@radiolysis
Agreed

@radiolysis
UPS is more reliable most of the time.
I have had less lies from them about attempting deliveries (it’s not 0 for either of them)

@radiolysis

@Cerridwyn @radiolysis

Also less deliveries to next door, with their “delivery photo” showing the neighbor’s door.

@rjquillin. This gives you a reason to leave before 7pm!

@MarkDaSpark Leave after 14:30 to ~19:00 = ~60+ minute commute.
Leave after 19:30 or so and it’d down to ~25 minutes.
Obviously not a step function, but 19:00 is about the earliest I can leave and have the commute under an hour or so. Add the commute to that and it just doesn’t work to arrive before closing.
I am paid hourly.

@theglassrat
oh me too!!

@theglassrat In NYC FedEx delivers via FedEx ground which is kind of like the minor league version of Fed Ex: drivers who could never make the major leagues, rude, ignorant, uncaring. I’ve never had a good experience with them because you have to sign for a shipment and they don’t allow neighbors or nearby stores to sign and hold your case if you’re not around. They claim they’ve made delivery attempts when they don’t and soon enough your case is on its way back to Casemates. So this is great news, UPS is reliable and customer-friendly.

@newyorkjew Unbelievably frustrating experiences with FedEx in NYC. Just counting the number of times I’ve been disconnected when on the phone with them is infuriating by itself!

@rmm989 please try again.

@swmbo please try again. alot of changes going on.

@swmbo
I had this happen to me where they sent it to a hub that is only open from 6pm to 8 and not in the best neighborhood. Not to mention the wait. But I guess it’s good for some people?

@ScottW58 @swmbo I agree the distribution center pick up totally sucks!

@Winedavid49 it happened just last week - it wasn’t ages ago

@swmbo @Winedavid49 that has been my previous experience too. To make matters worse, I am just south of a cutoff for the close distribution center, so I have to go about 15 miles south to the next one.

@swmbo @Winedavid49 confirmed today with my local ups store (20 minutes away) and ups distribution center (>90 minutes away)…no hold for pickup at the local store, distribution center only

@swmbo @Winedavid49
What are the changes that are going on?

@swmbo

Hmmm, never had that problem at my UPS Store!
Still receive the odd bottle (labrat or other) without problems.

@MarkDaSpark that is very strange - were they perhaps shipped without the contents being declared? Because they allow redirects on non-wine purchases

@swmbo

No, contents labeled as wine.

Or maybe, just maybe … it’s because I paid for the UPS box rental, so I don’t have to worry about Porch Pirates?

Most wine goes down to my wine locker, but since I’m not always home, I prefered the piece of mind of having the UPS box. Especially when on the old (that which must not be named!) site, my wine shipments would sometimes end up there and not my wine locker! Even when I was positive I had changed it!

Never had a problem in the 11 plus years I have used the UPS store. Plus, most of my Amazon purchases go there.

@MarkDaSpark that’s why then - they allow direct shipping, just not redirects. But that’s not an option I am interested in paying for, personally - casemates would be the only thing I use it for.

@swmbo That’s odd. I’ve definitely been able to hold alcohol at a UPS customer service center here in GA.

@nostrom0 @swmbo
Official UPS company owned Service Center, yes.
Contract Access Point, possible, but may require additional fees.

@rc70 say it ain’t sooooo. I know there’s a lot of solutions to consider. Please let me know if I can help. We simply can’t lose you.

@hscottk they will accept deliveries and there are thousands of access points established and coming on board. Please consider.

@Winedavid49 the UPS website explicitly says that they can’t do this

Need to correct that - you can’t redirect there but maybe can ship there. I’m skeptical though

@Winedavid49 I’ll give it a shot. Future purchases of Scott Harvey, iron horse, and noceto hang in the balance.

@hscottk Me too! I’m hardly ever home during normal delivery hours and just had a couple successful redirects to a Walgreens in town. It was phenomenal, now no UPS hubs anywhere near me :-|

@hscottk @Winedavid49 access points and stores will not take wine…so I’m told, happy to be wrong

@rmm989 @kaolis

Haven’t had any problem receiving wine at my UPS Store. But … that may be because I have a box there to receive shipments. 11 plus years and no issues with receiving wine.

Don’t have to worry about Porch Pirates either!

@danandlisa I’m sorry. There should be a solution in your area. Let me know if I can help identify.

@Winedavid49 Yes please, help!!! I live with on the Oregon Coast in a tiny town. Newport is the closet city but they don’t have a UPS store and the UPS “office” is a joke. They say they open to people, but they are not. We own a business in Newport, so I know. We try, and every delivery we get when we are not there does not get held, either gets redirected to our neighbors, who do not give it up, or it just get sent back. It is just wrong.

@CorTot the Overnight part is great. Finding out about the order before it’s out for delivery seems to be the tough part. The GSO office down here is pretty convenient to my work so I prefer them whenever possible.

@radiolysis I do like that GSO will reschedule to a specific time window and give you a text alert the day of giving you a 1 hour window for the delivery. But their hub is a solid 30 miles from me and no other options for delivery.

@CorTot UPS Stores near me will not accept/take redirected wine shipments…at least that’s what I was told today when I called them

@klezman they don’t allow reroutes - it’s on their site (and I tried and failed with my Pedroncelli wine club shipment last week). https://www.ups.com/us/en/help-center/packaging-and-supplies/special-care-shipments/wine.page#contentBlock-16

Wine shipments cannot be rerouted to UPS Access Point locations once in transit

@swmbo Well that’s craptastic. Hopefully WD and others will convince them to do otherwise. This must be a big contract for UPS, and stealing (back) business from FedEx has got to be among their top priorities. If sales on CM drops significantly after this change we can bet WD will be having words with UPS over it.

@chipgreen Not just an Ohio thing. SoCal as well. Maybe overall? I can’t redirect my UPS items to an access point or UPS store so also have to drive to an inconvenient unsafe location to pick up my wine. Which, of course, isn’t open on weekends. I think with UPS you have to ship it to a UPS store/access point from the beginning.

@chipgreen

Yep,

I’m out to. UPS is awful near me. The closest is 25+ minutes away, and then dealing with the line at the shipping center. FedEx Walgreens was 5 minutes away. I’m sure there is some sensible reason for this switch (errr money), but count me out from this point forward until UPS gets their act together and allows retail pickups in my area.

@klezman yep. This may not
Be easy, but we’ve crossed the Rubicon…

@klezman @Winedavid49 Is this perhaps a clue for the Friday offer?

@bolligra I have to agree. The UPS Denver area pickup is horrible and they only have one for the whole area. Fedex has pickup locations every half-mile. Why won’t UPS use their franchise stores as pickup locations?

@bolligra Hi, Rick - agree with you. And my understanding of using UPS stores to ship to is that you have to pay for a Box there, no re-directs. I used one when I lived in NY City, without a doorman, years ago - not super expensive, but that cost also isn’t justified just for occasional wine purchases.

To complicate things, I received a UPS ship notice for a small package that requires adult signature. Since there are no pending orders, I suspect that this will be some welcome homework.

I tried to set a UPS Access Point as my Alternate Delivery Location using UPS MyChoice, but received a message that the package would not be delivered there due to a Shipper Restriction.

How do we get this and future packages to go to a place that I select after they ship?

@ejrunion Here is the page from UPS detailing what it can/cannot do: UPS Features for Wine Shipment

@ejrunion This is good information, but rather depressing… @WineDavid49, if a UPS Customer Center is too inconvenient, what option do you believe will make UPS as simple as Fedex?

@ejrunion looks like u can’t reroute wine after it ships. From the UPS wine shipping FAQ https://www.ups.com/us/en/help-center/packaging-and-supplies/special-care-shipments/wine.page: “Wine shipments cannot be rerouted to UPS Access Point locations once in transit”. So it looks like the shipper can ship directly to Access Points, but we can’t reroute to them!

