I hate to have to post this.

Chewbacca · Aug 16, 2019

Marine Depot should change to fedex they have hold a local facility

CNDReef · Aug 16, 2019

It’s not ups that set these terms , it was @MarineDepot

MnFish1 · Aug 16, 2019

@Coastie Reefer. I dont know where you're getting your information - again - this is from the UPS website:

I won’t be home to sign for my package. What should I do?

You only need to sign for packages in certain areas or when it’s required by the sender.
UPS My ChoiceTM members can sign online for eligible packages before a scheduled delivery. Or, if you prefer, you can redirect the package to another location where someone can sign on your behalf.
If the sender has specified that an adult signature is required, you cannot authorize delivery release online. You can, however, redirect it to a UPS customer center.
You also cannot authorize release online if you’ve added instructions to your UPS My Choice preferences for deliveries to be left with an individual, such as a concierge or office manager. You could either have your package left at a UPS location, such as The UPS Store or a UPS Access Point® location, or change your instructions.
Keep in mind that depending on final destination, transportation fees may apply.

If you’ve already missed a delivery, you can sign the back of your UPS InfoNotice® and place it back where the driver left it.

MnFish1 · Aug 16, 2019

This is also on the Marine Depot Website:

UPS or FedEx sends tracking information to you via email. On the day that your order is scheduled for delivery, you can leave a note on the door instructing the driver to leave the package without obtaining a signature. Please note that this does depend on the specific driver and some will not leave the package. You may also contact your local UPS or FedEx office to file a signature waiver for all packages delivered to your home.

Jay Z · Aug 16, 2019

After I order I call to have the sig removed. If order is to much, I’ll split the order so no sig in needed. If item can’t be split. I have it held at a drop off location.

Heck, last time I ordered from MD they sent 3 boxes. Ups guy left 2 with over $3k in them and held a bag of gravel for me to sign for. Lol. I won that day!

jurgenph · Aug 16, 2019

MnFish1 said:
This is also on the Marine Depot Website:

UPS or FedEx sends tracking information to you via email. On the day that your order is scheduled for delivery, you can leave a note on the door instructing the driver to leave the package without obtaining a signature. Please note that this does depend on the specific driver and some will not leave the package. You may also contact your local UPS or FedEx office to file a signature waiver for all packages delivered to your home.

the information on their site is wrong.

J.

Dom · Aug 16, 2019

You make it sound like it is a bad policy which is surprising, considering you yourself pointed out the high theft frequency of packages left on a door step.

You can't fault Marine Depot for taking steps to protect both the customer and themselves.

Let me ask you; if your package gets stolen, are you still willing to pay for the item? Probably not, and Marine Depot knows this, so they are just protecting themselves.

As was previously pointed out (and has been my experience with UPS), if I miss a delivery from UPS, they leave a notification for a delivery attempt which you can sign and leave on the door. When they make the second attempt the following day, they will have the signed notice and leave your package. No inconvenience to you.

MnFish1 · Aug 16, 2019

jurgenph said:
the information on their site is wrong.

J.

LOL maybe the information on the phone call you made was wrong? So far 2 websites have both disagreed with the person you talked to. I mean if it were me - and I had the problem with either Marine Depot or UPS - the first place I would look would be their website. Then I would use that information to talk to the person on the phone - who is less likely to know the answer - just the way I do it...

MnFish1 · Aug 16, 2019

Dom said:
You make it sound like it is a bad policy which is surprising, considering you yourself pointed out the high theft frequency of packages left on a door step.

You can't fault Marine Depot for taking steps to protect both the customer and themselves.

Let me ask you; if your package gets stolen, are you still willing to pay for the item? Probably not, and Marine Depot knows this, so they are just protecting themselves.

As was previously pointed out (and has been my experience with UPS), if I miss a delivery from UPS, they leave a notification for a delivery attempt which you can sign and leave on the door. When they make the second attempt the following day, they will have the signed notice and leave your package. No inconvenience to you.

