Advice on how to get FedEx to pay up on damage

You get what you pay for!!!!!!!!

Dear Jab: Try to get out more. You'll find several interesting and varied individuals here in America and elsewhere.

I had a similar experience as Neils. They claimed it wasn't their fault since the box didn't have apparent damage. The package had taken such a hard hit that the screws popped out of the chassis. I ended up having so many problems with them that I went to the Fed-Ex web site and called the corporate number instead of customer service. I then asked for the name and number of the president of Fed-Ex Ground. I was only able to connect to his secretary. She was horrified at the 3 months it had taken and the B.S. and had someone out the next day from an independent inspection service. I still only got 2/3 of my claim paid but it was better than nothing. My advice is to use Fed-Ex Express instead of ground. I was even advised so by Fed-Ex. Also go to the top. You can also get the big mucks phone numbers from the investor relations dept. on the web or a perspectus.

I have a question a bit tangential to the original. As a reciever of the goods how can you get to deal with the shipping company directly? I've had several things damaged that were fully paid for and in all cases the claim money went to the shipper. the guys i've been dealing with have always been good at sending the check on to me so far. However, in one case the shipper settled for cabinet damage but didn't address the damage to the amp (it needed to go back to the manufacture/shipper for a check on an awful hiss) i got to eat that part. That amp was packed in about 2 inches of dense foam and still managed to recieve a half inch deep dent in a particle board cabinet.

The best way is to NOT ship! Drive there for a hand to hand exchange.

Audio Research Corp. has designed proper packing and double boxing. I cannot remember seeing their stuff damaged. Loose fill (monkey nuts), white foam (no matter how many layers) and air filled bubble pockets (useless) ALL COMPRESS and when an item is dropped IT WILL BECOME DAMAGED.

The piece must be restrained within the carton by formed polystyrene or pink foam or even wrapped wood blocks on every side. If over 100lbs. SKID the box!

As for claims I have eaten a couple, lost a few, and won two. Bad part is that these pieces are often irreplaceable. In every case the packing and boxing could have been better.

I just received a set of 4 wine glasses in perfect condition because the seller did an outstanding job of protecting them from any possible action during shipping, short of the driver running over the box.

Think 'UPS DAMAGE PROOF' when you pack, if you must ship, and/or have a professional do it for you.

As a rule, 10% of the item's value spent on shipping is your best insurance.