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A bad situation

I'm looking for opinions as to how to resolve a situation that arose recently. I sold a preamp to a gentleman here on Audiogon for $150. From what I can tell he wanted to use the preamp as an inexpensive phono section. He sent me a money order and I in turn sent off the preamp via UPS insured, packaged up with plenty of bubble wrap so (in theory) it wouldn't get damaged. The preamp arrives, but, the selector switch is broken and evidently the switch is an oddball component that cannot be sourced. I know the preamp was working fine before I shipped it, I sure wouldn't sell a piece of broken equipment, not even for a $150. What's the equitable thing to do in this situation? Make a claim with UPS? Pay a tech to hardwire the premap, bypassing the selector switch? Refund his money and throw the thing away? I know, it's only $150 but at the same time there really ought to be a code of ethics we all try to follow. I understand the buyers disappointment and he may even feel like he's been screwed, I want to make this right. Any and all opinions are welcome. Thanks, Jeff
jeffloistarca
justlisten's avatar
justlisten
489 posts
 
Jeff,

My 2 cents, if indeed you packed the item well and UPS damaged the goods I dont think you should have to bear the burden for what UPS has done. Contrary to the opinions above, I do believe you have fufilled your obligations if you have properly packed the item. The party who hasnt completed his contract is UPS. I say both parties need to work on this and a full upfront refund to the buyer isnt nessesarily required by you. UPS let both of you down. One last thing, where I send my packages, UPS are now requiring original packaging if sending electronics via insured shipping. You may run into that problem while dealing with UPS claims. I heard that Office Depot can package your shippmnent (at a cost of course) should you not have the original boxing. Good luck, I think you are going what is over and above what should be expected of someone in this situation.
artmaltman
769 posts
 
It sounds like (I am speculating) you may have inadvertantly packaged it in such a way that there was pressure on that switch. Sometimes a package can be wrapped up in lots of good wrapping material but there is inadvertantly a weak spot subject to a lot of pressure. Notice that original wrapping of audio gear, by contrast, usually consists of sculpted plastic form, with the weak spots surrounded by foam rather than covered by foam.

UPS is very rough on packages so any pressure point is a source of concern. Like another writer above, I have generally switched to using Fed EX - I love their 3 day COD service. I would only use UPS for large packages and then only if I had original packing material. Not a good situation alas.

As seller I would expect to bear the brunt of the remedy, if not all of it, unless UPS can be clearly held to account. As buyer I would offer to absorb a nominal part of the cost of remedy, such as paying for the second shipping.
tiger
313 posts
 
go after ups for a damage claim. i've been told that shipping damage claims help if you put a notice on the outside of the box "electronic device, useless is dropped".
If ups takes the package with the warning and 99% of the times they do, its then in ups ball park to pay.
The buyer should be refunded the money as a fix is the last thing that will work.
dburner
11 posts
 
I quite using UPS a long time ago, started using the US Postal service. No problems since.
angela100
435 posts
 
Jeffloistarca, In my eyes, I saw your thread as an ethical question and answered accordingly.

I would give the buyer his money and ask him to return the damaged gear. It is all about Trust.
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