20 Feb
2001
20 Feb
'01
11:54 a.m.
A) Stop everything and run over to
http://www.thebattles.net/sol20/solace/solace.html and download Jim Battle's
newest update to the best emulator in the world. This guy is amazing! Now
you play and record virtual cassette tapes on your emulated SOL. It's the
next best thing to having a non-emulated Sol - <g>!
B) I finally found a Votrax Type n' Talk after a search of several months
(and refusal to overpay on eBay), but when I received it today, I found that
it lacks the power supply - a cute little thing with a 5-pin DIN plug
supplying 26 VAC, 180 ma on pins 1 and 3, 20 V DC 50 ma on pin 2 and pin 4
is 0 volt reference. Not exactly something I can whip up in a hurry.,
Sooo... does anyone have an "extra" unit they would like to trade - either
the power supply or both pieces. And if so, what might you be looking for?
Thanks.
Bob Stek
Saver of Lost Sols
20 Feb
20 Feb
12:39 p.m.
New subject: UPS woes
Well, UPS struck again. In the past they've managed to
destroy any number of monitors, including a Tandy CM1 and a DEC
VR201. Today a Blue/white G3 that I ordered arrived, packed in all
the original styrofoam and stuff and they still managed to break the
casing into numerous pieces. They must have really tossed it around
to cause the damage that was done. Needless to say, in the future
I'll be doing everything I can to avoid using UPS.
Jeff
--
Collector of Classic Microcomputers and Video Game Systems:
Home of the TRS-80 Model 2000 FAQ File
http://www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/lakes/6757
1:47 p.m.
New subject: UPS woes
At 21:39 20-02-2001 -0500, Jeff H. wrote:
Well, UPS struck again. In the past they've
managed to
destroy any number of monitors, including a Tandy CM1 and a DEC
VR201. Today a Blue/white G3 that I ordered arrived, packed in all
<snip>
Suggestion: FedEx bought out RPS, which became FedEx Ground. I've been
shipping with them for months, and I've yet to have anything damaged. Their
customer service has been good as well.
Good luck on your insurance claim.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Bruce Lane, Owner and head honcho, Blue Feather Technologies
http://www.bluefeathertech.com // E-mail: kyrrin(a)bluefeathertech.com
Amateur Radio: WD6EOS since Dec. '77 (Extra class as of June-2K)
"I'll get a life when someone demonstrates to me that it would be
superior to what I have now..." (Gym Z. Quirk, aka Taki Kogoma).
3:14 p.m.
New subject: UPS woes
UPS has been great with me and I ship/recieve things almost daily. A lot of
what I hear being damaged is in certain destinations like large cities in
California and Chciago, and others. It may be that the UPS drivers/handlers
in those areas are excessively rough. CRT's are a bad thing to ship as it
is. No amount of foam, bubble wrap, etc is going to support the neck of the
tube in a crash to the ground with an instant stop, and if airlifted any
fine crack becomes a leak.
I hated RPS. We figured out that RPS didn't stand for Roadway Package System
but Really Pathetic Shipping. They lost stuff, broke it, etc. I just found
out myself that FedEx bought out RPS and canned a bunch of non-conformists
and made the others reform if they wanted to stay. I was wondering why I'd
see RPS tractors pulling FedEx trailers while driving to job sites - and I
found out why. I've had no problem with FedEx but when I try to compare
shipping rats UPS always wins out by more than just a little. If I have to
get something there yesterday then I bite the bullet and go the extra for
FedEx. Also since I don't do a regular enough amount of traffic to get a
daily stop and therefore don't have to pay UPS a daily/weekly fee, I can
check either but found out that in my rural area FedEx will drop off all you
want but won't pickup without an account.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org
[mailto:owner-classiccmp@classiccmp.org]On Behalf Of Bruce Lane
Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2001 9:47 PM
To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: UPS woes
At 21:39 20-02-2001 -0500, Jeff H. wrote:
Well, UPS struck again. In the past they've
managed to
destroy any number of monitors, including a Tandy CM1 and a DEC
VR201. Today a Blue/white G3 that I ordered arrived, packed in all
<snip>
Suggestion: FedEx bought out RPS, which became FedEx Ground. I've been
shipping with them for months, and I've yet to have anything damaged. Their
customer service has been good as well.
Good luck on your insurance claim.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Bruce Lane, Owner and head honcho, Blue Feather Technologies
http://www.bluefeathertech.com // E-mail: kyrrin(a)bluefeathertech.com
Amateur Radio: WD6EOS since Dec. '77 (Extra class as of June-2K)
"I'll get a life when someone demonstrates to me that it would be
superior to what I have now..." (Gym Z. Quirk, aka Taki Kogoma).
