Hi Folks,

Thought I'd issue a consumer alert:

Bought a set of refinished Vanagon alloys with Michelin MXT Tires in
excellent condition from a guy in Virginia.

Called UPS--They said we'll pick them up.  I asked if banding the
wheels/tires together would be good for shipping?  Yes, that's no problem.
Total will be $225.  Sounds good.  UPS said "we'll pick them up Monday."

Monday, no pick up.  Tuesday, no pick up but a note on the guy's door that
they came and didn't find them.  Even though I'd given instructions that
they were behind his gate.  Called UPS.  "we have no record of this
shipment."

"THEN HOW DID YOU LEAVE A NOTE ON HIS DOOR?"

"oh, yes, sorry, I see that.  We'll get them tomorrow."

"It's okay that they're banded together?"

"that's perfect."

They came on Wednesday and picked up the wheels.  The guy who sold them to
me emailed to say that all of his banding material was left in a pile on the
front doorstep.

Wheels are in transit.  I check my account.  THEY CHARGED ME $450.
Apparently banding is not acceptable.  Thing is, the guy sent me a pic--they
were banded tight and perfectly.

Yesterday, the wheels got here.  Well, some of them  THREE OF FIVE, to be
exact.

Called UPS.  Even though there's a tracking number for the other two, they
DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY ARE.  Lost 'em.

They said they'd be back in touch with me WITHIN EIGHT DAYS to let me know
what they found out.

The moral, so far anyway?  DON'T USE UPS.  THEY SUCK.

What can Brown do for you?  Overcharge you and lose your cargo, apparently.

I hope this doesn't count as vendor bashing.  If a UPS board member is on
this list, I sincerely apologize for not handling this issue off-list...

In other news, my Vanagon is fast and has three beautiful alloys on it.

Regards,
Joe T.
Denver, CO

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