@ejrunion @TimW “As with most changes, there are positives and negatives.” I don’t know where the positives are in this change, but the negatives are in abundance.

@Mark_L @TimW Hey - if you are a pessimist, you can never be disappointed! Trying to be optimistic!

Everyone is bummed that you can’t reroute packages. Did anyone find out if you can ship direct to a UPS store? I’m not sure what a UPS Access Point is.

@ejrunion @TimW According to everything I have been able to find, you can only have wine shipped to UPS Customer Care centers (and must have it shipped directly – no redirect once shipping has started). From this page, “Approved wine shippers may use the Ship to a UPS Access Point® location service in conjunction with Adult Signature Required (ASR) for consumers who prefer to pick up shipments from UPS Access Point locations.” Assuming that Casemates (a.k.a. Wine Country Connect) is an approved wine shipper (which I certainly expect they are or will be), this does open up more possibilities (you can search for locations here) as UPS Stores (and perhaps CVS) seem to qualify as access points. But again, the UPS “no redirect” edict is certainly not as flexible as the FedEx ability to redirect to a Hold at Location. Hopefully @WineDavid49 can provide more specifics as to the possibilities.

@ejrunion @TimW The edit window timed out before I could modify the above. When searching for Access Points, there is a qualifier (beneath Location Filters) for “Accepts Restricted Articles”. Once I added it, the CVS location dropped off the list, but the UPS Store does show up.

@ejrunion @Mark_L @TimW In MA the UPS store will NOT redirect wine shipments but will hold for pickup in store @ $5 an order. You can rent a box for $204 a year and that eliminates the five buck fee. With FedEx we shipped to our home and redirected 99% of the time as we both are working. The deals are great here but the monthly Casemates fee and now a box rental is pushing it. We have a great local store that I’ve abandoned because of the deal structure here. Casemates also has offers we’d never see out East. Conflicted.

@ejrunion @Mark_L @TimW @winedavid49

For me this was helpful in understanding options and locations; thanks.

It did, however, eliminate convenient locations as only UPS store and distribution facilities seem to meet required criteria. No 3rd party shippers, no CVS, no UPS lockers were included.

Calling UPS store front locations, still there is a $10/package charge. I didn’t inquire about charges if I subscribed to one of their upper tier level services, like VMP here, and the hours seem limited to normal business hours, when many of us are still at work.

A distribution center looks to be the only viable option for no fee pickup and extended hours; if one is near.

Thanks again for the links, more calls to make and questions to ask.

It see

@ejrunion @Mark_L @rjquillin @TimW @Winedavid49
So, if we set our shipping address to go directly to a UPS store (is that the same as an access point?) there is a $10 fee per package? Yikes!

@chipgreen @ejrunion @Mark_L @rjquillin @TimW @Winedavid49 I was quoted $5 per order.

@chipgreen @ejrunion @foxrunner @Mark_L @rjquillin @TimW @Winedavid I wonder if that fee varies per store location. Called my local UPS store yesterday and was quoted $10 per box to hold. The nearest UPS distribution center is probably an hour drive round-trip for me. Count me as very disappointed with the change in delivery services. I don’t mind having a few random wine deliveries at my workplace, but try to keep it to a minimum. FedEx was wonderful with multiple, easy options for redirecting and holding deliveries. I’ll certainly cut back on purchases as a result of the change to UPS.

@chipgreen @ejrunion @foxrunner @Mark_L @RRichmo @TimW
Yes, it does vary. I’ve found $0, $5 and $10 all within 15 miles.

@chipgreen @ejrunion @foxrunner @Mark_L @rjquillin @RRichmo it certainly seems to vary per store. I called 2 stores and was quoted $5 by one and $5 PER HOLDING DAY by the other. It seems they are franchise locations.

@chipgreen @foxrunner @Mark_L @rjquillin @RRichmo @TimW @winedavid49 I called my UPS Store before I pulled the trigger on the Pedroncelli (YUM!). She said that it could range in fee based on size and length of time. I imagine a case will not be the $5 dollar level. It could be more like $15.

I was also told to put “Hold for:” and then my name and phone number in the address. The Casemates settings didn’t make this easy, but another “name” line or “handling directions” line could help in the address settings.

I’m taking a risk, and it probably will involve a cost the first time around. If it goes poorly, I’ll have to reconsider my options. I don’t buy enough to make renting a UPS box a worthwhile option. I’ll keep you posted.

@chipgreen @ejrunion @foxrunner @Mark_L @rjquillin @RRichmo @TimW @Winedavid49 @chipgreen @ejrunion @foxrunner @Mark_L @rjquillin @RRichmo @TimW @Winedavid49 I called a UPS Store yesterday that’s around 40 mi away and in the same neighborhood has the Fedex store I’ve shipped wine to for years, I live in the country and nothing is close anyway.

I was told there was a $5 charge for wine shipped by a retailer and no charge for wine shipped direct to a consumer by a winery & they will hold for around 2 weeks with no additional charges. They are open till 7pm M-F, till 5 Saturday & till 3 Sundays so this will work for me when I don’t want to ship to work, which is most of the time for cases.

@catcoland @chipgreen @foxrunner @Mark_L @rjquillin @RRichmo @TimW @Winedavid49 Pedroncelli received on Thursday safely. I had put my name and phone number on the name line and had it sent to the UPS Store’s address. The young man at the store called as soon as it was in, and I went and picked it up the next day.

The discrepancy came with the price. The man on the phone said $5, and when I picked it up he said that since it was a large package it was $15 but they’d only charge me $10 because it was the Holidays. A bit capricious, but appreciated. I’ll try it again and see. I was happy that it worked, but my case price has to be budgeted with the additional $15 in the price next time I buy.

@yorkrk well happy retirement anyways! I hope you can work some
Things out with UPS

@killeenbase I’m sorry. I hope you will find a solution.

@rjquillin No way! Guh. Maybe I’ll be talking to the staff at the UPS distribution bcenter tonight to see their rules.

@rjquillin Oh wow, I hadn’t even considered that. I’ll have to call mine to find out as well. I’d also rather pay an extra $10 for FedEx and have the flexibility I have now.

@rjquillin stopped by the Ronson Road distribution center and they said it was free, but just need to ship to that location directly. Here’s hoping that works out for me.

@rjquillin Did you ask specifically about a wine package going direct?

@radiolysis @kaolis
I call up the local, next to FedEx, same strip mall, location and asked what my options were. Perhaps the agent was just a dunderhead. Guess some additional calling or a visit may be required.
Depending on hours, I may be able to make Ronson, that radiolysis mentioned work; clearly not as convenient as FedEx has been, but far superior to what I’ve heard others posting here about proximity to a center.
Work used to work, but they, and my office mate, are getting a touch annoyed, as the office is full of overflow.

@klezman My wife and I both work from home, so we can generally accept the packages. However we also both travel and have other obligations that have made re-route in transit a lifesaver. We often don’t know before shipping whether we’ll be able to be here to accept or not, and with a Walgreens across the street from the house, it was an easy no-brainer when we needed it. There have been times when we’ve been able to get 10 in a row at home, and I think I’ve probably redirected 4 of the last 6 to Walgreens. But with FedEx, I can always ship them to the house and know that I have a convenient alternative option, which at times I even need to exercise after the first missed delivery.

@klezman @xandersherry I use nothing but HAL

@kaolis @klezman @xandersherry I ALWAYS use HAL for wine, too.

@kaolis @TimW @xandersherry Yup, I get it. I’m just surprised that so many people do that.

@kaolis really?

