The UPS Store

Avoid this place at all costs. Greedy owners, illegal business practices, abhorrent customer service, 0 accountability. After over 10 years of being a loyal customer at this store, I feel it is my duty to warn potential customers that this store has absolutely the worst customer service and most incompetent employees and management of any establishment I have ever done business with. Everything was fine until THEY made a mistake with a shipment, then tried to blame me for it and refused to handle the situation professionally. The obviously miserable Indian woman who runs this place is a nasty human being and a truly spiteful person. I would suggest you steer clear of this place at all costs. I would never do business with them again and may be filing a small claims lawsuit against them in the near future for their unprofessional and illegal acts pertaining to the handling of my account.

It’s a little store and parking can be tough here — but they have good customer service and I’ve always been happy with the professionalism and courtesy of the staff. Even if you printed labels for packages — they will take them for UPS/​USPS pickup! Super nice folks!

I bought a mailbox for a year under the assurance from the store employee that many people use the boxes for their main business address for purposes of having a business location in Oakland. When I got to the business licensing department, they told me NO mailbox addresses are valid– it must be a physical location of your business. So since I was honest, they would not accept my UPS mailbox address as my business address. When I returned to the UPS store to ask for a refund (of my $ 390 for the yearly fee– ONE DAY after I bought it), I was refused a refund by the employee. I emailed the owner of the store at least 4 times and never heard back from him. It was such a frustrating experience for a new business owner to go through– there are so many rules and regulations to follow and I was just trying to do things right… but unfortunately blew $ 390 for a mailbox I didn’t need. I’ve only gone to pick up mail twice– and the second time I was locked out of the store– my key wouldn’t work and they had installed a key code box that requires you to stop by during regular business hours to get the code before you can use it for the first time. So I’ve been unable to get my mail for several months since I can’t ever come by during my work day since I work full time. Overall, a horrible experience with extremely poor customer service.

I went to return a Zappos package, and was surprised they didn’t email me a label. I called 2 times and they said, «no worries, just take it to the store and they’ll print it.» I stopped by the store and was in line when the staff asked why I was there. When I told them I had a return package, and that the label would be emailed to them, the attendant GLARED at me and very rudely told me, «we don’t do that.» When I was finally served, I was told that it was going to cost me $ 3.50 to print the label. Hello. I can do that for next to nothing at home and tape it on myself. Sending it USPS with a Paypal label is about $ 5.06. 2 lessons here: 1) NEVER go back to this store; 2) Zappos staff should tell customers that UPS stores charge for printing labels.

Wow, phone call w two employees at this store was one of the worst experiences imaginable. So rude, so impatient.
Attempting to get some simple information from them was an exercise in frustration and abuse.

I had a situation where I had to return a Christmas gift. I got a prepaid label from the seller and I dropped off the package and the label at the UPS store. I even paid $ 16 to have it packaged as I had thrown away the original shipping box. A week later, the UPS tracking says the box is still at the store. I call the store and ask and they tell me everything has gone out. I call UPS and they tell me the store is an independent franchise, and despite the fact that the UPS website says the box was received at a UPS store, and despite the fact that I have an official UPS drop off receipt in my hand, they are not responsible for it and that I need to take it up with the store. I was furious!
Fortunately, the seller was Bloomingdale’s. They looked up the tracking for the label they had given me, saw that the record showed I had dropped the package off and immediately refunded my money. Lucky for both me and the UPS store — otherwise I would have dragged them into small claims court faster than you can say «brand erosion»! What a dishonest way to do business!
Personally — I’m never using that UPS store again. I’ve heard good things about the copy/​mailbox place up the street so I think I’ll take my business there. If you still intend to use the UPS store — just beware!

This place is the worst for Passport photos!!! Do not under any circumstances trust that the photo you get will be usable in your passport application! I paid nearly $ 16 for a photo that was rejected — the reason stated was that the photo was over exposed and blown out!
What’s even more frustrating is at the time of my photo, I asked the associate who was assisting me if the flash was necessary. I was concerned that flash with the fluorescent store lighting would create a washed out look that would not meet standards.
I should have rejected the photo because my eyes were red eyes and it was overexposed. The associate checked with his manager who said that everthing was going to be fine! NOT!!!
Please do not entrust your passport photo with the folks at this particular UPS store. It’s not worth the hassle.

the reviews for this location are VERY mixed. some people hate this place with a passion, and some seem to really love it. well, after reading tons of reviews, i thought i’d make my own educated decision. i just picked up a fender jaguar at this location and the people honestly couldnt be any nicer or accomodating. apparently some girl named melinda either worked/​works here and is a complete nightmare with people skills. fortunately for me, i never had to deal with her. the older indian lady was very nice and patient with me, the younger indian girl was very nice as well. there was a younger white guy and another girl who looked spanish and they all were in good spirits. i wanted to join the hivemind here and say «f this place, the people suck!» but i cant. i honestly had a good experience at this store. i didnt try to get anything notarized or anything like that, but this is the second time i’ve been to this UPS store, and both times have honestly been painless. i think they may have changed ownership somewhat recently… i dunno, YMMV i guess.

After waiting patiently while others toke care of their shipping needs I approached the table saying I need a document notarized. At that moment a gentleman returned who wanted to pickup his mail. I stood aside and told him that I do not mind waiting. When my turn came the same woman attending the others refused to notarize my document. It was my CA ID, my passport and my social security card on one page. She insisted that even though I had brought her the originals, she would have to put each one on a separate page and charge me for 8 pages because I needed 2 originals. I refused to do so; her next remark was «there is the door». I went 2 blocks down and they accommodated my needs without question. I realized then that the UPS Store was trying to cheat me. Believe the negative remarks you read here; People take the time to post because they are surprised they are being treated so rude by this woman.

