The UPS Store — Local services in Golden Valley

I only wish I could assign a ZERO (0) rating to this firm. This firm colluded with Architectural Antiques to try to charge me $446.57 for a shipment that UPS actually ships for only $97.38.

Here is what happened (UPS Store role is at the bottom)...

Architectural Antiques (auction house) threatens customers who ask any questions about the excessive fees with which they “surprise” their customers after they purchase an item. They use this franchised UPS Store for their shipments.

I purchased some lighting from Architectural Antiques and, when I asked for clarification regarding the excessive shipping cost they quoted, I received the following threat from one of their employees: “if you would like me to provide an even more detailed itemization, the costs will likely increase.”

So, if a customer asks why they are being charged an excessive fee, they are threatened that the fee will be increased just because they are asking a question about it. I emailed Architectural Antiques and stated “I have a problem with your shipping quote because I feel I am being taken advantage of…your terse response threatening to increase the shipping cost because I’m asking for clarification is also not helpful.”

There firm replied with the following: “I apologize for my terseness and for sounding threatening. I am stressed from many different areas and it's not fair to take it out on you.” At this point, I thought Architectural Antiques was ready to work to resolve the problem. But I was wrong…

I was able to determine the true cost of shipping the items using the corporate UPS account for my own business. The true cost for shipping the items is $97.38, $218.02 LESS than the price quoted by Architectural Antiques. When I emailed about the cost difference and carefully explained how and why their shipping quote of $315.40 was EXCESSIVE, I was then threatened by yet another employee at Architectural Antiques - even though I was still willing to pay more than the actual cost of shipping the items (namely, $157.38).

This second employee stated that unless I paid without questions or shipped via their selected UPS store, my items would be considered to be abandoned and they would then claim ownership and keep my money. This is the definition of extortion. But it gets even worse…

When I contacted this franchised UPS store, as designated by Architectural Antiques, the UPS Store agreed to apply my pre-paid UPS labels to the boxes containing my items and mail them to me as per corporate UPS policy. I then emailed Architectural Antiques and told them that their UPS Store (this UPS Store) had agreed to ship the items.

In response to my email, Architectural Antiques contacted this UPS Store and was able to get this UPS Store to violate corporate UPS policy and refuse to use my UPS pre-paid labels. Instead, this UPS Store now demanded $446.57 to ship my items. So, Architectural Antiques colluded with the UPS Store, with which the regularly do business, into violating corporate UPS policy and making the shipping quote even higher than the EXCESSIVE quote of Architectural Antiques.

Doesn't seem like a good...

Dropped off an Amazon return. Technically, it was "customer packaged". I had the item in a box, padded, etc... all it was missing was a single 12" piece of tape to close the top. Well, this store said it needs the tape or they can't accept it. They asked if I had packing tape in my car. Lol. Said I could buy a roll of packing tape... again, 12" needed. Said I could pay $1 for their "taping service". At the end of the day it's just $1, but what a poor policy and/or not empowering your staff to just take care of the customer. Literally squeezing every dollar out of you they can.

**Changed rating to 4/5 because I appreciate the response and mean no harm to your business. I understand labor and material costs, but it was 12" of tape and took 10 seconds - you spent more time sending me a response. Every business person knows it's cheaper to keep a customer than it is to find a new one. In this case the cost was probably 5 cents. Disagree with your policy, but respect your choice. I'll give your business at try...

Went to pick up 2 packages with 2 separate tracking number, received the first and asked about the second. Was told by the employee it wasn't there, though my tracking email said otherwise.. Got home and called customer service, they assured me it was delivered/signed for at the store and to return the following business day.

Whether poorly train or incompetent the employee just brushed me off like I didn't know what I was talking about, didn't even ask for the other tracking number. No effort given whatsoever, was just told "that's it".

As a customer I feel like I shouldn't have to challenge an employee in the service industry. They should be dedicated to providing the best service possible, skills that can be developed and applied to every career or personal interaction down the road of life. Hopefully he's there next time I'm picking something up so we can have a nice polite conversation, either with him or the manager.

I'm not mad, just disappointed in the poor...