@kaolis @Winedavid49 I posted this in the Kukeri thread but thought I’d post it here as well for “topic visibility”. I had been looking forward to being in MO as probably 98+% of the offers will ship to this state. However, with the switch to UPS, I have ZERO choice but to be home to receive the shipment (the UPS map does not even show a Customer Center for my zip code). With FedEx, there would have been a Walgreens about 30 minutes away that I might have used if needed. As most others, I see the change to UPS as a HUGE negative and I hope that @Winedavid49 reconsiders or comes up with another option.

@Winedavid49 Done buying for the most part, absolutely out. The UPS wrinkle really does change the game for me. I’m told by UPS that only Customer Centers hold wine. That access points and UPS stores will not hold alcohol for pickup. My closest Customer Center is 90 minutes away. So first of all there is not much I need in the way of wine that I’m going to drive three hours for. We’re both retired, rarely home. That is why I occasionally ask about the accuracy of the delivery window on offers.
And being at the mercy of your shipping model, which I still believe is antiquated (as it is I only buy a few months a year) in regard to both the wine and the consumer, I’d be subject to having to make that three hour drive when it’s just not possible.
I hope I’m wrong on hold locations, but it doesn’t appear to be.
Hey, it is a fun site, good folks, good deals. I enjoy playing out here. But with no incentive to buy anything not much point in hangin’.

@kaolis @Winedavid49

Is there a UPS Store close to you? As posted above, I haven’t had any problems with receiving wine in 11 plus years at my UPS store. But that might be because I pay for my box there.

Being rarely home myself during the week, it was easier to pay for the box and not worry about Porch Pirates.

As to an “Antiquated” shipping model … I would guess the idea is for the wineries to not rack up expenses holding onto customer’s wine, thus the not holding wine for months to ship it. You/we pay more for that “service”, if the wine is stored for months .

@MarkDaSpark @Winedavid49 I have a reasonably close UPS Store. I called them and as mentioned can’t redirect wine to them. Have not inquired yet about using them as a direct ship to address, but I will. Problem with that, if direct ship is a possibility, I’m tied into shipping to that address and only that address. As we are out and about some, with FedEx I could pick and choose my ship to address in midstream.

And come on, the shipping model sucks. I buy plenty of wine from plenty of places at really great prices and they ship to me when I want them to ship to me. I bought wine from woot and casemates exclusively from say Nov-Apr, other than that, thank you no very much, not a customer.

@kaolis @MarkDaSpark @Winedavid49
CM, meh, and the other entities allow multiple ship-to addresses in your user profile.
Ask @klezman and @cortot how I know…

@kaolis @Winedavid49

As RJQ noted, you can have multiple ship-to addresses. I know I do. You just need to add them before buying. Easy peasy.

As to the other, there’s only a few sites that will hold your wine. Most I buy from ship immediately. Winebid and one up in Alameda/Oakland are the only ones I know of that will hold for several months. And Winebid has a shipping surcharge that seems to cover that storage cost.

@TRIPgrad that’s a little below the belt don’t you think? Yes, say what you will about individual dilemmas, but UPS is by and large a reputable company.

@CorTot
Are you kidding me? It’s much more fun going nuclear on the internet! Oh and UPS sucks!

@ScottW58

@CorTot haha

@CorTot Haven’t seen where CVS is an option, at least for SoCal. Can you find something to confirm that is a viable ship-to location?

@rjquillin I’ve done no research…

@CorTot @rjquillin
Pretty sure that if you can’t do delivery at home or work you have to pickup at the nearest hub. Period

@CorTot @ScottW58

Are you kidding me? It’s much more fun going nuclear on the internet!

Yeah, this.
But as I also recall, people were seriously pissed when woot switched from UPS to FedEx, then figured out how to make it work. @WineDavid49 Since UPS claims it’s a “legal restriction” to not redirect wine packages either they need to be set straight or FedEx has been operating illegally all these years.

@CorTot @klezman
UPS is much less flexible than fed-x, and even if you put together everyone who uses them to ship wine I’m sure it’s just the smallest blip on the radar for their overall business. FedEx probably charges businesses more to ship wine so here we are. Welcome to the new world.

@CorTot @klezman @ScottW58 rerouting is the area of concern when you boil it down. Access points are live as an address point, but rerouting it there in transit is not currently an option.

@CorTot @klezman @ScottW58

Really? FedEx is “more flexible” than UPS?

I’ve had more problems/issues with FedEx than UPS. They are both pretty inflexible, but FedEx has been the worst delivery “service”.

@bolligra CVS won’t accept age restricted packages. UPS stores and distribution centers are the only options here.

@Eaglevillain access points ARE an option. And ups is adding tons of them. I know there will be a solution near you.

@Eaglevillain @Winedavid49 I think Access Point usage really needs clarification.

According to UPS, wine can only be redirected to a Distribution Center and NOT an Access Point after it’s shipped. I’m referring to this site referenced earlier in the thread. So no change en-route or HAL using an Access Point.

However, all I can find stated explicitly on the UPS site about Access Points says that you can specify an Access Point only after the package has been redirected via UPS My Choice or after the first delivery attempt–which we cannot do with Wine deliveries (see link above).

Now, you could get a shipping address at a UPS Store, but that requires paying a fee to the store to allow direct deliveries to their address on your behalf (like a shipping PO Box). I can’t find any information or guidance on the UPS site for shipping directly from a merchant to an Access Point.

So, all of the above tells me that we can’t ship via Casemates directly to Access Points, because Access Points can only be designated for a shipment after it has been shipped to a different address originally, and UPS explicitly does not allow the redirection of wine mid-shipment to an Access Point.

Thus, I think, the confusion about Access Points and delivery.

If you have such information, could you please post a link explaining how to set up a direct merchant shipment to an Access Point? I can’t find anything to that effect, only using them for redirects, and I think that’s a significant concern: an inability to redirect mid-stream to an Access Point, and no guidance on how to ship to one directly.

Any clarification would be greatly appreciated!

@Eaglevillain @tklivory @Winedavid49
I’d be willing to set an access point as my delivery address for science.

@CorTot @Eaglevillain @tklivory @Winedavid49
See a reply post I made up thread. It appears the point must, in CA, be a UPS owned/operated facility, and I have been told there is a per package charge added.

@Eaglevillain @tklivory @Winedavid49 I don’t know exactly how much of a clarification it is, but it looks like there is a method for direct shipping (not re-routing) to some (but not most) Access Points.

https://www.ups.com/us/en/help-center/packaging-and-supplies/special-care-shipments/wine.page#contentBlock-16

The pertinent section of the page is here:

To ship wine to a UPS Access Point location:

-Shippers must use a UPS Locator tool and the “Accepts Restricted Articles” filter to select an approved destination UPS Access Point
location

-Shippers must also use approved UPS Access Point Adult Signature Required labels for wine shipments sent to UPS Access Point locations

-Wine shipments cannot be rerouted to UPS Access Point locations once in transit

However, when I follow the instructions and limit the UPS locator to only show Access Points that “Accepts Restricted Articles” then nearly everything vanishes…Only the UPS Stores are left.

@Eaglevillain @tklivory @Winedavid49 @xandersherry This continues to sound like UPS thinks prohibiton is still a thing.

@Eaglevillain @Winedavid49 @xandersherry Oh, that’s helpful, thanks!

So does this mean that WCC can ship to a UPS Store without needing to pay a fee, or would we still need to pay a fee? It sounds like there’s no fee IF the vendor is an approved wine vendor, based on the verbiage, but it’d be nice to have that answer nailed down.

An advantage of a UPS Store vs a Distribution CEnter is that they’re open on the weekends, and I found this on UPS when searching for how long they’ll hold packages:

“If you are a UPS My Choice® member, The UPS Store and other UPS Access Point locations can hold your package for up to seven calendar days at no additional charge. Customer centers can hold your package for up to five business days.”

