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Audiogon members poor packing and shipping damage

Need to get this off my chest and hope it will help other members avoid shipping damage claims. I recently purchased a preamp and a pair of Magnepan 3.7 speakers off Audiogon. I am going to keep this general and leave out the member names. Both items arrived damaged and IMHO the root cause is largely very poor and careless packing.

The 3.7's had the ends of the box secured with one narrow piece of strapping tape on each end which came off during shipping and the ends of the box flapping wide open along with the outer box loose where it should have been taped. With the preamp the seller did not bother to remove the tubes or install the protective screws on the bottom that protect the internals from shipping damage.

In both instances I have taken on trying to get the problems resolved, so far at my expense, and I am just aggravated at having to do this.

I would never think of letting any piece of audio equipment leave my house so poorly packed. I routinely take hours to carefully pack and also to document the entire process with digital pics so if there are any issues with shipping I have good documentation. If you read my feedback it reflects the extra effort I take. No one will ever be able to say there was shipping damage due to my poor packing job and no box I pack is going to arrive open.

I don't know how other Audiogon members feel about this or how many other members have experienced this problem but I just want to point out that sellers have an obligation to the buyers to pack the items correctly. As we all know shipping damage claims are a super pain for all involved and especially the buyer. Right now I've got one claim going with a major shipping company and it will be weeks if I am lucky to get a resolution and my money back and also get the 3.7's back from the factory.

Just a ton of inconvenience and aggravation when I should have been able to unpack, set up, and enjoy.
etmerritt33
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
06-29-12: Onhwy61
Question -- as a buyer do you pay more for items that include the original packaging? Also, for expensive items, doesn't it make sense for both the seller and the buyer to obtain the manufacturer's packaging even if it adds a few hundred dollars to the price of the transaction?

Excellent question Onhwy61 and one I brought up before which was never answered by the OP. Were these damaged items shipped in original packaging?

As a buyer and seller, I only buy/sell items with original packaging. Yes, it adds more to the price as it should, but it is worth it when considering the shipping risks that are undertaken. Yes, I know that original packaging doesn't guarantee shipping success, but it makes success much more likely AND helps when having to file a damage claim.

I feel little sympathy for those who try to save extra money by buying items without proper packaging who later get a shipping *surprise*. Cheaper is not always the best way to go.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Cheaper is not always the best way to go.
No way to argue w that, since it's true but I will caution that original packing is not always all its cracked up to be, esp if:
1. Its old.
2. It's been shipped back and forth across the country 20X
3. It's been left in a damp basement and the corrugated has started to soften up.
Not trying to be negative or trolling, just wanted to point out that there a constraints on the utility of original packing. I once bought a CDP w original packing that was so worn out, the entire carton had to be covered in packing tape to keep it from decomposing on the spot. Luckily it was overpacked into a new carton w 2" of peanuts in between!
missioncoonery
1,238 posts
 
Its rather simple, if your a buyer pay with paypal.If damaged you go to PP site and request a refund..your done except shipping it back.Seller deal with insurance claim.Once you have proof through a tracking number PP refunds 100% of the time..as a seller I only have authorized UPS pack and ship,if damaged they deal with it,again Im out of it
elberoth2's avatar
elberoth2
1,223 posts
 
Sabai - I'm not positive your negative feedback will ever be posted. I have similar experience once, gave the seller a well deserved negative feedback (for the first time in 8 years !) but he instantly disputed it.

AudiogoN took the sellers side (even though I supplied them with a detailed explanation and images), claiming that over 3 weeks has passed since the seller had shipped the unit he had no control over what was happening with the unit in that time. They did not even want to listen when I told them that I'm from Poland (which makes the shipping take longer) and showed them the paper with the date unit was delivered to me.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Swampwalker...lol!! You are right of course, I guess I've been fortunate in that I've never received any original packaging that was in such horrible condition and I take proper precautions when storing my equipment boxes. It does make you wonder though, just what kind of people own some of this high price gear. Not just boxes, I've seen equipment with huge dings, dents, scratches, discoloration, etc. I'm constantly amazed how folks can spend so much money and care so little for these items. I guess the answer is to some a couple grand is not so much money. ;)
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