BIZNOTE: Update on West Seattle’s UPS Store

11:21 AM: Several readers have contacted us in the past few days, wondering what’s up with The UPS Store in Jefferson Square. It’s been having technical troubles – with signs on the door warning “system down” – and their store is listed online as “permanently closed.” After the latest question, we went over this morning to see what we could find out. First, store staff told us (as they told a reader earlier this week), the corporate website is wrong – they are NOT closed, nor planning to close – and they’ve been reporting that to them, trying to get it corrected, but no luck so far – it’s out of their control. Second, they indeed have been having persistent technical problems with their point-of-sale/shipping system – it keeps crashing – and they’re trying to get that fixed, but in the meantime, the store IS OPEN for other services (but bring cash).

5:29 PM: We’ve since heard from The UPS Store, Inc., whose spokesperson Casey Sorrell said via email:

Please note that the business located at 4742 42ND AVE SW, Seattle, WA 98116-4553 is no longer affiliated with The UPS Store. We apologize for the inconvenience and recommend customers visit nearby The UPS Store locations at: 126 Sw 148Th St., Ste. C100, Burien, WA 98166 or 17837 1St Ave. S., Normandy Park, WA 98148. For questions regarding a pending package, customers can contact Customer Service at 1-800-789-4623 or visit TheUPSStore.com for other products and services.

We won’t be able to follow up with the Jefferson Square store until tomorrow regarding what that means regarding their business’s future plans.

WS Res October 25, 2023 (11:43 am)

WSB, do you know if we can drop off packages that already have paid shipping labels attached?

Mercedes October 25, 2023 (12:26 pm)

Yes, if you have the label attached you can drop off packages!

K October 25, 2023 (11:49 am)

Does this mean I can drop off packages there that have a pre-paid label? I intended to swing by later today. thanks!

W107saa October 25, 2023 (12:08 pm)

Mailbox West in the Morgan Junction is a great option for dropping off pre-paid packages for UPS, FedEx, and USPS!
- Out of curiosity October 25, 2023 (3:57 pm)
  
  As is Alki Mail at 4701 Admiral for anyone north of the Junction needing to drop off UPS or any prepaid packages.
- Lowman October 25, 2023 (10:45 pm)
  
  Second this! They helped me package a very strangely shaped parcel with patience and grace. I always choose them whenever possible

WSB October 25, 2023 (11:54 am)

I’m sorry, I don’t have that level of detail – please call them to ask.

High School Teacher October 25, 2023 (1:58 pm)

It’s a franchise store, not owned by UPS. If UPS says the site is permanently closed, that sounds like UPS is saying that the site is no longer a UPS franchisee.

WSB October 25, 2023 (5:28 pm)

And that’s what the company says happened. Updating the story. Won’t be able to ask the business about its status but I do have a quote from The UPS Store, Inc.

Alki Mail Bree October 25, 2023 (7:04 pm)

As noted above, we can accept your pre-paid UPS (as well as FedEx, USPS and DHL) packages at Alki Mail & Dispatch! Unfortunately, we cannot accept any QR code returns, but as long as it has a label, we are happy to take it!

Admyrl Byrd October 25, 2023 (7:18 pm)

Looks like Whole Foods is gonna get a whole lot of foot traffic – especially from me – for the Amazon no-box returns. Hate to break it to UPS but Burien and Normandy Park are not suitable (much less “green” alternatives). Hope they have plans to return to the island at some point.

Jim P. October 25, 2023 (8:06 pm)

With the impending closure of Staples in Westwood. Does anyone know where prepaid returns can be dropped off in the southern part of the peninsula down into White Center?

Gabe B October 25, 2023 (8:56 pm)

All UPS stores are franchises and all FedEx Office stores are corporate owned, which is why I like FXO better, pricing is more consistent. This will probably be an independent store that still will take UPS, FedEx and USPS like a PakMail branded store.

Lp October 26, 2023 (8:37 pm)

I think so too but I’m doubtful they will offer full-service like they do now. I will be surprised if they offer printing / label printing at all.

Jim October 25, 2023 (9:26 pm)

System Down sign has been up since at least Friday (Oct 20)…

Lisa in Arbor Heights October 26, 2023 (6:00 am)

I also put some of my pre-labeled UPS packages in the drop box at the Fauntleroy school house, but not all of them fit. 🙂

Ann October 26, 2023 (9:02 am)

Petco takes Amazon returns and so does that game store in Westwood Village.

DL October 26, 2023 (3:42 pm)

Yikes. Just renewed my mailbox there for a year and the price has increased quite a bit.

~hockeywitch~ October 26, 2023 (8:06 pm)

Same.. I have my PMB there as well… I was in last Saturday and no one said anything about it closing or anything… I have 2 important packages being shipped there and are already in transit…. wth?
- M October 27, 2023 (7:40 pm)
  
  Same here.

Always Get a Receipt October 26, 2023 (4:16 pm)

When you take your return to any mailbox/mail dispatch type place, only leave it with them if they are equipped to scan it in and give you a receipt (and make sure they do so). That’s the only way to get it into the shipper’s custody. I took iPhone returns to a mailbox place, with prepaid UPS labels, and dropped them off. They went ‘missing’ and were never scanned in to officially place them in UPS custody. Apple says I still have the iPhones and won’t give me a credit.

Jim October 27, 2023 (6:06 pm)

Signs on the windows now saying thanks West Seattle for all the good years. And store looking pretty empty… No indication that they’re continuing on outside the UPS Store umbrella.

Shame – great staff, and very handy location.

R.I.P.

WS Res October 27, 2023 (7:48 pm)

The staff there were really nice people. How terrible for them.

M October 27, 2023 (7:42 pm)

I am going to go over tomorrow and try to get information about what’s going on. I have several packages to get. Also plan on calling UPS and trying to get a refund on my 3 month box renewal that I just paid for 10 days ago. I’ll post here if I find out anything from the store or, probably Monday, UPS.

M October 28, 2023 (4:09 pm)

Update: If you have a box, you can still get mail and packages. However, they have no computer systems and so there is seemingly no way to tell you that you have a package. They are filling out physical slips when they receive a package that you then sign when you pick it up. They can only accept pre-labeled packages. No Amazon returns. The plan seems to be to stay open, based on what they said, although in what capacity seems to be an open question.

R October 28, 2023 (3:13 pm)

Any idea what is going on with the mailboxes? I just renewed for a year. Can I still use it?

M October 28, 2023 (4:06 pm)

I just asked them and they said yes.

cw October 28, 2023 (5:13 pm)

Ditto to other questions regarding important business mail, mailing address. Any news on when it may reopen as a franchise mailing location or if that’s not the plan…

cw October 31, 2023 (11:46 am)

I have had my mailbox for so many years, I have no idea where the keys are — can anyone possibly describe markings on the front door key to access a mailbox, and any markings on your mailbox key? Yikes, I assume USPS is also not delivering and might return to sender. Thank you!!

cw October 31, 2023 (12:59 pm)

Update I just spoke with Donald at the UPS store; they lost their lease as a UPS location and the owner is trying to either re-contract, or determine how they go independent so a TBD on that. In the meantime:1. They are open and receiving regular USPS mail2. They can’t take UPS packages until further notice 3. They are open M-F, 9am – 6pm Saturday from 10am – 4pm and Sunday 11am-3pm