Be VERY, VERY careful with your last minute deadlines.
I will NOT advertise expedited shipping during the last week before Christmas. Last year I purchased a toy for my son from a US seller 5 shipping days before Christmas. I had UPS pick it up on my account for 3 day shipping. It cost me $100 but I was willing to do it to ensure that Santa didn't disappoint.
Unfortunately, my item didn't arrive until after the New Year. UPS refused to reduce or refund my $100 as they DO NOT honour shipping guarantees in the month of December. They have this in their small print and won't bring it to your attention until after you make a complaint. I spend a ton of money with them and still couldn't get them to budge on this one.
If your customer pays you lots for overnight shipping and it does not get there overnight they are going to want their money back. The shipper is NOT going to refund you, however, so you will be out the big bucks it cost to ship. Either that or you will likely get a neg.
I am not going to have any items other than store inventory listed in the last week prior to Christmas. If someone wants to purchase something from my store and have it shipped expedited during that time they will have to be aware of UPS' policy and assume the risk.
Monique
I will NOT advertise expedited shipping during the last week before Christmas. Last year I purchased a toy for my son from a US seller 5 shipping days before Christmas. I had UPS pick it up on my account for 3 day shipping. It cost me $100 but I was willing to do it to ensure that Santa didn't disappoint.
Unfortunately, my item didn't arrive until after the New Year. UPS refused to reduce or refund my $100 as they DO NOT honour shipping guarantees in the month of December. They have this in their small print and won't bring it to your attention until after you make a complaint. I spend a ton of money with them and still couldn't get them to budge on this one.
If your customer pays you lots for overnight shipping and it does not get there overnight they are going to want their money back. The shipper is NOT going to refund you, however, so you will be out the big bucks it cost to ship. Either that or you will likely get a neg.
I am not going to have any items other than store inventory listed in the last week prior to Christmas. If someone wants to purchase something from my store and have it shipped expedited during that time they will have to be aware of UPS' policy and assume the risk.
Monique
From UPS (Canada) Terms and Services Guide:
21. MONEY-BACK GUARANTEES
UPS stands behind its commitments for on-time delivery with a money-back guarantee.
On-Time Delivery Guarantee
Limits and Restrictions
* The on-time delivery guarantee does not apply to shipments that are delayed due to causes beyond UPS’s control, including, but not limited to, the following: the unavailability or refusal of a person to accept delivery of the shipment, delays caused by the consignee, acts of God, public authorities acting with actual or apparent authority on the premises, acts or omissions of Customs or similar authorities, riots, circumstances arising before, during, or after a strike or other labour disputes, civil commotions, disruptions in the air or ground transportation network (such as weather phenomena), and natural disasters.
* The on-time delivery guarantee does not apply to UPS Expedited or UPS Standard shipments within Canada that are scheduled to be delivered between December 12 and December 25.
* The on-time delivery guarantee does not apply to UPS SonicAir shipments which are delayed due to flight cancellations, flight delays, any misroutings or mishandling by the airline, acts of God, or any circumstance beyond the control of UPS SonicAir.
* The on-time delivery guarantee does not apply to the UPS Combined Shipment Entry service.
* The money back guarantee does not apply to any company or service provider that is engaged in the re-selling of any UPS Services.
* UPS reserves the right to refuse any request for a credit or refund when such request is either (a) made by or (b) based on information obtained by a party other than the payer of the shipping charges.
* The UPS package tracking system accessed via the UPS.com Web Site (the "Tracking System") and tracking information obtained through the Web Site (the "Information") are the private property of UPS. UPS authorizes you to use the Tracking System solely to track shipments tendered by or for you to UPS for delivery and for no other purpose. Without limitation, you are not authorized to make the Information available on any web site or otherwise reproduce, distribute, copy, store, use or sell the Information for commercial gain without the express written consent of UPS. This is a personal service, thus your right to use the Tracking System or Information is non-assignable. Any access or use that inconsistent with these terms is unauthorized and strictly prohibited.
They can find a million reasons not to honor their guarantee. Have you ever had to make a claim on a service guarantee in the month of December?
21. MONEY-BACK GUARANTEES
UPS stands behind its commitments for on-time delivery with a money-back guarantee.
On-Time Delivery Guarantee
Limits and Restrictions
* The on-time delivery guarantee does not apply to shipments that are delayed due to causes beyond UPS’s control, including, but not limited to, the following: the unavailability or refusal of a person to accept delivery of the shipment, delays caused by the consignee, acts of God, public authorities acting with actual or apparent authority on the premises, acts or omissions of Customs or similar authorities, riots, circumstances arising before, during, or after a strike or other labour disputes, civil commotions, disruptions in the air or ground transportation network (such as weather phenomena), and natural disasters.
* The on-time delivery guarantee does not apply to UPS Expedited or UPS Standard shipments within Canada that are scheduled to be delivered between December 12 and December 25.
* The on-time delivery guarantee does not apply to UPS SonicAir shipments which are delayed due to flight cancellations, flight delays, any misroutings or mishandling by the airline, acts of God, or any circumstance beyond the control of UPS SonicAir.
* The on-time delivery guarantee does not apply to the UPS Combined Shipment Entry service.
* The money back guarantee does not apply to any company or service provider that is engaged in the re-selling of any UPS Services.
* UPS reserves the right to refuse any request for a credit or refund when such request is either (a) made by or (b) based on information obtained by a party other than the payer of the shipping charges.
* The UPS package tracking system accessed via the UPS.com Web Site (the "Tracking System") and tracking information obtained through the Web Site (the "Information") are the private property of UPS. UPS authorizes you to use the Tracking System solely to track shipments tendered by or for you to UPS for delivery and for no other purpose. Without limitation, you are not authorized to make the Information available on any web site or otherwise reproduce, distribute, copy, store, use or sell the Information for commercial gain without the express written consent of UPS. This is a personal service, thus your right to use the Tracking System or Information is non-assignable. Any access or use that inconsistent with these terms is unauthorized and strictly prohibited.
They can find a million reasons not to honor their guarantee. Have you ever had to make a claim on a service guarantee in the month of December?
Sales have been good during November for me too.
I know another collar maker who is swamped as well. Looks like the doggie business is looking up!
I know another collar maker who is swamped as well. Looks like the doggie business is looking up!
While they do honour their service guarantee in December for over-night delivery, you may want to read the following disclaimer in UPS' Terms and Conditions. They can use a number of excuses to get out of refunding your over-night shipping charges.
* The on-time delivery guarantee does not apply to shipments that are delayed due to causes beyond UPS’s control, including, but not limited to, the following: the unavailability or refusal of a person to accept delivery of the shipment, delays caused by the consignee, acts of God, public authorities acting with actual or apparent authority on the premises, acts or omissions of Customs or similar authorities, riots, circumstances arising before, during, or after a strike or other labour disputes, civil commotions, disruptions in the air or ground transportation network (such as weather phenomena), and natural disasters.
Monique
* The on-time delivery guarantee does not apply to shipments that are delayed due to causes beyond UPS’s control, including, but not limited to, the following: the unavailability or refusal of a person to accept delivery of the shipment, delays caused by the consignee, acts of God, public authorities acting with actual or apparent authority on the premises, acts or omissions of Customs or similar authorities, riots, circumstances arising before, during, or after a strike or other labour disputes, civil commotions, disruptions in the air or ground transportation network (such as weather phenomena), and natural disasters.
Monique
