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insurance and shipping with UPS

I recently shipped a Levinson 432 amplifier with UPS.I brought it to UPS and requested that they box it. It was insured. During transit UPS dropped the amplifier and pretty much destroyed it. I offered to pay for repairs, however the buyer had no interest in purchasing the item. UPS inspected the damaged amplifier and denied my claim, insisting  the  amplifier was not properly packaged. Corporate denied responsibility and said the issue was between myself and the UPS franchise that shipped it. I've been dealing with the franchise for a month and they are fighting with corporate in an attempt to adjudicate the issue. Meanwhile, I've repaid the buyer and have had  no relief from UPS. The UPS website clearly states that if a franchise boxed the item they are responsible. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to resolve this issue, other than hiring an attorney? UPS seems to be somewhat of a scam operation. I did not realize that all UPS offices were franchises and am wondering why anyone would ship anything of value with them.
catsally1
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
Real story: I am in line at UPS regional headquarters. (not some little store) and a UPS employee is trying to get a large box through a too small door. (Now maybe if the box were flipped around it might fit, but this box is big.. and the guy?? Anyway the guy decides he is going to get that box THROUGH that too small door come Hell or High Water. And repeatedly is SMASHING it against the door frame over an over.. really hard. As I and six other customers watch in horror.Finally a guy walks in and starts screaming at the idiot.   At USPS they will DROP your box three feet right in front of you, 50 lbs? they do not care. Realize for a certainty. SOMEONE is going to drop YOUR precious box five feet. Guaranteed. So then pack it accordingly. Do not fantasize noooo they wouldn’r do that? YES THEY WILL!!! Use thick stiff foam all around several inches. then double box. And make sure the box cannot fall apart.
When you know you can drop your box five feet.. then all you have to worry about are forklifts..LOL (1/4" plywood sides, inside cardboard, outside foam... fix that foolishness.)


czarivey
4,494 posts
 
Liz -- won't help. 
you gotta make sure that package can sustain run over by 18-wheeler or better Abrams ta make sho.
vahes
44 posts
 
Of all amplifiers destroyed by UPS one stands out, its Macintosh, with their glass fronts I have seen thousands of shattered Mac amplifiers many were boxed with Mac's own dual boxes fastened to plywood bases to prevent any movement.
UPS has mastered the art of trashing McIntosh amplifiers, no matter how well they are boxed it is going to happen.
I do not know how McIntosh ships their new equipment to their dealers, who they use for shipping? I wonder how many reach their destination in one piece !!!!!!!!!!!
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
4,946 posts
 
Unfortunately for the glass fronted mac units present rapidly deteriorating road conditions are not helping. They are VERY prone to vibration and jarring. Even if they have not been mishandled on purpose the sheer rigours of modern day ground transport can take one out.
I have had two arrive to me with shattered glass with no obvious signs of abuse to the boxing at all.
sfseay's avatar
sfseay
167 posts
 
I love the dumb comments to the OP that he should have packed the amp.  I know nothing about properly protecting heavy audio equipment and I bet neither do most of the people claiming all of us should package our heavy products ourselves.

So many “experts” on Audiogon don’t have a clue.
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