The UPS Store

Oh my god. This UPS is sooo much better than the one on telegraph that it warrants a review, and I’m pretty lazy about reviews. Kiyoshi was super fast, professional and well informed. Didn’t try to sell me anything additional, moved quickly and efficiently. Prices are probably the same across the board, UPS isn’t cheap, so there’s that. But overall very satisfied I was in and out in less than 5 minutes.

Needed a Notary really fast. They were super efficient and helpful. And pricing was reasonable. Thanks guys

Well, chalk up another one star review for this place. Unbelievably bad customer service experience there this morning. I was told by a client who has a mailbox there that I could just drop off her package to this location, and that she would let them know in advance that I was doing so. When I showed up this morning, the person at the counter said, «No. Can’t do it.» Not, «gee, I’m sorry, but we can’t accept hand delivered packages to a P.O. box, it’s just policy» but a stony faced, «No. Can’t do it.» When I expressed disbelief at that policy, he stopped short and said «no need for an attitude!» I asked him whether there was any way they could get around this, he said, «uh, let me check,» took a few steps away, and then turned back and said, «No. If you want, we can mail it out for you and then it will come back.» What I found appalling was the complete lack of basic customer service skills from «Jeff», «the manager”(he refused to give his last name!). I took the package to USPS and paid next day delivery just to be absolutely sure it will arrive for my client, with a tracking number, because I sure don’t trust the people who work here.

WHAT the what.
I’m trying to chill myself so my blood doesn’t boil over.
TO put it as respectfully as I can muster right now, I can NOT recommend mailing/​shipping anything from here, for ANY reason, ever. Not only because customer service sucks, but primarily because they don’t actually get the job done while swindling us and coasting on our tax dollars (read: they ship UPS mail through USPS but charge you for UPS services!)
I went in to mail an expedited manila envelope containing my passport renewal work on 12÷19÷15. Granted, it was the holidays, and I knew it wasn’t the best timing, so I figured I should use UPS instead of USPS. (That youtube video of the postal worker dumping mail into a waste bin still fresh in my mind). BIG MISTAKE. First, I’m told they don’t take credit cards for purchases under $ 10. Ok. For small businesses, I totally get this, but for a corporate chain? baloney.
Anyhow, it’s the holidays, and no use in getting upset at these young whippersnappers. I go next door to the credit union to withdraw $ 20, and return to pay. I ask for the fastest, most secure shipping and they said «oh you need First Class». So I go for it, trusting that they’ll take care of it. Usually, I don’t get my receipt, but I had a funny feeling and asked for it when they went to throw it away. I’m charged $ 2.34 for this first class letter.
Fast forward to 12÷29÷15 — TEN days later.
I am out of town, and my housemate texts me saying my Expedited Passport renewal was «returned to sender» for NOT HAVING POSTAGE. Like, nothing at all.
are.
You.
KIDDING?
I understand we are all human, and make mistakes. The impact of this mistake on me? Realistically, besides my current and impermanent rage, it’s only a few bucks, and a bit inconvenient, and probably means my flight to Japan is going to cost a couple hundred dollars more…(actually, this totally still makes me unhappy but what can I do besides rant). But just a skim through the other Unilocal reviews indicates that this wasn’t a one-​time only oversight.
Not only that, but I was charged $ 2.34, and the true postage required was $ 1.42 (It was written on the envelope by the USPS postal worker). The actual money isn’t an issue. The issue is that these dumb crooks are going to put the USPS out of business by charging almost double, while relying on USPS to do the actual services, straight scamming customers out of cash, and messing with my travel plans…
Btw, from my receipt I can see that the logged-​in cashier’s name is Thomas. A quick shout out, buddy. Thanks for overcharging me and somehow managing to throw my mail in the USPS bin without adding any postage, Thomas. I see many promotions coming your way.
Also, thanks Unilocal for helping me channel my frustration into one more UPS negative review so I can keep my cool when I have to actually deal with these dumb dumbs.
(UPDATE: apparently this branch is not alone. UPS systemwide seems to have issues for theft and mishandling of mail
)