21 Feb
21 Feb
1:09 a.m.
New subject: UPS woes
Bruce Lane wrote:
At 21:39 20-02-2001 -0500, Jeff H. wrote:
RPS managed to break a DEC PWS-500a which I bought on eBay a few
months back. But in their favor, Fedex did settle all my costs
(including shipping) within 6 weeks. I've heard UPS can be a brick
wall when it comes to claims.
nick o
Well, UPS struck again. In the past
they've managed to
destroy any number of monitors, including a Tandy CM1 and a DEC
VR201. Today a Blue/white G3 that I ordered arrived, packed in all
<snip>
Suggestion: FedEx bought out RPS, which became FedEx Ground. I've been
shipping with them for months, and I've yet to have anything damaged. Their
customer service has been good as well.
Good luck on your insurance claim.
20 Feb
20 Feb
3:14 p.m.
New subject: UPS woes
For a really fun shipping experience, try the postal service for those
delicate and heavy items - especially if you want to be able to claim it.
Guaranteed breakage of 30% from what I've had experiences with them. If it
can't be drop-kicked across the room in it's box and survive then USPS
doesn't get even a 1 lb item.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org
[mailto:owner-classiccmp@classiccmp.org]On Behalf Of Jeff Hellige
Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2001 8:40 PM
To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org
Subject: UPS woes
Well, UPS struck again. In the past they've managed to
destroy any number of monitors, including a Tandy CM1 and a DEC
VR201. Today a Blue/white G3 that I ordered arrived, packed in all
the original styrofoam and stuff and they still managed to break the
casing into numerous pieces. They must have really tossed it around
to cause the damage that was done. Needless to say, in the future
I'll be doing everything I can to avoid using UPS.
Jeff
--
Collector of Classic Microcomputers and Video Game Systems:
Home of the TRS-80 Model 2000 FAQ File
http://www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/lakes/6757
4:24 p.m.
New subject: UPS woes
I had a fairly well-packed IBM 5151 monitor arrive
recently via UPS with the case in pieces with the CRT
broken. Very sad. FedEx ground is by far the best
here in Southern Cal. With UPS, the box invariably
arrives trashed. With FedEx service here, the box is
almost always clean with sharp corners. I'm sure this
will change, however, as the large package volume at
FedEx increases.
-W
http://www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/lakes/6757
For a really fun shipping experience, try the postal
service for those
delicate and heavy items - especially if you want to
be able to claim it.
Guaranteed breakage of 30% from what I've had
experiences with them. If it
can't be drop-kicked across the room in it's
box and
survive then USPS
doesn't get even a 1 lb item.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org
[mailto:owner-classiccmp@classiccmp.org]On Behalf Of
Jeff Hellige
Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2001 8:40 PM
To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org
Subject: UPS woes
Well, UPS struck again. In the past they've managed
to
destroy any number of monitors, including a Tandy CM1
and a DEC
VR201. Today a Blue/white G3 that I ordered arrived,
packed in all
the original styrofoam and stuff and they still
managed to break the
casing into numerous pieces. They must have really
tossed it around
to cause the damage that was done. Needless to say,
in the future
I'll be doing everything I can to avoid using
UPS.
Jeff
--
Collector of Classic Microcomputers and Video
Game Systems:
Home of the TRS-80 Model 2000
FAQ File
3:17 p.m.
New subject: UPS woes
I once sent a then cutting edge SCSI tape drive to a repair facility for a fix
via UPS. When the work (costing $600) was done, they sent the drive back to me,
packed in a white cardboard box with a very readable label, insured for $600
which is what was owed them.
When the UPS guy delivered it, I was still at work, so instead of putting the
package somewhere out of the way or delivering it the next day, the package was
left in the driveway where it led into the covered portion of the carport. It
was snowing that afternoon (UPS delivers at about 1:30 p.m.) and by the time I
got home, there were several inches of snow on the driveway and package. A
couple of days later, I found the package, tire tracks and all, and the drive
was rubbish.
I've not shipped even one item with UPS since then. I've always had the
impression they really figure they can afford to pay for whatever is insured and
to hell with the rest.
Dick
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeff Hellige" <jhellige(a)earthlink.net>
To: <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2001 7:39 PM
Subject: UPS woes
Well, UPS struck again. In the past they've
managed to
destroy any number of monitors, including a Tandy CM1 and a DEC
VR201. Today a Blue/white G3 that I ordered arrived, packed in all
the original styrofoam and stuff and they still managed to break the
casing into numerous pieces. They must have really tossed it around
to cause the damage that was done. Needless to say, in the future
I'll be doing everything I can to avoid using UPS.
