Perfect reason not to use your own cell phone

rod

Retired 22 years
I had an Indian casino actually call my house one Saturday and talk my wife into giving them my cell number. So I'm sitting in a boat 10 miles down river from my house fishing and the phone rings.

Me: hello

Them: Can you meet us at the UPS building because we really need this package of stuff for a special promo we are running this weekend.

Me: No I can't

Them: you have to

Me: If your package came in the Sat. air driver will deliver it.

Them: he was already here and didn't have it and we know it has to be in your building because the co. we ordered it from said they shipped it friday.

Me: Did they ship it Saturday Air?

Them: Don't know- they must have though- wouldn't you think?

Me: Sorry I can't help you- because # one I don't have a key to the building (I lied) and #2 I'm on the river fishing.

Them: What can we do about this problem?

Me: My bosses name is so and so- give him a call. Hey I got a bite (lied again) I have to go. click

The pkg they were looking for came in regular next day air the following Monday.:wink2:

I made the mistake only once of giving my cell number to a customer. He would call me every morning to find out what time I would make it to his town. I finally had to tell him I was going to put him as my last stop if he didn't quit wasting my minutes. (at that time my wife and I were limited to only 60 free min. a month on our plan).
 

Brown287

Im not the Mail Man!
My Cell phone is one of my best tools I have in my day. For every 1 customer who abuses the fact that I gave them my number there 1000 that dont. There isnt a day that goes by that myself or a customer dont make a call to aid in my day in some fashion. Besides If you think that pesky customers with you cell are the problem, consider yourself lucky. I have on many occasions had to explain to people that I will gladdly deliver thier item, but I dont want to be involved in thier pyramid sceme.
 

Omega man

Well-Known Member
I can understand why you don't leave your cell but then you have to involve the center team and I just find it easier to make the arrangements myself rather than play phone tag with the OMS and consignee.


Because you are not following UPS' methods. If management wanted you to use a cell phone then they would give you one. I fully understand that you are trying to service the customer, but UPS only cares about production. Someday you will get burned for doing your own thing.
 

UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)

Well-Known Member
Because you are not following UPS' methods. If management wanted you to use a cell phone then they would give you one. I fully understand that you are trying to service the customer, but UPS only cares about production. Someday you will get burned for doing your own thing.

20 years and going strong but thanks for the advice.

BTW, it is possible to provide customer service while being productive.
 

stevetheupsguy

sʇǝʌǝʇɥǝndsƃnʎ
My wife works in an office and sits in a cubicle all day. She doesnt have a window, so me and my cell phone camera are her "eyes of the world". I have her email address programmed into my phone so whenever I see a deer or a cute dog or a pretty tree or something I take a picture of it and email it to her. Its a neat little connection that we maintain in the midst of what can often be a dreary work day.
Very nice.

That's a good idea. Bon Bon always wants to see the dogs on my route. We just got unlimited texting (welcome to the modern age, eh.) I can easily snap a photo and send them whilst eating lunch.
Both of you guys get an A+ for cell phone use. You both have very lucky Wives.

Because you are not following UPS' methods. If management wanted you to use a cell phone then they would give you one. I fully understand that you are trying to service the customer, but UPS only cares about production. Someday you will get burned for doing your own thing.
I get your point. It's sort of like cutting corners like a runner/gunner. The main reason I don't like cell phones is because I see driver's, and not just people on the road, talking on them all day while practicing "safe" work methods. Tell me how "safe" you're being, when you're slumped over a moving pkg car wheel, gabbing to someone on that accursed cell phone? DON'T YOU EVER STOP TALKING? End of rant.:happy2:
 

UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)

Well-Known Member
I get your point. It's sort of like cutting corners like a runner/gunner.

Steve, if you consider worker smarter, not harder, cutting corners, then so be it, but I politely disagree with you. The cell phone is simply another tool that I use to get the job done. For example, I have a dentist who likes to close early on Fridays, so I will go through EDD to see if I have anything for them. They are also a daily P/U but I do not call to see if they have anything going because they are paying for a daily P/U, not a daily phone call. I will call them and if I have nothing for them and they have nothing going they can start their weekend a little early and I have one less P/U stop. I have another customer who gets CODs and if I am running late and she wants to leave for lunch she will put the checks in an envelope on her back door and I will complete the delivery.

As I said earlier, I do not call P/U customers. We have a driver that does and, yes, it does save time, but it is not the method and, if I were the business owner, I would be pissed if I paid $17/week for a daily phone call.

I have been able to redeliver many bad addresses and potential send agains by using my cell phone.

The point is I choose to use my personal cell phone as another tool to make my job that much easier for me. I am not saying in any way that you have to do the same. I am just saying that it works well for me.
 

tieguy

Banned
I had an Indian casino actually call my house one Saturday and talk my wife into giving them my cell number. So I'm sitting in a boat 10 miles down river from my house fishing and the phone rings.

Me: hello

Them: Can you meet us at the UPS building because we really need this package of stuff for a special promo we are running this weekend.

Me: No I can't

Them: you have to

Me: If your package came in the Sat. air driver will deliver it.

Them: he was already here and didn't have it and we know it has to be in your building because the co. we ordered it from said they shipped it friday.

Me: Did they ship it Saturday Air?

Them: Don't know- they must have though- wouldn't you think?

Me: Sorry I can't help you- because # one I don't have a key to the building (I lied) and #2 I'm on the river fishing.

Them: What can we do about this problem?