Exactly - I don t understand the problem here

Brian_68 · Aug 16, 2019

Not that it is a problem in my area but you are taking on that risk if you sign ahead. Don't expect them to replace the items if they end up missing if you signed prior. They are transfering that responsibility then to you. My UPS driver leaves their post-it to sign so I do have that option if needed.

jurgenph · Aug 16, 2019

Dom said:
You make it sound like it is a bad policy which is surprising, considering you yourself pointed out the high theft frequency of packages left on a door step.

You can't fault Marine Depot for taking steps to protect both the customer and themselves.

Let me ask you; if your package gets stolen, are you still willing to pay for the item? Probably not, and Marine Depot knows this, so they are just protecting themselves.

As was previously pointed out (and has been my experience with UPS), if I miss a delivery from UPS, they leave a notification for a delivery attempt which you can sign and leave on the door. When they make the second attempt the following day, they will have the signed notice and leave your package. No inconvenience to you.

i think you're still missing the point.
the options you describe are NOT ALLOWED on MD shipments.

i have no problem with the policy, if they allowed you to pick an alternative, like pick up at local ups store or distribution center, or leave a note on the door, or any of the other options, that they claim you have, like on every single other vendor shipment, except the ones from MD

seriously, order something from them. try it

J.

Dom · Aug 16, 2019

jurgenph said:
i think you're still missing the point.
the options you describe are NOT ALLOWED on MD shipments.

Oh! Perhaps I am missing the point. Are you saying that this is exclusive to MD?

jurgenph · Aug 16, 2019

Dom said:
Oh! Perhaps I am missing the point. Are you saying that this is exclusive to MD?

Correct!

J.

CNDReef · Aug 16, 2019

I’m surprised @MarineDepot hasn't popped in on this thread yet.

bluprntguy · Aug 17, 2019

CNDReef said:
I’m surprised @MarineDepot hasn't popped in on this thread yet.

I’m surprised that people don’t just have their aquarium stuff shipped to work where the admin/front desk can sign for it and then you just take it home that night. You can also leave all the outer cardboard boxes and packaging at work so you don’t have to cram it into your recycling bin at home. It’s a win/win.

CNDReef · Aug 17, 2019

Good idea but what about the ones that do t have a mailroom to take care of that? Don’t think the superintendent on the job site would want to accept packages for me ;Hilarious

BigTex1836 · Aug 17, 2019

GainesvilleReef said:
First off, the customer service reps at Marine Depot and UPS were outstanding and professional. Apparently, Marine Depot recently changed it's a signature is required on shipments over x amount policy. I have had larger orders before without a required signature. So, I was surprised to have one required for my most recent order. Given the amount of doorstep theft that goes on today, I totally understand and appreciate the motive for such a requirement. It's not really the problem. The problem is there is no way for me to sign for the package ahead of time if I know that I am not going be able to be there to sign for it.

Marine Depot thinks that by sending me to UPS's MyChoice, I can sign for the package. However, MyChoice says the sender must remove the requirement and will not let me pre-sign for it. I call Marine Depot and the CSR and her supervisor tell me they cannot lift the requirement. I ended up having to go meet the UPS driver to get my package.

Customers need to have the ability to accept responsibility for packages left at our doorsteps. We should not be forced to stay home all day to receive an order.

I had the same problem! Thank you for posting. To make it worse UPS messed up. I had to come home three days in a row to finally get my equipment

Dom · Aug 17, 2019

jurgenph said:
Correct!

J.

I got it now. These precautions by Marine Depot must be necessary.

What can you do? Maybe have a neighbor sign for the package? Move?

Dom · Aug 17, 2019

CNDReef said:
I’m surprised @MarineDepot hasn't popped in on this thread yet.

I'd guess that the feedback the OP is getting in the thread is representative of their position and they have nothing to add.

KStatefan · Aug 17, 2019

jurgenph said:
Correct!

J.

I did not understand that either. Not being able to have a item held at UPS might keep me from ordering. I did not know that was even an option for a shipper. I am at UPS picking up something for work about once a week and have never had a package that could not be held there.