UPS Serivce/Live Aquaria

BlazingTanks · Jun 18, 2020

So i ordered my first batch of freshwater fish from LA, and i was thrilled to see how close their location was to mine (AZ). Things were going great, it was shipped out within 1 day of ordering. I got next day delivery specifically to avoid prolonged exposure to 100+ degrees in AZ, especially in the back of a UPS truck. The worst happened, the UPS truck broke down and my order is now delayed a a day. I called UPS to see what my options were, and the first agent insisted a dispatcher would have my package picked up and delivered today. After being on hold and waiting 4+ hours, I was told my package would not be here today. It was scheduled for 12:00 p.m. and it is now almost 5:00 p.m. I am obviously worried the fish could be in bad shape, but I am more upset about how UPS handles Live Fish and Next Day Delivery. Shouldn't the Next-Day guarantee be met at all costs? I will be submitting a claim if the fish arrive deceased, and I will also be looking to expose this issue UPS has. It would cost them a nickel to put cooled compartments in trucks, or at least dedicate a reliable fleet for next day deliveries. Has anybody else experienced this issue, and if so what steps can i take to receive my money back?

Sierra_Bravo · Jun 18, 2020

I'm in San Antonio. Had a LA shipment due this morning at 10:30. It arrived after 4pm. I said to the driver "So much for the 10:30 delivery, huh?". His response was that they don't even let them leave at his hub until 10am because of Covid procedures. Package was scanned onto his truck at 9:43am, so I'm taking him at his word.

creativeballance · Jun 18, 2020

Covid = everyone's excuse to not do their job.
Ups is not guaranteeing their delivery speeds for the duration of the "pandemic".

tehmadreefer · Jun 18, 2020

BlazingTanks said:
So i ordered my first batch of freshwater fish from LA, and i was thrilled to see how close their location was to mine (AZ). Things were going great, it was shipped out within 1 day of ordering. I got next day delivery specifically to avoid prolonged exposure to 100+ degrees in AZ, especially in the back of a UPS truck. The worst happened, the UPS truck broke down and my order is now delayed a a day. I called UPS to see what my options were, and the first agent insisted a dispatcher would have my package picked up and delivered today. After being on hold and waiting 4+ hours, I was told my package would not be here today. It was scheduled for 12:00 p.m. and it is now almost 5:00 p.m. I am obviously worried the fish could be in bad shape, but I am more upset about how UPS handles Live Fish and Next Day Delivery. Shouldn't the Next-Day guarantee be met at all costs? I will be submitting a claim if the fish arrive deceased, and I will also be looking to expose this issue UPS has. It would cost them a nickel to put cooled compartments in trucks, or at least dedicate a reliable fleet for next day deliveries. Has anybody else experienced this issue, and if so what steps can i take to receive my money back?

Good luck with “exposing” ups, they don’t care and it is noted on their website there are no longer any guarantees on deliveries due to the pandemic. The only chance you have is getting money back from LA and that will be doubtful since it wasn’t their fault.

ca1ore · Jun 19, 2020

Does the same guarantee apply to FW? Assume it would, though I’ve never bought anything FW from them. Doesn’t matter that the delay was not their fault, though it’s usually ‘store’ credit rather than a refund. An extra day isn’t always fatal though .... I’ve had that happen a few times and often the fish are fine. Corals not so much.

In my area, UPS was a mess for the back part of March into early May but are largely back to pre COVID service since then. Just don’t order livestock if there’s a chance of it sitting at a depot for the weekend. Common sense.

Macdaddynick1 · Jun 19, 2020

creativeballance said:
Covid = everyone's excuse to not do their job.
Ups is not guaranteeing their delivery speeds for the duration of the "pandemic".

That’s what the UPS driver told me when the package arrived at 8 pm instead of 10:30 am. I have another shipment arriving tomorrow from aqua SD, fingers crossed.

Big E · Jun 19, 2020

With current issues, I wouldn't order anything that uses UPS unless I set up hold for pick up at UPS facility. If you're not too far from the nearest UPS hub that's best, as it never gets on a delivery truck.

alton · Jun 19, 2020

From now until October not a good time to order livestock if you live in warm climates.

Beardo · Jun 19, 2020

Went through the same thing not long ago, though from a different supplier. UPS failed to deliver the day they were supposed to, which was a Friday. Surprisingly they did deliver Saturday morning and the fish were fine. Don't give up hope on the fish. If packed well they can survive.

UPS can be a challenge at times in certain areas, but talking to a driver, he said it's been like Christmas without the extra help, so they are busy. FedEx has always been more reliable for me, but simetimes we are at the mercy of the supplier contracts.
My order of a fish this week through UPS (no more Friday deliveries, even if it is more convenient for me) though arrived earlier than I expected so things seem to be improving.

Hope everything works out.

Duncan Tse · Jun 19, 2020

Always best practice to pick up yourself at the shipping center if there's an option for that. This way you are guaranteed on time and without the extra step in loading into the truck

BlazingTanks · Jun 19, 2020

Beardo said:
Went through the same thing not long ago, though from a different supplier. UPS failed to deliver the day they were supposed to, which was a Friday. Surprisingly they did deliver Saturday morning and the fish were fine. Don't give up hope on the fish. If packed well they can survive.

UPS can be a challenge at times in certain areas, but talking to a driver, he said it's been like Christmas without the extra help, so they are busy. FedEx has always been more reliable for me, but simetimes we are at the mercy of the supplier contracts.
My order of a fish this week through UPS (no more Friday deliveries, even if it is more convenient for me) though arrived earlier than I expected so things seem to be improving.

Hope everything works out.

Things always find a way to work out, they arrived bright and early this morning and looks like only one casualty out of about 25 fish! UPS was at my door before 8:00 a.m. currently acclimating and hope they enjoy their new home.

piranhaman00 · Jun 19, 2020

I didnt read this thread but its been said countless times. UPS and every other mail service is no longer guaranteeing delivery times. I have ordered once from LA last week and it was great, but you really should not be ordering during this time imo.

RayDRoot · Jun 19, 2020

I had a LA order arrive here in Albuquerque on time 1030am. 3 nems arrived well, but my 5 pack of turbo's DOA. They gave me store credit.

alton · Jun 19, 2020

Well a friend just let me know his wrasse just came in that he ordered on Wednesday. He said the ups driver was in a rental truck, and his package was on the front seat in ac with the driver. Five stars for that driver!

flabryth · Jun 19, 2020

BlazingTanks said:
So i ordered my first batch of freshwater fish from LA, and i was thrilled to see how close their location was to mine (AZ). Things were going great, it was shipped out within 1 day of ordering. I got next day delivery specifically to avoid prolonged exposure to 100+ degrees in AZ, especially in the back of a UPS truck. The worst happened, the UPS truck broke down and my order is now delayed a a day. I called UPS to see what my options were, and the first agent insisted a dispatcher would have my package picked up and delivered today. After being on hold and waiting 4+ hours, I was told my package would not be here today. It was scheduled for 12:00 p.m. and it is now almost 5:00 p.m. I am obviously worried the fish could be in bad shape, but I am more upset about how UPS handles Live Fish and Next Day Delivery. Shouldn't the Next-Day guarantee be met at all costs? I will be submitting a claim if the fish arrive deceased, and I will also be looking to expose this issue UPS has. It would cost them a nickel to put cooled compartments in trucks, or at least dedicate a reliable fleet for next day deliveries. Has anybody else experienced this issue, and if so what steps can i take to receive my money back?

Never really had an issue with my delivery's UPS has an app that allows you track and choose how to manage your delivers. I use this app to manage all of my delivery.