So I just got back from the UPS central hub and had to pick up my firearm that I had just sold on Gunbroker. I sold it with a safety extension and when they X Rayed it, they consulted their "security" guy and he diagnosed it, upon closer inspection (they opened the box), as a silencer!!:banghead: They called me up and told me they would not ship a silencer and that I needed to come down and pick up my firearm. I tried to explain to them that it wasn't a silencer and that it was merely a safety extension, but they wouldn't hear it and said that they weren't going to ship it. Now I know that I can go ship FEDEX and I probably will inevitably end up using them for this shipment, but they are considerably more expensive than UPS and so I was wondering if any you fellows knew anything that could be done to make these people see reason. I don't see why I should "have to" pay more for shipping simply because these guys are making a mistake identifying this gun part. I have the original sales reciept that indicates "safety extension" but I doubt it will convince them. Any thoughts?
UPS won't ship my firearm. What can I do, if anything?
- Thread starter EHL
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Riss
Member
I guess the real reason is why are they x-raying it. See if they will take the box without the safety extension. If so. Then remove it, and mail the extension in a USPS flat rate box.
KINGMAX
Member
FEDX
inSight-NEO
Member
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This sounds like a plausible route. If not, give FedEx a go. The only other option would be to ship via an FFL, which would probably be considerably more expensive than any other alternatives.
Arguing with anyone at UPS may be more trouble than its worth. After all, its your word against their own even if their thoughts/words concerning the matter are misguided. Its probably in their best interest to play hard-ball on this one than to merely let it slide. Hence, Id go with option a or b (probably the most practical) or c (as a last resort).
starkadder
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I have always shipped U.S.P.S. for that reason and some others, you are at the mercy of corperate policy when you use them. Also you never know who will be handling your items and in what manner (long boxes tend to get thrown like spears, this from a freind who has worked for UPS and FEDEX).
I have shipped dozens of guns at the post office and have never had an issue, they are much cheaper, faster when you use priority mail, and usually treat your packages better, but that's just my opinion.
I hope That these were just rifles, because only FFLs can ship handguns USPSThanks Bw
I have shipped dozens of guns at the post office and have never had an issue, they are much cheaper, faster when you use priority mail, and usually treat your packages better, but that's just my opinion.
I hope That these were just rifles, because only FFLs can ship handguns USPSThanks Bw
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84B20
Member
I don't know where you got the idea that UPS was more expensive than FedEx. I ship FedEx ground regularly and it is consistantly less expensive than UPS ground. Plus it is usually faster than UPS.
DHJenkins
Member
I don't ship USPS. They had an upper of mine floating around for 36 days before it finally showed up. No excuses, apologies, or even a clue where it was. It's because shipments are only trackable if someone bothers to scan them in, which sometimes doesn't happen. The tracking page said "Accepted in etc..." right up until the day it arrived, and the local PO, central PO & PO of origin could not track it.
There's also the ultra-slow insurance claim process. 21 days until you can file, then anywhere from 2-4 months before you get a check.
I use FEDEX for everything.
There's also the ultra-slow insurance claim process. 21 days until you can file, then anywhere from 2-4 months before you get a check.
I use FEDEX for everything.
christcorp
Member
I wouldn't ship UPS under ANY circumstances. They are a mickey mouse organization. They want you to believe that they are for PACKAGES what the USPS is for letters. They aren't. They leave things on the steps, porch, neighbor's house, etc... no matter how many times you tell them DON'T DO IT. Even when packages say they REQUIRE AN ADULT SIGNATURE. e.g. ammo. They are a joke. Fedex is CHEAPER!!! (Even all our christmas packages we send out is cheaper via Fedex. They are more secure. They are more professional. And most times much faster. I BEG PEOPLE shipping to me to not ship UPS. If I have a choice when ordering, I will choose ANYTHING else. Even if it does cost me a couple dollars more. (Seems when I ship FEDEX, it's cheaper; but when I receive FEDEX it's more. I think the sender is charging more for the "HANDLING" portion).
If what you're calling a "safety extension" is a fake suppressor you'll never convince them otherwise. As far as they're concerned if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, etc, it must be a duck.
I agree with removing it and sending it seperately though another carrier.
I agree with removing it and sending it seperately though another carrier.
nalioth
Member
Last I looked, UPS hubs were few and far between. There is only one in the Houston metro, so unless the OP drives to the other end of Idaho (or another state), I doubt it's as easy as "going to a different hub".jh225 said:
To the OP: You don't mention what type of firearm you're shipping, but long guns can be sent through the US Mail. The USPS is much easier to deal with than FedUPS.
runrabbitrun
member
Although I've never shipped firearms...
I have shipped thousands of my products using USPS Priority Mail for years.
I've had very few issues and they are cheaper, (overall) more reliable
and usually faster than their counterparts.
(My products shipped are usually as long as rifles)...
I can attest that they treat your packages better too.
In almost 10 years I can still count on one hand, how many times
items were damaged in transit or had a delayed delivery time.
You can even print postage online with FREE DC
and have them pick up at your door at no additional cost.
You can also order boxes/supplies from them FREE of charge
and they will deliver them to your door as well.
UPS and Fed Ex wanted to 'fee me to death' to even bother coming out to pick up in my area.
