Another busted up UPS package - Do U have this Problem too

[Travelino]

I buy most of my stuff from B&H and highly recommend them, but over the last two years, I get more UPS packages where the outer boxes are ripped open or banged up a bunch.

Part of the problem in my opinion is B&H. I've found their fiber tape doesn't hold up on many of these shipments, or parts of the box are ripped on a side or edge. The other blame goes to UPS, as I doubt that B&H damages their own shipment. UPS must really be throwing these packages around.

My hit rate seems to be about 50 percent arriving busted up. My fault is that I should have complained to UPS and B&H a long time ago.

I'm particularly upset right now, because today was the first time I rejected an order from UPS. The order was for a Tamron 150-600 that my wife ordered for my birthday and I was anxiously awaiting all afternoon, as lately UPS doesn't get here till after 6PM.

The delivery person presented the box to me, and it required a signature because of its value. The box looked ok from the way he handed it to me, but then I looked at the other side, to find a large break in the box. Even some of the corners are dented. What concerned me the most are two factors. First, there was no bubble wrap on the side that was busted. B&H seems to only place bubble wrap to fill the rest of the box, not around the item. Secondly, it took a pretty good throw or rough handling to split the box as it was. I feared accepting in case non obvious damage occurred. There are so many reports that some of these lenses are not aligned properly etc that as a real novice, I would be wondering, if it didn't perform to my expectations, if it was me or if the lens was damaged.

I've had similarly damaged boxes for my A77ii, a new projector, tripod, and printers. Again, about half of my orders come like this. With this order, I also placed a second order for a gimble mount and that box showed no outside damage. I did this separately, so the gimble didn't swish around and damage the box with the lens in it. Both boxes arrived at the same time. It seems like its always the delicate and expensive stuff that gets this treatment.

Sorry to go on and on, but the main question is if any of you are having this same problem with UPS shipments and especially with B&H packages.

If this is a systemic problem with B&H packages, they need to re-evaluate their packaging. Again, their tape usually fails on many larger packages. Or is the rough handling by UPS a local issue.




Damaged box for Tamron lens from B&H, thanks to UPS, maybe they thought it was a football

 

[digitalshooter]

[No message]

 

[BigGG]

Simple solution: Buy from Adorama or Amazon.

GaryG

 

[Craig Gillette]

Well, theoretically, the original box should be satisfactory in protecting the product, after all, that's how it is shipped. But that may well be in larger stacked quantities, on a pallet, etc. Translated into a single item, and exposing it to rough and tumble handling seems risky. I ordered a printer and paper and the outer box was damaged and there was some damage to the original boxes as well. Now there is/was room to give on the printer but edge dings on a paper box is possibly a problem.

I think both parties need to step up their game some. To be fair, I also recently ordered a couple of items from Amazon and while one was supposedly fulfilled by Amazon and the other was an affiliate, it seems both came with Amazon labeling (from two different sites per the tracking but seemingly the same from the USPS labels(?)) and one was well packed and the other badly packed but fortunately even with the ripped up and repaired packaging, undamaged. Yet again, the other morning saw a Fedex truck drive quickly thorugh an intersection with it's rea door open tumbling a lot of packages out onto the street a 30-40 mph and they bounced all around. Pretty sure original packaging isn't designed to take that kind of abuse nor would lenses? So it's not just a B&H problem. which I guess should make us customers feel worse, not better.

 

[MikeInOr]

The standard way to unload a UPS truck is to grab the top box on a stack then pull the entire stack of boxes down with the top box so you can quickly toss the boxes onto the conveyor. When you pack a box you should pack with this in mind.

 

[tqlla]

A few months back, UPS stuck a pole or something through my box. So I ended up with 2 destroyed Sail panels for my 3000GT.

 

[ewraven]

I guess pretty much the only thing you can do is to hit them in the pocket book. Just do what you did, refuse shipment. If everyone did that with dinged up boxes, they will ose some of that $profit$ and fix things/train their employees better.

If you have a camera store within driving distance, you could also buy your delicate equipment through them. And even try it before you buy it.

That is what I do, not only to support the locals but to try it before I buy it and save on the risk of shipping. My closest camera store is 40 miles away, for myself, it is worth the drive.

 

[OpticsEngineer]

That is so awful. Practically every week I get something UPS, cameras/lenses for me occasionally, but my wife is constantly getting kids shoes, jackets, books, educational toys, etc. We have never had a damaged package. Not even once.

