[mothered]

Please elaborate on your SE.

this retailer

Who Is It?

is asking for a UPS Claim # in order to proceed with a resolution

Nonsense.

You've purchased the product from the company/retailer, hence any Issues with claims Is handled by them, not the carrier. They can get the UPS claim number through their Investigation.

Is there something I can do to avoid this or some sort of work around?

Tell them exactly what I've said above.