The worst! I hope the people at the UPS corporate offices see that the same guy (manager?) keeps getting these terrible reviews. Dude if you ARE the manager, read these reviews and do something about it! You’re rude, cold, and no very helpful.
It’s kinda sad because it’s obvious the other guys there want to be helpful…

This place is the worst. Just left without buying anything.
They will try to sell you stuff you don’t want without telling you. Then they tell you the total to ship a small cd case domestically with no priority will cost $ 15.
They will tell you that your package is inefficient for shipping and try to sell you other stuff. And when I told them I was shipping a video game system, I got a very sketchy vibe and thought they might steal it if I sent it there.
Do not go here. Any hassle you get at USPS is well worth it to avoid these scumbag employees.

I’ve been using UPS for years without any issues. Unfortunately this store is a UPS Franchise which means it’s privately owned and UPS has no control over the level of service. The customer service at this store is some of the worst customer service I’ve ever seen. They are rude, and they try to scam money out of you any way they can. Spend a couple minutes and take a look at some of the other comments. I’ve experienced multiple issues others have mentioned, and I found very easy solution!
Just walk next door to Staples. It turns out that Staples and UPS have a partnership which means Staples has a full UPS shipping area inside their store. You can drop UPS packages off, and they’ll even tape it shut without charging you, If you do need anything there’s no $ 10 minimum for credit cards. Need to mail something via UPS? Well you can do that at Staples also, and they won’t try to over charge you.

Disinterested staff, but they got the job done. Said I would get an email that day with my tracking number and I didn’t. I had to go back the next day and ask for it, that’s a pain. I’ve had much better service at other locations.
It’s on my walk to and from work, if it weren’t I wouldn’t go out of my way to use the place.

I usually come here to drop off prepaid packages, and I have never had a problem. The manager (I think he’s the manager) — the guy usually opens the place — is so so unfriendly, almost surly except that he does not say enough to call him surly. So I don’t like that part and that is why I give the store three stars. Be friendly to the customers!

Been there to send my watch Nixon back to Nixon Company located in CA for a new battery. I packed it very carefully, wrapped it with bullpack and placed it into the small shipping box Nixon is using to ship their watches. As usual I asked for an insurance. The clerk, told me it wasn’t possible because my box wasn’t a UPS box: its cardboard wasn’t as resistant as the ones they sell.
I didn’t want to repack it, I compared their $ 2.80 boxes and mine: exact same quality. I said so to Thomas, the arrogant and totally unfriendly clerk. He replied that my box was too small, could be lost, theirs are bigger, safer… well, total bullshit.
I usually go to UPS on Solano for this. They shipped my watch many times with the very same package I made with an insurance and no stupid comment like this.
I felt that he started to be pissed, and before giving me the yellow slip he manually wrote on it «Customer insuficiently package item.» Then he drew a large cross below and asked me to sign next to it as proof that I am perfectly aware of the lack of insurance!
Beside the fact that his ridiculous and misspelled sentence was totally wrong, I found this totally abusive and insulting. The clerk’s message was clearly: «You refused to buy our UPS box? No problem. Your package will be uninsured. That means you are paying for a shipping that we can loose and it will be 100% your fault.»
Almost hilarious: how is it possible to be so perfectly unprofessional?!
UPS stores locations are independently owned and operated by franchisees. I went online and checked UPS documentation regarding insurance and packaging guidelines: Shattuck’s location clearly goes beyond the standard.
A place to definitely avoid.

Extremely helpful and honest employees. Very clean, organized, efficient, and student friendly.

