UPS man came to deliver my primers. I asked why such a Hazmat fee. He said he had to take training on how to handle hazmats, has a special ticket he keeps on truck dash in case of a truck crash, DOT has all these regs about transporting hazmats across state lines, etc.
Now I know!
Yes, all that special training, special ticket with ID, and DOT regulations to adhere to in order to collect fees. Then the driver just dumps it on the front porch and runs without getting a signature. Yes sir, that Hazmat stuff is real important, so important they don't need a signature to know where it went or who got it as long as they collect the fee. Today, my UPS driver left 32 pounds of powder on the porch while I was out and he had no signature, so it can't be to important.
UPS/FEDEX, when delivering primers and powder always require my signature, there has never been a delivery without that event.
The drivers who deliver to me have indicated that the cost is the paperwork for the government, the records to store and the people to do the extra work involved with the procedures.
I believe there is a cost, but not in such large denominations, it should be an extra buck or two at the most. Slapping a sticker on the box is not rocket science and as far as the training, give me a break, we have all witnessed how they treat our packages on the news. Dropping packages 10 ft. is not my idea of proper handling.
I do believe that FEDEX does a better job than UPS, I have less damage on packages that FEDEX handles. Also, FEDEX has a business to business rate, which is far less than business to residence.
Matt
Why does a dog lick his privates? Because he can! When you're the only game in town, you get to make your own rules.
A few years ago UPS delivered 32# of powder I ordered to a house 1/2 mile down the road. The guy looked up my name in the phone book and called me, so I was able to pick it up. At the time I think that hazmat sticker cost $20.
What a joke.
The idea of the Hazmat fee started with greedy dealers. They didn't like the idea that anyone could order powder or primers and get them delivered for a lot less then they were selling them for. Now they could afford the $20 fee as they were ordering in bulk but for someone who only ordered say one pound of powder or 1000 primers it become too expensive for them and was just cheaper for them to go to a dealer and get it from them. Well the idea of $20 extra sure was a windfall for UPS who said OK and have raised it when ever they feel they can get away with it. I remember the dealers who were part of the national effort going around to other local dealers getting them to sign on in the early 80's.
On one occasion I ordered 2 8lb jugs of powder. Come delivery day, UPS comes to the door with one boxed jug. Label clearly says "1 of 2". I ask where the other jug is. He says "maybe tomorrows delivery". Box is clearly labeled "Gunpowder". About 3 hours later, neighbor from one block over comes to my door "You order some gunpowder? Found this by my front door when I got home." Yep, 2nd box labeled "2 of 2". My name, my address. That clown UPS driver sure "special handled - Hazmat" my order.
What an eye-opener, guys, about this hazmat thing. It ranks right up there in importance with the fees we have to pay for emissions testing for our autos each year.
The emissions people have us by our tailpipes; the hazmat people have us by our firing pins.
Oh, what a web they weave!
Thomas
Does UPS have a HazMat sticker on their trucks for the fuel they carry?
Gasoline has a lot more energy per lb than gun powder.
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