UPS Holiday "relax" time

[Kat77]

Well I wasn't aware that UPS has a "relax" time during the holidays that allows them to be an hour and a half late with their shipments, did you? Well they do. I just found this out, and I'm expecting a new friend this morning. And it is NOT warm outside here in the great white North, its about 8 degrees right now.

I checked my tracking info to see "late airplane" this morning and had a tiny panic attack, so I called. She told me not only did that mean the package on its own could be delayed a few hours, even though it is now out for delivery, there is also this "relax" time. Panic attack getting bigger....

She told me she would have someone contact the driver and arrange a place for me to meet him, but last time someone from UPS said they would call me back...nothing.

Think happy thoughts for me everyone!

 

[royden]

Update us when you know more.

 

[Ryan Jarosek]

Oh Katt that sucks. I am thinking positive and my fingers are crossed.

I am sure it will turn out fine, but the stess will kill you.

 

[Dave]

Aw man, I know first hand how aggrivating the shipping process can already be without interjections like a "relax" period (btw, what the hell is that? Slack off time cause it's the holiday?) coming into play.

Let us know when you know more!

-Dave

 

[Kat77]

Things turned out ok! Thanks for the concern guys.
UPS called me a little after my post, and said that the driver hadn't left the Minneapolis UPS complex yet, so I was able to go and pick him up there and he didn't freeze. I'm definitely glad!

 

[SoCaliSon]

Do cars even work in 8 degree weather!?!?!? Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr......

Glad it worked out okay Kat!

I couldn't imagine having to drive on Ice all winter. I have had to scrape Ice off my windshield all week and that is about all I can take. Can you imagine all the Vegas people without 4WD having fun playing bumper cars on the Vegas Strip...

 

[ciafardo 4]

i hope im not intruding but WHAT WAS IN THE BOX

 

[SoCaliSon]

Hey Yeah!!!Great Question!!!! What is the new addition!?!?

 

[panthercham]

Thats what I was thinking Curious!!

 

[ciafardo 4]

kat please dont do this to us WHAT WAS IN THE DAM BOX MAN!!!!!!!!!HAHAHAHAHAHA

 

[Robert Johnson]

During the holiday UPS has increased business by over 50%, this is a large workload on the drivers, but still is no excuse for perishable items being late.
Your shipper must have been very confident in the packaging?
How did your new addition arrive?
Was he freezing?

 

[Chameleon Company]

Not an excuse, but ....

One thing to be aware of with all carriers this time of year is that it is the season for them to be merry ...... and to make more mistakes. As noted by another poster, their volume is up by 50%, which increases the opportunity for mistakes. Equally problematic is that they also employ many temps for the holiday season, and temps make more mistakes, magnifying the error rate to an even greater degree. The best plan for the holidays is to anticipate a mistake, especially if you are the shipper, and to have a legitimate plan for such. Examples would be to not ship after Wednesday of any week, as a one day delay will be only that (vs. ship Thursday and receive Monday, likely doa), use a 40 hour duration or longer heat pack, and check weather in all cities en route, such as Louisville and Philadelphia and Memphis, which are major hubs for the carriers. Excuses or not, mistakes are more likely now, but the potential for loss can still be minimized with a good plan.