NIGHTMARE. The manager is beyond rude. I wanted an estimate on shipping and gave her every detail. The item is heavy for me. I am older and have a bad back. She would not give me an approximate shipping cost without me bringing the item in. I explained my limitations and she said she didn’t care.
I live in the area and delight in offer support to the small business that line Piedmont Ave. I will never deal with this store in the future.

Less than a star. I’m not sure if they are xenophobic or transphobic or homophobic or just pulling scams. They were rude and not helpful. Thanks for literally nothing. Don’t worry I will not be back.

June 2015
I used the website for online printing services (two 6pg documents) and received an order confirmation two days ago. When I went to pick up the order today the lady at the store said she didn’t have it. I showed her the order number to see if there was a mistake and she didn’t bother to type it in or look at it. She said, «If I don’t have it I don’t have it.» I asked for the manager and she said this was a franchise and she was the manager and owner. The store was empty and she did nothing to help me. Her tone was rude and dismissive. I already paid money online for the printing and left with nothing. I asked for a corporate number and her store number to file a formal complaint and she refused to provide the information. I went online and found the information myself. She didn’t even bother to give me a refund or make any effort to locate my documents.
Save your money and go elsewhere! The owner here is RUDE and has no customer service skills at all. Piedmont has plenty of printing options and shouldn’t support a store that can’t treat people properly.
UPDATE AUGUST 2015:
I have contacted the store owner multiple times and UPS customer service and still no refund. I reported them to the BBB.

I love how cheerful and helpful these people are, but sadly the english-​as-​second-​language and not following through often means things don’t quite get done the way they should. Mailbox pricing and shipping costs seem unnecessarily high. I struggle through USPS, or use Fedex, and use the independent UPS store on near Pleasant Valley Ave end of Piedmont, these days.

I’ve been in here a few times to ship packages and the employees have always been nice and given me good service. Just be sure you pay for parking — Piedmont Ave has a swarm of meter maids just waiting to write tickets.

This store is awesome, and the staff is all professional, friendly, and helpful. I’m shocked they have a bunch of negative reviews, as I’ve been going several times per week for many years since I got a mailbox here. Everyone who works there has always been accommodating and sincere. Sure, they are busy often and you might have to wait a minute or two, but the service is heads above the post office or any FedEx or UPS corporate location.
I only wish you could drop off FedEx packages like you could when these stores were Mailboxes ETC, but now they are part of the UPS family. Regardless, the service is great and the location is convenient.

The customer service here is shockingly good. My first time here sealed the deal. I needed to renew my passport and get the photo done. I wasn’t sure how to get all of the paperwork in order and they helped me through the whole process. Definitely above and beyond the call of duty.
They also happily help me tape up precariously packed boxes and make sure my shipping documents are right before I walk out to carry on with my day.
There is street parking and also a pay lot close by.

I had a package that I paid $ 50 to ship that was returned because of a mistake with the label. The response from the store was dismissive. «It was your fault.» I took issue with this, because they could have pointed out to me before I shipped it to check not just that the address was correct (I did check the label to make sure the address was correct) but also that all the other minutia on the label was there (which I clearly didn’t check, because I didn’t realize at the time it was pertinent for the delivery of the package).
So now I have to pay another $ 50 to have this thing shipped. The owner could have easily re-​shipped the package and absorbed the cost, which would have been far less than $ 50. But, who does that sort of thing these days? Apparently not this store.
I told them I would complain on Unilocal.Their response was, good, do that!
Done.

The mark-​up here is seriously, brazenly ludicrous.
Shipped some china to my father, three boxes, and found the price a little high. But it was okay, because everything got there okay.
UPS website quoted me $ 28 for shipping a guitar from Oakland to Phoenix. At the store, it was $ 76, plus $ 65 for the box and packing materials. We bought our own box and packing materials for $ 10, and shipped the same instrument to the same address in Phoenix for $ 23 via FedEx Ground.
Double-​you-​tee-​eff, mother-​f-​words? I’d love an explanation.
I gave them an extra star because they’re usually busy but always nice. What a freakin’ racket they got running. Don’t use them.

Hiten, Melinda, and staff are kind, attentive, and efficient. I have been a customer for 5 years now, and they have always done their best to take care of whatever I need. I’ve had them ship, pack, handle my PO box, notarize, and take passport photos. Everything was done with attention to detail and polite efficiency.
Shame on other reviewers for blaming them for UPS losing a package after it went out (go review UPS the organization, not this store). My one story about a lost package involves the FedEx drop box across the street at Citibank getting looted over New Years Eve.
I’m thankful for this store.

This store has the rudest staff I have ever met!
I needed to return some equipment to AT&T and they told me to go to the UPS store with my confirmation number to ship it to them for free.
I walked in the it was clear that Melinda was annoyed that she had to help me. When she was setting up the shipment she only scanned one piece of equipment. i asked if she could scan the other so I had confirmation that they were shipping everything back. She said the other piece of equipment didn’t have a bar code so I pointed out that it did. She snaps back at me and says «I am doing what i am required to do». So I start to explain to her why I am concerned and she interrupts me mid-​sentence which she had done a few times earlier during the transaction.
Now i am getting annoyed and tell her «stop interrupting me its rude». She says «You started it». At this point the manager who is standing there ask her if she needs help. Completely showing no concern for how she is treating a customer and in fact giving me a dirty look. Who over the age of 5 says «you started it’? I was dumbfounded. While I didn’t «start it» I just let it go.
WOW this is a horrible staff who has no idea how to treat people. Melina is mean and rude and the store manager is clearly clueless.
Don’t go here unless you like mean people.
I also what to add that I have already called AT&T and given them the tracking number and list of equipment that I turned over to the UPS store. So if any of it does not arrive AT&T knows I did my part.