UPS Breaks Package, Won't Reimburse Shipping Charges

UPS smashed a gift package containing wine Ryan sent to his father-in-law-to-be, but won’t reimburse Ryan for the shipping charges. We instinctively fear fathers-in-law, especially the ‘to-be’ variety. Like throwing salmon to a bear, Ryan’s gift package, worth about $100, contained fine chocolate, wine, and a leather wine holder. Ryan prominently labeled the package “FRAGILE” before shipping.

About a week after Christmas I receive a call from the manager of the UPS store informing me that my package was destroyed along with the “cider” inside (they decided it was no longer wine at some point). The manager (in very very broken English) requested me to come in bearing receipts for the products or advertisements for items close there to

Ryan brought in his advertisements and told them that they shipped wine, not cider. UPS adamantly declared “this store does not and will not ship wine.” That would be nice, expect they did ship wine. They broke it, too.

UPS’ reimbursement offer, inside…

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UPS offered to reimburse Ryan for the gift package, minus the wine, tax and shipping. Shipping? They broke the package and won’t reimburse for shipping?

Ryan’s email, below.

About a week prior to Christmas I shipped a package to my soon to be father in law through a UPS “Store” (some franchised deal, formally a Mail Boxes etc.). It contained fine chocolate, wine, and a leather holder for the wine. In total the value of the package was roughly a hundred dollars + state sales tax for the items (%8.8). Then of course there was the $20 some in shipping fees. On the packing slip I wrote down what was in the box checked all the “fragile boxes” etc… etc… About a week after Christmas I receive a call from the manager of the UPS store informing me that my package was destroyed along with the “cider” inside (they decided it was no longer wine at some point). The manager (in very very broken English) requested me to come in bearing receipts for the products or advertisements for items close there to… I no longer have receipts so I print out some ads for the products. I got down to the store and turn them in to the manager and she tells me to expect a phone call in about two weeks on the “verdict” of whether I would be reimbursed on my destroyed items or not. I also explained that this was wine note cider. Then she decided to barrage me with “this store does not and will not ship wine” and sentiments similar there too. She also thought it important to tell me how much trouble the employee would get in for shipping wine (it seemed like some sort of guilt trip). I told her I don’t care if they do or don’t ship wine, they did ship wine and I expect reimbursement for it (they could have told me at the time but they didn’t).

I did explain that I expect tax and shipping cost to be reimbursed as well, then she nodded her head in a glazed over I’m to busy to deal with anything more look.

So I just received a call (moments ago) from the manager that I will be reimbursed for everything except the wine… They are also not planning on reimbursing me for tax or shipping cost. All told after I get the check I’ll still be out about $70. The only answer from the manager is if I would like anything else to be done I would have to speak with UPS customer service and not there branch…

Personally I’m ticked… oh and the topper, UPS (possibly the UPS store) decided to ship me back a re-packaged box of broken glass (no box of chocolates inside…) and reeking of wine.

Just in case anyone is curious, I don’t recall the managers name but she’s a snooty lady with a really thick accent.
UPS Store
4742 42nd Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98116
Phone(206) 933-8038
Fax (206) 933-8075

Repackaged broken glass reeking of wine? Surely UPS can do better. — CAREY GREENBERG-BERGER