Shipped Beers Arrived in New Box with One Beer Missing

Discussion in 'Trade Talk' started by Nominoe, Nov 2, 2015.

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  1. Nominoe

    Nominoe Initiate (0) Sep 7, 2014 California

    I have seen some inquiries and responses on what to do if a bottle is broken and the box is not delivered, but I recently had a box get delivered that was not the original one I packed. It had the extras I put in the original box, but it did not have the main beer that I shipped. See the Stars if you care to know.

    They charged me, confirmed delivery, and never said anything to me. I assumed the bottle broke and ruined the original box; that they re-packed the rest to get a completed delivery out of it; and that they never mentioned it to me because they didn't feel the need to deal with it.

    However, considering others get notifications when bottles break, is it possible my box was opened and my bottle stolen by UPS? Worth checking into? I've never had them complain about anything to me. Seems like the local UPS people know I'm shipping alcohol every time because I live in a wine-producing part of the world and send 6-bottle-shippers often. Truck drivers wouldn't know, though, and I don't know who else touches the box before delivery.

    (I trust that my trade partner did not make up the fact that the StS was missing.)

    Thanks.
     
    #1 Nominoe, Nov 2, 2015
  2. ResIpsaLoquitur

    ResIpsaLoquitur Initiate (0) Feb 28, 2010 New York
    Trader

    I'm curious as to how your bottles were packed, we're they bubble wrapped? Yes this is relevant to my answer.

    But upfront, they don't assume you're shipping alcohol just because you live in california
     
    #2 ResIpsaLoquitur, Nov 2, 2015
  3. maximum12

    maximum12 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,686) Jan 21, 2008 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    It's almost certainly a case of a broken bottle.

    I've had this happen to three incoming boxes over the years, the last just two weeks ago (my own hurried, crappy packing job when sending stuff back from CA was to blame). Every time the same: new box, sometimes new packing, missing beer. This last box they even left the broken bottle in there, just put it in an industrial-strength plastic bag & sent it on.

    Unless you have a driver with ESP, the chances of a bottle being stolen are virtually nil. Unfortunately, this is probably a case of an abused box & busted bottle, & you (& I) are just lucky UPS didn't toss the entire box.
     
    #3 maximum12, Nov 2, 2015
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  4. Beer4B

    Beer4B Initiate (0) Feb 28, 2014 Florida

    I wouldn't poke the bear considering they did you a favor to re-pack and forward along alcohol. They did this to one of my boxes to a RTP and we only found out a week later when I asked about a growler that never showed up!

    The other time it was re-boxed and sent back to me along with a note and obviously saw the "shipment exception" on tracking.

    Really sucks it was your BIG bottle and not an extra though...ouch! Hope you didn't drink what they sent you yet because it will probably be easier to send his back then try and replace a STS. Good luck
     
    #4 Beer4B, Nov 2, 2015
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  5. Nominoe

    Nominoe Initiate (0) Sep 7, 2014 California

    Yeah, I bubble wrapped and had styrofoam protecting one side. Plenty of extra packing paper stuffed in to ensure no movement.

    To clarify, I always walk in to the same UPS store to the same worker who always asks if I want extra insurance for my wine bottles. They definitely assume it's alcohol lol. I can always say very sincerely that it's not wine :stuck_out_tongue:
     
    #5 Nominoe, Nov 2, 2015
  6. ResIpsaLoquitur

    ResIpsaLoquitur Initiate (0) Feb 28, 2010 New York
    Trader

    You're assuming what somebody else is assuming? Cmon man!, lol. You mean to say even though he assumes it's alcohol he's accepting it for shipment at the risk of being fired?

    Your answer is exactly why it's almost impossible to believe someone stole the beer. That person would have to had unwrapped the bottle to even know that it was a bottle worth taking, assuming they're a beer geek and assuming they were lucky enough to blindly pick the right bottle to steal.

    It's easy enough to figure out if your beers were repacked, simply ask for.pictures of the box and contents your trading partner received.
     
    #6 ResIpsaLoquitur, Nov 2, 2015
  7. beernuts

    beernuts Initiate (0) Jan 23, 2014 Virginia

    If they stole the bottle, I don't think they would go through the trouble to re-pack in a different box, they would just seal the box back up and send it on its way. A repack would also have to be done at a shipping center, and not in the privacy of a truck. I know people can be stupid and shady, but I highly doubt anyone would unpack a box, steal a bottle, and then repack it right in front of their coworkers. If your box was re-packed, I think all signs point to a broken bottle.
     
    #7 beernuts, Nov 2, 2015
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