[JLM]

My only shipping damages have been from two internally battery powered pieces, where apparently the batteries were not well secured by the manufacturer.  He was willing to fix them for a fair price, but wouldn't take responsibility for poor design/construction in the first place.  Note that I used the same shipping service, USPS, that he used.

Damages couldn't be determined until they were shipped back to the (internet sales only) vendor as no local servicing was possible, which negated the chance of filing a claim.

I paid to have both fixed and then dumped them.

[stehno]

UPS' behavior is nothing short of criminal and fraudulent.

I shipped out a pair of $4k amps out of state insured with signature required.  UPS driver left them at the front porch without signature.  Amps were stolen. 

My local mail store filed a claim with UPS and UPS closed the claim.  Then it was re-opened.  Then closed a second time and they told my rep it would remain closed unless the buyer files a police report. 

How stupid and corrupt.  I asked my local mail store rep to first demand proof from UPS that they actually delivered the amps to the porch and if so then we'll see if we can get a police report.  That didn't work.

I stated that my agreement with UPS was never contingent on my buyer filing a police report if UPS failed to obtain a signature upon delivery.  Moreover, I informed my local rep that I cannot force the buyer in another state to file a police report.

The buyer filed a police report and we forwarded the info to UPS who in turn re-opened the claim.  UPS tried to blame my local rep for not installing UPS $30k automation system.

Nearly 3 months later UPS closed the claim a 3rd time because a Dennis Miller had signed for the package.

Little did UPS know at the time that Dennis Miller is the owner/operator of my local mail store. 

Just received the check after 3 full months.

This behavior is criminal and fraudulent and this is not the first time this has happened.

One of these days somebody's gonna' open a class action lawsuit against these jokers.

No accountability.  Plain and simple.

[Les Lammers]

I have used them all in the past and it's a matter of choosing the lesser of all evils

Federal Express I will never use again. I have had more problems with them than any other carrier.

 I ship exclusively UPS now and honesty have very few problems with maybe 20 -40 packages a month with most of them being heavy tube amps. The second week of January I shipped out 650 lbs of amplifiers and they all arrived safely. Speakers are another story. Shipping speakers scares the hell out of me. I prefer BAX Global but they won't insure them for over $500 (total shipment). I use BAX for the bigger packages usually over 100 lbs.

It is true that UPS will deny a claim the first time around but only once have I ever lost out. Tell them you want to resubmit the claim and whatever you do, do not let them take the product for inspection. Tell them you want an on-sight inspection and take pictures of everything.

 By the way, a thread like this means nothing to them as there are similar post on forums all over the world. They move millions of boxes a year and wouldn't even notice if the whole audio industry stopped using them.

I received a tube amp from Bill via UPS in December. It was well packed and arrived safely. *Most* original packaging for audio gear is not adequate for the rough treatment packages receive. There are some exceptions. I now double or triple box everything I ship. If I am buying a component I always talk with the seller and make sure the seller will pack it like *I* would. I still buy the expensive insurance just in case a parcel is lost. 

[Dan_ed]

Go figure. In my area, Fedex is the worst. Many times packages shipped to me get done through their Saturday home delivery service. Problem is Fedex uses contractors to deliver. Several times I've had packages marked Delivery Exception when they didn't even try to deliver the package. We know because between my wife and I someone is always home so we know to watch for them and they just don't bother to make the drive out to deliver. I've had Fedex/Kinkos employees in my area refuse to take my packages for shipping when I ask to purchase insurance on audio equipment. They get this disgusted look on their faces and tell me "you know that has to able to be dropped from 5 feet and survive so we won't accept it". And they won't package for me.

The UPS delivery people, on the other hand, have gotten to know us very well because it has always been one of two UPS employees that deliver to our house.

I've shipped all kinds of equipment through UPS and never had a problem. The manager at the local UPS store clued me in on the trick with packaging items that you want to insure for large amounts. Double boxing is a must! Even when I have the original manufacturers packing, I don't tape it up until I show the employee at the counter how it is packaged. Then I leave it to the UPS store to double box as they see fit. That way it is the shipper who has the responsibility for how the item is ultimately packaged. Yes, it costs me a couple dollars more, but I think it's worth it for peace of mind.

[Carlman]

if i stopped using every delivery service that screwed up a delivery - either due to administrative issues or due to damages - i would not use any delivery service...   

doug s.

And this is why hand-delivery is the option I choose if at all possible...   Hope you're still enjoying the Piega's....
-C

[S Clark]

In my area, Fedex is the absolute worst.  Just had a vintage Knight KB-85 that I have been looking for for a couple of years delivered yesterday.  The seller boxed it adequately, double boxed with layers of styrofoam between each box.  I had a bad feeling about it when I saw the crushed corner on the box.  Opened it up to find that a circuit board had been cracked in two.  Thank God that I insisted that the sender insure it.  We will see how it plays out.  It definitely seems Fedex stuff arrives in worse condition that UPS around here.

[Lyndon]

My first project was a Knight Kit Shortwave Spanmaster.

I've had damaged goods from both UPS and FedEx.  It was far easier to handle claims with FedEx than with UPS.
I always use the insurance, and when shipping, I always double box, and pack like they are going to drop it off a high ladder.
It would be interesting to see statistics on both company's insurance claims and damages.

S Clark, that is a shame.  Now you got me digging around for my ancient Allied Electronics catalog for memories and a morning cup of coffee.

[Night_Train]

UPS is a big, Brown, hot, steaming pile of............

[doug s.]

hey carl, wazzup?  ya, the piegas are quite enjoyable, for sure.  if i ever sell 'em, hand-delivery would certainly be the best option.  i hope you're enjoying your replacement piega's!  and, i also hope you're enjoying the hand-picked-up modded mac mr65b tuna!   

best,

doug s.

if i stopped using every delivery service that screwed up a delivery - either due to administrative issues or due to damages - i would not use any delivery service...   

doug s.

And this is why hand-delivery is the option I choose if at all possible...   Hope you're still enjoying the Piega's....
-C

[goldlizsts]

I have used them all in the past and it's a matter of choosing the lesser of all evils ..............

I have had nightmares with all those.  FedEx damaged a turntable.  UPS damaged various things (more later).  DHL mis-delivered my TVC Preamp recently.  When it was retrived, days later, I noted that it had been opened, so I kicked it back (besides, the FedEx employee at the location threw the package onto a table in front of us when she retrieved it from inside).  I had problems with chasing FedEx for my refund.

Several weeks ago, I passed by the UPS truck when I was going out.  The truck was parked curbside, with the back door open, as it's being there on delivery.  I "PERSONALLY" saw the guy, standing inside the truck, threw packages toward the rear edge of the truck.  Some way of re-arranging and sorting.

I think the whole problem is that these companies DON'T train their personnel.  CARE is not in their dictionary.

[jon_010101]

Welp, I've been having great luck with FedEx ... until this week.  They clearly dropped my beloved 10-year-old Denon CD player, judging by the inverted corner on the box.  The pickup is borked, although the unit and packing looked great.  The closest service center is 100 miles away, and my insurance coverage on it is lower than the last eBay sale for the same unit.  I'm hoping to at least get them to cover something (repair or partial replacement), since I was very proud of my packing for this unit (3" of bubbles, supportive hard foam, many peanuts, oversized box).  Let us see if they come through ...

In the meantime, I'm shopping for a new CD player 

[jon_010101]

Wow, FedEx doesn't suck!  It takes a while to get them to pay up, but they do...

I filed a claim in February, then paid to get my CD player repaired, out of pocket -- ~$180.  Today, I have just received a check for repairs + the original cost of my shipping. 

Amazing!