So…with UPS Stores available, that adds more options, even if there’s still no mid-stream redirect–especially if shipments from WCC don’t require a fee to be paid to the UPS Store. That’s an improvement over Distribution Centers only, but still doesn’t seem to include Access Points as previously suggested (unless @Winedavid49 knows something that we don’t coming down the UPS pipeline!)

@Eaglevillain @Winedavid49 @xandersherry D’oh, and I see that Ron answered the fee question upthread, at least for CA. So it’s either a fee to send to/hold at a UPS store, or use a Distribution Center. Not sure if that’s universal, though, but it does add cost where there wasn’t one before for those who can’t use a DC.

@Eaglevillain @tklivory @Winedavid49 @xandersherry @rjquillin Looks like there is no hold option at a store/access point, only direct shipment? Maybe? I see no fee mentioned for that. And it seems it may vary by state. Hold option only available at Customer Center.

But why are we doing the homework? casemates just declares shipping is changing to UPS, we get a cryptic message from WD saying there are changes coming. Really? Why wasn’t the homework done on the front end by casemates? Seems like they really don’t know what’s going on either. Info just dribbling out. Maybe with a little homework and info on the front from casemates it might have tempered some of the backlash @cortot mentions. In fact we still don’t know the guidelines.

From UPS
(sorry if this a repeat)

"Hold for Pickup

Approved wine shippers may use the UPS Hold for Pickup (HFPU) service for consumers who would prefer to pickup their wine shipments from a UPS Customer Center location. When picking up the package, the recipient is required to present a government-issued photo ID, such as driver’s license, passport, military ID, permanent resident card, or alien registration card to verify that the recipient is 21 years of age or older. If the recipient fails or refuses to present proper identification (or is not 21 years of age or older), the wine shipment is considered undeliverable and returned to the shipper.

Ship to a UPS Access Point location
Approved wine shippers may use the Ship to a UPS Access Point® location service in conjunction with Adult Signature Required (ASR) for consumers who prefer to pick up shipments from UPS Access Point locations.

To ship wine to a UPS Access Point location:

Shippers must use a UPS Locator tool and the “Accepts Restricted Articles” filter to select an approved destination UPS Access Point location
Shippers must also use approved UPS Access Point Adult Signature Required labels for wine shipments sent to UPS Access Point locations
Wine shipments cannot be rerouted to UPS Access Point locations once in transit
At pickup, the recipient is required to present a government-issued photo ID matching the recipient information on the UPS Access Point label to verify that the recipient is 21 years of age or older and is authorized to receive the package. If the recipient does not present proper identification, is not 21 years of age or older, or does not collect the package within the time required for pickup of UPS Access Point location packages, the shipment will be considered undeliverable and returned to the shipper."

@CorTot @Eaglevillain @kaolis @tklivory @Winedavid49 @xandersherry

We having fun yet?
See below.

@rjquillin
/giphy whee

@rjquillin @winedavid49 Well, I’m hoping casemates/WD put some thought into this and has some answers. But so far no specifics.

When the right hand doesn’t know what left hand is doing, I have a saying for that. A cluster****

@kaolis @rjquillin hey, this tough. First to acknowledge. But I disagree with your
Characterization. I appreciate the passion, but to characterize a process of transition , and the pain associated with it as simply someone’s fault is unfortunate. Hope
the new set of delivery circumstances can work out. Things are unfolding, yes we are learning.

@rjquillin That’s a crazy story. Oy.

@rjquillin @Winedavid49 UPS was the right hand/left hand @rjquillin was speaking of and I was agreeing to that.

But I will say to roll out a relatively major change, at least to some of us, in business ops with a casual oh by the way statement probably not a good idea. Throw at us what you know. Hey we like winery participation, how about casemates participation.

@Winedavid49 But how could you make a change like that and not know how your shipper did business? Money obviously, but if your shipper can’t meet your consumer’s needs, what’s the point? Maybe I’m in the minority, and no one really cares. Just like the customers that allow you to ship wine in the summer. Hey if no one bought from you in the summer it would force you to change your business model, but folks do buy and you make money and I’m just a pain in the ass. UPS is a wildcard when it comes to wine. And I realize the whole landscape is crazy.
Big picture you’ll lose a few of us who hold at location, because direct ship to a store sucks too because I lose the flexibility to change the destination, but life will continue. I’ll still buy wine, but not from casemates. You’ll still sell wine and make money. Can’t please everyone, and the world is awash in grape juice.

@Winedavid49 Very curious on the “had to happen” aspect. Can you tell us more?
And, @kaolis, I suspect WD has no way to know that so many people were using FedEx HAL and in-progress reroutes to those destinations. Clearly WD is learning and will likely (hopefully) be leaning on UPS to liberalize its (ridiculous) wine shipping policies now that all the details are coming into focus.

@klezman @Winedavid49 Something tells me UPS is a bigger gorilla in the room than casemates when it comes to rules about shipping ethanol. But I’ll root for the little guy for sure!

@klezman I want to believe. I just can’t think that WCC is big enough and ships enough to push any policies.

At the end of the tunnel I can only see some sort of surcharge for different delivery methods. I’m not sure how (some) wineries can do free shipping on a case++ but we can’t. VMP is cheap, and obviously doesn’t cover actual shipping costs so I’m disheartened there is a viable solution without raising prices somewhere.

Happy days! I’m starting to move towards Kaolis’s state of mind

@kaolis @Winedavid49
I’m not sure any are pointing fickle fingers. Cost seems clearly the driving factor. If you can’t turn a profit due to shipping costs, we all lose.

With all the conflicting information we’ve been collecting I can easily see how UPS may have sold you a distorted bill of goods regarding service.

It will somehow work out, there will be losers and winners. On a personal note it appears somewhat negative, but not terminal. Clearly seems to be a major issue for others.

@kaolis @rjquillin Casemates is our baby and first in our hearts. however, you may know we have other more logistical partnerships. We switched so that all other packages except Casemates went to UPS 3+ months ago. Leading up to the switch, we did not have one inquiry or incident involving reroute changes.

no excuse, but we chose to stagger implementation for the very reason of learning and getting out ahead before the Casemates switch. Casemates is unique. Best laid plans…

@rjquillin @Winedavid49 Ok, deep breath taken on my end. My closest UPS Store in SC does indeed accept direct deliveries of wine. Much closer than the hub. Will hold for 7 business days. There is a $5 charge for the service which I don’t see as a deal breaker.
Still not as flexible, or free, as FedEx is. But not as awful as it looked like it was going to be.

@ScottW58 Not my experience with FedEx at all. they refused to ring the bell at multi-family units. I hope UPS does better since I need the pickup within walking distance

@rjquillin Thanks Ron for taking the time to explain all of that. Like one of the people who posted above, it’s all good as long as I’m having boxes delivered to the office (as long as I don’t need to re-route), but if I were to retire, it’s a different story. I would want to have the deliveries made to an access point.

I do have a UPS store down the about a block from home, but I don’t know if they will impose a charge for receiving wine. I tried to call them, but they rarely answer their phone, and today was no exception.

@MarkDaSpark you’ve read my mind. Working all weekend with only a mobile, no computer to input more than a few sentences. Some of these frustrations are comical; however, this rerouting and HAL issue does make me cautious when purchasing wine on some months.

