Another UPS saga - I don't think they want us

[Nando Aqui]

Needed to return my M1 Garand to its creator for fixing, so I called UPS (800#) and they said to take it to ANY UPS location. :

Took the M1 in the original, well padded carboard box it was deliver by UPS to me gun dealer several weeks ago to a former MailBoxes, Etc. They said that UPS does not ship firearms or parts thereof. They wouldn't budge.

Took it to Office Depot. They said I had to take it to a UPS Hub.

Called UPS again, (877# this time) and the first man who answered the phone said that UPS "is not in the business of shipping firearms." And that is a quote.

Called the same number, and a lady answered this time, and she said that she didn't think that UPS shipped guns, but she would connect me with customer service.

Customer service: No problem, but you have to take it to a UPS hub. Requirements: The person who receives it has to be an adult and must sign for it.

So I located the UPS hub and took the nicely boxed rifle there. The guy at the counter asked me if it was in a hardcase inside the cardboard box, and I said no, so they wouldn't accept it. He also said that I would need a copy of the FFL of the person receiving the rifle, which I did not have.

I called my local gun dealer and explained what happened. He said that it all depends on who is behind the counter. He said that he himself has experienced this hassle when he has taken guns for shipment instead of just waiting for the truck to pick them up at his store.

He said that FedEx is a alot better alternative.

I'm done with UPS for everything whenever I can help it - ship FedEx or USPS.

Alex

 

[bogie]

I know - I've been to my local UPS store, and downtown twice, trying to "sneak in" with a friend's gun case (that I need to mail back to him) that contains nothing more than two barrels, four dies, and a coupla hundred pieces of brass. No dice. I'm going to just have a friend who is an FFL send it to him...

 

[manwithoutahome]

It must be the place that you're in and the lack of knowledge by the counter person. I just shipped a handgun today via UPS and the lady didn't even blink. She put the Adult Signature Required tag on it, the 2nd day air tag and then put it over for shipment.

This is my second time that I've shipped handguns (same place) without a problem.

M

 

[jsalcedo]

For everyones sake push UPS all the way to the manager level when shipping at a HUB. They do take guns at the centers but not the UPS stores. Remember, the UPS 1-800 numbers are not UPS employees you have to go to the source and push until they ship it.

And No it does not have to be in a hard case, a well packed manufactuers type box is all they need.

It is indeed unfortunate that we have to deal with this crap.

Make a stink.

Fed Ex is Just as bad believe me I've called them and they swore to me they do not ship guns except from FFL to FFL.

If we don't start making these companies take notice of us there will be no more private shipping of guns.

 

[HankL]

It's great having daily UPS deliverys and pick ups at "gun friendly" work every day!
Go to the Hub, get a manager if needed and I you have a problem get them to pull out a copy of their shipping guide and tariff. After everything is straight ask the manager they would mind getting the counter people trained properly.

 

[Standing Wolf]

He said that FedEx is a alot better alternative.

I've switched to Federal Express for all my package shipping. I don't know whether I'm paying more, less, or about the same, but the service and dependability are much better, and I don't have to put up with overt anti-Second Amendment bigotry.

 

[El Tejon]

I ship guns UPS. No problems outgoing. They once sent a Cylinder & Slide pistol back to me in Lafayette, COLORADO!:banghead:

Oh, well, just a few states off.

 

[DMK]

he following link shows their policy in their own words. Print it out and take it with you.

http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/prepare/guidelines/firearms.html

Here's some other shipping firearms references for you:

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm

http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub52.htm


I had a problem once shipping a pistol, got charged for $50 in insurance over the normal overnight charges. I smelled something fishy about it, went home and did some reference. Armed with the above info, I called their corporate 800 number and complained. The next evening I had two voice messages from UPS. One was from the day supervisor apologizing and asking me to come in for a refund. The second message was from the night supervisor who I dealt with. She was also extremely apologetic and said that I could come in any time, ask for her and she would personally give me my refund, which she did. There was apparently some butt chewing going on that day.

