From a reader who wanted to lace up for a roller derby match to a farmer who needed a tractor part to harvest his crop, readers share the packages that had them pacing the halls.
Remember that important package? You know, the one that couldn't come soon enough. The one that had you pacing the halls, yearning for the reassuring sound of the UPS truck pulling up. We've been inundated with great responses – from engagement rings to college diplomas to Stanley Cup and Super Bowl tickets – that were sometimes heartwarming, funny and personal. Here are just a few of our many favorites, and thank you to everyone who took the time to respond.
Whip it!My roller derby tryouts were in less than 24 hours and the skates I ordered a week before from across the country arrived damaged! There was no way I could skate in them. I was thrilled when at 9 a.m., our UPS driver delivered my replacement skates, and I was skating that night!
Renee Braun, Warminster, Pa.Revving up a muscle carI had a very large customizing job on a new Camaro. Everything was done, except this little graphic that was a last-minute request. The car was to be put on a transporter and shipped to Virginia the same day the graphics were due. I was waiting at the door when Tom, my UPS driver, showed up. I almost hugged him. Almost. The graphics were applied. The car looked great, and we were able to get it on the transporter right on time.
Steve Novarro, Traverse City, Mich.Ticket to rideLiving in "the country" (Great Neck, Long Island, in 1959) meant my family depended on UPS to deliver anything that came from farther away than the local grocery store. The biggest surprise was a puppy for my birthday. Mom had ordered a cocker spaniel from Massachusetts through the Sears Roebuck catalog, and driver Mr. Calanan told us he had kept the puppy-carrying carton open "'cause the little dog was such good company." I can still picture the Brown truck stopping in our driveway. I was given my best furry friend for the next 16 years!
Suzanne Lederer, Santa Fe, N.M.The Compass guy comments: Ah, those were the days! It's been a long time since UPS transported dogs – or any mammals for that matter. But our drivers probably still make friends with many canines along their routes.(Story continues at the "
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Whoops, no passport
In the summer of 2007, I gave my sweetheart a cruise to Mexico. I forgot my passport and credit cards. I never told my sweetheart. Instead, I called my best friend, who found them at home and sent them to our hotel via UPS Next Day Air. I was never so stressed, thinking that if they don't arrive, I'd be very embarrassed.
John Anlange, Pennsauken, N.J.
Bringing in $50K
One of our customers had to approve the sample before we could ship their $50,000 order from China on time to meet their needed-in-hand date. The rush shipment was received by our customer on time and we were able to meet the customer's needs.
Matt Strehl, Aliquippa, Pa.
Sweet dreams
It was a small crib that my grandmother ordered from a catalog 80 years ago. All of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren slept in that crib. As our family spread, it took numerous UPS shipments, from one family member to the next. The last one was my grandchild – the one I anxiously awaited the crib's arrival for. It came in perfect condition, as always.
Marcy Bomboy, Brewton, Ala.
Special Father's Day
My daughter was serving in Iraq with the Marines. She told my wife that she was sending a special Father's Day gift to my office. Mere days seemed like weeks, but it arrived before Father's Day. She went to the base commander and gave him a flag and asked that it be flown over the base headquarters. She took a picture of her sandbagged office building and the flag, and shipped them both home. I will never be able to explain how much it means that she went to so much trouble for me.
Pete Wesson, Florence, Ala.
It's all about the bat
When my son AJ was 7, he was given a shiny, brand-new baseball bat, which became his "lucky bat." He was so attached to it! Well, somehow this lucky bat got left behind after a Little League game. I found the same bat and ordered it ASAP. The anticipation was fierce: We had to receive it before his next game. Sure enough, we received it exactly when we thought. We told my son that we had it cleaned, and he never knew the difference!
Heidi Gee, Love Park, Ill.
The Compass guy comments: Until now, that is!
Saving money for customers
A customer's tractor would not run because the engine computer failed. The customer needed the tractor badly, and UPS delivered the new part in two days from France.
Derek Weaver, Leola, Pa.
Rock on
I wanted a very special guitar ever since I was a kid. I had reached 40 years old and realized I still didn't have it. After locating it and making the deal, my 1992 Les Paul Classic ‘60s reissue in see-through purple was finally delivered.
Chris Ostreg, Bensenville, Ill.
The Compass guy comments: Nice choice, Chris. Maybe one day I'll be as lucky …
Grounded but under control …
Being an aircraft repair station, we sometimes work under extreme time crunches. We once had a high-profile client whose plane was grounded in Orlando due to an engine-starter problem. The client needed to cross the country in the next 48 hours. The faulty part was sent to us for repair via Early A.M. Our reputation as a respected repair station was on the line. You can imagine: Many feet paced the hallways that morning. Needless to say, the package arrived with ample time to repair the part and ship it [back] the same day.
James Finlan, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
A data-driven need
The most I've paced for a package was a $10,000 server. It was a heart-stopper because one of our main systems crashed and we needed this backup ASAP. Once it was received and I had it working, my boss took me out to lunch.
Albert Soto, Jersey City, N. J.
Cool as ice
NHL Stanley Cup Game Seven tickets.
Mark Zilner, Indiana, Pa.
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