The "UPS STORE" is not #1 in customer service

pghrich · September 25, 2012, 10:38 AM

Hello, i boxed up my old civilian to send it back to cabelas took it up to the local ups store, the girl looked at me funny and asked whats in here, i said a reploduction colt 1851 muzzleloader revolver, well some guy came up from the back and asked me if he could open the box and of course i said yes, he removed the cabelas box from the carton and then removed the revolver from the cabelas box and said sorry can't ship it, he said if its loaded with powder and ball it would fire, i said thats correct, he told me to take it to a real ups hub, i said ok and left, is this normal? pghrich

Fingers McGee · September 25, 2012, 10:47 AM

No, C&Bs can be shipped from a UPS store. Used to do it all the time until I ended up having to retrain new clerks & pay their high prices. If you have a UPS return postage paid label; they shouldn't have asked what was in the box anyhow. Just accepted it and went on.

I use Priority or Flat rate USPS now. Much simpler.

pghrich · September 25, 2012, 11:05 AM

Hello, it absolutely had a prepaid ups lable on it, i was told that a "ups store" is not allowed to ship firearms they do not work directly for ups, kind of confusing, but i can take it to a real ups hub that is much further away from where i live, pghrich

Fingers McGee · September 25, 2012, 11:07 AM

Your UPS store guy is wrong when it comes to replica or antique muzzleloading firearms. But..............

FrontierGander · September 25, 2012, 11:44 AM

muzzleloaders/firearms have to be shipped through the main ups hub, our local ups store did the same thing to me so its no big deal.

Ship USPS, they accept them.

Willie Sutton · September 25, 2012, 11:55 AM

People make up their own problems.

Question: "What's in the box"

Three choices are below. Pick the "path of least hassle" one and let's see how we do:

Choice A: "machine parts"

Choice B: "None of your business"

Chpice C: "Well, it's a gun, but according to the GCA of 1968 it's not a firearm, <insert long and confusing explaination here>.

Ta-Da... It's a self imposed penalty on dumb to anyone not picking the correct answer.

Willie

.

pghrich · September 25, 2012, 12:16 PM

Thats are fine and dandy, but what to do when he asks to look inside and finds a firearm instead of machine parts? pghrich [ and btw i am not dumb just honest]

mykeal · September 25, 2012, 01:14 PM

Tell him to keep his hands to himself and ask to see the manager. And if he says, "I'm the manager," say, "I need the name and address of your supervisor."

Willie Sutton · September 25, 2012, 02:01 PM

"Thats are fine and dandy, but what to do when he asks to look inside and finds a firearm instead of machine parts?"

Why in the world would you take an open box to be shipped?

Pack the box yourself, tape the damned thing shut, take it in and ship it.

This is not rocket science.

Willie

.

pghrich · September 25, 2012, 02:02 PM

in order to save all the grief i am just going to make the trip to a real ups hub, but i am going to go back to the ups store and give them a piece of my mind for future reference, pghrich

mykeal · September 25, 2012, 04:25 PM

Not worth the effort. That's their turf. Puts me in the mind of the homily about wrestling with a pig - you both get dirty and he likes it.

orangello · September 25, 2012, 04:26 PM

Probably better not to do business with those who don't want your business, IMO. I would let them know why i would be doing ALL of my shipping elsewhere.

straight-shooter · September 25, 2012, 05:45 PM

Ran into this conundrum about 6 months ago. I called the national UPS and was told their nationwide policy is to not ship "any" firearms including black powder replicas. Basically I was being told they would not ship it even if I took it to the main hub.

I took the BP pistol to USPS and they shipped it no problem. Yes, they knew what was in the box.

pghrich · September 25, 2012, 06:49 PM

The box was not open when I took it there; so please read the thread before you make insults pghrich

Willie Sutton · September 25, 2012, 08:39 PM

No insults intended (hope you don't think I was insulting you)... I should have added a

A sealed box handed to the UPS place has never ever elicited a "what's in there" question in the 25 years I've been shipping boxes. And if it did... it's going to be "machine parts" no matter if it's a BP Revolver or a camera or a scuba regulator or a computer or the fuel control unit of a jet engine.

