Fedex and Ups Damage thread

I think FedEx insurance may cover damage caused in transit based on this experience:  I set up my FedEx system to automatically receive an item without signature.  They chose not to honor my insurance claim because the default is that I accepted the package as if I had signed for it and they cannot be responsible for what happens after that.  I can’t argue with that logic, but maybe the increased use of photos showing proof of delivery will be helpful.

When I bought my JBL L300 from the east coast for delivery to California a freight company was used. No problem. Sender used Forward Air. I had to pay extra for them to deliver from LAX to the High Desert. They arrived OK. I would not trust FedEx or UPS.

I bought a Carver amp and another Carver piece on eBay. Shipped in same box. A small amount of crumpled newspaper was used as packing. The amp had a bent mounting flange and the other piece was a write off. Items were packed by a UPS store. UPS denied claim.

A pair of PBN Montana SP2 speakers packaged by the UPS store and shipped to FL from VA. Both speakers arrived completely destroyed. Claim payed.

A VTL ST-150 shipped to GA from VA. Fedex lost the label off the box. Someone thought it was a good idea to send it back to VTL in CA after seeing a reference to that address on the box.  I only found this out because I did the detective work to figure out where it was. It took 3 weeks to get it to the buyer and Bea Lam was a complete pain in the ass to deal with.

The key is to pick up and don't trust these people.  They won't pay a claim, they simply suck.  Also, insurance is no good unless they completely lose it.  Was just in Vegas, found a great used place that will not ship anything (they have had too many issues, imagine that).  Found a beautiful, early Threshold amp and shipped to myself via UPS.  Had a fragile stamp on 6 sides.  It looked like it had been punted, dropped, run over, dragged behind a truck and just plan fully violated.  Luckily, the amp was built like a tank and I had a 4" layer of bubble wrap around it, with paper padding additional.  Luckily, it sounds wonderful. 

A  number of years ago I was home anxiously awaiting the arrival of an ARC amplifier. I was looking out the front window when the UPS truck pulled up. As I watched, the driver emerge from his truck he dropped the amplifier which landed on edge at the bottom step before coming to rest in the street. I awaited him at the front door. He didn't say a word. I picked up the box and could hear the broken class inside. I asked him if he was going to tell me about his dropping the box. All he asked was if I was refusing delivery. I did not want the amp sent back broken to the seller. So, I took delivery and immediately contacted both the seller and UPS.To their credit UPS took care of the situation. All it took was time and a bunch of repeat phone calls. I hope the driver was fired. I will not ever send anything of value through UPS.