caution when mailing

[merrill]

Folks,
so I learned the hard way when using the u.s. post office to not only get tracking and delivery confirmation but Also, signature confirmation when shipping parts out for repair and insurance. OR use UPS or fed ex.

I send my cold start assy and the injection pump thermostat & body to Hans at H & R for repair.

Tracking shows the items delivered last saturday but  hans does not have the parts.  so, now I guess I get to buy some replacements from him.

Matt

Matt
66 230 sl - "white"
78 300 D - Blue
98 C230

[Douglas]

All I can say is that Hans is extremely honest and that I've found USPS to be unreliable for anything of real value.



Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[bpossel]

FedEx


bpossel  (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL  /  '97 E320

[peterm]

I had a similar episode with a 4k microscope that was sent for repair marked as delivered (left on the porch) by ups that was never ever located.  Very little market for the item doubt the vendor would have obsconded with it as i know him personally

[ejboyd5]

Thankfully my latest problem with UPS was the reverse.  Their tracking system posted a brake booster I sent out for rebuilding as missing.  After several frantic days I finally regained enough common sense to call the shop involved and they had indeed received my package as originally scheduled by UPS.  Even with this (my only problem with UPS) I still find them in my area to be easiest service with which to work.

[mdsalemi]

As one who has been shipping and receiving for years commercially using all of them, I've had good and bad with all.

USPS is unbelievably RELIABLE; much better now then 5 years ago.  Yes I've had issues, but for the most part Priority Mail packages get their inexpensively and reliably.  Of course they never delivered a package I sent to Doug Kim just a few weeks ago..When they don't, though, it's trouble dealing with them.  I'd hate to have to deal with them on an insurance claim.

UPS is the most expensive and slowest.  I've given up on them.  They also seem to manhandle packages, but a lot of my suppliers swear by them.

Fedex Home/Ground is my shipper of choice these days.  The drivers get a substantial amount of their pay as incentive based upon NO COMPLAINTS for the month.  Strong incentive for fast and efficient shipment.  Most Fedex Ground/Home shipments in the midwest get delivered as fast as their express shipments at a fraction of the cost.  I had a 70 pound pump delivered OVERNIGHT from Nowhere Indiana to here in Michigan for $16.00.  Can't beat that.

I order a lot of stuff for my car wash from a Pennsylvania supplier; 1-2 days via Fedex versus 3-4 days from UPS.

They ALL work well when they work; its when they don't that's when you separate the wheat from the chaff.  Fedex is the easiest (not easy by any means) to work with compared to UPS and USPS.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[Cees Klumper]

So far none of the items I ever had shipped over from the US via USPS ever got lost. Sometimes they take a lot of time to get here (to The Netherlands, especially larges packages) but in the end they have always made it.

Cees ("Case") Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[Ben]

I regularly us UPS for my business and the only thing they do reliably is DAMAGE goods !!

Unfortunately one of my suppliers swears by them so I dont have the choice but I do regularly reject goods !

I would use FedEx given the choice although I did have them on the phone every month for 4 months chasing payment despaite the fact that I paid upon delivery via Credit Card. Thankfully they evenutually read the proof I kept sending !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.

[merrill]

Whew,  the part finally turned up!!!



Matt
66 230 sl - "white"
78 300 D - Blue
98 C230

[hands_aus]

I recently bought Bilstein shocks from the USA for my 250sl and they were delivered to Australia within 10 days by USPS.

They seem to be reliable and definitely cheaper than UPS and FEDEX especially internationally.

as an aside... i priced the shocks from MB Queensland quoted* at $667.00 each, front and rear.

I bought the set of 4 shocks for USD$260.00 plus freight $95.00... total cost in AUD $473.81.
Saved AUD $2194.00.
That should help pay for the front end work to be done by a mechanic.

Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

*spelling error fixed