Very Slow and Poor Communication
My U-Crate100 was picked up on May 23, 2022 in the UK. On the day it was being picked up Upakweship arranged for a truck that was not big enough to collect the crate. I then had to make several calls and bring this to their attention and finally the appropriate truck was sent to pick it up (with a lift). After the crate was collected it sat in the UK for almost 3 months until the end of August, 2022. I was never able to speak to a human being and only had an email contact for the company. Each time I inquired I received an email with an excuse (ship was too full to take my container, ship was delayed, etc.). If I had not emailed I don't think they would have ever updated me. Once my crate was on a ship I requested and received the tracking number for my crate. It travelled from the UK to a port in SC and arrived in less than 2 weeks. Once my crate arrived in SC the tracking number showed that it was being sent to a hub in my state (FL). The crate arrived at a trucking hub in FL and I was never contacted. I ultimately called the trucking company and eventually obtained a telephone number for the 3rd party truck delivery service. After several more calls I was able to arrange a delivery date and the crate arrived on September 15th. I realize that there are ongoing shipping delays due to supply chain disruptions after Covid but there is no excuse for the terrible communication throughout this process. I think I would still be waiting on my crate had I not emailed regularly and called multiple times to arrange the actual delivery through the 3rd party company in FL. Throughout this process I only received updates when I requested information. I think Upakweship could do a better job of updating customers about delays and the status of their shipment. I think the cost was affordable at just under £2000 including insurance for a crate with 700 pounds of my belongings. The crate arrived in excellent condition and none of my items were damaged so that's a positive too. Waiting almost 4 months for delivery is extremely slow in spite of post-Covid shipping problems. Would I use them again? Maybe-based on cost and the fact that my items arrived without damage. Just beware that this is truly a DIY shipping option. You will need to monitor every step of the process yourself because Upakweship leaves you in the dark with no communication after they collect your crate.
By Beth H.