Me: My bosses name is so and so- give him a call. Hey I got a bite (lied again) I have to go. click

The pkg they were looking for came in regular next day air the following Monday.:wink2:

I made the mistake only once of giving my cell number to a customer. He would call me every morning to find out what time I would make it to his town. I finally had to tell him I was going to put him as my last stop if he didn't quit wasting my minutes. (at that time my wife and I were limited to only 60 free min. a month on our plan).

you left out the most important part. Did you catch any fish?:happy-very:
 

stevetheupsguy

sʇǝʌǝʇɥǝndsƃnʎ
Re: Perfect reason not to own cell phones

The point is I choose to use my personal cell phone as another tool to make my job that much easier for me. I am not saying in any way that you have to do the same. I am just saying that it works well for me.
And my point is that you are cheating yourself of time because instead of just delivering your route, you're calling customers in advance to tell them about C.O.D's and ask if they will be closing early. The proper methods state that we deliver from 1000-8000, no calling involved. If UPS wanted you to call, they'd have given you a cell phone for just this purpose. As it is, you're cheating yourself out of time, not that UPS cares, because now they can pay you less. When I get a message that says, call the center ASAP, I do just that, as soon as possible, which is usually when I get back to the center.
 

whiskey

Well-Known Member
My Cell phone is one of my best tools I have in my day. For every 1 customer who abuses the fact that I gave them my number there 1000 that dont. There isnt a day that goes by that myself or a customer dont make a call to aid in my day in some fashion. Besides If you think that pesky customers with you cell are the problem, consider yourself lucky. I have on many occasions had to explain to people that I will gladdly deliver thier item, but I dont want to be involved in thier pyramid sceme.
I know the number 1000 is an exaggeration. But assuming there are many communications via cell phone during the work day, is it safe to conclude that the UPS car is secured during these calls? Sorry for getting off thread.
 

over9five

Moderator
Staff member
Within the hour, I start getting a call from the person who was supposed to be receiving this package. I realize I've made a mistake when he starts blowing up my phone. He called 26 times, and starts leaving messages about how he's gonna kick someone's ass if he doesn't get his package. Now I'm definetly not going back. Lesson well learned, don't use your own cell phone for work related purposes.

At this point, I would have stopped by the local PD and reported this threat.

Now in feeders I use my cell to call dispatch and they all have my number. See how liking your job changes your attitude :happy2:!

Aint that the truth!
 

Brown287

Im not the Mail Man!
I know the number 1000 is an exaggeration. But assuming there are many communications via cell phone during the work day, is it safe to conclude that the UPS car is secured during these calls? Sorry for getting off thread.
Funny you should say that, when I was typing my comment I paused for a second. I wondered do I put a 100(thats far to low), or should I put 1000(which is a little exaggerated). Its funny to see people pick up on what you were thinking of. Also my package car is always properly locked and secured(wink wink).
 

bumped

Well-Known Member
Funny you should say that, when I was typing my comment I paused for a second. I wondered do I put a 100(thats far to low), or should I put 1000(which is a little exaggerated). Its funny to see people pick up on what you were thinking of. Also my package car is always properly locked and secured(wink wink).

Once you get the push button start and push button bulk head door opener your package car will always be secure. It gets a little getting used to(not having keys on your fingers), but its wonderful.
 

slantnosechevy

Well-Known Member
Okay, put er there, whoops, sorry about the joy buzzer.:wink2:

You're right on the money stevetheupsguy.

Upstate...You're backing yourself into a corner. Once telematics and gps is fully instituted nationwide and Oper.management has been thinned again you will understand what steve is talking about. You can agree to disagree at grievance panel. You do the job as instructed or else. Nothing I.E. or L.P. likes better than an over 20 year driver pelt hanging from their belt.
 

MC4YOU2

Wherever I see Trump, it smells like he's Putin.
upsate " and will give them their options (redelivery, pickup at center or meet me at drop box"

why dont you ask you LP guy what happens when you del a package for 150 main st. at your drop box at 190 elm st. and the consignee claims he didnt recieve it.

upstate: but i checked his drivers license!
LP: payroll deduction improper del. methods...

Have you had to pay for situations like this? I have many meet me with their del notes to get their stuff in another location. Should I refuse to give them their pkg? It's policy here to identify them and get a sig. Been doing it for 20 yrs. Never had a denial of signature in my career and I know of no one who has ever had one in the situation described above.
 

tonyexpress

Whac-A-Troll Patrol
Staff member
Re: Perfect reason not to own cell phones

The proper methods state that we deliver from 1000-8000, no calling involved. When I get a message that says, call the center ASAP, I do just that, as soon as possible, which is usually when I get back to the center.

Sounds like using the phone is good for Upstate and not using the phone is good for you!:happy-very:
 

MC4YOU2

Wherever I see Trump, it smells like he's Putin.
You're right on the money stevetheupsguy.

Upstate...You're backing yourself into a corner. Once telematics and gps is fully instituted nationwide and Oper.management has been thinned again you will understand what steve is talking about. You can agree to disagree at grievance panel. You do the job as instructed or else. Nothing I.E. or L.P. likes better than an over 20 year driver pelt hanging from their belt.

Ok. I get it that using a cell every day for the same stops is not methods. The cover driver following a cell junkie is also at a disadvantage if they don't do the same. But....are you also saying that you are risking a liability when you indirect OR meet a customer who you I.D. and get a sig?
 

UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)

Well-Known Member
You're right on the money stevetheupsguy.

Upstate...You're backing yourself into a corner. Once telematics and gps is fully instituted nationwide and Oper.management has been thinned again you will understand what steve is talking about. You can agree to disagree at grievance panel. You do the job as instructed or else. Nothing I.E. or L.P. likes better than an over 20 year driver pelt hanging from their belt.

Please tell me how I am not doing the job as instructed.
 
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