2. amps-preamps
  3. 1391649641

Question about shipping damage

I recently sold an amp and when the buyer received it he contacted me stating that the "speaker a" binding post were broken but the smp powered up and worked fine. Then I received another message from the buyer stating that one channel went out and the other was distorting.

I had taken the amp to a UPS store to have it packed and I watched the attendant pack it. She did a really good job of packing it with several sheets of bubble wrap and foam and then double boxed it (packing peanuts in the outer box).

The buyer even commented on how well it was packed. I insured it for more than the value so I think I'm covered.

My question is how to proceed from here. The buyer said the box was undamaged so I am mystified as to how the binding posts could get damaged and further more what could cause the amp to distort.

Has any one ever had this happen? If so what course of action did you take with UPS. Should I have the amp sent back and file the claim or contact UPS immediately and then have a pick-up scheduled.

Any direction or words of wisdom are greatly appreciated. Thanks.
chrshanl37

Showing 1 response by atmasphere

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,640 posts
 
The attendant used 3 layers of thin foam and then three more layers of the large bubble wrap. She placed it in a tight fitting box. Then placed that box into a larger one filled with peanuts.

The problem with this approach is that any blow to the box gets transmitting to its contents. There has to be open space between the inner and outer box so the blow can't be transmitted. So the packing is to blame.

FWIW you were under no obligation to refund the money! This was the shipping company's problem, not yours. It did not help that, with obvious damage, the amp got plugged into the wall and played. There could have been internal damage too.
More to discover