ugh UPS issues

jessicabessica

This is partially a rant and partially advice-seeking...

My grandma bought me a pair of earrings to wear for the wedding (probably about $175-200) and the jewelry store in NY sent them UPS to me.  My grandma gave them my PO box, though.  So, I hadn't received them, so the jewelry store finds out from UPS that they were delivered to another house in my town.  Um, wtf?  Generally when something is sent to our PO Box, they just leave it at the post office.  Also, I am pretty sure my cell phone number was on the shipping label.  Plus the package required a signature, so on the online tracking thing, it shows that someone else with a totally different name signed for the package.  Out of all the things they could have done--call me, leave it at the post office (less work for them), figure out my actual address from their records (we get tons of stuff delivered, although I wouldn't really expect them to do this), or return to sender--they allowed someone at a different address with a different name to sign for it.  

UPS national has been not so much help (they might think that I am working with the person they gave it to to scam them, I guess).  The local UPS said they would have the driver go back to the house, but I don't know if that's been done yet--at least if it has, they haven't had any results.  My FI asked the UPS driver that dropped stuff off today (a different driver from the one who left the earrings), and he said we should just go to the address ourselves.  Would you do that?  Any other bright ideas?

amshaw1

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jessicabessica

It seriously is!  I work 30 minutes away from where we live, and I work 8-5, the PO is open 9-5, so I can only check the box if I get out early enough in the morning to go before work, and I can only get packages from the PO on Saturdays.  Fortunately FI works from home 2 days a week, and he generally remembers to check it.  

I will definitely bring FI with me if I go to the house.  Maybe our dog in the car, too, although she's not very ferocious looking (or acting).  

sarahfowler38

Man, what a pain!!! I'm surprised that UPS even took a PO box because usually services like that won't take them.

If you do go, like PP said, definitely bring your FI. And be ready for a potentially dishonest person saying he/she never received such a package. Do you have the tracking number where it says that it was delivered to that address?

Sorry you're having to deal with that. Good luck!!

jessicabessica

That's a really good idea about the tracking number.  I do have it, and when I enter it online, I get a copy of the signature box, so I will print that out to bring with me.  

chrispygal

I hate to say this, but I would call the cops and get them to go with you.  Seems extreme, but these people stole from you.  I guess you could try the visit without the cops first and then if they lie to you (which is kind of hard to do with a signature) involve the cops.  I'd tell them them too.  That you're going to call the cops, file a complaint and that UPS has their signature and this is theft and you will prosecute.  I believe stealing mail is a federal offense too.  I'm not sure UPS falls under that but heck, I'd throw it in their face anyway!  I'd play freaking hardball!!  That's just low to not return the items.  It has your name on the package - not theirs!  Why would they sign for it?????  Bad news all around.  I'd cause a ruckus, which is not my normal response unless there is something blatantly wrong like this.  

chrispygal

Oh, and I wouldn't accept UPS's claim that they are not responsible.  THEY delivered to the wrong person and it is on them!  If you don't get the items back from the thiefs, then I'd make UPS buy you new earrings.

jessicabessica

I am going to check in with the jeweler tomorrow to see if they have any updates, and FI and I will go to the people's house in the next couple of days...not looking forward to it.  I guess if they deny it, I'll go to the police station and fill out a report or whatever the next step is, and then I'll at least file a complaint about UPS with the BBB.  I've also been checking ebay and craigslist, just in case.  

sarahfowler38

I think if you bring their signature and confront them about it, they should fess up. If it makes you feel better, my friend had the same thing happen to her and when she went over to confront the people, it ended up being some older lady who just was confused and not sure how to handle it. She had the package sitting at a table near the front door and just handed it over no problem.

Hopefully the same is true for you!!

fickrj5

I agree with Chrispy, it does sound a little rash, but you might have to get law enforcement involved.  You really don't know what type of people you are dealing with and it's very unlikely that they are going to say " oh ya here ya go".

slwager

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_maine_ugh-ups-issues?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:98Discussion:3d786b9e-7384-4315-b603-14a13f13a0c1Post:9383d22e-6387-4106-a8ed-e5d615fe9d88">Re: ugh UPS issues</a>:
[QUOTE]I am going to check in with the jeweler tomorrow to see if they have any updates, and FI and I will go to the people's house in the next couple of days...not looking forward to it.  I guess if they deny it, I'll go to the police station and fill out a report or whatever the next step is, and then I'll at least file a complaint about UPS with the BBB.  <strong>I've also been checking ebay and craigslist, just in case.</strong>  
Posted by jessicabessica[/QUOTE]

<div>smart girl.  my friend's amp was stolen when we lived in syracuse and we just alerted all the local music equiptment sellers (many of whom were friends of ours) and when the guy came by we brought the cops.  are there local jewelry stores/pawn shops in your area?</div>

jelenybeany

You can borrow my giant rottweiler for the trip if you'd like She's very sweet, but unfortunately people see a rottie and shy away.

I totally agree that the police need to be involved. Especially since you have a signature. And I would also make a scene with UPS. How do they deliver a package to a home when it's addressed to a po box?

Krista521

I agree... track down all the information you can about it, when and where it was delivered, then in my opinion i would try to confront the person who accepted the package.  Dont accuse them just inquire about, like that you are missing a package and it was said that it was dropped off to you and was hoping they knew something about it.  And then it could go either way, they might have misunderstood and hand it right to you, or they could play dumb.  If they do play dumb, i would absolutely call the cops to see if they can help.  But make sure you have proof before hand!! And UPS so owes you new pair of earrings! how sad

jessicabessica

Thanks for all the support and suggestions, ladies!  Now the UPS tracking says that the package is lost/claim filed.  If UPS is going to pay for a new pair of earrings (to not be sent via UPS, of course), then I might not pursue it further, although it makes me so mad, so I might go to the house anyway and see what comes of it.  It also makes me a little nervous because we have been getting a lot of packages sent via UPS that are wedding gifts, so if this happens again (if people are sending us a gift, they don't necessarily check with us to see what address to use), we might not even figure it out. 

And slwager, I don't live in a very commercial area, so there's nothing in my town, and I wouldn't know if someone would try to sell them in Ellsworth, Belfast, or Bangor (all are 20-30 minutes from me).  I did get my engagement ring from a shop in Belfast that has estate pieces, so I might mention something to the shop owner, that's a good idea. 

littlefieldmj

I agree with Chrispy and fick - Go to the house and see if it was a misunderstanding.  If they hand it over - Yay!  If they give you trouble - call the cops.  If you get to the house and feel uncomfortable - call the cops.  There are a lot of nice people in the world, but not everyone is honest.  Be careful! I hope the situation is resolved soon!

amshaw1

How did this turn out? 

jessicabessica

We will still go to the house, but UPS has officially declared it lost.  The jeweler is filing a claim with them.  

jessicabessica

Ok, another update:  We went to the address, and it wasn't too scary.  There were a couple people out on the front porch, and the lady said that she accepted the package because her daughter has the same name as me and had a birthday a few weeks before they got the package, so she assumed it was a birthday present for the daughter.  (I wish I got random birthday jewelry in the mail!)  Now the daughter has it, and the lady said that she gave UPS the daughter's phone number to follow up about it, but I don't think they did, and at this point, they'll eat the cost.