The UPS Store

There is some seriously shifty stuff going on at this store lately… I think there was a change in ownership recently. I’ve shipped there for several years with no problems, but since the new owners/​staff in the last few months took over I have had three concerning experiences:
1. I shipped three packages before Christmas. They went from Washington to Utah & Texas. I was sending them more than 2 weeks before Christmas, so I figured plenty of for mail. The store informs me mail won’t deliver until after Christmas so I had to send UPS ground (avg $ 20/​per package). Wow, whatever, maybe mail is just really slow (actually later mailed something at the post office, and in fact it did arrive before Christmas). I would accept that possibly honest mail delivery estimate on error, but then the next thing happened.
2. Shipping after Christmas, package to Arizona, ask for price of mail vs UPS and was quoted $ 41+ because of box size (12×9×5) to send U.S. Mail and $ 21 for UPS ground, so I opt for UPS. I got home and looked up the cost to ship USPS for that size box, and it’s $ 21.33.
3. The worst part, and why I will never trust these guys again, I brought in my box to ship (which was a beautiful rosewood wine box). They asked if it was fragile, I said «yes, but it’s packed in foam and straw grass inside, so it should be safe, just fill the box around it with foam pellets». As I was leaving, the clerk who rang me up came running out to let me know «oh, we didn’t know it was wine, we need to have an ID signature, it’s an extra $ 5 fee».
Rather than ask me the contents when I said it was glass (and it’s pretty obviously a wine box as it was wood with «Total Wine & More» engraved on it), a separate employee/​owner OPENED MY BOX AFTER I LEFT THE STORE to find out what was inside!!! Wholly unprofessional!!! When I called them out on opening my package, they said they needed to make sure it was packed sufficiently. Well if that’s the case, ASK THE FREAKING CUSTOMER PERMISSION while they are there, don’t wait for them to leave then open their package!
Customers be warned, wait for them to tape up your package before you leave. They are not to be trusted.

Not as bad as some have said. They were quick courteous and didn’t bother with much. Fast and easy, l like my package stores just like that.

This UPS store is located conveniently and has friendly staff. It is not fancy, but it definitely does help you ship your packages. Although there is parking right out in the front, depending on when you go, you may have a hard time finding a spot as there are a bunch of other small businesses in this tiny shopping strip.

Location is clean. Staff is extremely rude and behave as if they don’t want your business. Made us pay 50c each for Fragile stickers. If not the only option I suggest using an alternative UPS location.

I have consistently received great customer support from a helpful staff at the Mercer Island store. I don’t understand the negative reviews on Unilocal.I come into the store multiple times a week. Everyone treats me wonderful here. I call into the store to find out if I have mail. I get emailed that I have packages. The people here are helpful and friendly and I am a very happy customer and will continue to utilize the services here as long as I am still living on the Island.

Can I not rate this location with zero stars??? I have to give it 1? Meh.
I used to have a box at the Redmond UPS Store. I had no idea how great they were and how much I missed them until I moved and got a box at the Mercer Island store. What a disappointment this new store is. Here are a few, key differences:
Redmond: The folks knew my name and mail box and pulled my mail/​packages before I even got to the counter. Always ready with a smile and a «How are you, today?».
Mercer Island (MI): The kids give me a blank look as they shuffle over to see what I want, as long as he/​she is not eating lunch, that is.
Redmond: I ask for another key to my box and they have it ready for me the next day.
MI: I ask for another key for my box and ask again, one week later, and again, another week later, and again, the next month, and again, a week after that. I think it took 7 times over 3 months for me to finally get my second key.
Redmond: Sign says open at 8am. The door’s open at 8am.
MI: Sign says open at 8am. No one there at 8am (more than one occassion).
Just, overall, slow service from people who don’t care a lick about customer satisfaction. But they know they are the only mail box place on the Island, so they don’t care. If ever there was a location ripe for a Mail Boxes Etc, or the like, it’s Mercer Island. Maybe some competition would help them step up their game.

