How UPS (United Parcel Service) Trashed My Telescope

See FedEx at http://www.FedEx.com for your shipping needs.

Latest Update (7/20/2003) - According to the package store in Ocala Florida, UPS finally admitted responsibility for the damage, after first trying to deny the damage claim. The damaged package left my home and went to Richmond VA, where UPS denied the damage and sent the package back to Ocala Florida, saying it was the shippers fault. The package store disputed the denied damage assessment by UPS and made them reassess the claim. The package was shipped to Jacksonville Florida to be reevaluated. UPS notified the package store that they needed more proof of the value. The original owner sent took the original sales receipt to the package store and they faxed it to UPS. UPS then claimed they needed more proof of value, so I sent a FAX to the package store of the current cost of a similar scope. After several more days, UPS accepted the claim. As far as I can tell, this is just UPS trying to hold onto my money as long as they can. Granted, holding my money for a couple of weeks won't make them much in interest, but if they do this to thousands of people on a daily basis, they can reap large sums of interest by using these delaying tactics to keep money, that is not their money, as long as they can. UPS uses this delay for their own benefit. It has been 45 Days since I received the damaged package. There is no way that an efficient corporation should take this long to settle a claim unless they are totally inept, or they want to screw their customers as long as they can. I have a feeling it might be both.

Original Post

(6/8/2003) - I bought a Telescope on EBay. It was an 8" Meade Schmidt Cassegrain LX200 with EMC Optical Coatings. After talking on the phone with the very pleasant and genuinely nice fellow that was selling the scope, we agreed on a price and payment system, and he would ship by FedEx or UPS, my choice. I checked and UPS Ground would get the scope here in 2 days, so I told him to ship it UPS Ground. He delivered the scope to a professional packaging store near his home, and later that day, I verified that the package was shipped and they gave me the tracking numbers.

Friday, June 6th, 2003, I get the shipment. I notice that the corners were creased, but this really didn't concern me since I knew it was packaged well. I put the package on my tailgate and proceeded to open the box. It was EXTREMELY well packed, double boxed, with the inner box floated in a sea of peanuts in the outer box. Then I noticed that the inner box had a crease in it as well, near one of the nastier outer creases. I got the scope out of the inner box. The scope was bagged, wrapped, and floated and secured in the inner box by peanuts, bubble wrap, and Styrofoam blocks.

Left - This view of the box top shows a drop on one edge of the top. Care was clearly taken with this box. Right - This shows the other side edge of the top with a similar nasty crush. On the side you can clearly see that it is labeled "This Side Up". I guess the people at UPS either can't read of just don't care.

Left - This shows the side edge of the bottom with a another similarly nasty crush. Right - Another view of the crush on the edge of the bottom. My guess is this edge impact probably did the damage because this edge impact made it through to the box inside as seen below. What I don't understand is why the goons at UPS didn't bother to crush the other bottom edge and go for the perfect score.

This shows the inner box. You can see the crushed bottom edge where it meets the asphalt. This box was several inches away from the bottom of the outer box.

As I rotated the scope to free it from the bubble wrap. I heard a sound that I will never forget. It was unmistakable, and I believe I audibly said that this can't be what I think it is. I gently remove the dewcap and my fears were confirmed.

Left - Here it is. What a beautiful instrument of science destroyed by a corporate giant that could care less if they do their job right, just so long as they make their money. It is a sad testament to a supposedly efficient and reliable company Right - The Optical Corrector Plate was shattered by an impact and rained down on the Primary Mirror. The Secondary Mirror that sits in the center of the Optical Corrector Plate is sitting at the bottom of the main tube with all of the shards of glass. The delicate surfaces of the Primary and Secondary Mirrors succumbed to the sharp edges of the shattered Corrector Plate.

A final image to show you the dangers of using UPS.

DO NOT USE UPS!!!!!!!

I am now in the long, drawn out process of trying to get my money back for the value of the scope. I am also trying to get a refund of the shipping charges. I certainly do not want to pay $125.00 to UPS for them to treat my package, and me, like this.

UPS intentionally make their claims process difficult and slow to frustrate their customers and to hold onto your money as long as they can. They are not in business to help you. They are in business to help themselves. The sooner you realize this, the better off you will be when shipping items that you would like to be delivered intact.

See Federal Express at http://www.FedEx.com for your shipping needs.