Willie

.

RamItOne · September 25, 2012, 08:48 PM

Every time I shipped my Sig back to NH (almost a dozen times) I slapped on the ups label and went to the UPS store. They only asked if anything was explosive or hazmat. Never volunteered any info

North East Redneck · September 25, 2012, 09:07 PM

UPS, not so good IMO. Ship USPS. No problems there. And as far as 'what's in the box' questions, firearms of any type are subject to theft. I would never say that a gun is being shipped. (Not saying you should violate any law), but if your actions are legal, why reveal to a stranger that a weapon is being shipped? The 'machine parts' reply is perfect. It is the truth, and keeps the nature of the contents of the package safe. Just my .02.

**Aguila Blanca** · September 25, 2012, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by North East Redneck

UPS, not so good IMO. Ship USPS. No problems there. And as far as 'what's in the box' questions, firearms of any type are subject to theft. I would never say that a gun is being shipped. (Not saying you should violate any law), but if your actions are legal, why reveal to a stranger that a weapon is being shipped? The 'machine parts' reply is perfect. It is the truth, and keeps the nature of the contents of the package safe. Just my .02.

For starters, it would help to be certain that your actions are legal. I'm not certain how or if UPS rules apply to black powder replicas, but I DO know that the same Federal law that says handguns cannot be shipped USPS and must be shipped by common carrier also stipulates explicitly that the carrier must be informed that the package contains a firearm.

So call it "machine parts" if you wish, but if you do you not only violate UPS or FedEx rules (which could invalidate any insurance you paid for), it also violates Federal law.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BATFE FAQ

Q: May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by common or contract carrier?

A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by a common or contract carrier to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. In addition, Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm and prohibits common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm.

[18 U.S.C. 922(a)(2)(A), 922(a) (3), 922(a)(5) and 922(e), 27 CFR 478.31 and 478.30]

pghrich · September 26, 2012, 05:01 AM

sorry for the rant, i guess i took your post the wrong way, thanks rich

4runnerman · September 26, 2012, 05:08 AM

pghrich- Sorry for your issues with UPS. I ship with them on a regular basis also. Short of being asked if i want Insurance on the package,i have never been asked what's inside. I would be very much offended if they did ask.
When you have a return label from a company (AKA RGA ) their should be no questions at all. I would write it off as rookie employies or just poor service

Double Naught Spy · September 26, 2012, 05:58 AM

Funny how many people feel it is okay to resort to dishonesty when it suits their purposes, but otherwise will claim honest is part of being an upstanding citizen.

If you are going to lie about the contents, then insurance is pretty pointless.

Willie Sutton · September 26, 2012, 06:28 AM

Note to all (Including Moderators):

This was originally posted in the BLACK POWDER AND REPLICA forum and was germane to BLACK POWDER REPLICAS that are NOT FIREARMS AS DEFINED BY THE GCA.

This makes many of the comments on the thread prior to it being moved NO LONGER RELEVENT. This includes the comments that I made.

Moving it was, in my humble opinion, poorly thought out by the moderators due to the HUGE difference in the laws regarding shipping black powder replicas v/s modern firearms.

Willie

.

Willie Sutton · September 26, 2012, 06:32 AM

For starters, it would help to be certain that your actions are legal. I'm not certain how or if UPS rules apply to black powder replicas, but I DO know that the same Federal law that says handguns cannot be shipped USPS and must be shipped by common carrier also stipulates explicitly that the carrier must be informed that the package contains a firearm.

They are legal, and this is old news.

