I chose this location because my usual UPS Store on Highland, closes early on Saturdays. As a result, I came here to return two Amazon items and was disappointed by the poor communication and lackluster customer service.
One item (2x2 flat box) required a bag, so I asked an employee, Anish, what type was needed. He told me "any kind of bag," but when I returned with a grocery bag from my car, he refused to accept it and said an opaque shipping bag should have been "common sense. "The interaction was unnecessarily disrespectful and condescending. Rather than attempting to resolve the misunderstanding, he ended the exchange by telling me, “Feel free to not come back.”
After the incident, I contacted UPS Corporate to report the experience. I also called the store and spoke with the owner, Lauren, hoping for a professional discussion about what had occurred. Unfortunately, the response I received only validated my decision to involve Corporate, as there appeared to be more focus on dismissing my concerns than understanding why a customer felt compelled to make the call in the first place. Rather than feeling that my concerns were acknowledged, I was told I was "embellishing" the story because the owner claimed to have witnessed the interaction. That response spoke volumes about the culture of customer service at this location. Based on my experience, I can understand why this store currently holds a 3.1-star rating.
I understand that return requirements can vary, but customers should be given clear instructions and treated with respect. My concern was not only the employee’s behavior, but also management’s response. What was most disappointing was the apparent acceptance of that behavior by the very person responsible for setting the standard.
When concerns are met with defensiveness rather than accountability, it reflects a culture that tolerates poor customer service rather than seeks to improve it. If this is the level of professionalism being accepted at this location, it raises serious questions about how stores representing the UPS brand are being managed.
I hope UPS Corporate takes customer feedback seriously and recognizes that every franchise location reflects on the UPS brand as a whole. Professionalism, accountability, and respectful customer service should be expected—not the exception—when representing a company that has earned the public’s trust.