The UPS Store DC Franchise – What it Means to You

The connection between The UPS Store and UPS corporation seems to be commonly misunderstood.

The UPS Store is a franchise operation.  What this means to you is the store is privately owned.  Its owner and employees are in no way connected to UPS corporation other than to provide a convenient way for small businesses and residential customers to ship packages at the lowest rate possible for insured, guaranteed shipping via UPS .

We of course, also guarantee to pack your packages to meet or exceed insurance standards so if any damages do occur, you can make a claim and actually get paid.

Other common services at a The UPS Store are:

• Private Mailbox Rental
• Business Mailbox Rental
• House Accounts for Business
• Document Services
• Office Supplies
• Greeting Cards
• Notary Services
• Check your local store to verify the services they provide.

You also will find since these stores are privately owned you normally will find a closer customer relationship with their clients than the corporate or government run locations.

Common Misconceptions

The UPS Store is commonly thought to have something to do with the pre-paid UPS labels you may have received to do returns.

In fact, The UPS Store has no connection with this type of labeling.  A The UPS Store cannot see the account information provided by the account holder that made your label, nor do they receive any payment for this shipment.

The sender of the package holds complete responsibility for the package preparation, taping, and labeling.   This is why it is expected when you bring your “drop-off” package to a The UPS Store, you have taken care of your package.  Any handling by the store personnel could incur a fee for their time, and for the time you take from customers at the counter.

The UPS Store has NO accountability for your drop off packages:

• They cannot track them
• They cannot tell if they are insured.

High Value Drop Off Packages

Another misconception is that a The UPS Store can sign your high value receipt for your drop off.

In fact, they cannot.  A The UPS Store is not supposed to accept drop-off valued at $500.00 or more and definitely cannot, and should not be signing the accountability paperwork for your high value items since they can’t even be sure it has been processed or packed correctly.

For this reason, a The UPS Store is not part of the chain of accountability for a self-prepared label of high value

(note: any package over $1,000 value is “high value”)

Drop-Off “Receipts”

Some stores give you what they call a “receipt” for your drop off.  In fact,  the piece of paper they give you says right on it that it is not a receipt.  Therefore, many stores have the function removed from their software.

A The UPS Store cannot start the tracking process for you on your drop off packages.  They can’t do anything other than give the package to the driver.

When the driver scans this package is when UPS acknowledges its existence.  This is another reason the so-called “receipt” some stores give really is a waste of time, and giving you confidence for nothing.

The difference dropping at a The UPS Store versus a drop box is that someone is watching your package at the store and will ensure the driver gets it.  This is purely a convenience service.

I hope this clears up some of the common misunderstandings about The UPS Store and its relationship to UPS – the shipping company.

- Leslie