The UPS Store

Warning: Make *SURE* you actually watch them scan in your pre-​paid package (s)!
When I came in with my package, they were busy with customers but saw my pre-​paid sticker and told me, «Just leave it there, we’ll take care of it!», and indicated I was free to leave. Perhaps I was foolishly trusting, but I assume most people would leave their package as I had. Unfortunately, my package never showed up on the UPS or Amazon tracking.
Either they somehow forgot to scan AND lost my package, or perhaps, «forgot» to scan my package and then «lost» it into a backpack. Mistakes happen. I am an understanding guy – if they simply apologized, and explained that until a package is scanned in there isn’t anything they can do about lost packages – I could have begrudgingly lived with that. Instead, they unapologetically told me that losing a package would be «impossible», and even implied I was imagining the whole thing.
Honestly, if it wasn’t for the incredibly unhelpful, and frankly, ridiculous response I received after calling to investigate, I would never suspect they had stolen my package. Now I think it is a very real possibility. Either way, they are taking incompetence and customer service to new highs and lows, respectively.
Vivian C – I’d love your take on how this situation was handled. I don’t relish writing bad reviews (only 6 out of 23 of my reviews have 3 or fewer stars), I only resort to this when I’m seemingly left with no other options.

Great service. Everyone is friendly and patient. I used this store up to about 7 years ago, then came back to it last year. A couple of the guys are still there. I don’t interact with them that often, but they remember my name. Only problem is parking. It can take a long time to find a spot. That spot might be 2 – 3 blocks away. But that’s not their fault.

Great service every time! Once, by mistake, I went to the real post office. I thought I’d arrived in an eastern bloc bread line, and when I got to the front, the bread had run out. Painful. Went here next time for my shipping needs, they’re brilliant. Why, oh why, is private industry so much better than public? (but that’s a whole other review on capitalism, etc., and would take a few chapters). So just go here. They’re great.

I have been in the particular UPS store more than once a month for the last two years and I consistently receive outstanding service. I think I have been in every UPS store in North Oakland, Berkeley and Orinda; this one is the best! The staff members always greet you as soon as you enter, are always in good moods, take the time to answer your questions, suggest ways to save money, etc. This store is not the closest UPS to me but I go there because the people are so great and I can count on having a good experience.

For the past 12 years I’ve had a mailbox at this store. I’ve always paid annually and they have provided good mailbox service. The people who work there have been friendly and helpful all this time. In April I paid for another year on my box. Imagine my surprise when I was told they were moving and I will have to change my address. I told the manager, or possibly he was the owner, that the reason I have the box is so I don’t have to change my address. I said that if this was the case I would like to cancel my service and get the prorated portion back from the year I paid. He said «no, there are no refunds». He was completely unwilling to work with me on this and as well told me I really shouldn’t worry about the change because it’s just next door and the postal carrier will know to bring it there.
I do not recommend anyone getting a box here. It is overly expensive ($ 300/​year) and the owner/​manager is inflexible.
Linda

If it wasn’t for David Lee (employee), I would give this place 5 stars. He’s unhelpful and rude.

This is my favorite UPS store location in all of the East Bay! It’s convenient to my weekly errand routes. I’m usually driving by on or near Solano avenue at 9 – 9:30 am, which means I don’t have to pay for or fight to find parking right in front of this store. The staff is friendly and are very clear about your shipping options. Also, I lost my gate clicker outside their store — another patron found it and turned it in. When I called to see if my clicker was at their location, they held it for me and even BROUGHT IT OUT TO MY CAR because my toddler was alseep and I couldn’t run in for it. Now that’s super service!

Very friendly guys and great customer service. Only wish they were open on Sundays.

GREAT PASSPORT PHOTOS! I’m 70 so it’s not easy to get an acceptable photo. After a scary photo from another place, I went here. They just started this service and I got a great photo, I think because of the lighting. Trust me, go here!
Since they opened on Solano Avenue, I’ve had great results for small and large shipments, packing, returns to merchants like The Gap, copies and notary services and now passport photos. Years ago, trying to mail a child’s rocking chair, they suggested I unscrew the rockers, back and arms, making it easier and much less expensive to send. I never thought to do that! I’ve gone back ever since. Pleasant and efficient. Never a problem with service or results.

Quick and easy — only issue is that parking is sometimes a drag. I was in and out in 3 minutes with a pretty odd shaped package. I mean it’s a shipping store, I’m not going for atmosphere — I want to get my errands done and get home to eat a burrito. What? There’s a great burrito place next door as well? Sold.

Well it may not be a new yummy restaurant with small bites but it is an excellent place to mail packages. Quick — painless, got in and out and still had time on the green painted curb parking. Both men behind the counter were awake and aware! It is where I will go now– for my son’s care packages especially.