Jeff
--
Collector of Classic Microcomputers and Video Game Systems:
Home of the TRS-80 Model 2000 FAQ File
http://www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/lakes/6757
21 Feb
21 Feb
12:23 a.m.
New subject: UPS woes
At 10:17 PM 2/20/01 -0700, Richard Erlacher wrote:
When the UPS guy delivered it, I was still at work, so
instead of putting the
package somewhere out of the way or delivering it the next day, the package was
left in the driveway where it led into the covered portion of the carport.
That's 100% UPS policy for residential delivery: they can leave it
seemingly anywhere unless the sender has paid extra for
signature verification. My favorite location is in the bushes,
where it will be found months later after the weather has
attacked it. (For those of you in California, "weather" can
be things like rain, the frozen rain we call "snow", etc.)
Think about the alternative: UPS trucks driving endlessly to
attempt to deliver packages to residential addresses where
no one is there to accept the package...
- John
12:56 a.m.
New subject: UPS woes
Years ago, when I had someplace for them to leave the packages, they didn't.
Instead, they'd leave a notice with a number one could call to arrange to pick
the package up one'sself, or to arrange delivery to an alternative address. It
makes me wonder how many packages I've not received just because the local
hooligans thought it would be fun to kick it down the road.
Dick
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Foust" <jfoust(a)threedee.com>
To: <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2001 7:23 AM
Subject: Re: UPS woes
At 10:17 PM 2/20/01 -0700, Richard Erlacher wrote:
>When the UPS guy delivered it, I was still at work, so instead of putting the
>package somewhere out of the way or delivering it the next day, the package
was
left in the
driveway where it led into the covered portion of the carport.
That's 100% UPS policy for residential delivery: they can leave it
seemingly anywhere unless the sender has paid extra for
signature verification. My favorite location is in the bushes,
where it will be found months later after the weather has
attacked it. (For those of you in California, "weather" can
be things like rain, the frozen rain we call "snow", etc.)
Think about the alternative: UPS trucks driving endlessly to
attempt to deliver packages to residential addresses where
no one is there to accept the package...
- John
7:22 a.m.
New subject: UPS woes
On Wed, 21 Feb 2001, John Foust wrote:
At 10:17 PM 2/20/01 -0700, Richard Erlacher wrote:
Not too many years ago, they used to leave a little yellow form advising
that they would try again on the following day or you could call the
distribution site and arrange to pick it up yourself. Presumably, they
have concluded that paying claims under the current system is less
costly than under the old.
- don
When the UPS guy delivered it, I was still at
work, so instead of putting the
package somewhere out of the way or delivering it the next day, the package was
left in the driveway where it led into the covered portion of the carport.
That's 100% UPS policy for residential delivery: they can leave it
seemingly anywhere unless the sender has paid extra for
signature verification. My favorite location is in the bushes,
where it will be found months later after the weather has
attacked it. (For those of you in California, "weather" can
be things like rain, the frozen rain we call "snow", etc.)
Think about the alternative: UPS trucks driving endlessly to
attempt to deliver packages to residential addresses where
no one is there to accept the package...
- John
8:01 a.m.
New subject: UPS woes
A big part of the problem is that they seldom remember to leave the little
yellow tag. That's why I didn't find the run-over tape drive right away.
Dick
----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Maslin" <donm(a)cts.com>
To: <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2001 2:22 PM
Subject: Re: UPS woes
Not too many years ago, they used to leave a little yellow form advising
that they would try again on the following day or you could call the
distribution site and arrange to pick it up yourself. Presumably, they
have concluded that paying claims under the current system is less
costly than under the old.
- don
On Wed, 21 Feb 2001, John Foust wrote:
> At 10:17 PM 2/20/01 -0700, Richard Erlacher wrote:
> >When the UPS guy delivered it, I was still at work, so instead of putting
the
> >package somewhere out of the way or
delivering it the next day, the package
was
left in the driveway where it led into the covered
portion of the carport.
That's 100% UPS policy for residential delivery: they can leave it
seemingly anywhere unless the sender has paid extra for
signature verification. My favorite location is in the bushes,
where it will be found months later after the weather has
attacked it. (For those of you in California, "weather" can
be things like rain, the frozen rain we call "snow", etc.)