 

[Blain]

Forget UPS, they don't even ship on Saturdays! Fed -Ex is the way to go! I have shipped several guns through them and never had a hassel, only great service. They don't care if there is a copy of an FFL or anything.

 

[willyjixx]

its good to know to be prepared for this! but it also bolsters the reason i pay a higher cost for my weapons. the place i buy from warrents what they sell an if there is a problem they take care of the shipping no charge to me

 

[Don Gwinn]

It absolutely depends on the people behind the counter. In Springfield, IL, FedEx is much better. You just have to go to the hub on south Sixth Street. Go to the MBE clone a few blocks north, and they'll accuse you of attempting to commit a felony by attempting to ship any firearm on any carrier.

 

[Orthonym]

Another Reason Not to Deal with Them

They no longer accept cash (United States Currency) as payment for C.O.D. shipments. I called'em up and asked them about it , read them the legal tender notice on the dollar bill, etc. etc. Apparently they want to go along with their scaredy-cat drivers and their union. Said union being the Teamsters, who are famously not afraid of a little crime and violence. Huh?

Reminds me a little bit of the current hoorah about airline pilots packing pistols. Up until, oh, Idunno, sometime in the 40s, airline pilots were REQUIRED by the Feds to have revolvers strapped to their hips, so as to protect the mail, which might have valuable goodies in it!....

Keywords: Modern Times; Upside Down; Inside Out; Backwards

 

[greyhound]

I dunno, I briefly scanned DMK's link to UPS firearm policy and I kinda got the impression they only ship to and from "licensed firearms dealers".

It was a brief scan, though.

 

[jsalcedo]

Its funny,

The UPS Pilots are pushing hard to be armed as well.

UPS has its own airline although its usually just cargo, shuttling employees and such.

UPS is a very conservative company and unfortunately change does not come easy.

The cash for COD changed recently because the IRS was forcing UPS
to record and keep track of cash payments and be responsible for
money laundering.


The drivers should be armed IMO although the way they behaved during the last strike would probably preclude many of them on moral grounds.

 

[Nando Aqui]

USPS WORKED FINE!

As many had suggested, I finally took the rifle in its original cardboard box to the post office. Told the lady at the counter that it was a rifle. She asked if there were any explosives or other hazardous materials inside, to which I replied no, just a rifle. She said fine.

It cost $16.85 for Priority (2-day) plus $11.20 for Insurance ($1000) plus $0.45 for Confirmation, which also allows me to track it. Total was $28.50.

According to their website, it would have been about $70 with FedEx.

Don't know about UPS, AND DON'T CARE!

Hopefully Uncle Sam will deliver my rifle safe and sound.

Thanks to all for the support, understanding and suggestions. It is nice to at least be able to vent to a sympathetic audience - T H A N X ! !

Alex

 

[MAKOwner]

Can't use USPS for pistols though unless you're an FFL...

I've had no trouble with my local UPS Store/MBE. The first time I shipped there the local owner implied that he didn't want to know what was in it when I told him it was a rifle, "could be an ironing board for all I know" he said, so from there on out I've shipped machine parts or tools adult sig required insured for whatever value... From what I've gathered reading around online you are only required to inform them of the contents by law if you are not shipping to a FFL holder (no FFL thing is ok if receiver is in your own state apparently...) So I don't offer the info, usually they don't even ask... May have trouble collecting the insurance if a problem arises though, but good luck collecting insurance on anything the way they handle it anyway...

 

[Dannyboy]

Forget UPS, they don't even ship on Saturdays!

Um, yeah they do.

 

[outdoorman63]

ups and fed ex

just went thru the same thing with ups...gun has to be in hard case and broken down according to them and they have to have a copy of the recievers ffl...so went to fed ex..they shipped it after some arguement and calling corporate..it has to be in an unuseable condition ie-brokedown..no hardcase etc...and they stated only one of us had to be ffl...also has to be shipped air..so cost was high..but it went out ....sure makes it hard to be honest...