In article <4kleh5$kh8@scream.ing.com>, bjohnson@ruok.com says...
[most deleted]

> UPS does not require or even suggest that you to use a private
>vendor to prepare and ship packages. To ship a package all you have
>to do is call UPS up and they will pick up the package from your home
>or place of business. These packaging and shipping stores have not
>ties with UPS other than a contact for daily pick-up. My computer
>business has used UPS for 13 years shipping high tag computer
>equipment without incident. [....]

I have had similar experience. In 13 years of shipping and receiving with UPS (maybe 3-4 items a month), I have had no problems, but I have
had courteous and helpful service. AVOID THE PACKAGE PLACES when shipping UPS! (One just charged me over $90 shipping on a COD item that should have been less than $50 [I checked with UPS at 1-800-PICKUPS], but the sender took it to a package place instead of UPS [the item was already boxed!].)
Hope This Helps