Jsd52756
you should be worried, as should we all.
On other fronts,
I won't dispute some of the above posts as to more 'declared value' being a determiner of how an item is handled, but when I worked for a air freight carrier, which by the way uses trucks too, the ONLY thing I was instructed to look for in handling packages were the slated delivery time and then the destination address.. Nothing further.
Nothing on the packages showed the declared value to us, nor did we take the time to look for such info.
An item labled "FRAGILE" "GLASS" ETC... received no special handling. Always being in an atmosphere of "hurry up" the big & heavys were the only things gaining added attention... for they usually need another pair of hands. big stuff on the bottom, little stuff up top. that was the norm in loading. Be it containers, trucks, or planes.
The care or attention level a package recieved was solely set by the person whose hands were on it at the time, there attitude, and how they felt that particular day. True enough though, time sensitive packages did obtain some priority, but no special handling. They just got pushed to the front of the line mostly. No special treatment otherwise.
A seller's past history is only some idication not an assurance or guarantee. neither is declaring a higher value on the goods being shipped. Although well intentioned or precautionary, it is money well wasted if that price can not be justified. Remember, claims agents work for the carrier. Their job is to adjust the claim, not simply pay it outright.
Adjusting is the key word here. Adjusting to current, and true value. Emotions and attachments aside. Ive personally been on both sides of that fence in the past, so I do have some insight there.
if a claim is pursued the carrier will ALWAYS request the declared value be justified by a 'BILL OF SALE' & "copies of the instruments used for the purchase"... copies of MO'S, cc'S, ONLINE TRANSFERS, ETC. PERIOD.
Save those receipts! Make several copies as claims departments will often lose them and request they be re-sent. Such were some of my experiences. Faxing and re-faxing, mailing and re-mailing is just a part of it all in trying to finalize claims.
An invoice reflecting the sale price and those ancillary costs required for ascertaining a true and validated cost for appropriate recovery, (if possible), including the transportation to and from the repair facility AS THOSE COSTS ARE THE RESULT OF THE TOTAL LOSS CAUSED BY MISHANDLING, needs be the last item submitted though they will ask you to do it far earlier. Dont be in a big hurry here or you may be recovering less than is your due.
If in fact the component can NOT be repaired or replaced, a statement to that effect from a manufacturer/technician needs be had and copies sent along with the INVOICE for settlement.
One might also contest the original expense for shipping as the safe and proper conveyance of the product/item was not accomplished, breeching the contract for shipping and thus putting the carrier libel.
The current value is what should be or might be, paid. Not the original cost, (save those items bought new) and needs be submitted, PRIOR to SETTLEMENT, once EVERYTHING is clearly seen.
Collectors items, and antiques should be insured via some outside resource for a carriers claims adjuster is not inclined to place as high a value on such items as would the collector.
Given the above, and other insightful posts here, it is incumbent upon US as sellers AND buyers to communicate our special requests for packing. Assuming or presumptions wont get it done and place the ones making them in perhaps, severe peril. Questions as to how a thing will be packed should be taken as an honest and sincere interest in the buying & selling transaction. Nothing further. Never an indictment but a matter of course.
No packing is immune to brutal or inconsiderate handling. BUT every effort needs be made to thwart those incidents. some statements from different carriers' claims adjuster regarding the carriers policy for paying a claim point to the container the item is shipped in be "new original" factory packing. Not previously used for shipping purposes! So very often a carrier will by default say "The pakcaging was at fault".
Some carriers even demand a deductible be removed from the declared value, in the amount of some hundreds of dollars for items not being shipped by the original manufacturers facilities. Others severely limit a declared value to only $500 toatl. Some have policies that preclude high end gear being shipped by them at all! (save from those being shipped by the manufacturer)
To that end I have looked locally and online to find some better methods and products for packing and have come up with two things. Closed cell foam and plywood.
Also carriers who are not in the mainstream and there fore do not handle near the volume of package other more well known commercial shippers do. If special treatment/handling or some greater care is being sought, try some of those carriers who simply ship in less numbers. Ivve have recent good success going just that way. Yes, the prices were competitive too.
