I was sitting in my living room one day and UPS pulled up. I was waiting for delivery of a tube amplifier and was hoping this was it. It wasn't a large or extremely heavy unit but the driver in his rush took a step out the door of his truck and dropped it. It fell hitting the bottom step of the truck and landed on the pavement. He proceeded to scoop it up and headed to my door. Well, thought I, do you suppose he will say anything? After the usual "How you doin'" he thrusts his signature pad out. So I sez, sez I " I saw you drop the box. I will not accept delivery until I open it and examine the contents AND make sure it will work." He sez "Oh, you saw that? Heh heh" Upon opening I found one of the tubes was smashed. That was all it took. I refused delivery due to damage, called the seller and told him what happened. All worked out in the end but this cured me of UPS once and for all.
WARNING - USE UPS FOR SHIPPING RATHER THAN FEDEX
Just a bit of advice for those shipping heavy items to buyers.
FedEx has indicated that it is their policy NOT TO REIMBURSE shippers / buyers for the damage to the container of a shipment - you must replace the container at your own cost.
UPS has confirmed that it is their policy TO REIMBURSE shippers / buyers for the damage to the container of a shipment - provided you provide sufficient proof of loss.
This happened to me this week. FedEx destroyed an expensive box containing an amplifier I purchased on Audiogon. The shipper filed the claim for replacement of the box, which cost $150 from the manufacturer, and FedEx denied the claim - because they do not insure the container - ONLY THE CONTENTS. The shipper had foolproof proof of loss. Yet FedEx would not reimburse him. The shipper did have a new box sent to me - but, he had to absorb the entire cost of the damage caused by FedEx.
The only recourse the buyer has is to simply "reject" the shipment and FedEx will return it to the seller at the seller's cost. In this instance, I conferred with the shipper, and he decided to have me accept the shipment and he would replace the box. But... it was a costly lesson.
This is the socond time this has happened to me - FedEx has damaged a container, during shipment. So - it is a frequent enough occurence that it will be my policy in the future to ship only via UPS.
FedEx has indicated that it is their policy NOT TO REIMBURSE shippers / buyers for the damage to the container of a shipment - you must replace the container at your own cost.
UPS has confirmed that it is their policy TO REIMBURSE shippers / buyers for the damage to the container of a shipment - provided you provide sufficient proof of loss.
This happened to me this week. FedEx destroyed an expensive box containing an amplifier I purchased on Audiogon. The shipper filed the claim for replacement of the box, which cost $150 from the manufacturer, and FedEx denied the claim - because they do not insure the container - ONLY THE CONTENTS. The shipper had foolproof proof of loss. Yet FedEx would not reimburse him. The shipper did have a new box sent to me - but, he had to absorb the entire cost of the damage caused by FedEx.
The only recourse the buyer has is to simply "reject" the shipment and FedEx will return it to the seller at the seller's cost. In this instance, I conferred with the shipper, and he decided to have me accept the shipment and he would replace the box. But... it was a costly lesson.
This is the socond time this has happened to me - FedEx has damaged a container, during shipment. So - it is a frequent enough occurence that it will be my policy in the future to ship only via UPS.