I called yesterday afternoon to obtain an estimate for packaging and shipping an item to Southern California. I spent about 20 minutes carefully describing the item, dimensions, insurance, weight, packaging requirements and shipping cost with Lalo the estimate was $ 99.00. Today I brought the item to the store and met with Lalo in person. The price he came up with was $ 140.00, an increase of 40 % over the original estimate, I told Lalo this was a form or bait and switch. I could understand if the estimate was off a few dollars, but not 40 % more. All he could say was he was sorry, and as I was walking out of the store he said "have a good day !" I did not appreciate the sarcastic remark. When I returned to my car, I called the store at the El Cerrito plaza, and was quoted a price between $ 100 and $ 120. I went to the store and the final cost, including tax, was $ 106.00. I will never bring another item to the Solano Avenue store in Albany for packaging. read more

I needed to overnight a package that was very important. They took my money and gave me a receipt but no tracking number and they didn't verify the address in their system. I told them that I would like them to verify the address and have a tracking number before I walked out and they told me they don't do that at this store. Of course they dont!!!! It's BERKELEY!!! They don't do anything normal!!! I have never been to a UPS store where they didn't require signature to verify the address or provide tracking. So I requested it and they told me I would have to wait for 30 minutes. Then they finally got to my package and the guy told me the address was wrong and they couldn't process it. POINT IN CASE!!! That's exactly WHY you need to verify the address BEFORE your client walks out the door. Duh!!! That's what every UPS store I've ever been to does! Then I double checked the address and it was correct. The guy was just entering it incorrectly and put the street address in the apartment line. UGGGHHHH! I would have totally missed the cut off for overnight had I left. I also would have missed the property I am trying to buy because the checks wouldn't have been there on time. Frustrating experience to say the least. Totally ruined my night. Somebody needs to tell this store how UPS works. 1. Verify address is correct before client walks out of door 2. Get client signature for verification 3. Give client tracking number with receipt Super basic guys...every UPS store I've ever been to does it this way. Being told by a 20 something employee that "no body else has an issue with the way we do things here" doesn't justify your poor business practices. Bottom line, do somewhere else to do your business. read more

They claimed they couldn't scan the UPC code on my phone that UPS online had forwarded to return a product, then charged me $3 just to print out the UPS label email I forwarded to them from UPS!! No charge for the actual delivery as that was being paid for by the company to whom I was returning a product. Typical highway robbery by a UPS franchise store read more

Not a location I would recommend. I witnessed a young woman being bullied by the workers today and a customer calling her names because she stood up for herself. I regret not doing anything to help her but the men working and the very ignorant customer (also a man that was calling her names and seemed to be friends with one of the men with a beard working) frightened me. I dropped off my package and bolted out of there. I hope someone at UPS sees this. read more

I've used this store many times in the past. Service was always friendly and efficient, so I was really surprised this morning when the employee (Will) insisted he would have to charge $1.00 to staple my bag closed, and couldn't lend me a stapler to do it myself. (I hadn't been sure whether taping or stapling was the preferred closure to a prepaid LLBean package.) I understand having a "packaging policy," but surely employees should be encouraged to use common sense in applying it. I will certainly avoid this store in future. read more

These guys were not very professional to say the least. Had to get a quick passport photo and these guys acted like it was a big thing to take some fucking pictures. I mean, hello, it says passport photos on the dam website, if you don't wanna do them, then don't offer that service. Also, if you take a crappy pic out of focus, how about taking another, don't act like you can't take another, I don't wanna hear oh its a passport who cares. Well I care asshole, why else would i be asking for another picture you lazy fucks. And another reason why I will never use UPS for any services ... read more

