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Question about shipping damage

I recently sold an amp and when the buyer received it he contacted me stating that the "speaker a" binding post were broken but the smp powered up and worked fine. Then I received another message from the buyer stating that one channel went out and the other was distorting.

I had taken the amp to a UPS store to have it packed and I watched the attendant pack it. She did a really good job of packing it with several sheets of bubble wrap and foam and then double boxed it (packing peanuts in the outer box).

The buyer even commented on how well it was packed. I insured it for more than the value so I think I'm covered.

My question is how to proceed from here. The buyer said the box was undamaged so I am mystified as to how the binding posts could get damaged and further more what could cause the amp to distort.

Has any one ever had this happen? If so what course of action did you take with UPS. Should I have the amp sent back and file the claim or contact UPS immediately and then have a pick-up scheduled.

Any direction or words of wisdom are greatly appreciated. Thanks.
chrshanl37
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,861 posts
 
The attendant used 3 layers of thin foam and then three more layers of the large bubble wrap. She placed it in a tight fitting box. Then placed that box into a larger one filled with peanuts.

The problem with this approach is that any blow to the box gets transmitting to its contents. There has to be open space between the inner and outer box so the blow can't be transmitted. So the packing is to blame.

FWIW you were under no obligation to refund the money! This was the shipping company's problem, not yours. It did not help that, with obvious damage, the amp got plugged into the wall and played. There could have been internal damage too.
knghifi
1,668 posts
 
02-11-14: Swampwalker

I remember we had a brand new, heavy tube amp we needed to ship to a reviewer, and upon pickup, the petite FedEx driver proceeded to roll the box end over end to the truck

I saw the UPS guy do the same with a turntable he was delivering to me!!!
Me too when FedEx guy delivering my SF Power 3 monos. They were 115# each and no idea why he didn't use the hand truck. Thank GOD there were no damages.
bigboystoys
5 posts
 
I sent a mc 2100 amp to calif from ny
as usual ups screwed it up and broke the glass

I was told "this was shipped in a used box "
the buyer had the box shipped to me from audio classics (both inner and outer boxes !!

usps said since the boxes were shipped to me (empty) then filled and sent to the buyer ,the boxes were used !!!!

can you beleive this nonsense , and seeing as they (the ups store) shipped them I couldnt even talk to the claims office!!! because they were the actual shipper !!!

never again !! i bought the customer a new glass (thank god he knew how to change it )

and usps denied everything !!!

from now on I will drive my items to my customers !!!
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