 

[JPEG Shooter]

From the looks of the damage, B&H's tape had nothing to do with it. This looks to be total UPS carelessness to me.

I've refused one damaged package in my life... many years ago. Nothing in the recent past. I've had a few dinged-up boxes delivered lately that made me raise an eyebrow but nothing that overly concerned me.

The 'throw the packing material on top and down one side of the item(s)' always bothered me too. But I've had packages come where there was NO packing material... just the item(s) flopping around in there. So I'm happy to see packing material of any kind wherever it may be placed.

Like others have said, the manufacturer's packing in the original box should be enough to protect against average knocking around. Enough packing material to prevent banging around inside the box should be adequate, even if it's just on top of the item. So B&H did their part.

Clearly, your package was treated very poorly and constitutes utter disregard bordering on down-right abuse. I would put the blame entirely on UPS.

 

[Gary Waugh]

I feel your pain. About half of the packages delivered by UPS to me have some sort of damage to the box. A couple years ago, I watched the delivery guy toss a package 6 feet over a railing and on to my porch. With any luck, he doesn't work there any more.

My experience with Amazon has been terrible. They will often use a really large box with very little crumpled brown paper inside. You can literally tip the package and feel the contents moving around.

This looks like an opportunity for insurance companies to add another extra cost rider to our homeowner/renter policies.

 

[Travelino]

Thanks for the responses.

This item had a "signature required" for it, because of its value. The box below it is the other order I placed the same day and intentionally ordered separately, because I didn't want the weight of that item in the same box as the lens. That second box, of the same size and about the same weight had no damage like this.

I've had too many boxes damaged like this, where they have been torn or penetrated. This was the first one I refused, because of my concern that the lens may have suffered damage that might not be easily detected, like a slight element alignment problem.

Yes, the original manufacturers box should be adequate to protectd the item, but in this case, I was concerned that whatever impacted this carton to cause the tear, might have exceeded the normal forces that would be expected in shipping.

My comment about B&H's tape failing was not so in this case, but has been in several other shipments.

Interesting too, that most of the previous times the boxes has been ripped on a side or corner, has been with high dollar items where signature is required. I remember those, because the UPS driver had to wait to get my signature rather than the usual drop and run. And those times are when I've checked the box while he is standing there and have remarked in the past, how I was concerned about the boxes being damaged. I've never blamed him and he just shrugs his shoulders. But I've accepted those, figuring the product was protected enough in it's box. This time, I did not feel comfortable accepting it.

I'm still interested in hearing from others to see if they have had damaged boxes from UPS, especially from B&H, because I think B&H needs to improve the quality of their cardboard boxes, they are thin and rip easily.

 

[digitalshooter]

Thanks for the responses.

This item had a "signature required" for it, because of its value. The box below it is the other order I placed the same day and intentionally ordered separately, because I didn't want the weight of that item in the same box as the lens. That second box, of the same size and about the same weight had no damage like this.

I've had too many boxes damaged like this, where they have been torn or penetrated. This was the first one I refused, because of my concern that the lens may have suffered damage that might not be easily detected, like a slight element alignment problem.

Yes, the original manufacturers box should be adequate to protectd the item, but in this case, I was concerned that whatever impacted this carton to cause the tear, might have exceeded the normal forces that would be expected in shipping.

My comment about B&H's tape failing was not so in this case, but has been in several other shipments.

Interesting too, that most of the previous times the boxes has been ripped on a side or corner, has been with high dollar items where signature is required. I remember those, because the UPS driver had to wait to get my signature rather than the usual drop and run. And those times are when I've checked the box while he is standing there and have remarked in the past, how I was concerned about the boxes being damaged. I've never blamed him and he just shrugs his shoulders. But I've accepted those, figuring the product was protected enough in it's box. This time, I did not feel comfortable accepting it.

I'm still interested in hearing from others to see if they have had damaged boxes from UPS, especially from B&H, because I think B&H needs to improve the quality of their cardboard boxes, they are thin and rip easily.

the original box that an item is in from the manufacture, is suitable for shipping in alone.

 

[Ed at Ridersite]

I had exactly the same problem when my 70-400mm G2 was shipped from B&H. I simply gave it back to USP for immediate return. Really no point in taking a chance on damage when you're spending upwards of $2000. I called B&H and they sent another copy out immediately expedited via FedEx.

 

[Graham Best]

My experience with Amazon has been terrible. They will often use a really large box with very little crumpled brown paper inside. You can literally tip the package and feel the contents moving around.

