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What's your experience with Pirate Ship "adjustments"?

I've used Pirate Ship twice so far, and both times I got hit with a UPS surcharge after the fact, which PS immediately charged to my credit card on file. Both shipments were incoming, so I have the packaging and I was able to confirm that the actual dimensions in fact matched those on the label. 

On one box, UPS claimed a one-inch difference and assessed a 10% surcharge... Seems like one inch would be well within the margin of error of their automated measurement portals?

Now there's no doubt that Pirate Ship is much less expensive than going through UPS directly, and I'm wondering if UPS has a zero-tolerance policy towards Pirate Ship-originated shipments to help them recoup some of the lower cost... Have you had similar experiences with PS?

 

devinplombier
devinplombier OP
1,637 posts
 

@fiesta75 

In the future I’ll make sure to round up numbers too.

At one point I did change 16.5 lbs to 17 lbs and the price didn’t change, so I guess their system already rounds up to the next pound.

mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
6,486 posts
 

I’ve used Pirate Ship well over 100 hundreds times, (found them years ago) and never had an issue that wasn’t my fault.

Under weighed an item and they charged me for it, but I’ve had several that I over weighed and they credited my account.  I always round up on dimensions and weight, just to be sure.

Only had to contact them once and they were GREAT!

I’m an absolute cheerleader for Pirate Ship!!!  Arrrgh. wink

 

spin4cards's avatar
spin4cards
62 posts
 

I ship quite a bit using Pirate Ship. Most of the boxes I use are from Uline and are marked on the bottom 15x15x7, 15x15x12 etc. Those are the two sizes I use most. I also always round up regarding weight. Dozens of these boxes have made it through with no issue except lately, when I have been getting dinged with regards to the pre-printed box dimensions. My 15x15x7 boxes are being charged 16x16x8 and the 15x15x12 is being charged 16x16x13. PS says UPS uses a "machine" that reads the dimensions. IDK, my friend says that UPS probably has an issue with Uline. 

renosteve
40 posts
 

Pirate Ship is awesome I use them all the time.

elliottbnewcombjr
7,701 posts
 

@nogaps 

"Don’t spend it all in one place".

I’ll have to look into Pirate Ship, didn’t know about them.

Of course round up, who needs more trouble in their life. Unless, you are repeatedly shipping and it adds up. Even then ...

I like that it get’s automatically paid, rather than me paying separate supplementary bill to FedEx, which included a $4.50 service fee for them collecting the tariff.

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