UPS Rip Off

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Shotgun693

New member
I needed to send a revolver to the factory for work. My Wife sent it out for me while I was at work. They charged me $93 shipping, claimed it 'had' to be sent Next Day.
I've never use'm again.
 
That is UPS policy as I understand it. It's there because they find the longer UPS has the package the more chance it will be stolen. Therefore 'overnight shipping for all firearms' .
 
$93 still sounds awfully high; you don't need guaranteed 10:00AM delivery, use their "economy overnight" service. It's still expensive... Maybe ask to ship it 2nd-Day Air, and if they say no tell 'em "No thanks, I'll just use FedEx" and walk out the door. They might just decide they'd rather make the $35 or $40 sale than lose out completely.
 
They didn't rip you off - you VOLUNTARILY paid their asking price when there are other alternatives (that are equally expensive)

Without an FFL, you can't use USPS, and FEDEX charges are similar to UPS.

Might be time to find a local gun smith like folks used to do
 
If there was a local shop what would do the work I'd have taken it there. If I didn't work all day I could have likely done better.
I'm very sure they took advantage of my wife.
 
I just check UPS website to see what it would cost to send a 3 pound package to Miami. (Don't ask why I picked Miami) $105 for the most expensive service ("Next Day early AM"), but only $64 for "Next Day Air Saver". And $38 for "2nd Day Air AM"

They might not let you use 2nd Day, but the "Air Saver" should be fine. If not, there was an intermediate next day rate for $68.
 
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I had to send a Colt back to the factory several years ago. It cost me~$85 back then for the same mandatory overnight service.

IIRC, Colt reimbursed me shipping charges since the gun was under warranty.

But what they charged you doesn't sound out of line.
 
That's their policy. Aledgedly to lessen chances of theft. Not cheap, but about the only way to ship since USPS won't take guns.

I paid about $80 a couple years ago to send a handgun back to the factory, so your prices was not unusual.
 
JWT said:
That's their policy. Aledgedly to lessen chances of theft. Not cheap, but about the only way to ship since USPS won't take guns.
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Correction: USPS won't take HANDguns. Long guns may be shipped through the mail.
 
I had to mail a gun back to the factory about a month ago. My local gun shop shipped it for me and it cost about $30 with the insurance. Your local FFL can ship via USPS, and it is apparently cheaper.
 
If there was a local shop what would do the work I'd have taken it there. If I didn't work all day I could have likely done better.
I'm very sure they took advantage of my wife.
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Another happy Taurus fan!:D
 
I needed to send a revolver to the factory for work. My Wife sent it out for me while I was at work. They charged me $93 shipping, claimed it 'had' to be sent Next Day.
I've never use'm again.
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UPS and Fedex are both have overnight requirements, as I understand it. I don't know if DHL does guns, but they are more expensive.

So where is the factory? How much will it cost you to drive the gun there yourself? How much time will it take? All of a sudden, UPS isn't looking so expensive, is it?
 
One possible solution: Ship via your local LGS or FFL.

It costs $50 to ship a handgun, and $60 to ship a long gun (I believe, prices went up a few months ago) via my LGS. They use USPS; usually takes a few days, but not more than a few.

In my case, that means I not only don't have to pay UPS or FedEx overnight rates, but I also don't have to drive over an hour - longer if at traffic times - to get to the Atlanta airport FedEx and UPS hubs (satellite offices won't take firearms around here). So I save two or three hours of time, and about six gallons of gas.

Net savings: Lots of aggravation, and $40 or $50.
 
UPS Terms

here's a quick link to UPS terms for those that don't know them

UPS Terms

it does appear they require an "overnight" type of shipping for firearms

and here's Fedex

Fedex Terms

I did miss this at first BUT -
More Terms

Clicking on the link for ground, then firearms will say "excluding handguns" and the Express service does not - so they do appear to have restrictions on what services you can use

For DHL

DHL Guidelines

They don't clearly define anything for firearms (that i can find easily) - The only thing even mentioning it is a page where it is Prohibited in Sudan. So probably best to contact a local agent if your using them.
 
