So upset I wanted to cry...

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

I admit I'm feeling a bit hormonal about this (on the emotional side rather than rage), but the wheels I ordered so that I could take the PowerTap off arrived today. The box arrived mangled....custom wheels... ruined.

I had to wait 7 business days for them to get handmade and then 5 more for shipping.

I just felt so sick about this when I saw them that I about gave myself a sick tummy. Now I feel a little silly for letting wheels get the better of me, but I can't help but wonder...

Is it a sign that I shouldn't be selling the Tap? Am I being punished? Or.... does UPS really just SUCK eggs??

UGGGHH!
Would this sight make YOU sick??

[OakLeaf]

Yes, UPS really does suck eggs.

That parcel is actually typical of what I receive from UPS, and I am not exaggerating. Amazingly, I've been very lucky with the condition of the contents. So sorry you weren't. :(:( I never use UPS if I have a choice of shipping method, either as sender or recipient.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I'm sorry your wheels got mashed up. I think I would have had a good little cry over them myself. Crying is good medicine. :o

[PinkBike]

i'd be crying for sure

[Lifesgreat]

I am sorry the package arrived in such rough shape. A "boo hoo" (as my friend calls it) can make one feel better.

I don't think it means you shouldn't sell the Tap, I think it means you had a careless shipper. :o

[Tri Girl]

Oh I'd be crying big 'ol alligator tears if I were you. I'm sorry that your wheels came damaged. Hopefully it can all get taken care of quickly and you can get some new wheels VERY soon!

[KSH]

WOW! How can they even deliver something that has been torn apart like that, and not actively offer to pay for it?

I hope it was insured and you get it replaced. That's absolutely horrible!

Sorry it happened.

I'm just not sure how UPS can tear it to heck like that... and then leave it on your doorstep and feel good about the service they gave you.

[Fujichants]

I hate UPS. I have seen them throw boxes over fences and gates because they are too lazy to open the door (or ring the doorbell).

I hope you can get some kind of refund!

[dex]

Is it a sign that I shouldn't be selling the Tap? Am I being punished? Or.... does UPS really just SUCK eggs??

UPS really does just SUCK. A friend recently went through something similar when purchasing a track frame. The first frame arrived with damage in shipping. The *second* frame arrived with damage in shipping. The maker overnighted a third frame via FedEx, and he finally received an undamaged frame he could build up.

In going through all of that, he found out from the company that apparently they keep a list of cities that they won't even bother shipping to with UPS, because the handling is so horrible. After this debacle, his city (Houston) was added to the list.

Sorry your wheels were ruined. I hope you find resolution quickly.

[sgtiger]

(((((((BabyBlueNTulsa))))))) Cry if you want to, girlfriend.

I'd feel sick to my stomach ,too. I can understand the anticipation of a new part or accessory and the disappointment when it doesn't show up in perfect condition. Ups should cover this. Contact the company that you ordered the wheels from and they will usually handle the arrangements needed to replace your wheels with Ups themselves.

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

Awww ladies, you really are the best support a gal could ask for. You all understand!!!

This really did make me sick..I custom ordered these to closely resemble my Open Pros that the Tap is on - b/c I really liked those rims. I changed from black to silver (lighten the baby up), gave them alloy nipples (okay, that sounds weird)and matched the hubs to my Ultegra drivetrain (if that's what you'd call it). 32 DT 15g spokes in a triple cross pattern. I just couldn't wait to put 'em on and take all the wires/ties off my bike... POOO!

I've sent a medium length email to follow up on the call I made to Colorado Cyclist (hope I can name the non-TE seller). I sent pictures of the unusable wheelset. Looks like I still have to let UPS inspect the box though.

I drove over to show my LBS mechanic the set. He told me with the condition of the box, they wouldn't have accepted the shipment. Well..I guess I should have shipped it there, huh? Oh well. He said they should send me a new set. Gotta take the patience pills....

When I get the new (and perfectly preserved) wheels on my bike, I'll take an "after" pic so you can see the difference. ;) In the meantime... please help me spread the word about my PowerTap. Pretty please?

HUGZ <<<<<<TE GFs>>>>>>>>

P.S. With all the above-reported UPS horror stories...I'll never chose UPS again for ANYTHING!

[rij73]

Hell yeah I'd be crying too! Hope it doesn't take too long to get sorted out. It shouldn't cost you a penny to have the wheels replaced. Looking forward to the pics!

[SadieKate]

Fed-Ex recently delivered a pair of hubs to me in a damaged box, but the driver was very upset that the box had even been loaded onto his truck as damaged boxes are never even supposed to be seen by the customer; they are just to be handled by Fed-Ex and the shipper.