@MarkDaSpark @TechnoViking repeating slowly to myself…“realize you have a wine buying problem”…“realize you have a wine buying problem”…“realize you have a wine buying problem”…“realize you have a wine buying problem”…“realize you have a wine buying problem”…“realize you have a wine buying problem”…

@kaolis @MarkDaSpark @TechnoViking
But to clarify, is this a buying to much problem, or a can’t buy due to shipping problem?
Just had to stir the pot…

@MarkDaSpark Getting a wine locker that accepts shipping is…Not a bad idea, honestly. For me, anyway. There aren’t any I can find that are terribly convenient but there is a great looking place 30 minutes away, and I could use the extra storage in any case. It’s also less expensive than I would have guessed. An option to consider, for sure.

@MarkDaSpark @xandersherry Just be careful, since some of them charge hefty fees to receive wine shipments for you. Some do it for free.

@klezman @MarkDaSpark Good point. These folks have lots of handy services, and I suspect they charge for all of them. Just have to call them up and figure out how much, exactly.

@kaolis @TechnoViking

@kaolis @rjquillin @TechnoViking

@klezman @xandersherry

I’ve been spoiled by mine. No receiving fees. Up to 30 days of holding them. One wineaux, when he had to move back east, made arrangements with them to move his received wine into his locker (there was a fee for that).

Only real issue is that they have limited hours, 10am to 6pm Monday to Thursday, with another hour (till 7pm) on Fridays and Saturdays. I just need to remember to move wine to my 24/7 locker (which doesn’t receive).

@MarkDaSpark @rjquillin @TechnoViking It’s an I buy too much problem and this shipping problem gets in the way of that problem!

@kaolis @MarkDaSpark @TechnoViking
That Woot! kinda needs a bit of a graphics update it would seem.

@kaolis @rjquillin @TechnoViking

Been meaning to fix it since … well, you know!

@kaolis Should cross-post this one to deals!

@rjquillin Done, posted this above too, but my UPS Store which is way closer than the hub will accept direct wine delivery. $5 charge, 7 business day hold.

@kaolis Curious…
I just did the locator thing again. Here in SoCal CVS and Michaels are not options that are presented. There are other establishments that provide shipping (and receiving) that are listed, but when filtered for accepts restricted is selected, they are excluded.
Just for grins and giggles, I called one. A gift store that also does UPS. Despite being excluded on the UPS locator, I was told no problem receiving wine shipments, but, there would be a fee. They indicated $5 or $10 depending on how many boxes were received, and indicated the fee would be a ‘lot’ charge, not per/box.

Seems this is still a very much a wild, wild west anarchy.

@kaolis @rjquillin

@kaolis @MarkDaSpark @rjquillin I called my 2 closest UPS Stores today. One said $5 per box to receive wine, and the other said $5 PER DAY that they need to hold it.

@kaolis @rjquillin @TimW

Did you ask if those still apply if you have a UPS Box? Never paid at my store, but I’ve had a UPS Box for over 10 years (originally for my business, but not now).

@kaolis @MarkDaSpark @rjquillin @TimW The local UPS store doesn’t charge a $5 fee if you rent the box for $204 per year.

@eric_w
Do you think Casemates will do that? I am guessing not.

@kaolis. It also probably means you overpaid for that wine, if they can hold it that long! They pay someone for storage until they ship it!

@MarkDaSpark …obviously you jest…you go right right ahead and ship your wine when it is 100 degrees out

@kaolis. Methinks you are confused. I live in Southern California, not Phoenix Arizona!

It’s less than 2 days (shipment in the afternoon, delivery early the 2nd day), with freezer packs they arrive fine. Delivery is early morning at my locker. Only time I had an issue was when WCC shipped it over the July 4th weekend one time. And that was years ago!

But I know that’s more of an exception than a rule.

@kaolis So that’s as expected, right? Didn’t the consensus determine that you’d have to send the shipment to the access point from the get go?

@klezman Correct. This was a shipment I wasn’t expecting from UPS. The ability to delay delivery I don’t recall though, so just kind of pointing that out.

I did purchase the Bergevin cab, used my local UPS Store as direct delivery address. So we’ll see how that goes. I talked to the store, and other than for me having to cough up $5, seems like should not be any troubles.

@kaolis You can also do as Ron does and order a box for them every once in a while. A few bottles of Pedroncelli might go a long way to eliminating that $5 charge

@klezman @rjquillin Perhaps a good idea, heck I give bottles to the FedEx Office folks all of the time as it is. Matter of fact I just had to “source” and give some Stella Rosa Peach to one of the girls. The things we do!

Not charged that I am aware of. Went back and looked and don’t see anything. At least not in this instance. I’ve noticed UPS likes to use the term “fee may apply” frequently, without being specific.

@kaolis From talking to a few “Access Points”, it seems it’s to the local owner/management on if you have to grab an ankle or not.

@kaolis
yes, there is a $5 fee for selecting delivery on a different day.

@rjquillin Good question. Interesting wrinkle.
FedEx uses a name+address match, it seems.

@rjquillin
Hi RJ, when I set up my “UPS My Choice” I selected Text messaging notification. There were several customizing options to chose from, I chose notify me when a package was sent, 24 hours out, delivered.

Located in the Upper right corner >drop down menu>Home >Profile >Preferences >UPS My Choice Profile Overview>Alerts>Delivery Alerts.

Yep; they sure make it easy

@PLSemenza Is this something only available with UPS My Choice®? That appeared, from the ‘T&C’ they wanted read, to be something that was a fee for service. I quit reading when I saw a comment along the lines of ‘we will bill you’ that suggested I’d need a credit card to sign up for. At that point I just did an abort.

Do I need to read further?
Is this notification service something that comes with a price tag?

thanks

@rjquillin
Yes mine was free, no cost for the messaging, you can upgrade for a fee to premium. I believe you need to add a Credit Card if you want to use the full service for shipping, etc.

@PLSemenza Well, that was next to totally worthless. I selected home, duh, but need to enter some commercial addresses. It rejects them as a business. Double Duh. I’m shipping to a storage locker or UPS access point and want to know when something is on the way.
Just tried the business route, seems to allow one address, but I went ahead to try. “Seems to be some problem…”

I give up.

@PLSemenza @rjquillin it’s a great question on how UPS knows to send a notification if you use an Access Point as your shipping address. I’ve been using UPS MyChoice (the free version) for years, and it works well to notify me of an incoming package…but I’ve only received UPS shipments at my home address. Maybe they don’t know in this case (using an Access Point address) and we just need to rely on the email from Casemates to know when something is arriving???

@rjquillin @TimW
Funny thing happens on a W00T order after I changed my CaseMates mailing address to a UPS Access Point this is what I saw:

Hold at UPS Access Point Requested
March Air Reserve Base, CA, United States
A UPS My Choice® delivery change was requested for this package. / As requested, the UPS My Choice® package will be delivered to the customer’s preferred UPS Access Point™ location.

Bingo got the text message it was their today

@PLSemenza @TimW Did you use the home/personal or business version of MyChoice? The home version rejected the Access Point as being a commercial address and would not allow me to use it. So I tried the business version. It too puked on the Access Point address.
I’m trying to stay positive an make this work, but so far, it just isn’t.

PS: but I did just get an email from woot that an order had been delivered. 22:25 out west. Sure enough, package on the bench at the front door.
UPS.

@PLSemenza @rjquillin I use the home/personal account type.

@PLSemenza How did setting your Casemates mailing address affect the Woot order? Did you change your UPS MyChoice preference to route all packages to the Access Point? I don’t want all of my packages going to an Access Point.

@PLSemenza @rjquillin @TimW Let me know how this works please !

@InFrom
Well if you have a tracking number for a shipment from FedEx or UPS I’ve never had a problem following a package in.

@InFrom @ScottW58 Casemates does generally send an email with tracking number after it’s shipped. Unfortunately it’s been a bit flaky lately and I got the last shipment’s emails after I’d already received the shipment. I’ve always used my FedEx notifications to know things are headed my way (and I would always get those before the Casemates email). I’m not sure how this will work in the new UPS world where I need to put a UPS Store as the mailing address.