That's very odd (I'm not questioning your honesty, you must be purchasing goods other than my selection). I purchase many goods from Amazon. I can't recall a single item (purchased from or fulfilled by Amazon rather than Amazon Marketplace) that was packed with "crumpled brown paper".

Amazon, like many large shippers, have been using air bag packing to fill the void in boxes. Air is much cheaper to ship than paper.

 

[tqlla]

I used to get that crumpled up paper as well from amazon. But its been at least a year since I have seen that happen.

 

[VirtualMirage]

I order almost exclusively from B&H when it comes to my camera gear and have never had an issue like that. I find their fiber tape holds up well, my items have been well packed, and the boxes are in acceptable shape. Once in a blue moon the package looks like maybe something heavier sat on it, crumpling a corner, but the contents inside were packed well enough were it wouldn't be an issue.

I have ordered 4 cameras, at least 10 lenses, and countless other things over the past 7-8 years or so.

Another thing I love is that often I will get packages arriving at my door within 24 hours from originally ordering them using the free ground shipping. I'm always impressed with that seeing that it is being shipped from New York to Maryland.

I think the problem may be UPS and not so much B&H. I wouldn't think B&H would send out a bad box. I'm lucky to be on good terms with my UPS delivery guy, who has been the same guy day in and out over the past so many years. He seems to do a good job taking care of my deliveries, will bag them if the weather is bad, places them under the awning instead of on the steps, and actually takes time to read my notes. I know others may not be so lucky.

 

[Happy Jones]

Amazon has a distribution center 30 miles from my house. They use a cheaper local delivery service which is terrible. I have Amazon Prime and should get 2nd day shipping, but this delivery service has missed the 2 day deadline a few times (to ship 30 miles). They also ship to the wrong address frequently and then I have to go search for my package.

So I am grateful when UPS ships me something.

 

[digitalshooter]

I used to get that crumpled up paper as well from amazon. But its been at least a year since I have seen that happen.

 

[digitalshooter]

I order almost exclusively from B&H when it comes to my camera gear and have never had an issue like that. I find their fiber tape holds up well, my items have been well packed, and the boxes are in acceptable shape. Once in a blue moon the package looks like maybe something heavier sat on it, crumpling a corner, but the contents inside were packed well enough were it wouldn't be an issue.

I have ordered 4 cameras, at least 10 lenses, and countless other things over the past 7-8 years or so.

Another thing I love is that often I will get packages arriving at my door within 24 hours from originally ordering them using the free ground shipping. I'm always impressed with that seeing that it is being shipped from New York to Maryland.

I think the problem may be UPS and not so much B&H. I wouldn't think B&H would send out a bad box. I'm lucky to be on good terms with my UPS delivery guy, who has been the same guy day in and out over the past so many years. He seems to do a good job taking care of my deliveries, will bag them if the weather is bad, places them under the awning instead of on the steps, and actually takes time to read my notes. I know others may not be so lucky.

 

[lifenprism]

Thanks for the responses.

This item had a "signature required" for it, because of its value. The box below it is the other order I placed the same day and intentionally ordered separately, because I didn't want the weight of that item in the same box as the lens. That second box, of the same size and about the same weight had no damage like this.

I've had too many boxes damaged like this, where they have been torn or penetrated. This was the first one I refused, because of my concern that the lens may have suffered damage that might not be easily detected, like a slight element alignment problem.

Yes, the original manufacturers box should be adequate to protectd the item, but in this case, I was concerned that whatever impacted this carton to cause the tear, might have exceeded the normal forces that would be expected in shipping.

My comment about B&H's tape failing was not so in this case, but has been in several other shipments.

Interesting too, that most of the previous times the boxes has been ripped on a side or corner, has been with high dollar items where signature is required. I remember those, because the UPS driver had to wait to get my signature rather than the usual drop and run. And those times are when I've checked the box while he is standing there and have remarked in the past, how I was concerned about the boxes being damaged. I've never blamed him and he just shrugs his shoulders. But I've accepted those, figuring the product was protected enough in it's box. This time, I did not feel comfortable accepting it.

I'm still interested in hearing from others to see if they have had damaged boxes from UPS, especially from B&H, because I think B&H needs to improve the quality of their cardboard boxes, they are thin and rip easily.

So you prefer B&H to ship in a box that will not show abuse in UPS handling? That makes a lot of sense. Then you have no idea of possible damage until after you sign for it and the driver is long gone.