If I could give this UPS Store a negative star I would. I had a history of terrible customer service at The UPS Store #0693 at 1569 Solano Ave in Berkeley. About one year ago I dropped off a package at that store without waiting for it to be scanned and the package "got lost". Since that day that store #0693 "lost" my package, I always wait in line to get a receipt to prove that my packages were dropped off. Today was the icing on the cake for me. I walked in early this morning with 5 small shoeboxes with prepaid labels and waited in line. The staff at this store began to help people BEHIND me and when I questioned this I was told that I was not a customer. The short guy with a beard said that because I was only dropping off packages and I was *not* considered a customer!! I waited in line just like everyone else and when it was my turn I was ignored. When I challenged this, the same guy told me I could take my packages elsewhere and that I did not have to drop off packages at that store. This after waiting in line at least 5-10 minutes. I asked for a Drop Off Package Receipt and was told that it was not their policy to provide me with a receipt because it was an inconvenience for the store employees to scan items. Mind you, they have always provided me one in the past when I asked for it. I cannot imagine how difficult it is to pick up a barcode reader and scan the image on the prepaid label. It is not rocket science. Then I was told that 2 packages could not be pre-scanned because one did not have the weight listed and the other only showed 1lb whereas the package was 9lbs. (They pulled this same scam on me a couple weeks ago with a Zappos return. I called Zappos and was told that no matter what the weight of the box, the UPS Store is suppose to take it! Because of my issues Zappos arranged for the UPS pick up.) The short guy with a beard said I could leave the 2 packages that could not be scanned in his store and would have the UPS driver scan them later. Since store #0693 had previously "lost" a package I declined the offer. I took the 2 unscannable packages to store #1179 in the El Cerrito Plaza. The staff at the El Cerrito Plaza was very friendly and scanned my items in about 30 seconds! In fact, the El Cerrito Plaza store has a policy that packages cannot be dropped off without being scanned. Good for you El Cerrito UPS Store for providing excellent customer service. Shame on the Berkeley store for providing the worst customer service that I have experienced in a very, very long time. The UPS Store webpage claims "Our Customer Service Commitment: The UPS Store® is committed to providing world-class customer service to our retail customers. We are committed to providing personalized and professional solutions while supporting our core values." Every single one of these values that you are "committed" to providing are overlooked and ignored by Berkeley Store #0693. This issue (and all the prior issues with this store) was so upsetting that I contacted The UPS Store headquarters at 1800-789-4623 and made a formal complaint. If you want good customer service and want to make sure that your packages are not "lost", then I recommend driving less than a mile away and heading to the store at the El Cerrito Plaza. read more

The team at the Solano Ave UPS store are a friendly bunch who provide helpful service with a ready smile. The location is convenient and they provide a wide range of services. As a regular visitor I appreciate the effort the staff make to provide personalized service--they succeed! read more

This place is amazing. The staff is helpful, upbeat and knowledgeable. I have had artwork packed by and also shipped from this location; each time, I felt in good hands, and there was never a problem. As well, my spouse has a mailbox there, and that has gone very well. This location has a pleasant small-town feel, which I appreciate more and more these days. Really value this place. read more

Don't even bother paying for parking on Solano Avenue on weekedays because you will be in and out of here in one minute (assuming it's not around the holidays). I am not sure how busy this place gets on weekends, but on weekdays, I have been able to walk in with a pre-labled box, walk straight up to the counter, they glance at it and say everything "looks good" and I am back out the door. Such a helpful store that I am going to always choose UPS when mailing packages to Amazon (versus choosing US Postal Service). read more

I can't say enough good things about this store. The staff are extraordinarily helpful, professional, proactive and cheerful. They have a great can-do attitude. We have been coming here for the last two and half years for passport photos, sending packages, internet shopping returns and basic postal services. Today I had some important papers to send and managed to leave my wallet at home. No problem! Without missing a beat, they suggested I leave the package with them and call back with my payment details. Every experience has been great. They are an asset to our neighborhood. read more

Well it may not be a new yummy restaurant with small bites but it is an excellent place to mail packages. Quick - painless, got in and out and still had time on the green painted curb parking. Both men behind the counter were awake and aware! It is where I will go now- for my son's care packages especially. read more

Terrible service. Extremely unhelpful with shipping packages back. Go to a different location.