Knox Foam near Knoxville Tn among others Im sure, offers free samples of their closed cell foam in a variety of thicknesses and consistencies. For under $50 an awful lot of foam can be had. Enough to more securely pack a bunch of components. I do mean a bunch too!
The plywood can be had far easier, and re-used more than will cardboard! Local home improvement stores will even cut the stuff up for you to enable you to make a box if you are really concerned OR if its a keeper item and no other containers for it can be had, like for post production or discontinued models.
Trust me here, given the costs of some makers double boxing cardboard offerings and the outlay for them running Prices exceeding $100 - $130 for factory double boxing is not uncommon. IF available. If shipped, even an empty brand new cardboard box might arrive wet or with other issues.
Plywood and foam will serve one far better and for far longer, costing much less! ..and therell be no shipping price to get them being added on.
The whole idea is to limit our being at risk. Shipping is risky business always. On the whole however I have to admit the majority of items Ive shipped and received in the whole of my experiences with such, resulting in exceptions remains under 25%, regardless the carrier. Seldom was/is the packing the reason for the incident. Plywood, differing densities of foam, and some thoughtfulness go a long way to providing for a positive experience.
Take nothing for granted. Ask questions. Make those demands/requests for packing and choice of carrier with some thoughtfulness. Keep copies of receipts & bills of sale. Take photos.
Photos will help out a lot.
Paying sometimes thousands of dollars for gear requires additional expense for greater care in transportation. I used to not be a very good tipper if at all, when eating out. I was told by a former waitress I was dating that if you cant afford to tip well you cant afford to go out to eat.
Same thing applies here in regard to buying preowned or new gear. Save what you can on the sale price with the seller but dont cut corners in the areas of packing & shipping OR receiving. Making every 'reasonable' effort sure helps one to lower the anxiety and serves to promote safer shipping.... as 'claims' ain't 'gim-me's'. We all play a part in the transaction.
you should be worried, as should we all.
On other fronts,
I won't dispute some of the above posts as to more 'declared value' being a determiner of how an item is handled, but when I worked for a air freight carrier, which by the way uses trucks too, the ONLY thing I was instructed to look for in handling packages were the slated delivery time and then the destination address.. Nothing further.
Nothing on the packages showed the declared value to us, nor did we take the time to look for such info.
An item labled "FRAGILE" "GLASS" ETC... received no special handling. Always being in an atmosphere of "hurry up" the big & heavys were the only things gaining added attention... for they usually need another pair of hands. big stuff on the bottom, little stuff up top. that was the norm in loading. Be it containers, trucks, or planes.
The care or attention level a package recieved was solely set by the person whose hands were on it at the time, there attitude, and how they felt that particular day. True enough though, time sensitive packages did obtain some priority, but no special handling. They just got pushed to the front of the line mostly. No special treatment otherwise.
A seller's past history is only some idication not an assurance or guarantee. neither is declaring a higher value on the goods being shipped. Although well intentioned or precautionary, it is money well wasted if that price can not be justified. Remember, claims agents work for the carrier. Their job is to adjust the claim, not simply pay it outright.
Adjusting is the key word here. Adjusting to current, and true value. Emotions and attachments aside. Ive personally been on both sides of that fence in the past, so I do have some insight there.
if a claim is pursued the carrier will ALWAYS request the declared value be justified by a 'BILL OF SALE' & "copies of the instruments used for the purchase"... copies of MO'S, cc'S, ONLINE TRANSFERS, ETC. PERIOD.
Save those receipts! Make several copies as claims departments will often lose them and request they be re-sent. Such were some of my experiences. Faxing and re-faxing, mailing and re-mailing is just a part of it all in trying to finalize claims.
An invoice reflecting the sale price and those ancillary costs required for ascertaining a true and validated cost for appropriate recovery, (if possible), including the transportation to and from the repair facility AS THOSE COSTS ARE THE RESULT OF THE TOTAL LOSS CAUSED BY MISHANDLING, needs be the last item submitted though they will ask you to do it far earlier. Dont be in a big hurry here or you may be recovering less than is your due.
