UPS Delivery Puzzle
January 25, 2019 1:29 PM Subscribe
I'm having a problem with UPS mis-delivering packages. The complication is: I'm not the person they're SUPPOSED to go to, I'm the person UPS IS delivering them to when they shouldn't. How do I get them to stop?
In the grand scheme of things, this is a minor problem, but has been really persistent and annoying. I live in one of five brownstone apartment buildings in Brooklyn, all in a row; and since December, we've been having problems with UPS leaving packages for someone in the building NEXT DOOR in MY building's lobby. Usually they just buzz for someone to let them in, drop the package in the lobby, and leave. These packages are clearly marked with the right building number, and my building is clearly marked with its number and so is the building next door. But for whatever reason someone at UPS persistently thinks that packages for #12 (for example) should be left in the lobby of my building, #10.
Up to this point I've been just bringing them next door, buzzing apartments until someone answers and then leaving them in the right lobby. I've also left a note for the addressee at #12 and telling her the problem and suggesting she complain. But it still happens. I've never actually met the person these packages all seem to be going to, but it's always this one specific person next door.
Is there a way I can complain to UPS? Because this is really getting annoying. I'm just afraid that since i'm not the addressee they're not going to want to listen to me.
In the grand scheme of things, this is a minor problem, but has been really persistent and annoying. I live in one of five brownstone apartment buildings in Brooklyn, all in a row; and since December, we've been having problems with UPS leaving packages for someone in the building NEXT DOOR in MY building's lobby. Usually they just buzz for someone to let them in, drop the package in the lobby, and leave. These packages are clearly marked with the right building number, and my building is clearly marked with its number and so is the building next door. But for whatever reason someone at UPS persistently thinks that packages for #12 (for example) should be left in the lobby of my building, #10.
Up to this point I've been just bringing them next door, buzzing apartments until someone answers and then leaving them in the right lobby. I've also left a note for the addressee at #12 and telling her the problem and suggesting she complain. But it still happens. I've never actually met the person these packages all seem to be going to, but it's always this one specific person next door.
Is there a way I can complain to UPS? Because this is really getting annoying. I'm just afraid that since i'm not the addressee they're not going to want to listen to me.
Basically, UPS has no incentive to fix it until it becomes their problem. Call them and let them know about the problem they need to fix.
Previously: What do I do with UPS packages that aren't for me?
posted by zamboni at 1:58 PM on January 25, 2019 [3 favorites]
Previously: What do I do with UPS packages that aren't for me?
posted by zamboni at 1:58 PM on January 25, 2019 [3 favorites]
This happens to me frequently (also in Brooklyn), except I'm getting packages to a totally different building number and *street name*, even though it's just around the corner. I've tried to call and complain, especially after the neighbor came to me threatening to call the cops bc he thought I stole his packages (asshole). So I said it's up to him to complain bc I've tried to do my part. It's kind of you to take the packages to the correct person, but she has had no reason to complain herself as she's still getting her packages. My solution was to just put them out on the street to let them get stolen, letting the correct addressee eventually get fed up enough to make their own complaints--it's been a few weeks since I've seen a package for them. UPS especially sucks in Brooklyn, so good luck.
posted by greta simone at 2:01 PM on January 25, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by greta simone at 2:01 PM on January 25, 2019 [1 favorite]
I speculate that the intended recipient might be suggesting that an alternative delivery option is next door which is your building.
posted by AugustWest at 2:03 PM on January 25, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by AugustWest at 2:03 PM on January 25, 2019 [3 favorites]
Response by poster: Okay - I've tried both suggestions so far and have added a third.
I tried calling UPS, and was speaking at length with someone explaining the situation. He put me on hold for a while to sort things out, coming back to check on me a couple times, and we eventually got disconnected. I did manage to give him my name and phone number, the nature of the problem, and the tracking number in question before we got cut off.