I sent several items. One was broken beyond belief (a cabinet with two legs broken off). The store has not done anything about paying me back, even though I bought insurance. I have spoken to the store and the corporate offices, but to no avail. My sister’s plates that she sent were broken too. I would highly recommend not using this store.
Update July 9, 2013: I still have not received any payment from UPS. I would highly recommend not using this store. Unbelievable.
Update: I received a check to repay me for the broken radio! I’m so glad this worked out.

Worst! Sucks!
We had a very bad service experience with UPS Store at Mercer Island. We wanted to send something to IRS through USPS and the package never reached! When asked for refund, he started lying that the package should reach there today or tomorrow!
Then we wanted to send VS Make-​up kits to India — an international shipping! He suggested send through this et al. We agreed, paid! And then on Monday we get to know that the things have not been shipped yet.
Man! He called and like ‘I have to take out the cover from make-​up kit or it would charge extra $ 90.blah blah’
Man absolute nonsense! Really really BAD! DO NOT GO TO THIS STORE AT ALL!!!

Don’t use this store if you expect timely mail and package delivery. Other stores I’ve used were far better. The owners appear to be operating as if they are still in India.

Avoid this store if you have to. I was using them to pack and ship all the items for my business. They were not packing correctly and many of my items were arriving damaged and leaking. The store would not take any responsibility and I had to go to UPS corporate to get anything done. I only received payment for two of the damaged items and not the rest even though it was the stores responsiblity because they packed and shipped the items. I am tired of battling so I let it go. It takes a lot for me to write a bad review, but I don’t want anyone else to have go through an experience like this.

I needed a few items laminated. I called to see if this store had the lamination pouch size I needed, how thick the pouch was, that they had enough in stock and what the price was. I was told on the phone that the lamination pouches, in the size I needed, were 5MIL and the price was $ 3.50 each. When I brought my job in, they did not have a cutter large enough to cut my sheets of paper into the strips I needed it (these were 11″ x 17″ sheets). I asked about cutting the sheets after they were laminated because I would be cutting the paper– I thought it might peel apart and expose the paper to the elements, as the strips were going to be outside. There would be no protective plastic edge if I laminated the whole sheet of paper and then trimmed later.
I was told that because it was sticky when heated up, and because of how thick the lamination pouch was, that it should not be an issue. I confirmed the price of each sheet laminated when I was in the store, and was told (again) it would be $ 3.50 a piece for 11″ x 17″.
When I came back to pick up the job and pay for it, the finished product was very flimsy. I inquired if it was truly 5MIL, and the employee said no, that it was actually 4MIL. I do not think it was 4MIL either, as I use that thickness of lamination quite often for smaller projects and it is much more substantial than what was used by the UPS Store. I brought up these issues, and the employee helping me brought the manager over. She insisted my project, when cut, will be fine. She grabbed another laminated piece, which was smaller and was laminated with a thicker pouch– it felt like 4MIL to me– and cut it with scissors, to try and demonstrate that the laminate would not peel away from the paper. I pointed out to her that the sample she was using was a thicker feeling laminate than what was used on my job. She said that if the lamination failed and my project sustained water damage from being outside that she would refund my money. I thought that was a decent solution so I went forward with pay for the job. When the job was rang up, I was charge $ 4.00 a sheet! I pointed out the discrepancy and refused to pay $ 4.00 a sheet when I had had the price confirmed at $ 3.50 a sheet, both on the phone and when I dropped off the job. The manager did reverse $.50 per sheet when I complained.
Be very careful when bringing a job to this store and make sure to find out how much they will charge prior to turning in your job. If I ever give them a second try, I will get the cost in writing before proceeding.
FYI: when I trimmed the laminated sheets, the laminate was so thin it looked like it wouldn’t take much to get the strips to start peeling. I ended up having to cover them with clear tape. I really feel like I wasted money using this store on this project!