@InFrom @TimW
If you’re receiving the tracking number after it’s delivered that’s a big problem! Guess it’s not in the budget to have emails go out when things are shipped but what the hell do I know?

@InFrom @ScottW58 @TimW

I get emails & text messages from my UPS Store when a package arrives. Handy for those unexpected Labrat bottles!

But I do get the emails from Casemates on shipping and delivery, and the shipping one includes the tracking number. Although some of the shipment ones arrive a bit late.

@InFrom @MarkDaSpark @ScottW58 @TimW @rjquillin You have a mailbox at the UPS Store though, correct? Which is why the store gives you notice on arrival? My UPS Store won’t have that info unless casemates passes on some info? All they will have is my name?? I also tried plugging in my store address to My Choice as an additional address but it kicked it out for being a commercial address as it has for others here. And if you use the store address as the “Alternative” address, it appears it will route all deliveries to the store, which I don’t want.

@InFrom @kaolis @rjquillin @ScottW58 @TimW

Yes, I have a box, and yes, they send me notices when something arrives. I don’t use My Choice, but track scheduled deliveries via a different app (I add anticipated delivery dates when I purchase).

And no, all deliveries don’t go there. It only defaults to the last one selected, so you can change it during ordering. Once you add a different address, it doesn’t disappear, but is available.

So when I order on Casemates, I make sure it goes to my wine locker. And Meh orders go to my UPS box.

And I swear there was a glitch on the other site, because there were certain times where my wine would end up at my UPS Store instead of my wine locker. But there was never any extra charge, for receiving or holding.

@RRichmo hugs (I know that feeling)

@chaosdreamer delivery to work?

@jml326 I’ve tried that a couple times with other deliveries but it’s somewhat frowned on in my department. I also take public transportation so hauling the bottles home would be a pain (possibly literally!)

@chaosdreamer suck to frowned upon. And I get the public transit, I walk to and from. I started keeping a large backpack to bring 6 bottles at a time. Or lucky to have the electric scooper rentals here. Drop a case on and drive it home.

@chaosdreamer @jml326 Google is insisting on showing me electric scooters, despite my best efforts. Can you show us a pic of an electric scooper?

@chaosdreamer @InFrom @jml326

@chaosdreamer @chipgreen @jml326

@chaosdreamer @chipgreen @jml326

@chaosdreamer @chipgreen @jml326 Doesn’t look sturdy enough for a bottle of wine, much less a case.

@chaosdreamer @chipgreen @InFrom
/giphy stink eye

@jmruru Just picked up a case from the Treasury Wine Estate offer. It arrived there yesterday.
Had a small failed HP SSD to return prepaid. Dropped it off and mentioned I thought I also had a pickup.
Name please?
Quillin. Looks like that one on the shelf back there.
Case placed on counter, and a conversation ensued, no ID or $$$ asked for.
They now have a note “the wine guy” with my phone number tacked up.
It’s very early, but looks promising.
I think they’ll get some Pedroncelli.

@rjquillin Is this the location in Kearny Mesa, or the Chula Vista one?

@Sekraan
Winter Gardens contract/franchise “Access Point” in Lakeside. Very small location with some Boxes and a copy machine in a strip mall.
Looks like they would have space issues storing any volume of parcels at once, but the staff that was currently on duty were quite accommodating.

@kaolis In the Denver area, they are charging $10 to accept wine shipments at the UPS stores. So, you are getting a bargain!

@CObrent Well casemates needs to figure this out. This was not well thought out. Someone sold someone a bill of goods and we are left holding the bag it looks like

@CObrent @kaolis @rjquillin @winedavid49

Another missed opportunity for promised site tools that were never developed, which could (among other things) offer shipping solutions/options/assistance. Some of us would be willing to pay an up-charge to have packages shipped via FedEx.

When customers are both profitable and happy, everybody wins!

@chipgreen @CObrent @kaolis @rjquillin @Winedavid49 I agree. UPS just does not work for me. I am sad.

@chipgreen @CObrent @danandlisa @rjquillin @Winedavid49 It’s just like shipping in the summer, doesn’t really matter, because most folks don’t care. So now, it’s UPS and if you don’t like it take a hike, because big picture the change to UPS makes sense from the business side and if you don’t like it, oh well…

@vaaccess Choosing an Access Point as the original shipping address is what I did, successfully.
Check first with your proposed location to see if they impose additional charges. Reported fees range from 0$ to $10.

@rjquillin

@rjquillin @vaaccess Unfortunately we are doing the legwork here and casemates isn’t quite sure what the deal is so they are pretty much hiding on specifics…but, here is what seems to be the deal:

If your shipping address for a casemates order is your home/business address it will be delivered as normal. If that doesn’t work for you have the option to hold it at a UPS Customer Center/hub. However you cannot redirect a casemates delivery to a UPS Store or UPS Access Point. An Access Point is nothing more than a retail outlet that UPS has partnered with, such as CVS stores etc (the same as FedEx has done with Walgreens and other retail locations)

You can apparently however designate a UPS Store and/or an Access Point directly as the shipping address for casemates. So no redirect and hold, you have to input your UPS Store address on your casemates order or delivery. And from gathered community input it will cost you up to $10 an order whereas FedEx is more flexible and free.

@kaolis @rjquillin @vaaccess
I thought the consensus was that CVS stores will not work as access points because they cannot accept “restricted items” and/or items that need a signature. IIRC, that boiled it down to UPS stores as being the only viable “access point” that can be used for direct shipping for your Casemates orders and it will cost you up to $10 per box although one person said they were quoted $5 per day to hold a package.

@chipgreen @rjquillin @vaaccess Ok, got you I think. I’m just referring to UPS lingo. “Access Point” is what UPS calls their retail outlets. And I guess the stores…But what you are saying is that the CVS etc points will not accept direct wine delivery? I had only checked on UPS Stores

Trying to follow along here… really!

checked on my local CVS…you are correct…so that narrows the choices

@kaolis @rjquillin @vaaccess
Trying to keep up myself… meanwhile I am still on the sidelines as I wait for things to shake out, although as previously mentioned, not averse to chipping in on cases with those for whom UPS does not present a problem.

@chipgreen @kaolis @rjquillin
Yeah, I have a few Casemates UPS shipments coming. Just trying to figure out the best option. As others have noted, I’m ok paying a premium for superior shipping, for what that’s worth.

Ironically the last FedEx delivery requiring a signature i got the driver called and asked if I would be ok with him signing my name and leaving the box…I of course said “Yes, thank you!!!”

@medz Correct, no redirect to UPS Stores once the order has been shipped. Only direct delivery to a Store.
I guess…supposedly…so we’ve found out…on our own…

@kaolis @medz Let me see if I understand this. If I change my delivery address in Casemates before it is shipped to a UPS store the package will go there? Do we have to sign up for something in UPS to get a notification?

@jmruru @medz @winedavid49 @rjquillin @chipgreen Well, as far as I can figure out the only notice of shipping will be from casemates. Which is kind of iffy? Correct me if I’m wrong.

UPS sends notifications if you are a UPS My Choice member based on your name and shipping address. But if you try to add your UPS Store address to your My Choice profile it kicks out because it is a business address so it seems like there will be no notification from UPS that you have a package on the way. Which kind of sucks.

In theory if you change your casemates delivery address to your UPS Store the wine will be delivered there.

Would be nice if casemates gave us a heads up on how all this works before they changed shippers but they did not. And as it seems casemates and WD really don’t know the answers and that is why we are not getting any. Unfortunate to say the least.

And again, correct me if any of my suppositions are out of line.

