Update on my UPS Experience: They've Messed Up Again!

An Update on UPS. On Thursday, Dec. 15th, I went to UPS to ship some items. I only went there because my husband insisted. Big Mistake again. The UPS package intaker asked my husband what was in the box. He told her some clothes and other Avon products. Well, 3 days later, I get an email from Avon saying that my returns had been processed, but with shortages. 1 girls, size 6, denim leggings was missing. I am being billed for it, by Avon, but I KNOW that I packed it in the box. The UPS is notorious for doing things their own way. I believe that the intaker opened the box, took the denim jeans out, and resealed the box. This is why I said in the beginning that I would never use UPS, outside of Avon. I should have never listened to my husband this time, because Avon does give you a choice to use the United States Postal Service, when making returns, if you like.

This just confirms my last post about this company. I have literally reached my boiling point with them. And uggh!. I have another Avon order coming in this week. ( I have no choice but to use them, since that's Avon's choice). Thank goodness, I get UPS alerts, so I can keep these driver's in check. If something is out of the ordinary, I'll get the updates sent to my email. And I have email on my smartphone, so I get it super fast.

I don't need this stress, and I don't have to put up with it. If at all possible, I will keep as much proof as possible, so as to have any of these criminals pay for stealing and lying about delivering packages, when they know they didn't. I may not be able to catch all, but I'll do my part in catching some. Believe that!

UPS Messed Up Again!

Another episode in the "Days in the Life of A Mom-preneur". I want to say that I am usually not one for "bashing", and I hope that you don't misunderstand. But, I felt that I had to post this one.

I run an Avon Business, and, this is our busiest season. I had 14 packages shipped by Avon to UPS. The package was out for delivery at 5:41 am, and usually, my packages are delivered between 12pm and 7pm at night. It was around 2pm, and they hadn't come yet. I thought to myself, "hmm, let me check on the delivery status again". I felt a bit uneasy, strangely. So, I visited the UPS website, through the tracking link from my shipping confirmation email. The status had been update to "The receiver is on a holiday. Delivery will be attempted when the receiver returns. / Package will be delivered next business day."

Say what? I was home all the time, with my front door open. The UPS person never drove up. Yet this status was updated on the website @ 10:19am. I contacted UPS' 800 number, and some rude customer service person decided to evade my questions, and hang up on me.
I had to call back again, and was initially told that I would have to wait until Monday to receive my packages, but then, was told that the person was being called back to UPS, and that my packages were being located. I then had to go in my car to pick up 14 packages, but ended up receiving only 12. UPS claimed that the other 2 couldn't be located, and I have to come back on Saturday.

When I arrived, the UPS driver was told to empty out his truck and that his route was finished for the day. I wasn't given any information on why the driver decided to state that he delivered my packages, when in fact he never did.

I am thankful that there are some good people there, but the overall experiences with this shipping company leads me to abandon their services. I ship through USPS or FEDex. Avon uses UPS, so unless they change their shipping provider, I'm pretty much stuck with UPS, for their sake.

I just feel that this person was either 1) trying to stash my products and claim that he delivered them, or they got lost. or 2) He wanted to cut his route short, because Thanksgiving was the next day, and he didn't want to have to deliver packages late.

Whatever the case, he cost me time and could have cost me money. I hope that he is reprimanded, and learns his lesson. How would he like it if someone did this to him? If he doesn't value a job, then maybe he shouldn't have one. There are plenty of people out there who would love to take his position.

Related articles

• How to get UPS to deliver again (ask.metafilter.com)

Mother's Day Tribute-Alicia Keys' SuperWoman-Happy Mother's Day to All the Mom's Around the World-You are all SuperWomen

To all the Mother's around the world. You are a like a rose; so fragile are its petals, but so strong are its roots. A mother is so delicate, so soft and sweet, but she is also so strong and grounded; she can't be shaken or moved.


A special  message to my Mother on this Mother's day. Dear Mom, I am all grown-up with my own children. I remember you telling me that I need to listen to your teachings, because one day when I have my own children, I would have to teach them the very lessons you taught me; lessons that life is a gift from God. You showed me that when someone gives you a gift, you are to show the utmost gratitude. You taught me, Mother, that we are to live life in thanksgiving to God.

Each day, I watched as you struggled with everyday life, but I also watched as you went through it singing songs of gladness. I watched as you endured days of sorrow and days of brokenness, but you never let that stop you. You gave me inspiration, planted a seed of faith and purpose in my life. You gave of yourself, when there was not much more to give. You gave your everything for your children, when the rest of the world was sneering at the idea; the idea of being a good and godly parent. You sacrificed your own pleasure and desire to take care of me, even on the days of your illness. One day, you will receive your great reward. But I just want to give you your roses, while you can still smell them, Mama. You're not a celebrity. You're not a movie star. But I love you, Mama Sarah, cause you're the best woman in the world. You're my Mama.



