Sip and Ship

going to the post office sucks. i've tried to grit through it, but especially since covid, it's just terrible. the employees are zombified and look like they want to die, the wait is eternal, the space is evocative of depressive episodes and i actively worry if i'm inside a room that will leave me with with sick building syndrome. it's bad.

i recently moved to the neighborhood and had an international package to send, aka a task that i was putting off and putting off... my partner had been to sip and ship and said that they'd likely just know how to answer any questions (i didn't even have a box to ship my few items), so i just grabbed it, walked over, and wow.

ok, the space is super cute, and they have lots of little trinkets (notebooks, fran's chocolate, cutesy gifts, jewelry) to add to your package, if you want. i forewent that, and had an amazingly pleasant experience. they had an envelope immediately ready that perfectly fit my items, and walked me through the international shipping questions seamlessly. it was all so easy and enjoyable. i almost couldn't believe it.

and the coffee wasn't bad! latte was a little less perfect than what you'd find across the street at herkimer, but that's reasonable. super friendly staff in both regards. will i be back? you bet! thanks, gang!

Unfortunately had a poor experience (after a few good ones).

Went in to get something copied and notarized.

Ding #1: sorry our notary didn't show up this morning.

Ding #2:
Them: sorry we reduced the size of the thing you're copying to half the original size.
Me: that's not what you said would happen.
Them: yeah sorry, here's your bill for the wrong thing.

Pretty bad experience unfortunately, being charged for something they did wrong (and obviously services as advertised on their phone not available).

Still 2 stars because they're usually great and convenient but clearly an off day, just wish I wasn't charged for things they did wrong.

most useless establishment I have ever heard of. I went in to make a return using a Fed Ex QR code, after my gps took me to this locations stating it was indeed a FedEx store. I was told they could not scan my code to complete my return as I would have to go to an actual FedEx store. I'm sorry, what is this place?? Some semi-operational post office with a built in coffee shop? I will take my business elsewhere thank you. To FedEx.

I had a lot of books to ship across the country. In talking to the buyer, he suggested I use Sip N Ship, and save myself the hassle of packing up the books. I told him they would charge more than the post office, but he said it was OK, he would cover it with his credit card.

I bought a big, heavy-duty box from a moving company, and took it, my books, which were in four bags, to the Sip and ship on Greenwood.
The woman at the counter did not want to talk to the buyer, she wanted me to get the credit card information from him.

It tsurned out that there were about 80 pounds of books, and the USPS limit for Media Mail was 70 pounds, so they would have to split it into two boxes.
The maximum charge at the Post Office for a big 70 pound box is $52.
The price for a 40 pound box was $31.
I left my big, heavy-duty box and books, and they promised to take care of everything.

I got an email this morning from the buyer. He said, "They charged me $500 and they used the cheapest box you can imagine.
I have no issue on the cost - it's the shit job they did, and the worst materials.
The cardboard box was in pieces... but everything made it.. a few dents and such I have no issue with."

Well, he may not have an issue with the cost, but I sure do!

Plus, I was there for about 40 minutes. Very disorganized. It wasn't all that busy, either.

I wish I could leave negative stars.

My introduction to Sip and Ship at its Ballard location occurred in 2012 when I found myself in need of professional help to ship a rather large painting with both monetary and sentimental vallue to an East Coast address. Much to my relief, the staff at Sip and Ship was up to the challenge in preparing the art work for safe shipping and timely arrival.

Based on that experience more than 10 years ago, I have continued to rely on Sip and Ship for a variety of shipping challenges and the occasional need for expiditing personal communications by email or fax or obtaining notary services including witnessing by staff members when needed.

I have come to realize that Sip and Ship is much more than a business for shipping services but actually a hub for finding that special message card or perfect gift for almost every occassion as well as taking that much needed interruption to the daily grind by enjoying your preferred brew of coffee or
a delicious homemade pastry at the coffee bar at the rear of the shop.

Bob G., Ballard

Updated review to respond to the owner's comments.

1) Not sure why it matters how long I waited to write the review. That seems an awful like a bait and switch move to avoid genuinely addressing the concerns raised and instead make it an issue of timeliness on my part vs extraordinarily poor customer service and communication on your part. After being a customer for as long as we were, taking a little time to consider the overall experience is irrelevant.

2) We DID inform you of our concerns and experience when you failed to properly close our account, and you gave us the same boilerplate response as in your reply here. Both felt very insincere. Making pithy "unburdening" statements, to use your words, is probably the best way to underscore that insincerity.

3) You could've asked us why a long-tenured box holder decided to leave. It wasn't sudden notice on our part. But you passed on that opportunity and ignored even responding to my first email asking what we needed to do. That's squarely on you for not thinking it important to solicit feedback and feels reflective of how you view your customers.

Lovely people and services. Thank you sip and ship for making modern day shipping - modern!!

Very disappointed !
First, the good part: I've been a customer of Sip and Ship on Greenwood Ave for more than 3 years. I didn't have any issues, on the contrary when there was a problem with some packages, the staff was helpful.
BUT: I called the other day to cancel the service because I am moving. My renewal is coming up in July and I asked about a refund for the months I am not using this service. I've been told that they do not refund. When I asked why, they said that they will not rent the box that becomes available. I feel they take advantage and use my money. So, be aware.

SipNShip is the only place in Seattle that ships wine. They have a monopoly and they know it and they have a shitty service.
I sent my daughter 2 bottles of my Home made Wine which I PAID $80 for.
They attempted to deliver it when she was at work and DID NOT LEAVE HERE A NOTE, email or text so she was not aware of this nor did she know where to pick it up.
I asked her if she got the wine. She said it never came so I looked on the receipt and tracked it with the FedEx number.. it said delivery had been attempted and could be picked up at a Walgreens. She went there but the counter was closed even though the store was open on a Tuesday.
She went. Back the next day and was told it had been returned.

When I called SipNShip and explained this they said my options were to Re ship it for an additional $56 or come pick it up.

Best place to get a coffee, ship a package, and find a last minute card. I also love how involved this team is with their community and other local businesses!