Black powder replicas are NOT firearms as defined by federal law, and are not restricted from shipping by anyone, including the USPS. In fact, among black powder enthusiasts, shipping by flat rate box from the post office is the preferred method. No notification is required, because although it may LOOK like a firearm, it is not. There is thread after thread on this in the cowboy action and black powder forum.

Willie

.

Kreyzhorse · September 26, 2012, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Not worth the effort. That's their turf. Puts me in the mind of the homily about wrestling with a pig - you both get dirty and he likes it.

My thoughts exactly. I'd leave it be.

**Mike Irwin** · September 26, 2012, 08:08 AM

"This was originally posted in the BLACK POWDER AND REPLICA forum and was germane to BLACK POWDER REPLICAS that are NOT FIREARMS AS DEFINED BY THE GCA."

That is true, but the subject of this thread -- shipment of guns -- is of interesting to more than just black powder shooters as it goes towards issues that we all may have when trying to ship any kind of gun (including air or gas powered guns) through independent/contracted shipping stores. It's pretty evident that, no matter what the law says as to their status, that the shipping stores are focusing only on the fact that these are guns.

However, to address your concern, the redirect link in the Black Powder forum has been made permanent, instead of the normal 1 week duration.

"This makes many of the comments on the thread prior to it being moved NO LONGER RELEVENT. This includes the comments that I made."

I would say that that is simply not the case.

"Moving it was, in my humble opinion, poorly thought out by the moderators due to the HUGE difference in the laws regarding shipping black powder replicas v/s modern firearms."

Your opinion is noted.

September 25, 2012, 10:47 AM	#2
Fingers McGee Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2008 Location: High & Dry in Missouri Ozarks Posts: 2,113	No, C&Bs can be shipped from a UPS store. Used to do it all the time until I ended up having to retrain new clerks & pay their high prices. If you have a UPS return postage paid label; they shouldn't have asked what was in the box anyhow. Just accepted it and went on. I use Priority or Flat rate USPS now. Much simpler. __________________ Fingers (Show Me MO smoke) McGee - AKA Man of Many Colts - Alter ego of Diabolical Ken; SASS Regulator 28564-L-TG; Rangemaster and stage writer extraordinaire; Frontiersman, Pistoleer, NRA Endowment Life, NMLRA, SAF, CCRKBA, STORM 327, SV115; Charter member, Central Ozarks Western Shooters Cynic: A blackguard whose faulty vision see things as they are, not as they should be. Ambrose Bierce

September 25, 2012, 11:07 AM	#4
Fingers McGee Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2008 Location: High & Dry in Missouri Ozarks Posts: 2,113	Your UPS store guy is wrong when it comes to replica or antique muzzleloading firearms. But.............. __________________ Fingers (Show Me MO smoke) McGee - AKA Man of Many Colts - Alter ego of Diabolical Ken; SASS Regulator 28564-L-TG; Rangemaster and stage writer extraordinaire; Frontiersman, Pistoleer, NRA Endowment Life, NMLRA, SAF, CCRKBA, STORM 327, SV115; Charter member, Central Ozarks Western Shooters Cynic: A blackguard whose faulty vision see things as they are, not as they should be. Ambrose Bierce

September 25, 2012, 11:44 AM	#5
FrontierGander Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2009 Location: Boncarbo,Colorado Posts: 651	muzzleloaders/firearms have to be shipped through the main ups hub, our local ups store did the same thing to me so its no big deal. Ship USPS, they accept them. __________________ https://buckskinsbp.blogspot.com/

September 25, 2012, 06:49 PM	#14
pghrich Member Join Date: September 8, 2012 Posts: 63	willie The box was not open when I took it there; so please read the thread before you make insults pghrich

September 25, 2012, 09:07 PM	#17
North East Redneck Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2012 Location: Berkshire Hills Posts: 741	UPS, not so good IMO. Ship USPS. No problems there. And as far as 'what's in the box' questions, firearms of any type are subject to theft. I would never say that a gun is being shipped. (Not saying you should violate any law), but if your actions are legal, why reveal to a stranger that a weapon is being shipped? The 'machine parts' reply is perfect. It is the truth, and keeps the nature of the contents of the package safe. Just my .02. __________________ NRA Patron Member SAF Life Member GOAL Member