The Fed-Ex driver asked me if I'd mind opening the box while he waited and determining if the hubs were damaged. He was obviously very embarrassed about the whole thing.

It'll all work out, but that doesn't help the frustration in the meantime.:mad:

[sundial]

Oh honey, I'm so sorry about your wheels. :( :( That would make me sick too. I'd have to raid the chocolate stash.

When you call the wheel manufacturers, ask if they can ship it overnight via Fed Ex--their expense. Fed Ex is kinder to fragile things.

[elk]

Tears of RAGE...I'd say!!! And yes...heartbreak to see your wheels in that condition. I'm spittin mad FOR you...:mad:

Make sure you tell the maker/shipper to pack the wheels really well!!!

This has happened to me with all kinds of freight...it's a big PITA.

I always pick USPS when available...and I used to pick UPS over Fed Ex cause it seemed faster....but no way after looking at that.

It's traumatic.....don't be embarrassed about your upset....

and it will be OK in the end....

[solobiker]

A similar situation happened to me about 1 year ago with some rather expensive wheels. The box was damaged ( not as bad as yours) a wheel was bent. The box looked like it received damage from a forklift. Well anyway the wheel was insured through the UPS, DH and I took pictures and filled out all of the appropriate paperwork and the UPS has still refused to reimburse us stating it was not inusured even though we have proof, both in a reciept form and picture of the box with the sticker on it. We have not used UPS for any more shipping. So in answer to your question does UPS suck eggs. YES!!

[IceBlu]

So sorry this happened. I have had disastrous results whenever I use UPS. When you get them re-shipped, ask the company to send via Fed-X! Good luck next shipment!

[CarbonCandy]

Aw! I winced :[ Feel free to cry and then feel free to scream your head off at UPS when they fully reinburse you and ship then fedex

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

Well, UPS came by my office this morning to inspect the box. As expected, they blamed the shipper. Oh well. Not my problem, right?
I got a Call Ticket from them and they actually took the box/wheels.

My sales guy told me they were already working on building me a new set. Interestingly, he said they would ship this week. Funny how fast they can build a wheelset NOW, isn't it?

I will be leaving for Columbus (visiting my bestest GF to have some fun) on Thursday morning, but maybe the wheels will make a second appearance next Monday. (NOT from UPS, I hope! - I asked for something else... )

I'm getting excited... we're going to Cedar Point!!! I haven't ridden a roller coaster since way before my back surgeries (which were in 2003-04). I will be careful..naturally. Can't get all injured again ..then get back and not be able to ride my new wheels! LOL
Cedar Point Cedar Point Cedar Point...capital of roller coasters....

I'm gonna have a few extra lbs to ride off next week, I think, after this weekend with my GF and her hubby. You gals have FUN...and ride a few miles for ME!

[sundial]

I hope you get your new wheels just in time for your epic ride. :cool:

[TxDoc]

I hate UPS. I have seen them throw boxes over fences and gates because they are too lazy to open the door (or ring the doorbell).
Oh yeah, I second that!
I've had a load of bad experiences with UPS, and always use FedEx when I have a choice.
The latest of my UPS horror tales is that they were able to break a cable stop on a carbon frame (!!!) that was shipped to me a while ago. Despite photographs showing the damage, and the box being evidently damaged during transit - UPS of course blamed the shipper (a bike shop that ships out thousands of frames with all due care), and to this day is still refusing to accept responsibility for damaging the frame. Not sure how many months we will have to keep battling to get them to settle for a refund.
So yes, I do understand how y'all feel...

[solobiker]

Have a fun trip. I have never been there but I have a friend that trys to go every year.

[KSH]

WOW! All these horror stories of UPS damaging stuff... you almost want to have the shipper take a picture of an undamaged package being handed to the UPS delivery guy. Just so when they damage it in shipping, you have proof that it went out undamaged!

[TxDoc]

WOW! All these horror stories of UPS damaging stuff... you almost want to have the shipper take a picture of an undamaged package being handed to the UPS delivery guy. Just so when they damage it in shipping, you have proof that it went out undamaged!

LOL you are right!!! I'm going to do that next time ;)

[Blueberry]

UPS *lost* both of our Bike Fridays when they were shipped back to us the 2nd time (after being re-built to correct errors). We sat at the UPS depo for about 2 hours while they looked (they finally did find them). We saw them throw boxes, drop boxes and run over boxes. I was not impressed.

CA

[OakLeaf]

I don't want to be the one to defend UPS, because they're indefensible.

