Recession 2.0: EBay Seller Worries About UPS

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Just because a franchisee can't run their business profitably doesn't mean UPS is in trouble. More media fear mongering.

Tuffy Rickabaugh of PA 2:28PM November 19, 2008

You say you "drop off", well that is money the store doesn't get now does it. You have a mailbox and maybe pay them $20 or so a month for it. Add up the cost of all the packages that you are dropping off and compare that to the cost of your mailbox and see who is the real looser here. Sounds like they do a lot for you for nothing in return except for that mailbox. You are taking advantage of them and they are not letting you know that up front but maybe that talk about drop offs was their way of hinting about it. All the stores suffer that way and the public just doesn't get it. They are independents and NOT owned by UPS. If they were, maybe they wouldn't be going under. Of course if they do, no one notices because someone comes in to take their place until they too go under..it is a viscous circle and it sounds like an unprofitable one at that.

Tony of NV 12:18PM November 13, 2008

It would be nice if the person that is quoted as an Ebay person identified where they were located.
A real bonus would be to know the UPS Store they use

Susan of CA 11:35AM November 13, 2008

Why on Earth are eBay users worried about UPS? ............WORRY ABOUT EBAY!!! Its gone by Spring if they dont do something about their mismanagement. Donahoe must go. EBAY COULD BE FLOURISHING RIGHT NOW as people need extra money. Instead they are tanking. Ebay needs less MBA's and more people who love the web, to run it.

Donahoe is a hack. of MA 2:21PM November 12, 2008

Actually, UPS Pickup (when you ship) at any UPS Store is free per the UPS website itself. I regularly drop of packages for pickup (prepaid via UPS Website) at my local UPS Store. UPS apparently sees this as a cost savings verses having to drive a UPS truck to your home or place of business for pickup.
I also lease a mailbox at a UPS Store. The owner has changed twice in the 4 years I have been there. All of them have been great and they recognize me on sight by name since I am such a long time customer.
Recently they started offering passport photo service and AAA membership discounts, which helped me when renewing for the next year.
Their services and fees do change over time, but providing quotes for shipping are not considered billable. I seriously doubt that any store could bill a customer to provide a shipping quote anyway. FED-Ex, UPS, US Post all provide quotes to ship for free. Actual shipping is billable, of course.
I've never asked them about a "Hold for Local Pickup" by another person though. That might be a local thing of the store. That is something I would expect to be charged for though, especially if funds (i.e. payment) is changing hands at the store.

Eric of CO 1:52PM November 12, 2008

The article says she prepays for her mail box and of course she pays for shipping. Please read first before commenting.

Mark of NE 1:44PM November 12, 2008

The article says she prepays for her mail box and of course she pays for shipping. Please read first before commenting.

Mark of NE 1:44PM November 12, 2008

So why are the automakers and the insurance companies being bailed out with tax dollars, but small business is not?
If our tax dollars were left to us to spend, we would be spending them at the businesses we use. Every tax dollar that is spent elsewhere is taken away from that part of the economy that matters to us.

Kevin C. Moore of AL 12:44PM November 12, 2008

Another leech expecting free services and then wondering why the poor slob is going under.

beenthere of WI 12:30PM November 12, 2008

Was the store owner providing all these service free of charge? If so it might explain his cash flow problem. You do not stay in business unless your cash register opens. If you were enjoying free services without contributing to the bottom line for that friend and fellow small business to operate then you were short sighted.

cg of IL 11:59AM November 12, 2008