September 25, 2012, 10:38 AM	#1
pghrich Member Join Date: September 8, 2012 Posts: 63	The "UPS STORE" is not #1 in customer service Hello, i boxed up my old civilian to send it back to cabelas took it up to the local ups store, the girl looked at me funny and asked whats in here, i said a reploduction colt 1851 muzzleloader revolver, well some guy came up from the back and asked me if he could open the box and of course i said yes, he removed the cabelas box from the carton and then removed the revolver from the cabelas box and said sorry can't ship it, he said if its loaded with powder and ball it would fire, i said thats correct, he told me to take it to a real ups hub, i said ok and left, is this normal? pghrich

September 25, 2012, 11:05 AM	#3
pghrich Member Join Date: September 8, 2012 Posts: 63	Hello, it absolutely had a prepaid ups lable on it, i was told that a "ups store" is not allowed to ship firearms they do not work directly for ups, kind of confusing, but i can take it to a real ups hub that is much further away from where i live, pghrich

September 25, 2012, 11:55 AM	#6
Willie Sutton Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2012 Posts: 1,066	People make up their own problems. Question: "What's in the box" Three choices are below. Pick the "path of least hassle" one and let's see how we do: Choice A: "machine parts" Choice B: "None of your business" Chpice C: "Well, it's a gun, but according to the GCA of 1968 it's not a firearm, <insert long and confusing explaination here>. Ta-Da... It's a self imposed penalty on dumb to anyone not picking the correct answer. Willie .

September 25, 2012, 12:16 PM	#7
pghrich Member Join Date: September 8, 2012 Posts: 63	Thats are fine and dandy, but what to do when he asks to look inside and finds a firearm instead of machine parts? pghrich [ and btw i am not dumb just honest]

September 25, 2012, 01:14 PM	#8
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	Tell him to keep his hands to himself and ask to see the manager. And if he says, "I'm the manager," say, "I need the name and address of your supervisor."

September 25, 2012, 02:01 PM	#9
Willie Sutton Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2012 Posts: 1,066	"Thats are fine and dandy, but what to do when he asks to look inside and finds a firearm instead of machine parts?" Why in the world would you take an open box to be shipped? Pack the box yourself, tape the damned thing shut, take it in and ship it. This is not rocket science. Willie .

September 25, 2012, 02:02 PM	#10
pghrich Member Join Date: September 8, 2012 Posts: 63	in order to save all the grief i am just going to make the trip to a real ups hub, but i am going to go back to the ups store and give them a piece of my mind for future reference, pghrich

September 25, 2012, 04:25 PM	#11
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	Not worth the effort. That's their turf. Puts me in the mind of the homily about wrestling with a pig - you both get dirty and he likes it.

September 25, 2012, 04:26 PM	#12
orangello Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2009 Posts: 566	Probably better not to do business with those who don't want your business, IMO. I would let them know why i would be doing ALL of my shipping elsewhere.

September 25, 2012, 05:45 PM	#13
straight-shooter Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2007 Location: North Central Indiana Posts: 436	Ran into this conundrum about 6 months ago. I called the national UPS and was told their nationwide policy is to not ship "any" firearms including black powder replicas. Basically I was being told they would not ship it even if I took it to the main hub. I took the BP pistol to USPS and they shipped it no problem. Yes, they knew what was in the box.

September 25, 2012, 08:39 PM	#15
Willie Sutton Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2012 Posts: 1,066	No insults intended (hope you don't think I was insulting you)... I should have added a A sealed box handed to the UPS place has never ever elicited a "what's in there" question in the 25 years I've been shipping boxes. And if it did... it's going to be "machine parts" no matter if it's a BP Revolver or a camera or a scuba regulator or a computer or the fuel control unit of a jet engine. Willie .