I also put up a notice where I thought it would be seen. My concerns about putting it up inside would be that someone who's on autopilot is probably just going to be focused on "buzzer, open door, put in package, leave" and wouldn't see any notice. But I've got one as close to the buzzer as I can get it.
Finally, though, I also called the shipper. I explained the situation and gave him all the details. He said that when it comes to getting UPS to fix a problem like this, in his experience "it's easier said than done". However, he added, if he called them as the shipper, "they might listen to me." So he's going to give them a follow-up call on Monday to make sure this got sorted out.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:30 PM on January 25, 2019 [7 favorites]
I tried calling UPS, and was speaking at length with someone explaining the situation. He put me on hold for a while to sort things out, coming back to check on me a couple times, and we eventually got disconnected. I did manage to give him my name and phone number, the nature of the problem, and the tracking number in question before we got cut off.
I also put up a notice where I thought it would be seen. My concerns about putting it up inside would be that someone who's on autopilot is probably just going to be focused on "buzzer, open door, put in package, leave" and wouldn't see any notice. But I've got one as close to the buzzer as I can get it.
Finally, though, I also called the shipper. I explained the situation and gave him all the details. He said that when it comes to getting UPS to fix a problem like this, in his experience "it's easier said than done". However, he added, if he called them as the shipper, "they might listen to me." So he's going to give them a follow-up call on Monday to make sure this got sorted out.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:30 PM on January 25, 2019 [7 favorites]
In my case (same thing with getting my neighbors' packages) it took a large poster board sign at the base of our stairs that read "HEY UPS!!! THIS IS NOT APT A OR D" before it stopped. Of course when I took it down it started up again. Now there's a smaller sign that seems to do the job.
posted by not_the_water at 3:51 PM on January 25, 2019
posted by not_the_water at 3:51 PM on January 25, 2019
Whenever a misdelivered package ends up in my building, I write on it "LEFT AT WRONG ADDRESS BY COURIER" or something like that, very large with a brightly colored sharpie, before doing whatever I can do to get it to the right place (carry it next door if it belongs there, or call UPS if the correct address is far away because apparently PROSPECT AV, PROSPECT PARK W, PROSPECT PARK SW, and PROSPECT PARK S are all the same thing to them). My hope is that the courier seeing this and knowing that the recipient is seeing it will make them at least consider paying more attention in the future.
posted by moonmilk at 8:25 PM on January 25, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by moonmilk at 8:25 PM on January 25, 2019 [1 favorite]
Last week, UPS delivered my package twice to a street that is named the first word of my longer-named street. (Like I am at 43 Long Brook Lane and it went to 43 Long Street.)
The shipping label is correct and complete, but a smaller label with the truncated name and the word Street added was placed on one side...and that is where the driver went.
I have received UPS packages before, and the truck went by my house yesterday, so this really is due only to whatever software is making that small label.
WTH, UPS?
posted by wenestvedt at 4:35 AM on January 27, 2019
The shipping label is correct and complete, but a smaller label with the truncated name and the word Street added was placed on one side...and that is where the driver went.
I have received UPS packages before, and the truck went by my house yesterday, so this really is due only to whatever software is making that small label.
WTH, UPS?
posted by wenestvedt at 4:35 AM on January 27, 2019
Response by poster: It's not been the same shipper each time.
Someone buzzed one of the other apartments in my building on Friday night about an hour after I called UPS, and the package was gone from the lobby Saturday morning. So I've got a hunch that someone was summoned back to re-deliver the package properly.
But the sign is also up and I'll just squawk to UPS if it happens again. Thanks all.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:57 AM on January 27, 2019
Someone buzzed one of the other apartments in my building on Friday night about an hour after I called UPS, and the package was gone from the lobby Saturday morning. So I've got a hunch that someone was summoned back to re-deliver the package properly.
But the sign is also up and I'll just squawk to UPS if it happens again. Thanks all.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:57 AM on January 27, 2019
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posted by muddgirl at 1:41 PM on January 25, 2019 [13 favorites]