[ John Dewey wrote in 081109 MMDigest:

> My experience is UPS will start to look the day after it was
> scheduled for delivery.

First off: Hello, John, I didn't know you were on this list.  I'm an
RPT, we've talked and met several times.  My experience with UPS is
mixed.  On two different occasions I have ordered expensive parts
(a complete set of Renner wippens and a set of Abel hammers) and they
never arrived.  When I called them they claimed according to their
records that they were delivered although nobody signed for them.
They asked me all the obvious questions like "Did you check your
neighbor's house."  Having to file an insurance claim was a pain.

After the second go around I finally found a reliable solution.
The local music store I periodically do tech work for now accepts my
packages.  Because they are a retailer which receives a dozen packages
a day, someone has to physically sign for them with the UPS carrier.
The store then calls me and says a package has come.  I have never had
a problem since and I know the package is in a warm, dry, and secure
place until I pick it up.

If you can find a retailer who will accept your packages that is
the perfect and permanent solution.  UPS issues a tracking number which
I usually get automatically by e-mail (via most larger suppliers I deal
with), so I can track where it is at any given time.

Rob Goodale