1. Home
  2. misc-audio
  3. 198070-192372

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
 

I don't exactly understand the relationship between P.S. & UPS. It would seem that UPS taking P.S. packages would be counterintuitive but I'm glad that they do.

@mattw73 

I wonder too. My assumption was that PS purchases shipping in bulk from UPS (and USPS) and resells it to retail shippers on their website. Their role seems limited to generating shipping labels; they have no physical involvement with packages. It would be interesting to know. 

 

mattw73
190 posts
 

Yes. I am very interested to know how it works 

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,683 posts
 

I use Pirate Ship frequently and love it. Now they will upcharge if the weight or dimensions are over what you state. But I have had them refund $$ automatically when the weight was adjusted down.

devinplombier OP
1,637 posts
 

Here's some Pirate Ship, uh, lore:

https://www.wyomingnews.com/wbr/current_edition/startup-adds-pirate-y-fun-to-usps-shipping/article_f98b39ee-37a3-538a-abd2-5e2838a4b815.html

 

devinplombier OP
1,637 posts
 

So I had 2 upcharges out of 2 shipments. There's a way to dispute UPS adjustments on PS's website, so I disputed both and both were reversed. In their own words:

ARRrrr, looks like you’ve won this round, matey!

I have more shipments coming up, we'll see how these go!

 

More to discover