View Full Version : Why UPS SUCKS!!
diskoboy
10-23-2009, 01:44 PM
Last week, on Ebay, I bought a NIB WG D7700 to replace the dead K4600 in my Pac-Man.
It arrived today. As I peeled back the plastic bag over the monitor, I noticed a few flakes of glass fall on the chassis. I immediately felt a twinge of unease, and begin examining the neck.
Destroyed before it even left the box.
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w232/diskoboy1974/DSC_0017-1.jpg
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w232/diskoboy1974/DSC_0018-1.jpg
(apologies on the large size)
It took me 3 months to find this monitor. Now finding a replacement is going to be next to impossible. And I absolutely refuse to put an LCD in a Pac-Man.
And I don't want to buy a used monitor, because a newer one will hopefully last another 30 years. And I don't want one with any burn in.
I'm seriously starting to get annoyed with this hobby. It seems everything I need is impossible to find, and thanks to the eco fascists, I can't get a CRT to replace my dead one.
And UPS can fuck off. Practically every time I deal with them, the package usually gets damaged or mangled. A totally unprofessional company.
aclbandit
10-23-2009, 02:16 PM
And UPS can fuck off. Practically every time I deal with them, the package usually gets damaged or mangled. A totally unprofessional company.
See, my local branch of UPS has always been great; it's the FedEx I've had trouble with.
Ed Oscuro
10-23-2009, 02:32 PM
:puppydogeyes:
That's never a pretty sight.
WG's site does list this monitor, though: link (http://www.wgec.com/products/details.asp?iCat=3&iSubCat=44) - it looks like you can order directly from them. I hope that's some help. Also, I'll be sure to put insurance on any monitors I have shipped out in the future...I've actually already had one monitor ruined (the X68000 monitor, of course that was shipped via seamail).
Zthun
10-23-2009, 02:33 PM
See, my local branch of UPS has always been great; it's the FedEx I've had trouble with.
UPS is outrageously expensive for their delivery times, and they mishandle their boxes. If you've every been in the place where production and shipping takes place inside a UPS facility, you know that the people that work there often just throw around the boxes like there's nothing in them. I guess I can't blame them though. If I had to work 8 hours lifting and moving heavy boxes I would probably get rough with some of them as well.
InsaneDavid
10-23-2009, 03:00 PM
Those of us who buy / sell / ship pachinko machines will tell you - DHL next time.
diskoboy
10-23-2009, 04:26 PM
I filed for the insurance claim through UPS. They're coming to pick it up monday. So most likely, I'm getting a refund.
But now I have no monitor, and an empty Pac-Man cab. And God knows how long it will take me to find a new CRT - if at all.
Tupin
10-23-2009, 05:08 PM
Those of us who buy / sell / ship pachinko machines will tell you - DHL next time.
I thought DHL stopped domestic services.
UPS is outrageously expensive for their delivery times, and they mishandle their boxes. If you've every been in the place where production and shipping takes place inside a UPS facility, you know that the people that work there often just throw around the boxes like there's nothing in them. I guess I can't blame them though. If I had to work 8 hours lifting and moving heavy boxes I would probably get rough with some of them as well.
I have a friend who worked for about a month at UPS, night shift, while attending grad school during the day hours. He said that the speed in which the packages came off the conveyor, was enough to make someone work quick, because otherwise the workers would get hit with the packages, like what happened to my friend when he took a box to the head. He also said that the more seasoned workers hated the job so much, that they would just chuck the boxes in the trucks, and if it was marked fragile, they would be even more careless.
InsaneDavid
10-23-2009, 06:37 PM
I thought DHL stopped domestic services.
That's right, they stopped at the top of the year. Sorry, it's been a couple years since I've shipped anything large + heavy + complex + of value. Two words then: shit creek. I have my own problems with UPS but it mainly stems from having to go to the dock almost EVERY TIME they deliver a package since they flat out refuse to just leave it at the door for 90% of shipments these days. My schedule can get erratic so mailing to a different address doesn't work out either.
shawnbo42
10-24-2009, 12:18 AM
Diskoboy, that really sucks. If I had a NIB monitor to offer you, I would. Unfortunately, I don't. I barely have enough monitors to put back together all the crap I've got running now. If I come up with any other ideas, I'll get back to you.
Peale
10-25-2009, 08:20 AM
Do you still have the old one? We may be able to talk you over a repair on the BYOAC monitor repair forum. K4600s have great pictures. And with a new tube you'll be good to go for years.
Flashback2012
10-25-2009, 10:55 AM
UPS is outrageously expensive for their delivery times, and they mishandle their boxes. If you've every been in the place where production and shipping takes place inside a UPS facility, you know that the people that work there often just throw around the boxes like there's nothing in them. I guess I can't blame them though. If I had to work 8 hours lifting and moving heavy boxes I would probably get rough with some of them as well.
