What do I do with a FedEx claim denial?

To reply DGclark,

It seems to me in most cases the merchant/carrier should set honor the insurance policy established between them and the sender no matter what the quality of packaging is. If FedEx receives payment for the insurance and decides to ship the merchandise, they are assuming the risk of loss, in my opinion.

Viggen,

let me qualify my statement by saying that i have been on the brunt end of many a damaged package. your conclusion of saying that since they accepted it, they should pay it no matter what is simply nuts. Have you tried to board an airplane lately? Do you know what this would cause FEDEX and UPS to do? Inspect every package to ensure that it correctly packaged? Hire more staff, so you dont have to wait in a line 50 deep? How about we do our diligence and pack correctly, and have FEDEX and UPS deliver and handle properly.

Maybe, as some of you have pointed out, this is entirely my fault and I should have done something more to protect the remote from damage, but I am still having some difficulty understanding just how the remote came loose without the box being significantly jarred in transit. It is possible for a box to be mishandled without there being visible evidence of damage on the outside. The amount of packaging that is considered sufficient can be a matter of opinion and that is what companies use to deny claims. I didn't carelessly package the unit for shipment and I am not trying to ripoff FedEx. Maybe a good question is just what are we buying when we pay extra for insurance coverage? It sounds like the insurance that is sold by these shipping companies only has value if it can be absolutely proven that the company was 100% at fault. Things can get damaged during shipment and it doesn't have to be someones fault or maybe its a combination of less than absolutely perfect packing and less than perfect handling. I apparently misunderstood what I was buying when I payed for the extra insurance coverage but I thought that it was to cover this sort of incident.

Sorry unless the remote was securely taped in place and FEDEx had to drop the piece 20 feet for it to pry loose, it sounds like its the packers fault . We all know that UPS FEDEX USPS are not going to baby our precious audio cargo. It is our responsibility to overpack our gear to avoid the anguish and hassel of claims when shipping out stuff. Double boxing with extra stuffing to hold things in place (like your remote) extra cardboard in corners etc.
A 25% discount is generous from Manufacture. The cost of the remote is not Thetas only expense. like many businesses each sale may cost them $ 50.00 or more ! to process, so they are not geting rich selling replacement parts at discount. BTW what is your time worth? It is probably worth more than your spending on this issue. If you bought the piece on audiogon you saved more than the $ 150.00 anyway !

Justlisten,

Quite frankly, I am a bit perturbed at your answer. You illusory scenario is down right rediculous.

Again, I believe carriers who are qualified professionals with specific knowledge of their trade and craft are assuming a duty of care when they accept the considerations of their clients under specified circumstances.

In other words, they have no excuse to deny claims when a product is not in the same condition from when it leaves the departure point to when it arrives at its destination.

Don't give me the logistical nightmare scenario. If FedEx can ship a package from NY to Tokyo in 24 hours, they can check a damn package.