Question about shipping damage

I will tell you my horror story, I had UPS store ship an amp for me in the original double box that it was shipped to me in brand new. I insured it for the full value and had disclosed exactly what was being shipped. The buyer got the amp and the box had obviously been dropped, the tube cage had come off and wrecked the tubes and scratched the casing. I filed a claim with UPS who picked up the amp and delivered it back to the UPS store where I shipped it. I reimbursed the seller for amp and shipping.

UPS denied my claim saying that they didn't pack it and that the packing was insufficient given the weight of the amp, that it should have been on a pallet. They didn't say that when I shipped it or took my money for insurance. I have appealed to UPS, found a UPS corporate person that didn't help much because they said since it was UPS Store, not UPS that bore the responsibility. I threatened to sue the owner of the store and even have a voice mail with the employee who took my amp saying I was right, it was packed properly. They sent me a check covering the cost of the tubes plus the cost of having it checked by a technician. It was just checked out and I am going to be picking it up and putting it up for a local only transaction.

What I find obnoxious is that UPS/UPS Store can take your money for insurance and not pay if something happens. I still might sue them in small claims court just for fun.

Geez, like a carbon fiber bike frame really needs a forklift to pick it up. I won't ship my vintage Cinelli!!!

Iso - yeah, I don't blame you. Is it Reynolds steel or True Temper? I owned a vintage Motobecane with Reynolds 531 steel frame and some of the most ornate lugs. Picked it up at a garage sale, paid $100 for it and it had Campy Grand Record group. Loved that bike, but regrettably sold it when I started racing to fund a more appropriate race bike. If I had a little more disposable income at the time, I would have kept it.

Jm, hate to say it but it doesn't matter if you use the original packing. Shipped a pair of Zu speakers in the original factory boxes for an upgrade which arrived at the factory with one speaker badly damaged at the corner.

UPS reviewed and denied the claim twice despite a letter from Zu confirming the use of factory boxes. It appears their tactic is to stall and deny and then see who wants to keep going. I'm pursuing the matter in small claims court.

Spoke with the store manager on Friday and he assured me they would make it right. Fingers crossed but if in the case I'm out the money at least it won't be a huge loss. But a valuable lesson for sure. I was talking to a friend about what happened and he told me of an experience he had where he sold an amp and they buyer claimed it was damaged when he got it. So my friend asked him to send it back. When the amp came back my friend noticed that it had been taken apart. Turns out the buyer cannabolized it for needed parts and didnt even bother putting the screws back in. My friend won the PayPal dispute but it took a while. Unbelievable!

Germanboxers, The Cinelli is mid 60's and is Columbus SL. I also have a mid 80's Biemmezetta Chronostar (also SL) with the shortened chain stays, so the seat tube is dished in to allow for tire clearance. The frame is fully chromed with translucent paint on the three main tubes, which they named Chromolova Orange, pretty flashy:) I also have a un-built Alan Carbonio 7 frameset with forks.