I've had two bad experiences here, and in the future I won't be giving them an opportunity to treat me rudely again. When I complained that I should have been informed of the correct procedure, when a package of mine was delayed, the guy behind the counter informed me that they were not affiliated with UPS. When I asked him "Why, then, were they called The UPS Store?" He said they only mailed UPS packages as a "Courtesy." He then went on to explain they were independently operated, and, really, had nothing to do with UPS. I won't be going there again! read more

I've already told this business that I'll be terminating my account with them at the end of the year. I run a small intellectual property consultancy and an electronics manufacturing start-up. I have been using this store to receive shipments since shortly after it opened, probably 10 years ago, when it was a "Mailboxes Etc" store. It's a franchise, so some of the folks behind the desk are the franchise owners and the rest work for the franchise owners, not for UPS. Some years ago the chain was purchased by UPS, and obviously their emphasis shifted more from mailboxes to shipping. More recently, they went through a renovation which was forced by their contract with UPS - apparently they must do one every 10 years. This has reduced the space they have for package receiving, and often now they have packages piled up at their front window because there is simply no place left to put them. I pay around $550/year for the service of having this company receive packages. Mostly, I am receiving stuff that I've ordered on Amazon, and much less often other business shipments. I do not receive more than 250 packages a year, so obviously that's more than $2/package if you don't count the mail. I don't receive very much mail. At the present time, I would recommend this branch if you mostly receive letters rather than packages, or if you don't receive too many packages and they are never very large. My small business, it has turned out, really requires more than this business can provide, and at times I've received more, or larger, packages than they can handle. The relationship with the staff has at times been tense because of that. So, I told them I'd pull the plug at the end of this year's contract. For several years now, the US Post Office has been receiving from commercial package delivery companies, and they do it for about 1/4 the price of the UPS store. They will put your larger packages in a locker, and leave the key in your mailbox, so they can handle at least medium-sized packages and these days they have an intensive relationship with Amazon so no problem getting your Amazon packages delivered to your PO box. The negatives are that the lines are sometimes tedious, the hours open are less than the UPS store, and you might not have nighttime access to your box depending on the branch. So, between receiving at the Post Office and receiving larger packages directly at your home or business, it is possible to do without the UPS store and pay a lot less. Since the UPS store can't really handle more business than I do through the Post Office, there's no point in paying $550 for what the Post Office wants $120 for. The UPS store will pack and ship your shipments for you, at a premium. Their packing service is costly and in general not useful for a business that can pack its own merchandise. The rate they charge for UPS is no bargain. I mostly ship with FedEx rather than UPS, for several reasons: the cost of FedEx Ground is better than UPS in general, at least once you have an account. I ship displays to trade shows, and FedEx will hold my shipments at any local office for free, so I can ship the displays and then pick them up at the local FedEx when I arrive in town. UPS charges an additional $15 for the same service. And the overall quality of FedEx's service seems higher in general. Oh, one more thing. Somehow I managed to miss paying a $25 bill from UPS Corporate, not this UPS store branch. They sold the debt to a collection company, which made hundreds of robocalls to my business until UPS managed to tell them that I'd cleared the debt with them. This did not make me want to do any more business with UPS at any cost. Nothing to do with the franchise on Solano Ave., but enough to keep me from doing business with the chain again. read more

Quick and easy -- only issue is that parking is sometimes a drag. I was in and out in 3 minutes with a pretty odd shaped package. I mean it's a shipping store, I'm not going for atmosphere -- I want to get my errands done and get home to eat a burrito. What? There's a great burrito place next door as well? Sold. read more

They are pretty nice and the parking is decent. Worth the drive over here from the one on Shattuck.

GREAT PASSPORT PHOTOS! I'm 70 so it's not easy to get an acceptable photo. After a scary photo from another place, I went here. They just started this service and I got a great photo, I think because of the lighting. Trust me, go here! Since they opened on Solano Avenue, I've had great results for small and large shipments, packing, returns to merchants like The Gap, copies and notary services and now passport photos. Years ago, trying to mail a child's rocking chair, they suggested I unscrew the rockers, back and arms, making it easier and much less expensive to send. I never thought to do that! I've gone back ever since. Pleasant and efficient. Never a problem with service or results. read more

Terrible customer service. The chubby guy with red hair/beard, from the experience I just had, was a petulant a$$hole. I would rather drive another 5 minutes and go to the UPS Store in El Cerrito Plaza. I'll never go to this location ever again. Seriously, a dumb loser... read more

For the past 12 years I've had a mailbox at this store. I've always paid annually and they have provided good mailbox service. The people who work there have been friendly and helpful all this time. In April I paid for another year on my box. Imagine my surprise when I was told they were moving and I will have to change my address. I told the manager, or possibly he was the owner, that the reason I have the box is so I don't have to change my address. I said that if this was the case I would like to cancel my service and get the prorated portion back from the year I paid. He said "no, there are no refunds". He was completely unwilling to work with me on this and as well told me I really shouldn't worry about the change because it's just next door and the postal carrier will know to bring it there. I do not recommend anyone getting a box here. It is overly expensive ($300/ year) and the owner/manager is inflexible. Linda read more