@pcs13 Not all UPS stores can accept “restricted items”. I’ve had that problem even before this on direct shipped items. My local one can’t, so I always redirected to the customer center.

In the UPS location searcher you can add the restricted item filter to see which can.

Friday shipment arrived, but never showed up on My Choice, despite an exact match on name & address.
A second shipment showed up on My Choice for arrival on Thursday, even though the it was at the ‘label printed’ stage on Wednesday. I’ve since gotten a My Choice email that shipment was delayed. CaseMates correctly shows it has not shipped. UPS appears to have some data integrity/logic coding glitches that will hopefully get worked out soon.

@jwNC I could not get FedEx to deliver wine to me. It was a joke the way they would “fake attempt” deliveries

@brechin I had a similar experience. One casemates package was out for delivery yesterday. UPS delivered other packages to my building, but made no attempt to deliver the wine - didn’t call me or ring my apartment on the intercom (my husband was home), and didn’t leave a missed delivery note on the door. A note was entered into my account saying that “The receiver requested this package to be held for pickup at the UPS facility” which is an absolute lie. I called them and supposedly they are going to re-attempt delivery today. I didn’t have a single problem with FedEx.

@TimW Think mentioned above, but apparently if you set up a UPS Store as your alternate delivery location, then ALL of your UPS shipments go to the access point/store. Here is the message you get when setting an alternate delivery location:

“Skip home delivery and send all my packages directly to my preferred UPS Access Point location.”

Also I mentioned signing into My Choice about my casemates order that is going to the UPS Store (I hope), but in fact that really does one no good because My Choice does not recognize the address, so there is no record of the shipment in My Choice

@kaolis yes, it is known . Thus my 2 questions from above: 1) will they auto-redirect wine to the UPS Store i.e. has anyone tried this and had wine auto-redirected to a UPS Store? 2) for non-wine shipments do they allow u to redirect those to your home after they ship (using the UPS app or their website)?

I’m thinking of putting a UPS Store as my alternate delivery location, but only if I can redirect non-wine shipments to my house after they ship.

@TimW So much time, so little wine…and no answers from @winedavid49…and no answers from @winedavid49 because I’m guessing he has no clue to how all this works…best guess is you’ll just have to play around with it and see what happens

@sdenicola UPS and FedEx have both done that with us lately with wine and non-wine alike. Perhaps it’s the xmas rush?

@klezman When i complained a little in the FedEx store, the manager said FedEx was doing a lot more Walmart deliveries so ground shipping was especially impacted. Holiday package rush indeed.

@klezman @radiolysis Well it looks like UPS missed another delivery day today, that’s 3 full days now since the package arrived at my local UPS service center. Wine was “out for delivery” all day today, but now back to “in transit”. With the weekend coming up, I assume I’ll be staying home on Monday, too. What do I do if i run out of vacation days? Also, my neighbor, across the street from me did get a UPS delivery this afternoon. I guess they just don’t like dealing with “Adult Signature Required” packages.

@kaolis hold up.

When I asked the UPS store nearest me, they said the same thing. To get shipments, I needed to rent a box, and I’m not going to do that. I do wish we could have FedEx as an option. Keeping my VMP membership for a few more days in the slimmest of hopes that something shakes out from this…

@PLSemenza That’s all you need, right? A few extra days on the UPS truck for the privilege of paying $5 for the reroute. I placed one order to see how this works that’s going to my local store, or so I hope. They made no mention of needing a box rental, fingers crossed. Hub holds are free, but my hub is way too far, so not an option at all. And I simply do not have anything delivered to the house that requires signature.
And as mentioned upstream UPS likes to charge $5 for delivery day changes etc.
I know not for everyone, but for me the change is pretty much a cluster. And casemates hasn’t a clue on how all of this works…we’re all finding this out on the fly

@PLSemenza. Check out other UPS Stores, IIRC, many are franchised, and might have different pricing. There are 2 UPS Stores by my house.

I don’t pay that much at mine, nor are there any “extra” charges for notifications (text or email).

@Winedavid49 thanks for continuing to work on this - unfortunately until re-directs can happen, I won’t be able to but except on really rare occasions

@Winedavid49 thanks for listening to all the kvetching! Better yet for trying to do something about the underlying issues!

@Winedavid49 Thank you for the update. It’s always nice to be able to better understand where you’re coming from, and to know that we’re heard.

@Winedavid49 Growth = Pain. Right now I’m on the pain side but the outcome is often greater strength. Keep on fighting!

@Winedavid49 Yes, thank you for listening, as I am one who is not purchasing at the moment because of UPS hassles.

Just out of curiosity, you say that you piloted UPS a couple months prior w/ no issues. Were those packages that needed signature upon delivery? That’s the issue here. UPS home delivery is fine, when I don’t have to to sign for something.

But the problem many of us are having is the difficulty in re-routing shipments to somewhere we can get to, to sign for the package. That’s a big difference and, as you can see from the comments here, UPS seems to be an epic fail in many respects.

@TechnoViking From that newsletter where the change in shippers was announced.

@InFrom dang, can’t find it… gunna grab some of that Virage with it.

@InFrom @TechnoViking @winedavid49
Better price here anyway.
NAUGHTY

@TechnoViking it was before Thanksgiving.

@rjquillin
NAUGHTY “Code not found”

@chipgreen

NAUGHTY “Code not found”

That was for a Virage offer.
Thread creep/confusion

@TechnoViking Maybe CHANGEISHARD ?

@TechnoViking no code here

@marla25 that does seem odd…a hold at a Customer Center (hub) in my experience, My Choice free version, has always been available, for free, prior to first delivery attempt

fwiw:

https://www.ups.com/us/en/services/tracking/mychoice.page

@kaolis @marla25
Yes, you have to have “My Choice” to be able to redirect it to the hub before a failed delivery attempt.

@chipgreen @kaolis Yes, I’m logged in to the free version of My Choice, I go to tracking and insert the tracking number, and get "You can change your delivery after a delivery attempt has been made. Please track again using the InfoNotice number, which can be found above the barcode on the notice you received. " But if I click on the calendar doohickey, it says I have no deliveries.

So all I can figure is that their system isn’t smart enough to add a shipment that started before the account was created (even if I do have the option to add a description)? And I surely can’t find a way to force it to match up. Useless.

@chipgreen @marla25 Ah, that could be it, a timing issue. Bet you’re right.
When I first joined My Choice I was having troubles and come to find out it was because of the first name field. That they go by name as well as address. So Bob did not = Robert did not = Bobby etc. There is a field in settings where they instructed me to add first name variations. Really? Yep…

@chipgreen @kaolis @marla25 Where is this (somewhat) magical field located?

@rjquillin
-Log in to My Choice (i have the free version).
-Click your name in the upper right to expand that menu.
-Click PREFERENCES.
-Under the “UPS My Choice” box click EDIT.
-Second section down is “Name Variations”

@radiolysis @rjquillin @chipgreen @marla25 and notice under “Name Variations” is “Household Members” where you add other household names and their name variations as well. Simple huh?

@klezman perhaps that’s how they keep their costs down. Just keep chiseling that granite.

@rjquillin I believe my email response to the CS rep started with “You’re kidding me, right?”

@brucenie
Those initial delivery windows are based on the date that the label was created. They get updated after the package is in transit and some shippers do not necessarily ship the same day they create the label.

@heartny I’d contact casemates CS after it gets returned and ask for a refund stating that the UPS delivery won’t work for you. If it becomes a trend winecountryconnect might take notice and do something.

Update: There was a failed delivery attempt today. The driver did not leave the notice with the “InfoNotice Number”, so something that could have taken minutes on-line turned into a frustrating phone call.

@darkzrobe Went to the shipping center and they closed a hour early. Banged on the door at a employee who was nice enough to give me my package.

