EXPORT SCAN
17:30
http://wwwapps.ups.com/img/1.gif STRATFORD, ON, CA
http://wwwapps.ups.com/img/1.gif ORIGIN SCAN
16:26
http://wwwapps.ups.com/img/1.gif CA
http://wwwapps.ups.com/img/1.gif BILLING INFORMATION RECEIVED

[ssim]

I've seen that sort of thing on a couple of orders that I had coming to Canada from the US. Sometimes I think that the security entry is a way of the carrier covering their butts on mishandlinghttp://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif

[tim]

UPS doesn't seem to be as fast or efficient as FedEx, and their web tracking system is usually about a day out of date. They're cheaper though, that's why I use them, and stuff always turns up reasonably quickly. Just don't do what some really smart people do and order a piece of gear you need 3 days before you need it, then it doesn't matter if there's an additional day or two before delivery.

[Nabil-A]

When you say mishandling, are you saying that youve had items arrive damaged? or just delayed.


I've seen that sort of thing on a couple of orders that I had coming to Canada from the US. Sometimes I think that the security entry is a way of the carrier covering their butts on mishandlinghttp://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif

[FlyingPete]

I have looked into this, as all my packages from the US get caught up in this one. All parcels leaving the states since just after September 2001 are now checked unless they are from a 'certified' (or something like that) exporter. The suppliers I use are not.

[ron chappel]

The last time i used united piracy service i got tons of error/delay emails which made little sense.They seemsd to be coming from UPS but were routed through a KEH (the originating store) email address -
After asking both companies what on earth was going on i found out the gut wrenching truth-that UPS will ALLWAYS run your items through their own customs clearance system to 'save time'.
Of course this is a thinly disgiused way of extorting large amounts of money .There was no mention at all that shipping by UPS would incur huge fees that other shipping methods simply don't have.

........and after raping my credit card for this 'awsomely fast' customs clearance ,all their delays due to not wanting to let go of the items 'till i had paid up -it would have been faster shipping by USPS anyway!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Note to other australians- in case you haven't got the hint from the above-DON"T ever use UPS for items under au$1000.
You will pay massive fees *****PLUS GST***** ( which simply doesn't apply to normal post)


For items over $1000 they are all about equal i hear

[Mohawk]

I have always found that shipping Postal Mail is the best way to go when shipping international. I was sending 40 pound boxes to the Netherlands and New Zealand via US Mail with no problems at all last year. In fact, all of the packages made it in less the 6 days, not bad eh? And, it was much much cheaper then UPS. And when I place an order with a Canadian company, I try to request it be shipped Canadian Post, as it is much quicker then any other shipper I have found.

Sorry to hear of your problems.

Mike

[ssim]

When you say mishandling, are you saying that youve had items arrive damaged? or just delayed.

Just delayed. I've yet to receive anything damaged.

[Nabil-A]

Thanks for all the feedback.

My initial feelings were.... oh sh__t....

Now im not sure if im being pedantic (is that the right spelling?), especially since i have shipped from the states before successfully (it was a long time ago though), but i would be an easy target for customs for obvious reasons. These include (and im not trying sound racially or religiously discriminatory - trying to step carefully) , the fact that i do have a last name that would attract current suspicion, i am an engineer and yes, i am of arab descent.. so i guess i was always going to get into a little bit of possible strife (not that they might have looked into it that far).

Well, i have to say that im feeling a little more reassured that things are in order and that my packge will arrive soon enough.

Ho hum...

[DSMITH131]

I have never had a problem with UPS or its tracking but i can tell you the often customs will pull packages to inspect and go as far as opening them to inspect the contents and this will cause delays the reason i know i am a LTL Freight Hauler

[Bob_A]

I've been using UPS Expedited for all of my orders from B&H and they always arrive within the guarantee time period. For one order I thought that they were late, but found that when they claim 4 days it does not include weekends (UPS doesn't deliver on weekends), or statutory holidays ... so it turned out they were right on time.

[FlyingPete]

My most recent package did make an intersting detour to Hong Kong on the way to New Zealand (OK get out your Atlases, that is not a direct route by any means!). Same source and destination as usual, but first time that happened.