To all the Mom's out there, you are all Super and all Special. No matter if you are a work mom, or a stay-at-home mom, you are holding the MOST important job in the world; the position of being a Mother.

Moms, this song is for you.

This Week's Updates

This week's updates from "Days in the Life of a Mom-preneur"

I start my work week on Sundays. Sundays are the days for laundry, catching up on things, finishing off projects, etc. This week was supposed to be the time when I completed a major house remodeling project with the family. Of course, the family was not into it all. They'd rather be relaxing on the "weekend". They don't understand how I want to start my work day on a Sunday. It is strange for them, but since Sunday is the first day of the week, and not Monday, I purposely planned it this way. Boy, did this cause lots of confusion.

Confusion! Speaking of which. Drawing from the introduction, I want to add that there was another similar incident this week. It had to do with my business. I am a sole proprietor, but that does not mean that I run my businesses alone. I do incorporate the help of others; primarily, my family members.

What's wrong with these two scenarios? One thing, whether you are a starting a home project or running your own business, you have to ensure that the people you will be working with, have what they need to assist you. They must be interested in your projects and business tasks. They must be well-equipped with the knowledge and the tools to help you. They must be made to see the benefits in the project/tasks they are completing.


I had to realize that my enthusiasm for these projects/tasks we were working on, wasn't necessarily shared by my family. On that note, I had to do all the things listed above. Whether it's a family member you are working with, a business partner, co-worker, or employee/associate, you need to make sure you do these things. Projects have to be completed. But if we make them "beneficial" to those involved, then projects will have a far more better chance at being completed more efficiently, more rapidly, even more pleasantly. This means great teamwork, and more productivity.

On a happy note, we did complete all our projects, and yesterday, the family enjoyed a day at our local fitness center. We played some basketball after all our projects were complete.

Well, that's this weeks updates. Check back often for "Days in the Life of a Mom-preneur. Thanks for blogging with me. Follow me on Google Friend Connect or Network Blogs. Just click the links on the right-hand side.

Home-Based Businesses: What? People Still Don't Take You Serious?

Today I had a heated conversation with a family member. Apparently I was told I need to get a "real job". Well, this family member doesn't seem to have a problem spending my "real money".
I have to take a stand because my business is home-based. I may not be in the fore-running with companies like Microsoft or Wal-mart, but when someone, especially a family member, wants to burst your bubble, and make you give up on what you are building, then you have to really look at your relationship. I don't feel the need to tell everyone what my business brings in or doesn't, but seeing as even Bill Gates and Sam Walton had to start somewhere, I'll take my chances and ride the stars; I'll ride high, I might add.

First, to the family member who feels that home-based businesses are not real businesses, I would love to share how some of the most prominent businesses today started out of the founder's kitchen, living room or even their garage.

Here's a few listed below:

1. Facebook-Founder: Mark Zuckerberg
   Place started business: His Harvard Dorm Room
2. Google-Founder: Larry Page and Sergey Brin
   
   Place started business: In a garage
3. Ebay-Founder: Pierre Omidyar
   
   Place started  business: In the home of Pierre Omidyar
4. Linkedin-Founder: Reid Hoffman
   
   Place started business: In the living room

There's many more stories about the road from home to big business. You can read more from Where The Top 10 Online Internet Businesses Were Started



Just think what all of us would have missed out on if these entrepreneurs had listened to the "shakers and the doubters". You see, a business is still a business, no matter the location. The state and federal governments recognize it, but it's still taking some time for some family members, friends, and co-workers to get it through their heads. While their heads are buried in the sand, I will keep mine high above.

If you are facing a similiar situation, I can only tell you that your dreams are not just for you.  Birthing your dream from home can change the world. Facebook, Google, and many others are top examples of this.
Thanks for blogging with me. Follow me for more updates. Until next time, take care.

Good Morning, World

Good morning, World. Sometimes it's easy to forget here in the blogosphere and the World Wide Web, just how many people we really are interactive with. As I was checking my stats, I noticed I had visitors from all over the world, from the U.S to China, from Singapore to Africa. Just picture how great these tools of communication we have.

I wanted to extend a good morning to the world from here in the United States. If you are heading into the night, then have a good one, as well.

Remember that eventhough we may be far apart, we all can stay connected. That's the beauty of the World Wide Web.