When you fill out a Fedex Ground slip it asks if you are shipping to a residence or business. If you check residence, the package usually goes through their Home Delivery service. In these parts there are separate terminals for Ground and Home Delivery. Of the 2 Home Delivery inspires the least confidence. More than once they have left delivery slips without knocking or ringing the bell in signature required situations. The terminal is far away. |
I only ship by FedEx Ground. I never ship anything by UPS. The "shock" in their system almost got them prohibited in the EU. FedEx air is a real toss up. Even well packed and light things usually have dented boxes.
I have had two claims out of more than 40 shipments with FedEx Ground. Both were initially rejected which is SOP for everyone. A call to FedEx on both got the payment for total damages once and got the unit repaired in another.
I also have had good luck with the USPS. One damage claim with them was easily resolved at my local post office.
OEM boxing is the way to go in most circumstances, but some companies are much better at packing than others. |
I just shipped my amp to a guy after he bought it. I double boxed it and it had about 4-5 inched clearence from each side and it still got damaged. Theres no visible damage to the box or the unit on the outside. However after the unit wouldnt turn on my purchaser took it to the local dealer and the tech pointed out where the transformer had broken loose from its brackets as if the box had been droped on its side the outside of the amp was packaged real well but the transformer inside got damaged. So now ive filled a claim for my purchaser and we're waiting to see what happends. If fedex says no, ill fight to get it settled but in the end if they ultimatly wont pay the claim then who gets screwed? Me or the purchaser, I packed it well, it was his money that shipped it. I dont know what should be done, is the loss somthing we split or is he or I just S.O.L? Any advice on this would be appretiated as well as any advice on getting fed ex to pay out would be helpfull |
Jonnyblaze, you are the shipper. I had a similar experience with an amp. In my case it was dropped upside down with all transformers sheared off their mounts. It was one of two monoblocks. UPS ultimately bought both and took possession. I also had another amp experience which was shipped to me through a UPS pickup location. UPS said that I bought the insurance on it from the pickup location and they refused to pay. I took them into small claims court and lost with the judge saying I had brought the wrong company into court, even though the insurance form said UPS.
I hope your experience is like my first experience. If you shipped FedEx Ground, I have had but one experience. They also paid but it was a long effort to get it. Good luck. |
The person who purchased the shipping insurance (normally the shipper) is the screwee. This is from the Sellers rules in the Audiogon policy guidelines: What if an item is damaged in shipping?
If an item is damaged in shipping, the seller should contact the shipping company immediately so that a Damage Claim can be filed. The responsibility of filing a Damage Claim is solely with the seller. The Buyer will need to cooperate with the shipping company, which will either inspect the item at the Buyer's location, or pick up the item for further processing. In most cases, the shipping company will return the item to the Seller, and expect the seller to pursue the claim.
Audiogon requires that Sellers are responsible for the safe transport of sold items to the Buyer. If the item is damaged or lost in transit, the Seller is expected to refund the payment to the Buyer as soon as the shipping company inspects or returns the item. The Seller will then need to recover funds from the shipping company. This is the quote from the buyers AudiogoN guidelines: What if an item is damaged in shipping?
If an item is damaged in shipping, you should contact the seller immediately so that a Damage Claim is filed. The responsibility of pursuing a Damage Claim is solely with the seller. However, you will need to cooperate with the seller and the shipping company in any manner requested. Often, the shipping company will come back to pick it up, or inspect the package in your home.
Keep all of the packing and materials exactly as you received it. Do not attempt to use the item or plug it in, which may result in further damage. Do not attempt to disassemble or repair the item unless the seller first agrees.
If a seller and a buyer cannot agree on a course of action to follow, a "Dispute" may be filed with Audiogon:
http://www.audiogon.com/help/disp/drp.html
Generally speaking, the Seller is expected to refund to the buyer, and recover the money by pursuing the damage claim. Shipping companies generally pay the seller only and it may take some time. The Buyer should not have to wait until the claim is processed. Essentially, it is the Seller's responsiblity to deliver the item to the buyer in an undamaged condition. Good luck, John |
