USPS (US Postal Service) never leaves stuff unattended and has payed every insurance claim I've had to file (after some prodding).

The only time something was delivered via DHL, they left the package unattended...outside... for everyone to see... without even knocking so someone would know it was sitting out there....... in the RAIN!

Anybody know if UPS (United Parcel Service) is allowed to leave things unattended under certain conditions? If it's possible, then what about insurance? Do they give no guarantees if one of their drivers decides to get all of the neighbors' attention with their thundering deliver brick, then leave a shiny new package as a prize to whomever can win the race to the doorstep? It just doesn't seem right. Is that still covered by their insurance, or do they say "we technically put it on your property so we're not to blame"?

I'm building a computer for someone, and one of my parts suppliers ships only via UPS. Plus I'd like to know anyway. Thanks.

UPS will leave unattended deliveries with your neighbors and leave a sticker on your door.

At least thats how tigerdirect gets me my UPS shipped computer parts.

www.tigerdirect.com I advertise for no man.

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1988 Fiero Formula T-tops
CJB 143 of 1252 "factory T-top cars"

It likely depends on the neighborhood, and the driver.
We get a lot of stuff delivered by UPS. They usually just plunk it down on the porch and leave it. (Okay with me.)
I think you can request that nothing be left without a signature, but I don't know how to do it.

quote Originally posted by Raydar: It likely depends on the neighborhood, and the driver. We get a lot of stuff delivered by UPS. They usually just plunk it down on the porch and leave it. (Okay with me.) I think you can request that nothing be left without a signature, but I don't know how to do it.

i live in a small town, and they will just drop stuff off here too. He comes to our house 3x a week so he knows us ( and our dog ) pretty well.

Fedex guy is a bit more picky.

Yeah, ok. Anybody know about their insurance? What if someone else walks off with your stuff? I couldn't find it anywhere

quote Originally posted by FieroGT42: Yeah, ok. Anybody know about their insurance? What if someone else walks off with your stuff? I couldn't find it anywhere

Years ago i had that happen to a package around xmas time, i called the people that sent it, and it was magically replaced.

UPS and FedEx here drop the package, knock, and run. We receive a lot of packages but one time I ordered something special and fragile. Of course, arrived broken, and since the package was left and no driver in sight, I had to call, fax, mail, email, take pictures, provide forensic evidence I had not touched the light bulbs, call the president up, and I still did NOT get any money or reimbursement even though the package was insure. That one ripped me up. But I've never had a problem with UPS. Only FedEx.

I sold something on ebay once and used Fedex to ship it. Well the tracking said it had been delivered but the person never got it. She said that it was not there when she got home. We assume someone stole the package and Fedex refunded me for the product value that I had put on when I was shipping it and shipping and I refunded the lady. USPS UPS and fedex all just drop off my packages. Usually I trip over them when I go to leave my house. I think you can get signiture confirmation and then they cant just drop it off. If the person is not there to sign for it they leave a note and you have to go pick it up.
Angie

quote Originally posted by FieroAngel: I sold something on ebay once and used Fedex to ship it. Well the tracking said it had been delivered but the person never got it. She said that it was not there when she got home. We assume someone stole the package and Fedex refunded me for the product value that I had put on when I was shipping it and shipping and I refunded the lady. USPS UPS and fedex all just drop off my packages. Usually I trip over them when I go to leave my house. I think you can get signiture confirmation and then they cant just drop it off. If the person is not there to sign for it they leave a note and you have to go pick it up. Angie

They have been known to forge signatures.

UPS keeps an electronic copy of whoever signs for the package. We receive so many packages by UPS that they just ring the door bell and drop the package off. Usually they put it between the front door and the storm door if it is small enough. They also will put them on out back deck if they are big and leave a notice on the door. The only ones that have given us any problem with deliveries are Fedex. It seems they look for any excuse to not deliver a package. If they fail to deliver the package they will change the delivery date on their website when you check the tracking. Once they were doing work on the adjoining street to ours and the Fedez driver was afraid to ask the officer directing traffic to let him into our road to deliver the package. I actually had to call his supervisor to tell him to deliver the package after waiting for it for over a week and having paid for second day delivery. That is also why I don't waste any money trying to get things sooner as they never get here when they are supposed to, especially if they are coming by Fedex.

[This message has been edited by avengador1 (edited 08-19-2007).]

USPS routinely drops packages at my front door without even knocking or using the doorbell to see if anyone is there.

I'm a city carrier for USPS. The official policy is that we are to knock on the door and attempt delivery. If no one answers, we are supposed to leave a notice in your mailbox, and then return the package to the Post Office. That being said, in reality, we all know who our customers are, if there is usually anyone home, if they would rather that we leave the package if it doesn't require signature confirmation so that they don't have to try and find time to drive to the Post Office during their day to pick it up, etc. I try and accomodate my customers wishes, if at all possible. Just leaving it on the porch is the LAST resort. Usually, I will try to place it in between the front door and storm door, if possible, or place it out of sight somewhere secure and leave a notice in the mailbox, letting them know where it's at...or, if I know they're friendly with the neighbors, I might leave it with them and leave a notice in the box, telling them where it's at. Luckily, I live in a smaller town where theft of parcels isn't a problem...in the 22 years I've been delivering mail, I've only had one parcel disappear from a customer's porch...and they lived near the railroad tracks, where transients have been seen with regularity. Needless to say, if I have a parcel for them now, and they're not home, it goes back to the Post Office with me. I see lots of UPS parcels just thrown on the porch...they don't try to put it in a secure place, they just toss it up there.

[This message has been edited by litespd (edited 08-19-2007).]

quote Originally posted by FieroGT42: USPS (US Postal Service) never leaves stuff unattended and has payed every insurance claim I've had to file (after some prodding). The only time something was delivered via DHL, they left the package unattended...outside... for everyone to see... without even knocking so someone would know it was sitting out there....... in the RAIN! Anybody know if UPS (United Parcel Service) is allowed to leave things unattended under certain conditions? If it's possible, then what about insurance? Do they give no guarantees if one of their drivers decides to get all of the neighbors' attention with their thundering deliver brick, then leave a shiny new package as a prize to whomever can win the race to the doorstep? It just doesn't seem right. Is that still covered by their insurance, or do they say "we technically put it on your property so we're not to blame"? I'm building a computer for someone, and one of my parts suppliers ships only via UPS. Plus I'd like to know anyway. Thanks.

as a driver for UPS, unless its marked sig req its our discretion wether to leave something based on your surroundings (bad neighborhood) and what your package might contain. Insurance is marked by the shipper and the shipper files missing claims and UPS pays the shipper if missing.
I always suggest to my customers if you have something signature required and cannot be home to sign for it, have it sent to your job if they allow it, have it held for pickup at your local UPS office (not always an option if the facility is far away). you can always "Ask" for favors also, when you call up UPS, ask the customer service person have the local OMS ask the driver if they can "deliver it next door" "deliver it between so and so time" etc... always have the tracking number handy if there is a particular package in question, the local OMS wont promise anything but most of us will go the extra mile to help people out (and avoid a claim)
1800-pick-ups

hope I helped.

[This message has been edited by Back On Holiday (edited 08-20-2007).]

this is why I always have everything shipped to my work.
I know this is not an option for everyone, but maybe have it shipped to someplace you know someone will be 9-5. parents, friends, grandparents, loser unemployed buddy....anyone who's home all day.....and, if you do alot - get a PO box, or use a "mailbox store". I dunno, but I would think your local UPS store would work also - check with them.