Think about the alternative: UPS trucks driving endlessly to
attempt to deliver packages to residential addresses where
no one is there to accept the package...
- John
8:01 a.m.
New subject: UPS woes
Not too many years ago, they used to leave a little
yellow form advising
that they would try again on the following day or you could call the
distribution site and arrange to pick it up yourself. Presumably, they
have concluded that paying claims under the current system is less
costly than under the old.
Actually, I still receive the little yellow notices on
occasion. Most of the time though I request that a sender use USPS
as I've had much better luck than with UPS. RPS I've only used for
RMA's to/from IBM because it was their preferred mode of shipment but
I never had any problems with them. I avoid UPS like the plague
normally though. With the monitors that they've trashed, it was
never the picture tube that got busted but the outer casing. The
same with this Mac G3...plenty of styrofoam packing from Apple but
they shattered part of the side panel.
Jeff
--
Collector of Classic Microcomputers and Video Game Systems:
Home of the TRS-80 Model 2000 FAQ File
http://www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/lakes/6757
12:24 a.m.
New subject: UPS woes
Richard Erlacher wrote:
When the UPS guy delivered it, I was still at work, so
instead of putting the
package somewhere out of the way or delivering it the next day, the package was
left in the driveway where it led into the covered portion of the carport. It
I've been fortunate since moving back to the US. My workplace is about
a 10 minute walk from my old apartment, so the UPS guy who used to
deliver to my home still delivers to my work. Since I live in the next
city over, we've got a different UPS guy for home.
However, my work UPS guy keeps tabs on my home UPS guy. He tells me if
he's going to be late delivering, if the package is damaged or not, and
has offered several times to bring my packages to work for me, on the
off chance that the home UPS guy goes on vacation.
It pays to be friendly with your delivery people. Even if they can't
stop the guy at the airport from playing Ace Ventura with your package,
they can at least make part of the trip smooth for you.
--
Tim Harrison
Network Engineer
harrison(a)timharrison.com
http://www.networklevel.com/
7:33 a.m.
New subject: UPS woes
I have it both ways - I work from home. If I have something important coming
from either FedEx or UPS I have the sender email the
tracking/airbill number
and I see where it is and plan to have someone around.
Hewlett Packard sends
all my parts, warranty and non-warranty, by FedEx and he's usually here
before I go onsite. Many times I'll drop-ship a part to the customer's site
and meet the part there, or have it held at the UPS or FedEx counter in that
city. I do it all the time with FedEx in Lousiville and it's only blocks
from ost of my customer's sites.
When I am on the road and no one is home, both the regular FedEx and UPS
guys know the place that I want the parcels set, unless they need a
signature. They also know that it's a good chance I'll be back later so they
usually try again in the late afternoon just before heaidng back to their
warehouse as my hoe/biz is on their way back. Excellent setup and service
from both since I moved here 2 yrs ago and in return
for their help (that
neither has to do really) I get them the parts they need for
their home PC's
at my cost. Of course they get sucked in with the state tax though. They
appreciate it and I appreciate the extra they do for me.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org
[mailto:owner-classiccmp@classiccmp.org]On Behalf Of Tim Harrison
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2001 8:25 AM
To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: UPS woes
Richard Erlacher wrote:
When the UPS guy delivered it, I was still at work, so
instead of putting
the
package somewhere out of the way or delivering it the
next day, the
package was
left in the driveway where it led into the covered
portion of the carport.
It
I've been fortunate since moving back to the US. My workplace is about
a 10 minute walk from my old apartment, so the UPS guy who used to
deliver to my home still delivers to my work. Since I live in the next
city over, we've got a different UPS guy for home.
However, my work UPS guy keeps tabs on my home UPS guy. He tells me if
he's going to be late delivering, if the package is damaged or not, and
has offered several times to bring my packages to work for me, on the
off chance that the home UPS guy goes on vacation.
It pays to be friendly with your delivery people. Even if they can't
stop the guy at the airport from playing Ace Ventura with your package,
they can at least make part of the trip smooth for you.
--
Tim Harrison
Network Engineer
harrison(a)timharrison.com
http://www.networklevel.com/
8705
days inactive
8706
days old
15 comments
11 participants
participants (11)
-
donm＠cts.com -
edick＠idcomm.com -
harrison＠timharrison.com -
jfoust＠threedee.com -
jhellige＠earthlink.net -
kyrrin＠bluefeathertech.com -
mikeford＠socal.rr.com -
oliv555＠arrl.net -
r.stek＠snet.net -
russ＠rbcs.8m.com -
wmsmith＠earthlink.net