I'm amazed that FedEx settled with you, especially since you were NOT the "shipper". You could have really gotten screwed. As a few others had stated early on, the responsibility of resolving this entire situation, belonged to the seller - which is also dictated per courier policy for filing claims. You shouldn't of had to deal with ANY of this aggravation.
FYI, in the future, whenever you receive ANY packages that look suspect in the least bit, you can either: 1) Refuse to accept the delivery. 2) Accept the package, but have the delivery person note (electronically, or hand-written) that the package condition is suspect for future claim referencing. 3) Open and inspect the package at the moment of delivery - which is increasingly becoming mandatory by various manufacturers/retailers, etc. - via posted external labeling or written policy - and have the driver haul it away.
Even if the internal item looks fine initially, but still requires further visual or functional testing later in your home, be sure the driver enters your initial concerns into the database as mentioned earlier. Have methods ready for opening the package when the delivery arrives to minimize the drivers wait. Don't let the driver decline waiting a short period for inspection - due to delivery pressures - no matter what method of delivery. It is your right to inspect the delivery. As with option #2, the driver can either load the damaged package(s) back onto the truck, or schedule another pickup for returning to sender.
If you can reject the packages right away, due to obvious visual damage, have the original driver haul them off and return to sender. That's the best option and least hassle to you in the long run. Even if the suspect item requires further visual and functional scrutiny, at least the driver made note of your concerns for the record. Once youve performed all inspections and testing, if unsatisfied, take clear/hi-res pictures of external/internal damages and notify the sender, ASAP, and for THEM to file a claim ASAP. It is THEIR responsibility to resolve any issues with the shipping company UNLESS their ad clearly states the buyer assumes all shipping cost and liability.
If the seller pushes back in any way, politely inform them of the couriers policy regarding claim filings with the shipper/sender. Im always amazed just how many people are unaware of this fact. If that gets you nowhere, dont hesitate to deploy applicable PayPal claims, credit card charge-backs, or various legal avenues. ALWAYS use payment methods which yield recourse and full reimbursement against possible bad sellers. Read Audiogons policy regarding buyer/seller responsibilities as well. It's the seller's obligation.
FYI, in the future, whenever you receive ANY packages that look suspect in the least bit, you can either: 1) Refuse to accept the delivery. 2) Accept the package, but have the delivery person note (electronically, or hand-written) that the package condition is suspect for future claim referencing. 3) Open and inspect the package at the moment of delivery - which is increasingly becoming mandatory by various manufacturers/retailers, etc. - via posted external labeling or written policy - and have the driver haul it away.
Even if the internal item looks fine initially, but still requires further visual or functional testing later in your home, be sure the driver enters your initial concerns into the database as mentioned earlier. Have methods ready for opening the package when the delivery arrives to minimize the drivers wait. Don't let the driver decline waiting a short period for inspection - due to delivery pressures - no matter what method of delivery. It is your right to inspect the delivery. As with option #2, the driver can either load the damaged package(s) back onto the truck, or schedule another pickup for returning to sender.
If you can reject the packages right away, due to obvious visual damage, have the original driver haul them off and return to sender. That's the best option and least hassle to you in the long run. Even if the suspect item requires further visual and functional scrutiny, at least the driver made note of your concerns for the record. Once youve performed all inspections and testing, if unsatisfied, take clear/hi-res pictures of external/internal damages and notify the sender, ASAP, and for THEM to file a claim ASAP. It is THEIR responsibility to resolve any issues with the shipping company UNLESS their ad clearly states the buyer assumes all shipping cost and liability.
If the seller pushes back in any way, politely inform them of the couriers policy regarding claim filings with the shipper/sender. Im always amazed just how many people are unaware of this fact. If that gets you nowhere, dont hesitate to deploy applicable PayPal claims, credit card charge-backs, or various legal avenues. ALWAYS use payment methods which yield recourse and full reimbursement against possible bad sellers. Read Audiogons policy regarding buyer/seller responsibilities as well. It's the seller's obligation.