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Horror story turned into a happy ending

I bought a pair of used Tyler Linbrook signature systems speakers over a month ago. Both speakers had dents on the upper corners when I received them, one big and one small, respectively. The one with bigger dent had some buzzing (or distortion?) sound, but I thought it would go away. One weighs 135lb and I did not bother to send them back. So I kept them a couple of weeks. But the problem did not go away, and I was frustrated with the distortion and finally contacted the seller and asked about the dents. He said none were there when he had them, so they must have suffered serious impact on transit.
I contacted UPS and they took one with buzzing sound to inspect it. Alas! The speaker was sent back to the seller's UPS office for inspection, but they refused to pay for the damage. They said that the packing was not proper and also it took so long timne to claim the damage! Though the packing was with original packing.
The seller was nice enough to pay for the shipping to Ty (the ownwer of tyler speakers). Ty determined that the tweeter needs to be replaced, which costs over $200 at Madisound. Ty was so nice and he worked with Madisound to pay only half the cost by returning the damaged tweeter to Madisound. He also worked on the finish of wood to buff out the dents without any charge for his labor!

Overall, with the shipping to me, I only needed to pay $200 to replace the damaged tweeter to a new one and free wood work! The speaker is now with me, and it looks much better than when I had it, and it even sounds fabulous. All buzzing and distorted sounds are gone.

I cannot but share my story with Agoners. Ty is such a nice fellow and he stands by his products even to second hand owners. Two thumbs down to the way UPS handles their damage claim. This is the fourth time I had damaged packages from UPS. One with a CD player, twice with turntables, and with Linbrook speakers. They only refunded fully for one turntable -- the sender asked UPS folks to pack his turntable, but apparently they did not know how to pack turntable -- no parts are separately packed. And refused all other claims due to improper packing, even though for me, all damaged packages seemed to have suffered either drop or bang on hard objects.
ihcho

Showing 3 responses by magfan

magfan
1,583 posts
 
Please consider using 'shockwatch' system when shipping.

They will indicate drop/bang type incidents and when used properly, the magnitude as well.

I worked for a company which used this for our frequent shipments to an outside vendor.
Use these and you may save some additional hassles?

http://www.shockwatch.com/shipping_handling_monitors/impact_indicator/selection_guide.php

Instruct the receiving party in the use of the shockwatch. If it is 'tripped', you must inspect for damage, more closely.
If it is NOT tripped, chances are you are in good shape.
magfan
1,583 posts
 
I have worked for companies in a technology area. Some of the equipment is both large / heavy AND fairly delicate.
Like photolithography 'steppers' to make integrated circuits. They are on a VERY large granite slab. No compromise, here. The optics and moving parts simply can't sustain much shock during shipping, even though I assure you, it is very carefully packed.
Yet, with extremely rare exception, stuff is shipped without problems.

You can pack a speaker for shipping. Maybe, it will entail somehow immobilizing the woofer cone or cones so they don't slam around during the almost inevitable banging around.

Please read the Shockwatch link. Won't prevent any damage, but can be another point in your favor when something goes wrong during shipping.
magfan
1,583 posts
 
Photograph ANYTHING wrong with package at time of receipt.
Photograph as you unpack.

Claims go much more smoothly when you can document everything.

As an aside, I had a power glitch take out an amp. I wrote down exact time/ data and the fact it was a sag, followed by a rise....I watched a lamp.
Anyway, based on this, the power company simply sent me a check after I sent them the bill. Zero Hassle.

I suspect the same would happen with UPS. More documentation CAN'T hurt.
If you simply say 'It was broken when it got here', that probably won't work.
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