This. Heaven forbid you mark the package as fragile, that's the kiss of death. The employees at the distribution centers have little to no regard for what's inside the boxes, they're being barked at by a supervisor who wants those trucks loaded and he wanted them loaded yesterday.
I try to use US Postal whenever possible. I imagine the mouth breathers they employ at their distribution centers aren't any better than the ones at UPS but I've had far less troubles dealing with the Postal Service.
diskoboy
10-27-2009, 01:57 AM
UPS came and took the d7700 this morning for the insurance claim.BAM!!!
Found a NIB Vision Pro for $195!
Actually, they had about 4 left - so I ordered 2.
I just recently capped my Galaga's G07, but it will be nice to have around, incase it ever dies.
But then again, G07's are super easy to rebuild - even with minimal electronics experience... And since my Galaga has been home use only since about '85, I think this monitors got a long life ahead. Who knows... I may stick it in my Nintendo cab, since it looks like it's really struggling to work properly. I just don't wanna pay extra for the video inverter and sound board.
Oh, and Peale - the thermistor on the K4600's board popped, and left a fairly small hole in the mobo - plus it knocked out the power supply and degaussing circuit. I've tried to find a replacement for the part, but it seems to be obsolete, and I can't find a modern equivalent. I still have the tube I could use as a spare. But since there's some really bad Ms. Pac burn in, it's not very plesant to look at, even with a tinted plexi.
TheDomesticInstitution
10-28-2009, 07:32 AM
Holy shit, that WG looked brand new... except for the neck. How did you ever find that one? Most guys cream themselves over finding working monitors with "a little burn-in." You must have paid quite a bit to find a monitor that mint. Good to hear that UPS took care of you, and now you even have 2 monitors! It must be nice not having to work on a monitor to get it going... Of course with the paltry amount I'm willing to cough up for a cab, a cap kit is a standard issue item for me.
XYXZYZ
10-28-2009, 11:01 AM
I knew a guy who worked at a UPS distribution center and he tells me that the standard procedure for boxes marked "fragile" is to slam it around as much as possible. I think it had something to do with union protection...
diskoboy
10-28-2009, 03:19 PM
Holy shit, that WG looked brand new... except for the neck. How did you ever find that one? Most guys cream themselves over finding working monitors with "a little burn-in." You must have paid quite a bit to find a monitor that mint. Good to hear that UPS took care of you, and now you even have 2 monitors! It must be nice not having to work on a monitor to get it going... Of course with the paltry amount I'm willing to cough up for a cab, a cap kit is a standard issue item for me.
That WG monitor WAS brand new. I found it on Ebay - some guy had 3 D7700's in his warehouse he was getting rid of. I only paid $260 for it (including shipping).
I'm actually back down to zero monitors, until the Vision Pro arrives. UPS took the WG one for the insurance claim. And my K4600 is dead as a doornail - a themistor on the PCB blew, and the part is now obsolete. Not to mention it left a pencil sized hole in the PCB when it blew. I can't solder anything back into place because of the damage. But the tube is still good, just some really bad burn in.
I'm still glad I was able to find a new Vision Pro for only $200. I personally asked the person I bought the VPII from to mail it FedEx, as I continuously have problems with UPS.
BHvrd
10-28-2009, 08:52 PM
I've literally seen UPS drivers kick packages. I think it has something to do with not having air conditioning in their trucks or something cause i've noticed quite a few irate UPS driver.
Nothing like the good ole USPS.
diskoboy
10-29-2009, 04:38 PM
BASK IN IT'S MINTY FRESH GLORY!!!
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w232/diskoboy1974/DSC_0021.jpg
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w232/diskoboy1974/DSC_0022.jpg
($230 after shipping! More pics after I get the brackets on, then hook it up!)
diskoboy
10-29-2009, 08:53 PM
IT'S ALIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE!!!!
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w232/diskoboy1974/DSC_0027-1.jpg
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w232/diskoboy1974/DSC_0026.jpg
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w232/diskoboy1974/DSC_0025.jpg
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w232/diskoboy1974/DSC_0024.jpg
TheDomesticInstitution
10-30-2009, 07:46 AM
Looks great. I just installed my new flyback last night and my 'cades up and running too. It's a nice feeling of accomplishment, isn't it?
diskoboy
10-30-2009, 01:42 PM
Looks great. I just installed my new flyback last night and my 'cades up and running too. It's a nice feeling of accomplishment, isn't it?
It feels great knowing I wont have to worry about the monitor for a LONG while. A huge smile came over my face when I heard the monitor buzz to life when I flipped the power switch.
I still have a few things left to do to complete the restoration:
-I need new/good condition bezels (plastic for the CRT and the bezel with the artwork).
-I need to replace the tinted plexi. My machine didn't come with one, and the brightness on the monitor is currently at its lowest setting.
-Locate stencils to restore the side art. Screw the vinyl crap.