Ups.. Rant

[fifefish]

not sure if this is the right place but oh well..
ive been getting really annoyed since i have some bettas in the post and they havent turned up.
the seller that i have used sent the bettas through UPS in an express delivery..
the delivery was supposed to only have taken 2-3 days but it has been a week since then and there still not here.
so what im wondering is , is the seller liable for a refund or a some store credit, due to UPS breeching the contract not delivering the bettas on time

 

[wuvmybetta]

That's a tough one. Did you get insurance on the package? Have you contacted the seller? They might offer replacement fish but you'll probably have to pay for the shipping, unless you contact UPS and see what they'll do as well. It's going to be a big rigamaroo. But, they may show up at any time and they'll probably be just fine (if the weather there isn't too cold). I've shipped thousands (literally) with a perfect arrive alive track record and some of those boxes have been to heck and back.

 

[rdd1952]

I know I sent you a PM about this but thought I'd also post for anyone else that should happen to experience a similar problem. In any case, UPS has Next day air, 2nd day air and 3rd day select. UPS, you or the shipper should be able to track any package and tell you where it is as long as you have the tracking number and all UPS packages have one. Even if you don't have the tracking number, if you call UPS and give them as much info as you can such as your address, the shippers address, when it was shipped, etc., they can look it up and find it if it's been shipped. They don't necessarily need the tracking number, just makes it easier.

If he shipped any of those methods and the product didn't get delivered on time he should get a refund on the shipping (which I assume you should get). And if the fish were dead because they were late (may be hard to prove that was the cause though), then they should have to pay for replacement. Make sure when they arrive that you tell the deliery driver to wait until you open the package so he can see that they are dead (if they are). Otherwise, it's a whole lot harder to win a claim. Hope they are fine when they get there but even then, if they're late you/the shipper should get a refund on the shipping unless it was just a ground delivery which has no specific delivery date constraint on it.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi fifefish

Some sellers require, as part of their guarantee on live delivery, that a photo of the dead fish be emailed to them within a certain period of time after delivery . This is just to show that it was indeed dead and that it didn't die later due to your negligence.

I hope this is not the case with your fish, but thought I would mention it, "just in case."

 

[Spiceweasel69]

Im probably speaking out of turn here -but doesnt anyone else believe there is a problem with sending fish in the post? Even marked as fragile, i think its wrong. Plants fine - fish no. I always want to see what im getting and where its coming from which is one factor, but i believe it is cruel to bag a fish and expect it to take up to 3 days to get to the recipient.

Flame me if you like - just my thoughts. You couldnt do it with a hamster!

 

[TigerIssey]

I had problems with UPS myself although it was for a fish tank delivery, living in the sticks they seem very fond of the excuse that they could not find my address. I had help the day it was supposed to be here (guaranteed next day delivery) but not the day after when it arrived. I had to contact the seller and get the tracking number, they had to send a two man delivery instead of the normal one man, there are steps outside the property and one man would never have carried it down. I must say I try to avoid anything coming via UPS now, APC seem to be better at reading a map (sat nav does not work out here unfortunately).

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Spiceweasel69

It's often the only way to get the less commonly found fish. It's not cruel if they are packed properly in styrofoam boxes and a heat pack or cold pack is added if the weather calls for it.

The safest way to ship fish is using next day guaranteed delivery. This is more expensive than regular methods, but it reduces the risk to the fish.

 

[Truck]

Im probably speaking out of turn here -but doesnt anyone else believe there is a problem with sending fish in the post? Even marked as fragile, i think its wrong. Plants fine - fish no. I always want to see what im getting and where its coming from which is one factor, but i believe it is cruel to bag a fish and expect it to take up to 3 days to get to the recipient.

Flame me if you like - just my thoughts. You couldnt do it with a hamster!

how do you think they get from A-B?

in a bag on the back of a truck or on a plane, if wild caught

 

[jonp]

The seller is indeed the one to have to chase up any compensation of costs/delivery charges if they are dead, because they pay the carriage the contract for the service is formed between them and UPS - you are just an unfortunate bystander in effect. As mentioned above examine the package with the driver present and document any issues clearly on the paperwork. If the driver says he isnt prepared to wait then I would invite him to return in an hour for the signature.....

BTW I have no experience of shipping fish but I work for a craft wholesaler and almost all our business goes out with couriers.

I aint sure if the distance selling regs etc. apply to livestock (if buying from a business) but I would make sure the seller is aware of what you would like them to do if the fish dont make it.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi fifefish

Did the fish arrive yet?

 

[fifefish]

Hi fifefish

Did the fish arrive yet?

nope.
its been a more than 7days..

 

[Inchworm]

Hi fifefish,

That is a long time for the fish to be enroute, but bettas are tough fish. Let's still keep hoping for the best.

Have you been in touch with UPS or the seller about them?

 

[rdd1952]

As I mentioned earlier, call UPS. If there was a package shipped with your address on it, they will be able to find it in their system. Even if it's lost, it would still be in there showing it's last known location. At this point, I would tend to believe that the seller never shipped it.

 

[fifefish]

As I mentioned earlier, call UPS. If there was a package shipped with your address on it, they will be able to find it in their system. Even if it's lost, it would still be in there showing it's last known location. At this point, I would tend to believe that the seller never shipped it.

how much would it cost per minute to call UPS?

 

[rdd1952]

They should have an toll free number that you can call. For the UK it shows the number as 08457-877-877. Not certain if that is toll free or not but I would think so.