I can’t say enough good things about this store. The staff are extraordinarily helpful, professional, proactive and cheerful. They have a great can-​do attitude. We have been coming here for the last two and half years for passport photos, sending packages, internet shopping returns and basic postal services.
Today I had some important papers to send and managed to leave my wallet at home. No problem! Without missing a beat, they suggested I leave the package with them and call back with my payment details.
Every experience has been great. They are an asset to our neighborhood.

Got charged about $ 150 more than quoted for a package I sent to the east coast.
Being over-​charged wasn’t too much of a big deal until the person I sent the package to called to inquire about all the charges, and was told several lies about the interactions that happened between me (the sender) and the UPS employee.
The customer service actually seemed ok when I was in the store. I’m more concerned about the lies and stories that were made up and told to the recipient.
Why lie if there’s nothing to hide???

This place is amazing. The staff is helpful, upbeat and knowledgeable. I have had artwork packed by and also shipped from this location; each time, I felt in good hands, and there was never a problem. As well, my spouse has a mailbox there, and that has gone very well. This location has a pleasant small-​town feel, which I appreciate more and more these days. Really value this place.

I really don’t know why anyone would give these guys less than 5 stars. Seriously. They work so hard. They are always nice. Helpful. Smile. Not to mention help me with all my crazy Zappos returns, (shhh).
Not to mention these guys are the one stop shop for these types of services. Notary– sure, PO box– sure, UPS– sure, basic post– sure! I will bypass the El Cerrito UPS store to ONLY go to Solano for them!

HORRIBLE.
I went to pick up a package but didn’t have my CA ID (I got locked out of my house).
I tried to show my school ID to no avail. While I went back to my car to see if I had my passport, unbeknownst to me one of the employees FOLLOWED ME WITH A CAMERA!
All I found was my press pass so I went back in to see if that could be accepted. A friend that came along with me told me while I was inside the employee video taped my car! I shrugged it off, thinking they wouldn’t do that.
So, when I return with my ID the same employee, David Lee, immediately photocopies it. This reminds me of what my friend said the previous day so I ask if in fact he video taped my car. He says yes!
His reasoning was that I didn’t have my ID…“Hmmmm. That’s interesting. Is the policy to video tape cars of people who dont have ID?” He replies that he HAD to do it (despite no written or formal policy) because there have been incidences with drugs and credit card fraud… and he has to protect the store.
So…to summarize, I LOOK like a drug dealer or a credit card scam artist (most people think I look like Thandie Newton. Go figure) and my protection isn’t important.
Needless to say I had a few words with him… as well as UPS store corporate.

The team at the Solano Ave UPS store are a friendly bunch who provide helpful service with a ready smile. The location is convenient and they provide a wide range of services. As a regular visitor I appreciate the effort the staff make to provide personalized service – they succeed!

Don’t even bother paying for parking on Solano Avenue on weekedays because you will be in and out of here in one minute (assuming it’s not around the holidays). I am not sure how busy this place gets on weekends, but on weekdays, I have been able to walk in with a pre-​labled box, walk straight up to the counter, they glance at it and say everything «looks good» and I am back out the door. Such a helpful store that I am going to always choose UPS when mailing packages to Amazon (versus choosing US Postal Service).

These guys are insanely helpful and friendly. I’ve been going there for years and just set up a mailbox with them. All the staff is always very well-​informed about all the details, some of which can be pretty arcane sometimes.
Jeez, people, if you don’t like their prices, don’t use them. That’s not a reason to give them a bad review.

Okay, so its time for me to update my review. In the first place, I’m as REAL is it gets… a Real Unilocaler. And I really live near the neighborhood.
A prior reviewer claims this to be the closest UPS store.
To Paris?
Probably not. Not even close.
Unless of course, I’ve missed the opening of a new restaurant on Solano…
«Paris» could be a successful business here. Even without escargot.
Anyway… this is my favorite *local* UPS store. (The other favorite UPS store is in Port Townsend, WA.)
And why???
Because they were happy to mail out our tax forms last week. Even provided us with the appropriate confirmation certificates. So much easier than waiting through the line at the post office.
They were happy to UPS two items to Port Townsend last month.
Which isn’t remarkable unless you realize that they packaged *and* sent a large rug and a heavy wooden file cabinet within hours.
The goods arrived in PT before I did, although I took the next flight out. Next time I fly with UPS. Seriously. Maybe even in a box.
And they have been happy to send out various things through the years. WIthout attitude. Cheaply. Promptly.
WIthout getting morbid…
I thoroughly expect these folks to ship cremains to the family cemetery. With the appropriate respect. Probably cost under twenty dollars. MIght even give the box a bagpipe sendoff!
Its a fine store. Five star service. Trust me, not the other «reviewers.»
I’m for real.