UPS deliveries and cigarette smoke

[goofy about mickey]

I have always received good advice from travel planning, so I decided to "branch out" and post this on the Community boards.

Our UPS delivery person apparently smokes alot. (The other day he came to the door hand with the package and cigarette in one hand and the signing tablet in the other.) As a result, we have been receiving packages that smell very badly of smoke. I have allergy-induced asthma so this could be a particularly big potential problem, but I also think many other people would also be legitimately bothered by this.

I contacted 1-800 UPS number and the customer service rep said workers are permitted to smoke in trucks, warehouses, etc. I may be wrong, but I suspect that speaking directly to the delivery person will not help.

I'm wondering if anyone has had similar experiences or has any advice. It seems many companies don't give you an option to specify carriers. I wonder if the big, online companies would actually honor special requests.

 

[Beth76]

I don't really have anything to add. I think that's an odd policy. It seems very unprofessional to me to allow their drivers to smoke while working, esp since it's affecting your merchandise. That would aggravate me as well, too. You may want to try writing a letter to someone higher up, rather than speaking to customer service.

 

[elgerber]

When I sold Creative Memories, my UPS driver smoked too. While he never came to the door with one in his hand (I think that is despicable and he should be reprimanded for that), I too was told they are allowed to smoke in their trucks. I thought it was disgusting, all my stuff always smelled of smoke.

Erika

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Considering the amount of cardboard UPS deals with, I'm surprised they allowing smoking in trucks and in the warehouses.

Perhaps you should politely tell your driver that you are highly sensitive and/or allergic to the smoke and ask that he refrain from doing so while delivering your items.

 

[jrydberg]

Personally, I'd send UPS a letter explaining exactly why you'll be taking your business elsewhere. Since the smoking is impacting their delivery of packages, I would think that would be unacceptable to them.

 

[4greatboys]

Im really suprised UPS said they could smoke in their trucks. My dh is a UPS drive and I'll ask him about it when he gets home. They are not even allowed to grow a beard for appearance sake so it does seem odd that UPS would let them smoke in public.

 

[gymnasticsmom68]

I would just get my stuff out of the box and toss the box.

 

[Piglet's Pal]

Our mailman smokes and every piece of mail we get smells like smoke. Some days it is really bad.
PP

 

[Ash aka sky]

Whilst I agree that he should not be coming to your door with a cigerette in his hand (very unprofessional) I do think, in my opinion, you are over reacting.

 

[MrsJackSparrow]

Our postal worker smokes as well. It is just so gross to win a pretty Disney dress on Ebay for DD and have it positively STINK from being in the truck with him! Smokers have rights but I do, too, and I don't think my stuff should have to stink because of someone else's bad habits.

 

[izzy]

Originally posted by Ash aka sky
Whilst I agree that he should not be coming to your door with a cigerette in his hand (very unprofessional) I do think, in my opinion, you are over reacting.

Out of curiousity, do you have asthma? I do, and if I'm around cigarette smoke, I have to whip out my inhaler so that I can even breath. Do you consider that to be over reacting?

 

[gymnasticsmom68]

If the 'smell' is on a box, how is that 'being around cigarette smoke'? Just the smell make you have an asthma attack???

 

[floridafam]

DH worked for UPS many years ago. He said they were not allowed to smoke. The rules were very strict. One driver stopped at home every night for dinner before all of his packages were delivered and I guess he wasn't allowed to do that.

I understand your frustrations. The one that gets me is pizza delivery drivers-pizza and pop cans that smell like smoke. GROSS!

I'm surprised they are allowed to smoke in the trucks.

 

[izzy]

Cigarette smoke clings to everything it touches. If I were to bring a box into my house that had been around cigarette smoke, the odor would be in my house, thus triggering my asthma attack. Perhaps I'm just more sensitive to these smells than other people. Heavily applied perfume also triggers the same reaction in me.

 

[JohnsPrincess]

I don't think you are overreacting at ALL! It is Very unprofessional of the driver and Especially the company for handling it that way. I HATE the smell of cigarette smoke. It gives me the biggest headaches so I stay away from it as much as possible. If I was getting packages and the things inside smelled from them smoking I would be Royally pissed!!!

 

[Kallison]

It doesn't matter if just the smell triggers an attack or not -- that is just disgusting! I know when I used to stay at my ILS everything in my suitcase reeked and I hate that smell. I would go higher up the UPS ladder and let them know how you feel or use another carrier.

 

[peachgirl]

I agree, he shouldn't come to the door smoking a cigarette.

However, I also agree that it would be a little difficult for the contents of sealed boxes to smell of smoke caused by the UPS man. What's more likely is that the item didn't come from a smoke free environment.

I don't know if UPS trucks have a/c, but I know our delivery man always has both doors open when he's driving, so I suspect not. I would think that would keep the smoke from affecting the package contents.

And yes, I have very severe allergies and asthma.

Popcorn anyone???

 

[gymnasticsmom68]

Originally posted by peachgirl
However, I also agree that it would be a little difficult for the contents of sealed boxes to smell of smoke caused by the UPS man. What's more likely is that the item didn't come from a smoke free environment.

That's the more likely reason. I'm afraid I find it extremely doubtful that the drivers cigarette smell is getting inside a sealed box. Did it occur to you that it was more than likely from the person who sent you the box?

I've been under the impression my whole life that the 'actual' smoke is what caused the asthma attack, not the smell. I don't know how you can go out in public.

 

[Ash aka sky]

Originally posted by izzy
Out of curiousity, do you have asthma? I do, and if I'm around cigarette smoke, I have to whip out my inhaler so that I can even breath. Do you consider that to be over reacting?

Nope I don't... however I am ex smoker and because of that I am hyper-sensitive to smoke... I am also allergic to certain perfumes and fragrances and I still don't expect people who smoke/wear certain fragrances to make any special provision for me (except when they are in my home).

 

[lulugirl]

I would be annoyed too. I don't have allergies, I just find the smell of cigarette smoke repulsive. You paid for the items that are being delivered, in my opinion you should not be getting them in a nasty, cigarette smelling box.