If in fact the component can NOT be repaired or replaced, a statement to that effect from a manufacturer/technician needs be had and copies sent along with the INVOICE for settlement.
One might also contest the original expense for shipping as the safe and proper conveyance of the product/item was not accomplished, breeching the contract for shipping and thus putting the carrier libel.
The current value is what should be or might be, paid. Not the original cost, (save those items bought new) and needs be submitted, PRIOR to SETTLEMENT, once EVERYTHING is clearly seen.
Collectors items, and antiques should be insured via some outside resource for a carriers claims adjuster is not inclined to place as high a value on such items as would the collector.
Given the above, and other insightful posts here, it is incumbent upon US as sellers AND buyers to communicate our special requests for packing. Assuming or presumptions wont get it done and place the ones making them in perhaps, severe peril. Questions as to how a thing will be packed should be taken as an honest and sincere interest in the buying & selling transaction. Nothing further. Never an indictment but a matter of course.
No packing is immune to brutal or inconsiderate handling. BUT every effort needs be made to thwart those incidents. some statements from different carriers' claims adjuster regarding the carriers policy for paying a claim point to the container the item is shipped in be "new original" factory packing. Not previously used for shipping purposes! So very often a carrier will by default say "The pakcaging was at fault".
Some carriers even demand a deductible be removed from the declared value, in the amount of some hundreds of dollars for items not being shipped by the original manufacturers facilities. Others severely limit a declared value to only $500 toatl. Some have policies that preclude high end gear being shipped by them at all! (save from those being shipped by the manufacturer)
To that end I have looked locally and online to find some better methods and products for packing and have come up with two things. Closed cell foam and plywood.
Also carriers who are not in the mainstream and there fore do not handle near the volume of package other more well known commercial shippers do. If special treatment/handling or some greater care is being sought, try some of those carriers who simply ship in less numbers. Ivve have recent good success going just that way. Yes, the prices were competitive too.
Knox Foam near Knoxville Tn among others Im sure, offers free samples of their closed cell foam in a variety of thicknesses and consistencies. For under $50 an awful lot of foam can be had. Enough to more securely pack a bunch of components. I do mean a bunch too!
The plywood can be had far easier, and re-used more than will cardboard! Local home improvement stores will even cut the stuff up for you to enable you to make a box if you are really concerned OR if its a keeper item and no other containers for it can be had, like for post production or discontinued models.
Trust me here, given the costs of some makers double boxing cardboard offerings and the outlay for them running Prices exceeding $100 - $130 for factory double boxing is not uncommon. IF available. If shipped, even an empty brand new cardboard box might arrive wet or with other issues.
Plywood and foam will serve one far better and for far longer, costing much less! ..and therell be no shipping price to get them being added on.
The whole idea is to limit our being at risk. Shipping is risky business always. On the whole however I have to admit the majority of items Ive shipped and received in the whole of my experiences with such, resulting in exceptions remains under 25%, regardless the carrier. Seldom was/is the packing the reason for the incident. Plywood, differing densities of foam, and some thoughtfulness go a long way to providing for a positive experience.
Take nothing for granted. Ask questions. Make those demands/requests for packing and choice of carrier with some thoughtfulness. Keep copies of receipts & bills of sale. Take photos.
Photos will help out a lot.
Paying sometimes thousands of dollars for gear requires additional expense for greater care in transportation. I used to not be a very good tipper if at all, when eating out. I was told by a former waitress I was dating that if you cant afford to tip well you cant afford to go out to eat.
Same thing applies here in regard to buying preowned or new gear. Save what you can on the sale price with the seller but dont cut corners in the areas of packing & shipping OR receiving. Making every 'reasonable' effort sure helps one to lower the anxiety and serves to promote safer shipping.... as 'claims' ain't 'gim-me's'. We all play a part in the transaction.