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DHL

According to a response in the following thread, DHL no longer handles firearms.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=427121
That is UPS policy as I understand it. It's there because they find the longer UPS has the package the more chance it will be stolen.
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The other reason is that packages going onto airplanes are subject to more stringent security requirements, i.e. the packages are kept in secure areas and are at least nominally watched by security personnel.

I work near a UPS hub, I've seen their operations, and it doesn't appear that the ground packages are watched closely; they're often left sitting in piles near a sorting machine, or in the back of a trailer with the rear door open. Although the facility is obviously fenced to prevent non-employees from entering, there are hundreds of UPS employees coming and going constantly, and it wouldn't be hard for a dishonest employee to snag a handgun-sized package.
One possible solution: Ship via your local LGS or FFL.
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^This. Hint: look on GB for a local "kitchen table" FFL or gunsmith who does transfers for supplemental income. These folks often charge less than LGS because some store owners view transfers as a necessary evil that cuts into their profit margin.
 
Price Gouging UPS or FedX....If you are a non-FFL licensed dealer, shipping cost is mandatory overnight shipping. Rigardless if handgun or long gun it can It is simply ridiculas the shipping cost to be so high. Sometimes more than the value of the gun. ....But when the powers to be get involved.

And I have seen, and heard horror stories about what they sometimes do to firearms if not sent with overnight, useing ground delivery.
No mercy is shown to any type firearm.

So, I use my local FFL Gun Dealer to ship for me......Much less in cost, and being they are a FFL Dealer, they can use the Postal Service Priority 2 day shipping. And besides, I rather do business with the local Gun Shop.
 
Correction: USPS won't take HANDguns. Long guns may be shipped through the mail.
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Yes they will - from a FFL

Price Gouging UPS or FedX....If you are a non-FFL licensed dealer, shipping cost is mandatory overnight shipping. Rigardless if handgun or long gun it can It is simply ridiculas the shipping cost to be so high.
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Incorrect on long guns - I ship them frequently via Fedex ground - HANDguns are a different animal

I work near a UPS hub, I've seen their operations, and it doesn't appear that the ground packages are watched closely; they're often left sitting in piles near a sorting machine, or in the back of a trailer with the rear door open. Although the facility is obviously fenced to prevent non-employees from entering, there are hundreds of UPS employees coming and going constantly, and it wouldn't be hard for a dishonest employee to snag a handgun-sized package.
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I have worked AT the UPS sort facility - unless you are driving your company truck, ALL employees must go through the guard shack, showing and opening any personal items (like a lunch box)

I used to see handguns come through all the time - Having had a FFL, I recognised the abbreviated shipping names of the bigger distributors and makers

FWIW - those trucks are loaded to the max and those drivers really have to hustle to finish on time - they really could care less what the box is. They want to scan it and be gone to the next one. Time is money to UPS. Many routes are preplanned to avoid left turns - because that wastes time and gas waiting at the light - their Industrial Engineering looks at even the smallest waste like that

Are there a few who still manage to steal things? Sure there, just like employees who work in office and take office supplies home or similar. They are doing what they can to reduce their financial losses and liabilities, because one time there will be a lawyer suing them because a gun stolen by an employee found its way into the wrong hands and was used to hurt/kill someone

Thanks to the lawyers, yet again
 
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The last time I had to send a handgun back to the factory, I had my dealer do it by regular USPS. I think they charged me $15 or so.
 
If there was a local shop what would do the work I'd have taken it there. If I didn't work all day I could have likely done better.
I'm very sure they took advantage of my wife.
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Sorry dude, I don't think they took advantage of your wife. I think you paid what was required to ship it using that method. It isn't cheap but you don't have a lot of options.

Not sure what factory you sent it too, but see if the company, if they are at fault, will cover your shipping costs.
 
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