Helpful personnel, but UPS rates w/added store service charge adds up to a hefty cost to ship-even ground (at 11 business days til arrival) over the US Postal service which was 1/2 the price. read more

I recommend not doing business with the Solano Ave North Berkeley UPS store. I was overcharged for a box. When they told me $40 for the box I thought that was expensive but acceptable. But then they charged me another $40 for labor which is absolutely unacceptable. They were rude and never clearly explained the fees beforehand. I would never do business with them again. read more

This is my favorite UPS store location in all of the East Bay! It's convenient to my weekly errand routes. I'm usually driving by on or near Solano avenue at 9-9:30 am, which means I don't have to pay for or fight to find parking right in front of this store. The staff is friendly and are very clear about your shipping options. Also, I lost my gate clicker outside their store - another patron found it and turned it in. When I called to see if my clicker was at their location, they held it for me and even BROUGHT IT OUT TO MY CAR because my toddler was alseep and I couldn't run in for it. Now that's super service! read more

Great service every time!! Once, by mistake, I went to the real post office. I thought I'd arrived in an eastern bloc bread line, and when I got to the front, the bread had run out. Painful. Went here next time for my shipping needs, they're brilliant. Why, oh why, is private industry so much better than public? (but that's a whole other review on capitalism, etc., and would take a few chapters). So just go here. They're great. read more

Great service. Everyone is friendly and patient. I used this store up to about 7 years ago, then came back to it last year. A couple of the guys are still there. I don't interact with them that often, but they remember my name. Only problem is parking. It can take a long time to find a spot. That spot might be 2-3 blocks away. But that's not their fault. read more

My requests have been pretty basic (sending packages, etc) but I have only ever had positive experiences at this location, which I've been using for the past five years. The staff have always been cheerful and helpful. I'm writing a review today because they problem-solved for me on Saturday and made my day a lot easier. I'm sorry others have not had great experiences, especially the person who heard a racist remark. read more

Notary fee (20.00) was totally unreasonable, as is usually the case with UPS for its services. ALWAYS ask the price before you have them do something for you, because half the time you'll likely choose to walk out. read more

wow... I am reviewing a UPS store... well, I had to give them a good review. They were so nice! and just had great service, and were very informative, and fast! What more can you ask for! Thanks. read more

such a rude treatment with negative attitude and nonprofessional behavior. Those people think they can run a business like this, well, good luck. Absolutely poor service! read more

I like the people who work there and they sell boxes of all sizes but the ups company has a major scam where they offer to send something US mail for you. They wanted 91 dollars to ship -by US mail- a package that actually cost 30 dollars to ship when I took it to the post office myself. So if you want to pay 60 dollars to have them take it the 3 blocks to the post office for you and save you from a possible line...then do it with your eyes open to the price of this service. read more

I have been in the particular UPS store more than once a month for the last two years and I consistently receive outstanding service. I think I have been in every UPS store in North Oakland, Berkeley and Orinda; this one is the best! The staff members always greet you as soon as you enter, are always in good moods, take the time to answer your questions, suggest ways to save money, etc. This store is not the closest UPS to me but I go there because the people are so great and I can count on having a good experience. read more

If it wasn't for David Lee (employee), I would give this place 5 stars. He's unhelpful and rude.

Rude, difficult, and contradictory. I try to avoid using this location whenever possible which is unfortunate since it is the closest location to me by far. read more

Great service on numerous occasions, and when I had a UPS mixup that saw a critical international package get lost after UPS picked it up, Dave and his co-workers helped track it down and get it expedited to the destination. Thanks guys! read more

Use this location to notarize things often. Always fast.. always efficient. Never had a bad experience. keep up the good work!

Hooray! After trying to drop off my Comcast stuff at the sham of a store on Shattuck & Rose (it was closed in the middle of the day, no note, all the gates were down and lights were off and everything!), I was able to easily drop it off at this location. Collin was very helpful and also helped us ship something else. read more