And their drop off points are a county away.
Can't use those drop off boxes at the local PO for Fed Ex either...
My stuff is too long to fit into those drop boxes...
Just me experience.
I have shipped thousands of my products using USPS Priority Mail for years.
I've had very few issues and they are cheaper, (overall) more reliable
and usually faster than their counterparts.
(My products shipped are usually as long as rifles)...
I can attest that they treat your packages better too.
In almost 10 years I can still count on one hand, how many times
items were damaged in transit or had a delayed delivery time.
You can even print postage online with FREE DC
and have them pick up at your door at no additional cost.
You can also order boxes/supplies from them FREE of charge
and they will deliver them to your door as well.
UPS and Fed Ex wanted to 'fee me to death' to even bother coming out to pick up in my area.
And their drop off points are a county away.
Can't use those drop off boxes at the local PO for Fed Ex either...
My stuff is too long to fit into those drop boxes...
Just me experience.
ARNETT44
Member
I have never had a problem with UPS shipping any firearm or suppressor over the last few years, and I am in South Florida not Idaho! Look up on line what the will ship and I do believe that they list firearms and how to ship with them.
I think it's a fake suppressor. I'd never heard of one either so I googled it. This is the first thing I found (the text is from their site):
Safety Extension
Safety extension for the MPA pistols. Gives you a safety margin when the shooting gets too GOOD to turn loose! Unique locking cam system locks the extension tightly to your barrel. You gotta have one with your pistol Have fun and be safe at the same time. What a cool look it gives your MPA!
NavyLCDR
member
FEDEX, according to their written tariff, will not ship firearms between private parties. One end of the shipment must be licensed.
jackstinson
Member
As has been said:
Take the fake suppressor off and send it USPS Priority. Then send the gun UPS or Fedex. I've shipped guns with both and receive ammo, etc via both for years....about the same service. UPS tracking is a bit more precise if you are following your package.
UPS will not leave packages on my porch which require an "over 21" signature. I had to buzz down to the hub last week to get a case of ammo requiring such a signature in person with ID, and I'll buzz down again this week for another. They will leave ammo on my porch if it does not require an "over 21" signature.
Interesting that the Houston area only has 1 UPS "hub"? There are 4 hubs within a 20 mile drive from me and 8 within 60 miles. Not to mention the plethora of UPS "stores" from which I have shipped many guns.
Take the fake suppressor off and send it USPS Priority. Then send the gun UPS or Fedex. I've shipped guns with both and receive ammo, etc via both for years....about the same service. UPS tracking is a bit more precise if you are following your package.
UPS will not leave packages on my porch which require an "over 21" signature. I had to buzz down to the hub last week to get a case of ammo requiring such a signature in person with ID, and I'll buzz down again this week for another. They will leave ammo on my porch if it does not require an "over 21" signature.
Interesting that the Houston area only has 1 UPS "hub"? There are 4 hubs within a 20 mile drive from me and 8 within 60 miles. Not to mention the plethora of UPS "stores" from which I have shipped many guns.
deadin
Member
Some contract stores read the UPS rules, others don't. Just because yours let you doesn't mean that mine will (or should.)
http://www.tickbitesupply.com/safetyext.jpg
I'd like to change my comment to......I'll take Mall Ninja's for $400, Alex.
Not for nothing OP, but now having seen the pic, UPS did nothing at all wrong.
I'd like to change my comment to......I'll take Mall Ninja's for $400, Alex.
Not for nothing OP, but now having seen the pic, UPS did nothing at all wrong.
deadin
Member
duplicate....
nalioth
Member
I beg to differ.JH225 said:
UPS' policies state that they'll send any legal shipment.
This includes hazmat and NFA items, so long as they are sent in accordance with applicable laws. The "illegal" item wasn't even what the staff there thought it was, and even if it was a real suppressor, their policies would not object to it's shipment.
The staff at the OP's UPS facility were sadly out of touch with their own regs, steadfast in their (wrong) position, and the OP needs to call the upper management and let them know, so the local employees can be brought up to speed.
Eightball
Member
Do this, then ship in two separate boxes.
I appreciate the "High Road" commentary here.
Did I mention that I was getting RID of this?!!!!:banghead: I bought this years ago and it doesn't match my tastes anymore, but I bought it, not so much because it looked "cool" but, because it actually makes the gun more ergonomic in shooting it. There's not alot to hold onto when you shoot these type of guns and a safety extension (that's what's its called on the website that I bought it from and that's what my reciept states) was something that would help in comfortably shooting it. I don't need your "mall ninja" comments being thrown at me just because you're too shortsided to see that there are other applications for these accessories other than trying to look cool. For all the rest of you actually adding to the conversation and not just waisting bandwith, I thank you for your responses and advice. This is a pistol and so I don't believe USPS will ship it without an FFL. I know that they will ship long arms and ammunition too, but pistols is another story.
I'm going to ship via FedEx since the guy on the other end is the one losing out on having his gun that he paid for. I don't want to drag this out fighting to save a few bucks, while the poor guy who bought it has to wait.
UPS hubs are far and few inbetween here in Idaho. There's lots of UPS stores, but they won't ship firearms. I've never had a problem with FedEx before, to their credit.
Good thing I don't often sell guns at all. What a PITA to ship these things!
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