Audiophiles DO NOT USE DHL-READ MY NIGHTMARE


Just had a nightmare experience with DHL shipping a Wadia 16 from Richmond,Va to South Carolina. Yesterday, the driver came to pick it up and tried to turn his van around where it could not be turned around in a shared driveway, almost ran over my new heat pumps, ran over my neighbors drainage pipe, and then stormed off without picking up the package. I tried to stop him and could not. I called DHL and reported the driver. His manager came to pickup my package. His manager told me that the driver is a hothead sometimes. Great! It was scheduled for delivery today. I told the guy it was a CD player, delicate electronic instrument and the waybill also had that info. My buyer just called me told me that the Wadia 16 arrived and was completely totalled. They had dropped it on its side and broken all the connections on the back. The styrofoam was crushed into powder. I almost feel like they did this intentionally. When I called to report the problem I was told that unless I could produce a receipt that they would not pay the claim as I had it insured for $ 2K. She seemed amazed that a CD player could be worth $ 2K. The way she talked it could be months before I get my money back, if ever. I had thought that DHL was trying to take business from FedEx and UPS and was doing a good job. Obviously, I will never use them again. Also, lost the $ 125 I paid to have the unit shipped overnight and to insure it. This is my first experience like this and I am ticked!!! Beware of DHL. I can understand how accidents can happen but that is what the insurance is for. I just got a poor reception when I called to make a claim. Consider this experience when you decide on your shipper!!!!
etmerritt33
Thanks for ALL of this. Most I can follow. I may get in my car and drive down and get it myself. I will call DHL again tomorrow. The customer service person from DHL I spoke with about the damage hung up on me without giving her name when I asked to speak to her supervisor. I do understand the insurance piece and am only claiming the amount that the seller paid. They refer to it as "Asset Protection" on the DHL waybill of which I have a copy. I also have a copy of his bank check which has been returned uncashed to the buyer as well as all the emails that went back and forth between us prior to finalizing the deal. Also, I paid $ 124 for shipping and Saturday delivery so he would have it over the weekend.
Etmerrit33 wrote: 'I almost feel like they did this intentionally.'

Perhaps this was the case.

Since an unpleasant experience with a UPS delivery a few years ago, I have gone out of my way to be as polite and courteous as possible to drivers and personnel who work for courier companies...similarly with the post office people—even though I trust them a whole lot more.

As a student I worked as a handler for a shipping company and though I'm sure this is not always the case, I did feel that some of the employees in for the long haul didn't have a lot of pride in their work. Issues arising from the complaints of irate customers often resulted in packages getting 'misplaced' or deliberately returned to the shipper, deliveries delayed and, occasionally, deliberate damage to goods.
Bigjoe: Great advice and it made me think that it would probably be a good idea for everyone to take a few pictures of their units, in it's packing, BEFORE sealing it up and sending it out. That way we would have before and after pictures in the event we need to file a claim.

Mike.
if you go through the court, don't forget the attourney's fees to be paid by dhl...