Have you ever been in a situation where you have to meet a deadline and hence need your package so urgently that you feel like you should get it before waiting for the delivery truck to bring it to you? Many of us have felt that way before. I would like to tell you that it is possible to get your UPS package before it is delivered to you.
Basically, it involves you going to their office. However, you must call before 8 a.m. and make this request. This is because 8 a.m. is the time that the truck drivers leave to make deliveries for the day. If you call in after that time, your package would already be on its way, but it won’t be delivered to you. This means that you would have to wait till the end of the day when it is returned back to the UPS facility.
Another option that you might have is to request an on-the-road pickup. You probably don’t want to wait until the driver gets to your location, but you want to meet him on his route. However, it is rare for this request to be granted due to concerns for the driver’s safety.
How can I get my UPS package faster?
UPS, meaning United Parcel Services, is a company that helps to facilitate the shipping of packages to different residences or businesses. One of their services involves “ground” shipping. Ground shipping is the lowest ranked, but it is cost-effective, and you get a specific day of delivery. In the event that you have already initiated shipping and you want to get it faster, all you need to do is contact UPS and intercept the package. To do that, follow these steps.
- First contact their hotline at 1-800-742-5877, and you will be routed to a customer rep.
- Now, inform the rep about the rescheduling that you want to do. You will be asked to provide the tracking number for your package. Give them that.
- Next, you will be asked what kind of method of shipping you want – between “two-day” and “overnight”. Be patient as the representative will adjust your shipping details and update your package information.
- After this is done, you will be required to pay the additional charges that come with this readjustment. All you need to do is give the agent your billing information, which includes your credit card information.
- Stay on the line as the agent will give you a new confirmation and tracking numbers. You should write it down.
One thing to note, however, is that sometimes you might not be able to intercept all packages.
Alternatively, instead of going through this, when you are initiating a delivery, you can just pay for expedited shipping all at once. It might cost you more, but you will get your package faster. The expedited delivery could include next-day air. You could also decide to ship it to a UPS Access Point while you come get it yourself.
Is shipping to a UPS Access Point faster?
UPS Access Points are local businesses that partner with UPS to act as both pickup and drop-off locations. These businesses could include grocery stores and gas stations. They are affiliated with UPS, and individuals can easily locate the nearest one to them to pick up or drop off packages.
The Access Point itself features a touchscreen stand, surrounded by secure lockers where you can either drop off or receive packages. These places are all over the US, and they allow both merchants and customers alike to drop-off and receive parcels, respectively.
One of the benefits of using Access Points is that it ensures faster delivery. The advantage here is that it takes 1-2 working days to get to the desired location. Some even take just a day.
Other benefits include:
- It helps to reduce theft: These access points have secure lockers where packages can be kept safely. This is opposed to porches, where packages can be stolen if the receiver happens to be around when deliveries come.
- Convenient for merchants: merchants don’t have to go visit a UPS store or even try to schedule a pickup. They can just drop it off at any of these points closest to them.
- Prompt pickups and deliveries: The chances of your packages not being picked up are eliminated. When you place things on your porch or near your house, there’s a likelihood that such packages could be missed. However, with access points, that is nearly impossible
- Saves cost and time: You can save yourself the cost of going to a UPS store, which might just be far from your residence. All you just need to do is locate the nearest one and drop off or receive your package. Even with a busy schedule, you can pick up or drop off your packages conveniently.
Can someone else pick up my package at the UPS Access Point?
Anyone picking up your delivery on your behalf must show a valid state photo ID. Also required is identification matching the name on the UPS shipping label or proof of residence at the address listed. Another acceptable form of proof of relationship is an official communication (from the merchant or UPS) that includes the package’s shipment and order details, which will contain the name of the recipient , name of shipper, tracking number, and Access Point location address . It’s possible to send alerts through email or text message to a recipient’s smartphone.
A loved one can pick up your shipment from the shipping company for you as long as they provide a photo ID and the package release code.
How much does UPS charge to intercept a package?
UPS has a service called UPS Delivery Intercept. This service allows you to reroute and cancel your delivery before it gets to its destination. Intercepting a package will cost you $10 per successful intercept. However, you will be charged only when the interception is completed.
They offer you four options that you can pick from:
The first one is “return to sender.” This means you can pause the delivery and get it sent back to you.
The second is “deliver to another address.” This service gives you the chance to reroute your package from its original destination.
The third helps you to reschedule your delivery. You can intercept your delivery to get it sent at a specific date of your choice. As stated earlier in the article, you could even bring it closer or further as you wish.
The last is a “Will call” which holds the shipment for pickup by the one who is receiving it.
Can I track down a UPS truck?
Yes, you can. there is an option to “follow my delivery” This helps you through location service to know the exact place the truck carrying your package is at every point
in time. This is a new UPS tracking innovation that enables you to track the truck in real time. The position of the truck is updated once every three minutes. However, this is only available for packages that were sent through the UPS Air Service.
There are some ways that you can do this, which I will list below:
The simplest way to track your shipment is to just Google your tracking number. When you do this, a link will come up that will take you to the UPS website. There you can see the details of your package and how far it is from its destination.
The second way is through the app. Get the app installed on your phone. Then, in the tracking section, input your tracking number. The exact same information from above will display
The third way involves you texting yourself the tracking number. You can do this on an Apple device. When you get the message, go on and click on the number. An option to “track shipment” comes up. Clicking on that will take you to the UPS website, where you can see the details of your shipment.
Can I change a UPS delivery date?
Yes, you can. Through the UPS Delivery Intercept service option of “reschedule your delivery”. To do this is quite simple.
- Log in to your UPS account.
- On My Choice dashboard click on “Delivery Options”
- From there, you can easily change the destination of your package or adjust the delivery date.
Can I upgrade UPS shipping while in transit?
Yes, you can. You can choose to do this online on your UPS.com profile, where you can decide to modify or upgrade the delivery information as you see fit. Alternatively, you can just call their hotline at 1-800-742-5877, where you will speak to their customer representative. Over the phone, you can change whatever details you wish with regards to your package. You will be billed over the phone and be charged for the additional charges needed to change such information.
How long will UPS hold a package for pickup?
If you are a member of UPS My Choice (which is a subscription plan that gives you some perks and benefits), then you can have your package held for 7 consecutive days without incurring extra charges. However, customer service centers will hold your package for just 5 business days. If after these days expire, you still haven’t collected your package, then your package will be returned back to the sender.
In addition, if you are unavailable when UPS delivers your package to your residence, they will take it to the nearest Access Point close to you. It will be held in secure lockers for 7 days. After that, it will be returned to its sender.