I call B.S. That guy you talked to has no idea. Here's a snippet of a typical UPS contract for carriage. Of course, this is assuming that Apple has a similar arrangement, which it might not. But if it were to have such a specialized, personal contract, it would undoubtedly be more favorable.
As you can see, I highlighted the important statements. Pallets are subject to restrictions, but all these pallets with iPads are undoubtedly being sent by same number and weight on each pallet. If the previous shipments went through without a hitch, then the "missing" iPads should not have any problem at all. Also, this is in regard to each individual pallet—not the overall shipment. This is happening to multiple shipments as can be seen by the diverse UPS tracking time stamps that customers are posting on this forum thread.
Also, why would anyone set it up for the tracking to be a separate occurrence than the actual shipment of the merchandise. That sounds like a recipe for theft.
I don't by these explanations, and I'm really upset now as I still, after two weeks, do not have an estimation for delivery. It's probably going to show up at my house when I'm at work, making me have to go pick it up and waste more of my time. All I know is that it's somewhere out there, lost. I was suppose to have a new one sent to me over night, as I was told. But that has not happened either. Both companies are failing right now.
Note that there are is no mention of overall limits or a quota system, by either weight or number. It is only the weight and size of each individual pallet that must not exceed the restrictions.
Conditions of Carriage
This section sets out various restrictions and conditions which apply to the carriage of shipments by UPS. It also explains what the consequences are of the shipper presenting shipments for carriage which do not meet these requirements.
3.1 Service Restrictions and Conditions
Shipments must comply with the restrictions in paragraphs ℹ to (v) below.
The shipper shall be responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the particulars inserted in the Waybill and for ensuring that all shipments set out adequate contact details for the shipper and receiver of the shipment and that they are so packed, marked and labelled, their contents so described and classified and are accompanied by such documentation as may (in each case) be necessary to make them suitable for transportation and to comply with the requirements of the Guide and applicable law. Unless a different service level is clearly selected on the Waybill or other applicable UPS shipping documentation, shipments will be carried under the Express (or Express Freight) service (where available to the selected destination) and all applicable charges will be calculated accordingly.
The shipper guarantees that all shipments presented for carriage under these terms comply with the restrictions in paragraphs ℹ to (v) above and have been prepared in secure premises, by him (in the case of an individual shipper) or by reliable staff employed by him or (where different) by the party tendering the shipment to UPS and have been protected against unauthorised interference during their preparation, storage and transportation to UPS. UPS relies on this guarantee in accepting any shipment for carriage hereunder.
ℹ Packages must not weigh more than 70 kilograms (or 150 lbs) or exceed 270 centimetres (or 108 inches) in length or a total of 419 centimetres (or 165 inches) in length and girth combined. Pallets are subject to maximum size and weight limits that vary by origin and destination, and that are set out at www.ups.com.
- (ii) The value of any package may not exceed the local currency equivalent of USD 50,000. In addition the value of any jewellery or watches, other than costume jewellery or costume watches, in a package shall not exceed the local currency equivalent of USD 500. The value of any pallet may not exceed the local currency equivalent of USD 100,000.
- (iii) Shipments must not contain any of the prohibited articles listed in the Guide including (but not limited to) articles of unusual value (such as works of art, antiques, precious stones, stamps, unique items, gold or silver), money or negotiable instruments (such as cheques, bills of exchange, bonds, savings books, pre-paid credit cards, share certificates or other securities), firearms and dangerous goods
- (iv) Shipments must not contain goods which might endanger human or animal life or any means of transportation, or which might otherwise taint or damage other goods being transported by UPS, or the carriage, export or import of which is prohibited by applicable law.
- (v) Pallets must be palletized, stackable, able to be lifted by forklift, and shrink-wrapped or banded to a skid.
- 3.2 Perishable and temperature sensitive goods will be transported provided that the shipper accepts that this is at its risk. UPS does not provide special handling for such shipments.
- 3.3 Refusal and Suspension of Carriage
ℹ If it comes to the attention of UPS that any shipment does not meet any of the above restrictions or conditions or that any COD amount stated on a COD Waybill exceeds the limits specified in paragraph 8, UPS may refuse to transport the relevant shipment (or any relevant part thereof) and, if carriage is in progress, UPS may suspend carriage and hold the shipment (or any relevant part thereof) to the shipper’s order.
- (ii) UPS may also suspend carriage if it cannot effect delivery, if the receiver refuses to accept delivery, if it is unable to effect delivery because of an incorrect address (having used all reasonable means to find the correct address) or because the correct address is found to be in another country from that set out on the shipment or on the Waybill or if it cannot collect amounts due from the receiver on delivery.
- (iii) Where UPS is entitled to suspend carriage of a shipment (or any relevant part thereof), it is also entitled to return it to the shipper at its own discretion.
