How Much Does Damage Affect Value?

Thanks for the fine words Audiogalore. The damage I experienced went beyond the cosmetic, I have since found additional damage within the unit related to UPS's treatment. A shame for such a great piece, and yes, it sounds very much at home with my CS3.5 speakers. The seller did insure and we are in the process of resolving the issue with UPS one way or another, I am aware that UPS does not own up to its end most of the time. In fact, I had advised the seller not to use UPS initially, but from what I have found out, even the USPS contracts out its handling of 70lb+ packages to UPS, so it may not have made any difference. Very little can be done other than cross ones fingers and hope there is no dropping of the package. One lesson learned: never ship a package of this type, chances are quite good it will be destroyed.

"Thiel had always endorsed Aragon as the Amp of choice for there speakers."?

http://www.thielaudio.com/THIEL_Site05/Pages/FAQs/faqamprecommend.html

http://cgim.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/bb.pl?aragon&1&listmodls&3&4&zz&zz

http://cgim.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/bb.pl?thiel&1&listmodls&3&4&zz&zz

Smata,

If their is internal damage as well and the seller didn't insure it (and you asked) you should have your money refunded, FWIW I don't think any one shipper is much better than any other, the heavy items (like amps) simply tolerate 'acceptable' falls worse than lighter units, simple physics really, but....

Mint does not exist.

NM %100

VG+ %50

VG %25

G %10

The UPS Store that shipped it told me that even the postal service is subcontracting out work to UPS, especially the harder to handle, overweight items like this, so it may be true that it does not make a difference who you ship it with, it may end up in UPS's slippery hands.

The BB model is particularly subject to damage because the transformers are stacked and secured with a threaded rod. If it falls face or back first, there is quite a bit of moment at the end of the rod, that upper transformer will shift quite a bit being 20 lbs or so. A package situation whereas there are successive layers of softer to harder packing materials 8" thick or more would be needed to slow this unit down on impact to avoid shock damage.

I have no reason to doubt the sellers intention to refund me the money. Anyway, the transaction was through Paypal via credit card which offers a dispute process that can result in a charge back to the card.