NEVER use this UPS shop. Please read:
This is by far the worst UPS store I have ever used and I will definitely not be using it again in the future.
My latest visit I brought in several packages that were very securely wrapped (and much more protected than needed). All they included were items such as books, some Blu-​Ray movies, etc. The employee refused to insure the items because he claimed they didn’t package the items themselves. So, he opened and repacked a couple of them, charged for all the packaging material and service. Even then he still refused to insure a couple boxes (one box he refused to insure was a new video game packaged in an actual box filled with packaging material fully surrounding the item).
This is obviously some kind of scam this particular store is running to increase the amount of money they get. In my 20+ years of using many UPS shops all over country I have never once been refused to have my package insured. Not even once.
I also went to the official UPS sites and have been looking at the documentation regarding insurance and packaging. They are definitely going beyond what is considered standard in order to rack up customer bills.
This most recent visit wasn’t the first time I’ve had to deal with their antics (and, might I add, incompetence). I have been to this store on several other occasions and have given them the benefit of the doubt regarding how unprofessional (such as never giving you the tracking number, claiming they will e-​mail it to you, and then never following through) to just slacking off and being clueless to what services you need. This last visit was really the last straw and I will definitely not be using them in the future.
Also, I will be following this up by sending a letter to corporate so they are aware of what this shop is doing.

I’ve been here just a couple times. Usually everyone’s friendly and helpful.
Today I came in at closing time in a very bad mood. Jeff sensed this and did me a solid. Really made my night. Thanks, Jeff!

Would not accept a card transaction for under $ 10 dollars. I can understand why, but I also believe that making new customers satisfied leads to more business in the future. I just moved into Berkeley and needed to find a store that could handle my mailing and shipping needs.
They wouldn’t accept my card as payment to pay for postage to send my Dad a birthday card? That’s fine. But I won’t be coming back. Is there any place in Downtown Berkeley that sells postage besides the Post Office with it’s atrocious hours?

Came here to return a package to Amazon. I had my own box and prepaid label and the surly staff insisted on charging me $ 1 for literally 6 inches of tape to seal the box. Also a $ 10 credit card minimum. Would much rather use the Fedex store by Shattuck/​Allston, much friendlier staff there that are helpful.

I used this UPS Store for over 10 years and they were always great. I had a mailbox and shipped many packages from here. The owner Jeff is very accommodating and helpful and his staff over the years has been solid. They will leave packages in a secret cabinet for you after hours, and I’ve always been able to call and ask if a specific piece of mail was in yet. They even found a check I accidentally threw out in their recycle bin along with my junk mail, and they called me to let me know they saved it.
Some folks complain that it cost more to ship UPS or Postal Service packages from a «UPS Store», and services like printing your UPS label cost $ 3, etc. Keep in mind that it might cost you a few bucks more, but you get way better customer service and you don’t have to drive to Hegenberger to go to the main UPS location.
You get what you are willing to pay for. I’m glad this store is open and Jeff and his staff do a great job.

I had to write this review bc this place having only 3 stars is just wrong!
This is my nearest UPS store and it is a ray of sunlight on the bleak area of Shattuck. This store is beautiful, quiet, always well lot and tidy. The people who work there are kind, calm, and very helpful. Always a great experience here. And particularly when comparing to other similar stores, that means a lot.

There was a guy I hadn’t seen there before when I stopped by. I gave him my untaped package because, well… I simply don’t care about the erroneous «policies» regarding untaped packages at this particular UPS (It’s your job, folks).
He took it, taped it, put me to work by slapping the label on it (oh, the humanity) and shipped it. Joking aside, it was quick and simple. And my package got to it’s destination! Isn’t that what really matters?

Terrible customer service; charged $ 3 to print a ups prepaid label.
On top of it the attendant was rude, being a customer servant lacked greeting etiquette.

Really nice staff, and not a single person in line when I went! I made the vast mistake of first going to the Telegraph location, which is run by the laziest set of bimbos I’ve encountered in a long time. Their work mentality is summarized by: «when we bloody well feel like it.» They have no consistent hours, opening, closing, and taking lunch – you guessed it – when they bloody well feel like it.
Come to this one. Fun fact: each UPS is independently owned. These guys on Shattuck should stay in business. The other guys on Telegraph need to go!