I am done with UPS for wine. Thanks casemates. Let me know if you figure out another way to ship. This is not worth the hassle.

@radiolysis Link to those articles? Wouldnt mind reading them.

@darkzrobe @radiolysis
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.forbes.com/sites/blakemorgan/2019/08/09/a-painful-breakup-amazon-and-fedex/amp/

@darkzrobe @radiolysis
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cnbc.com/amp/2019/12/16/amazon-blocks-sellers-from-using-fedex-ground-delivery-shipping.html

@ScottW58 @winedavid49 @karenhynes @radiolysis so casemates is amazon powered? And this is what this is all about? If so I had no idea. I mean I know the background but didn’t know meh was Amazon powered. Maybe I missed it if that is the case. I did see the WD statement that this change “had to happen”

@kaolis Not sure i’d say “amazon powered” but since WCC is still playing both sides (gourmet woot and casemates) they’re probably better off consolidating shipping for the best deal possible.

@kaolis @radiolysis definitely not Amazon powered. Original woot founder and Bezos are very much not friends…

@kaolis @klezman @radiolysis
True, but doesn’t WCC/winedavid have business relationships with both…through Casemates and Woot? Amazon “broke up with” FedEx, so WCC likely was forced to abide by that for the woot end of business. It may not make sense for WD to not switch all of his platforms to the same shipper (UPS)…or there may be contracting issues prohibiting him from contracting with both major shippers simultaneously. We don’t know what the contract terms are. There may be some exclusivity clauses.

@kaolis @klezman @radiolysis Yea, I have a shirt commemorating the breakfast octopus story. I am not friends with many of the judges I appear in front of, but, alas, I am forced to interact with them and deal with the rules of the court.

It is pretty obvious WCC has a relationship with Amazon as everything from gourmet woot is fulfilled by WCC.

Just because WD doesn’t have Bezos on speed dial doesn’t mean that decision wasn’t mandated by the mothership. It just makes me sad as a kickstarter. I thought my money was going elsewhere.

@kaolis @karenhynes @radiolysis My strong suspicion is that it’s just economics - you get a better deal if you sign an exclusivity agreement.

@klezman I bet WD could save a lot of money from the guy in a beater van promising to deliver wine across the country. Just economics, after all.

Is your day job a corporate raider?

@KNmeh7 Corporate raider?! Hardly! More like scientist, engineer, and computational modeler.

As for your comment about your money here going to Amazon - I don’t think it does. Matt (woot and meh founder) and Bezos do not do business. This is part of meh.
Gourmet Woot certainly does, though, being part of the Amazon/woot umbrella.

@klezman you should get an eyepatch and start calling yourself a corporate raider. meanwhile i’m sitting in academia wearing a blanket because they turned the heating water off late last week. eyepatches won’t do much to help me stay warm.

@radiolysis Only on speak like a pirate day, me matey…

I forgot to mention how I did the shipping address on Casemates. I put my name and phone on the “name” field (I.e. “First Last, xxx-xxx-xxxx”). On the first address line I put “c/o The UPS Store”. Then on the 2nd address line I put the actual street address of the UPS Store. Then of course city, state, and zip of the UPS Store.

@TimW good point on throwing your phone number on the label

@kaolis @TimW YES, phone number.
The store I shipped to/picked up from seems to really need that to know they have anything for me.
Had to ask them multiple times to keep looking…

@drhellknow My box was fairly squished and accordion shaped. But the wine did live.

@darkzrobe Although not ideal, that would certainly be preferable to the message of the merchandise being discarded.

@drhellknow I used to roast my own coffee. I remember sending it to my friend in NYC who had already asked a cafe if they could grind it for him to brew a stout.

Months later his package was “damaged” by UPS and although they were going to pay him the insurance, he asked where he could pick up the not damaged bottles.

“The entire shipment must be discarded.” That was an irreplaceable beer. If he would’ve just lied to USPS about no alcohol, I bet I would’ve received it.

@drhellknow I think they should have sent you a pic of the “damage”

@jmruru there’s desire/truth in that, although their responsibility is to CM as the entity paying for the shipment. I’m sure that @winedavid49 and team will make things ok once they’ve handled whatever claim process they have to go through.

@drhellknow @jmruru @Winedavid49
Making things “ok” in this sense is probably a refund as they generally don’t have extra inventory laying around.

@chipgreen @jmruru @Winedavid49 That’s my fear on this one; but even that is preferable to the big nothing I’ve gotten so far.

@browncj7 The UPS Store locations can certainly accept alcohol, but other access points like Michael’s and CVS supposedly cannot.

@TimW For free? Do I need to list them as the shipping address? The staff at the hub suggested that UPS stores are franchised and do not all locations will accept. I guess my next stop is to the UPS store and find out.

@browncj7 the stores are franchise locations so what each one charges (and whether they will accept a shipment) is different. My closest charges $5, but check with the store. My 2nd closest charges $5 / day that they hold it. Here’s my post about how I enter the address in Casemates to get it to the store, but again, check with your local ups store to see if they want anything special on the address: https://casemates.com/forum/topics/ups-replacing-fedex-effective-1127-offer#5df9bf8d62536603b44e9453

I’ve only done this once so far, but it did work for me. Note that this is reliant on Casemates sending us the tracking info so we know when it ships and arrives at the ups store.

@KNmeh7
Good idea! Debating if I should cancel my VMP but will wait awhile and see how things shake out. I have placed one order since the change and will just redirect it to the hub and deal with the 90 minute round trip through heavy traffic and construction delays to get it. At least the lady at the hub is super nice but that means I usually come home one bottle light, haha.

And the wine smith showed up with no problem.

So my take away is that UPS can deliver wine to my work without issue, but human blood and tissue is a problem.

@shellzy They’re definitely getting them out before the estimated delivery dates right now. The Pedroncelli had an estimated delivery window of Dec 23rd-26th, and showed up at my house on the 18th, and the QPR had an estimate of Dec 30th-Jan 2nd and got here yesterday (the 19th.)

Thankfully my wife was home, so it worked out OK for us. I may redirect one of my next few orders to the Customer Center just to see how that works out for when we can’t get them at the house.

Update: after still no tracking update by mid-afternoon, we called and were distinctly told that the box was on a truck headed to our house, not even in the state, and at the customer center waiting for pickup, all at the same time! My husband ended up going to the center to speak with a human in person and they seemed confident it will be ready tomorrow, and I hope so, because otherwise my entire code will have been spent on fees to hold my packages until the delivery date I expected, assuming they’ll take my money to switch from the pickup that only gives us a week to the delivery date switch option that gives us longer.

Amusingly when my husband arrived at the customer center there was a FedEx truck outside, taunting him.

Update 2: as of Saturday morning the tracking info said it was definitely at the customer center ready for pickup, so my husband took another trek only to find out it actually wasn’t. They were hoping it was on a truck headed to the customer center from the warehouse across the street. He went back a second time in the afternoon and it still wasn’t there. They then suspected maybe it was on a truck headed to our house. It wasn’t delivered, either. So my husband spent 2 hours driving to and from this customer center yesterday and we still don’t have wine to show for it, all because it is not possible to actually call and speak to someone at the actual facility and the call center just sees the tracking that indicates it’s there.

They have somehow lost our wine between the customer center and the warehouse right across the street. We gave the staff some Girl Scout cookies to cheer them up because they were dealing with a very large group of customers with similarly lost packages and that’s a horrible way to spend a work day. Not sure when/if we’ll ever see our wine. And I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to trust UPS with my wine after this.

@shellzy Wow, that’s quite the saga.
I suspect/hope that is not anywhere near the norm, but that’s still quite the saga. It also sounds like a local hub problem, but it’s mystifying how the tracking information can be so off.