September 25, 2012, 08:48 PM	#16
RamItOne Senior Member Join Date: May 24, 2011 Posts: 990	Every time I shipped my Sig back to NH (almost a dozen times) I slapped on the ups label and went to the UPS store. They only asked if anything was explosive or hazmat. Never volunteered any info

September 26, 2012, 05:01 AM	#19
pghrich Member Join Date: September 8, 2012 Posts: 63	willie sorry for the rant, i guess i took your post the wrong way, thanks rich

September 26, 2012, 05:08 AM	#20
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	pghrich- Sorry for your issues with UPS. I ship with them on a regular basis also. Short of being asked if i want Insurance on the package,i have never been asked what's inside. I would be very much offended if they did ask. When you have a return label from a company (AKA RGA ) their should be no questions at all. I would write it off as rookie employies or just poor service __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

September 26, 2012, 05:58 AM	#21
Double Naught Spy Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2001 Location: Forestburg, Montague Cnty, TX Posts: 12,717	Funny how many people feel it is okay to resort to dishonesty when it suits their purposes, but otherwise will claim honest is part of being an upstanding citizen. If you are going to lie about the contents, then insurance is pretty pointless. __________________ "If you look through your scope and see your shoe, aim higher." -- said to me by my 11 year old daughter before going out for hogs 8/13/2011 My Hunting Videos https://www.youtube.com/user/HornHillRange

September 26, 2012, 06:28 AM	#22
Willie Sutton Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2012 Posts: 1,066	Note to all (Including Moderators): This was originally posted in the BLACK POWDER AND REPLICA forum and was germane to BLACK POWDER REPLICAS that are NOT FIREARMS AS DEFINED BY THE GCA. This makes many of the comments on the thread prior to it being moved NO LONGER RELEVENT. This includes the comments that I made. Moving it was, in my humble opinion, poorly thought out by the moderators due to the HUGE difference in the laws regarding shipping black powder replicas v/s modern firearms. Willie .

September 26, 2012, 06:32 AM	#23
Willie Sutton Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2012 Posts: 1,066	For starters, it would help to be certain that your actions are legal. I'm not certain how or if UPS rules apply to black powder replicas, but I DO know that the same Federal law that says handguns cannot be shipped USPS and must be shipped by common carrier also stipulates explicitly that the carrier must be informed that the package contains a firearm. They are legal, and this is old news. Black powder replicas are NOT firearms as defined by federal law, and are not restricted from shipping by anyone, including the USPS. In fact, among black powder enthusiasts, shipping by flat rate box from the post office is the preferred method. No notification is required, because although it may LOOK like a firearm, it is not. There is thread after thread on this in the cowboy action and black powder forum. Willie .

September 26, 2012, 08:08 AM	#25
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	"This was originally posted in the BLACK POWDER AND REPLICA forum and was germane to BLACK POWDER REPLICAS that are NOT FIREARMS AS DEFINED BY THE GCA." That is true, but the subject of this thread -- shipment of guns -- is of interesting to more than just black powder shooters as it goes towards issues that we all may have when trying to ship any kind of gun (including air or gas powered guns) through independent/contracted shipping stores. It's pretty evident that, no matter what the law says as to their status, that the shipping stores are focusing only on the fact that these are guns. However, to address your concern, the redirect link in the Black Powder forum has been made permanent, instead of the normal 1 week duration. "This makes many of the comments on the thread prior to it being moved NO LONGER RELEVENT. This includes the comments that I made." I would say that that is simply not the case. "Moving it was, in my humble opinion, poorly thought out by the moderators due to the HUGE difference in the laws regarding shipping black powder replicas v/s modern firearms." Your opinion is noted. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower. Last edited by Mike Irwin; September 26, 2012 at 10:55 AM.