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
Most days in life don't stand out, But life's about those days that will...
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.
Speed comes from what you put behind you. - Judi Ketteler