BUT... "blaming the shipper" means that the item was inadequately packed, not that the box was already damaged - and in the case of those wheels, unless there's a lot more reinforcement to the box than it looked like from your photos, they really weren't well packed.

DH received his new camera body today via UPS. A very expensive pro body. The external parcel looked very similar to yours. The camera was fine, because the bubble wrap from the shipper plus the manufacturer's box protected it.

[SadieKate]

My sales guy told me they were already working on building me a new set. Interestingly, he said they would ship this week. Funny how fast they can build a wheelset NOW, isn't it?I'm sure you went to the head of the line due to the incident. Everyone else got bumped down a notch.

[DrBadger]

So sorry about your wheels...but glad that it looks like it is being taken care of.

One thing to realize with FedEx though is that there are different levels of FedEx. Overnight and the buisness ones are fine, but DON'T use FedEx home...FedEx has been split into two divisions, and they are completely seperate, so don't expect the same level of service from FedEx home as you do from regular FedEx. I live in an apartment complex and when I am not home my packages are left in the complex office where I have to go and sign for them. I am supposed to have a note left on my door letting me know that there is a package, but I have never received a note from FedEx home, despite the fact that the office tells the drivers everytime that they are supposed to notify us. I have had packages sitting in the office for over a week since I didn't know they were even there given that the tracking is less than efficient (I will have things delivered but the tracking still says they haven't even reached my town)

Good luck with the next set of wheels!

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

Well Hooray HOORAY for the good ol' USPS!!

The box arrived unmolested and wheels in great shape. I took the rear over to my LBS to transfer my cassette from the PT wheel to the new one. They didn't even charge me for it. Nice! <thumbs up>

I promised a before and after picture... Afraid I don't have a JUST BEFORE picture, but this'll give you a good enough idea (didn't have the carbon bottle cages yet in this pic, and the seatbag isn't on there in this one)

Looks fast...but cluttered...and dark!

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

Here is my baby as she is tonight! Cleaner, brighter!

I haven't taken her outside for a spin, but I did turn the cranks and shift the chain around a bit. This freewheel is a lot softer sounding. I might actually be able to sneak up to people while rolling. LOL Also...the wheel spins with the coolest sound. The spokes and rim are the same as my power tap wheel, but I dunno...it sounds a lot different. Can't wait for my Wednesday night ride tomorrow! Maiden voyage.... :P

[Blueberry]

Very cool! Glad it all worked out!

Sweet bike:p:p

CA

[tc1]

I worked for UPS to get through college. UPS uses trailers with a moveable floor about 5'high, and the top floor of the truck has rollers running down the middle. First the bottom of the trailer is loaded (packed solid with no aisles) then the flaps(moveable floor pieces) are closed, then the rest of the trailer is loaded packed solid with no aisles. The goal is to pack the trailer as tightly as possible, like a giant 3D jigsaw puzzle. Big bulky stuff (bike frames) goes in the bottom of the trailer, where it is more likely to get squashed and stepped on by employees.

Unloading is done in reverse order, their loading docks have conveyer belts. All of this is manual labor, nothing is palletized.

I never saw anyone deliberately damage a package, the problems are inherent in their process. If you are building a stack of boxes you will be inclined to do it by size, so a 70 pound shoebox full of machine parts could end up on top of a stack of, oh, bike rims or such. If you open the flaps and jump into the bottom without looking, you could land on a box.

Oh yeah, remember all of this loading and unloading stuff is done as fast as you can move those boxes.

[Running Mommy]

I have to say, Our UPS guy is the best. And yeah, looking at that box those wheels were not shipped correctly.
I get wheels in all the time, and even my cheap alloys are packed better than that.
Wheels are a tricky thing, but you have to have padding of some sort in the box. And something on the axle so it doesn't poke through the side. Was there a plastic piece?

Oh- and it really doesn't take THAT LONG to build a set of custom wheels. I watch our wheelsmith all the time, and it's not that time consuming. A craft not many know how to do, yes. A very cool thing to be able to do- esp. if you do it well, yes. But it shouldn't take as long as you waited originally.
Did he hand draw the spokes (hand make the spokes)?? That is a COOL thing to watch! And the spoke machine is EXPENSIVE! I want to say 2500.00.
So if you have a wheelsmith who does his own spokes, don't complain about his prices. He's prolly still paying off his spoke machine. hee hee:D

But yeah, I like UPS. I've had a couple of mis routed packages and "Leroy" at the depot has always gone out of his way for me. I guess I'm lucky..
Now fed ex?! HA! They aren't angels either. I'm still steamed about my lost terry skorts from 2 years ago. And still out 150 clams! :mad: