UPS insurance claim denial advice


Looking for anyone who has had insurance claim denied by UPS and can offer advice or share success story. I shipped mint pair of speakers in original factory boxes with additional packing and heavy duty tape and when they arrived boxes were beat up and one speaker did not work. Now I got them back in even worse shape and they are a total loss. UPS denied my claim because of "improper packaging". The packaging was OK when the speakers were shipped from England and the same packaging was OK when they were shipped to the selling dealer from the U. S. distributor. The boxes were OK when UPS accepted them for shipment and took my money for insurance But when UPS has to pay a claim the packaging suddenly becomes improper? Now I am looking for advice-small claims court? appeal to mgmt at UPS? or am I SOL?
bobaloo
On June 30, I shipped a $5K+ amplifier via UPS-3Day, COD, to an Audiogon member in Denver. On July 13, delivery was confirmed via written confirmation from UPS and an email from the buyer. On July 19 the buyer's check was cashed by UPS although it was a cashier's check made payable to me. Following numerous email and phone calls, I received a UPS check on August 17...almost 8 weeks after the initial shipment. I have attempted on several occassions to gain a refund for the shipping charges of $89. UPS refuses to refund the shipping charges and simply replies via form letters that they apologize for the inconvenience. This is the 2nd time I have experienced difficulties with UPS. I should have learned the first time. In contrast, I have made and received many shipments via FedX which has always met my expectations. Ever try to track a package through UPS from the web site? Forget it. UPS is antiquated from a technological standpoint and from a customer standpoint. Go FedX!
Regarding the previous comments relative to "climbing the ladder" at UPS and contacting management. Great idea but UPS management is so well insulated you can not break through. On several occassions I have received customer complaints that could not be satisfied through my company's consumer service center. My involvement results in resolution as we believe that the customer must be satisfied. Not so with UPS. I had difficuly getting past the call center supervisor which is 1 level up from the person taking the call. I wrote letters to the CEO. I got form letters. Maybe you will have better luck in breaking through to the insulated management team at UPS. Next time, just join me in my BOYCOTT of UPS!
I feel for you. Been there. Done that. Try calling their corporate national complaint @ 404-828-4300. They'll ask you how you got the number but they will help you. They even sent me a letter of apology and a fruit basket once when I had a problem. Be persistent and good luck to you.
Once I took a package to UPS, the clerk opened the package & inspected it to make sure it was adequately packed. She then slop taped it back together completely destroying my good packing job. Another time when she wanted to do the same inspection routine, I got pissed & took the package to FEDEX. She said some people send a piece of junk or whatever, insure it for a fortune, then the recieving party says it was damaged & tries to claim the insurance $. So she wasn't really inspecting my packing job but the actual contents, I guess.
Bad news, my friend, my wife works for UPS and, since it was "your packaging", it is a call by UPS claims if it is or is not "proper packaging". She hates it when I say I will only ship Fed Ex, but she does have a solution. Go to your UPS customer counter, have them package your item, then UPS is liable for packaging (i.e. the way it is packed). Many counters use a "Versa=Pak" machine (molded styrofoam), and there is a service charge for this, but if must "Absolutely, positively" ship UPS, this would be my choice. Be sure to note the time of day and who waited on you. Otherwise, Use FedEx or anyone else if possible (I will get my butt chewed if she sees this). For your personal situation, get a lawyer to write a letter, and I bet your claim gets resolved.