Some Tips on UPS claims


Having just gone through the ordeal of a ups claim, I thought I would pass along some tips for my fellow audiogoners, 1. ups at first will always deny the claim, usually insuficient packing, 2. you must have original bill of sale for merchandise showing price, 3 only the sender collects, so if you are a buyer, try to work this arrangement out with the seller in advance of shipping in case there is a problem, 4. don't insure for more then the original receit of purchase, you won't get it, and finnally, be persistent, you will have to deal with several people to finnaly get it done, and it will take awhile, at least a month, I hope this helps !
128x128samski
Excellent advice. My own experience on a UPS claim confirms it. In my case the claim was not denied--I should hope not, given that it was a Linn LP12 in its original double-boxed, styrofoam block, and all that in _another_ box. However it took three months and many many calls and letters to actually get a claims inspector to come and see it. The other difficult aspect of this business was dealing with the seller, who was required to actually make the claim and then remit me the settlement. I can only concur that it is an excellent idea to settle details like the total insured value and how much of any settlement goes to the buyer (IMO, _all_ of it !!), _before_ the item is paid for and shipped.
Have the item shipped FROM you, and TO you. (use the sellers address but your name) That way if there is a claim, you don't have to depend on the performance of the shipper to get the claim settled.
I have a question. If an item is damaged in shipping, shouldn't you also get the cost of shipping refunded by the shipping company as well as the value of the item. After all they did not successfully ship the item undamaged. This would be if the item was a complete loss. If you replace the item by mail, it will cost anew to have it shipped.
I have heard that if after you receive something from UPS or Fedex, and there is an operational problem, like a buzz or noise, from dropping or jarring the box, UPS will not cover it. My understanding is that there must be viewable physical damage to the unit and the box. If the box is intact, and some internal components end up malfunctioning from the jarring or dropping they do, you are out of luck. That pretty much sucks.
I bought a receiver off Ebay and it arrived bent and busted up. Fed Ex sez that it may look a bit banged up (buttons smashed off the face plate, handles bent) but probably works just fine so....no settlement. I suppose the next step is sueing them, the before and after pictures speak volumes. And yes, I want the insured amount PLUS shipping, no reason why I should pay for them to use my package as a soccer ball. There ought to be an additional amount awarded for time and frustration having to deal with these clowns that sell you insurance, yet won't honor claims. I often wonder why I pay for insurance, then it dawns on me when they actually lose a package I'll be glad I did. Sure doesn't protect you from damage they inflict on your stuff.