Amp damaged in shipping, what would you do

[Downunderwonder]

The amp case is distorted, no bets on what that kind of drop did to the circuits.

[shackled]

That would bug me too much. I'd send it back.

[staccatogrowl]

Send it back. Filing a claim with shipping carrier only benefits shipper. a) Carriers typically only pay the shipping party in the event any payment is ever made. b) Carriers typically communicate only with shipping party once damaged item is retrieved from recipient.

This means that once item is picked up, shipping carrier won't talk to you about damage claim, let alone pay you. This is actually a good thing, because you don't want an unfruitful, long lasting damage claim process with a carrier. You won't have an amp. You won't have your money.

Let GC make it right by you, either replacing the amp, or refunding your money. My guess is that you will be happier three months from now, since the damage is bothering you already, as evidenced by your advice seeking in this thread. Good luck!

[bassmanrocke]

I'm with Jimmy. Peavey's are rock solid, A bit of glue and some clamps and you're good to go, as long as the refund amount matches the aesthetic value loss.

[1958Bassman]

Originally Posted by staccatogrowl

Send it back. Filing a claim with shipping carrier only benefits shipper. a) Carriers typically only pay the shipping party in the event any payment is ever made. b) Carriers typically communicate only with shipping party once damaged item is retrieved from recipient.

This means that once item is picked up, shipping carrier won't talk to you about damage claim, let alone pay you. This is actually a good thing, because you don't want an unfruitful, long lasting damage claim process with a carrier. You won't have an amp. You won't have your money.

Let GC make it right by you, either replacing the amp, or refunding your money. My guess is that you will be happier three months from now, since the damage is bothering you already, as evidenced by your advice seeking in this thread. Good luck!

That's not all true and I don't think I have seen the claim process take three months. The shipper's insurance pays whoever lost on the deal. Sometimes, they'll want the damaged item back and sometimes, not and sometimes, they'll want to send someone out/see photos of the damaged goods. I bought an electric motor and it came with minor damage. I contacted the seller and they contacted UPS and said they'd send another one & that UPS may contact me. If they don't, I should keep or dispose of the first one. I have also seen much more expensive items destroyed and the shipper usually wants those back.

[SBassman]

I never fuss with aesthetic stuff, but that looks far beyond it.

I think you should send it back and start over.

[lyla1953]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I reserve an opinion till they make an offer. Anything less than $75 off and I'd likely send it back. Anything more than that would have me on the fence, and if the offer you $100 or more off, that would make me keep it. Peaveys are pretty hard to kill, and the damage is cosmetic and looks like it could be fixed up a bit if you wanted. Had there been damage to the cab part, it'd be a different story.

I agree - You're guessing until an offer is presented. And remember their first offer is rarely their final offer. Lastly make sure what ever offer is made that you can also buy used gear with it. You're moving backwards if the offer is only good to buy new stuff.

[1958Bassman]

For those of you who haven't dealt with this kind of thing, here's a few tips, from someone who has packed and shipped this kind of stuff since the '70s. I worked at a music store and I was the "stock boy", doing almost all of the receiving and all of the shipping. I packed and shipped amps, guitars and smaller items- one thing I will say after reading about a bass with cracked headstock because it was shipped without being packed well, if someone buys a guitar or bass, it should be in a case, gig bag or packed so it can't be damaged by dropping. In all cases, it's best to use the original packing and box. This goes for guitars/basses, amplifiers, stereo and video equipment, etc.

A guitar that's being shipped without an original box or case needs something to act as a spine, so the neck isn't damaged. A plastic bag around the guitar/bass, a couple of layers of cardboard wrapped around a piece of 3/4" plywood (doesn't need to be much wider than the neck, taped closed) and then taped to the bagged guitar so it can't bend and the whole thing wrapped in bubble wrap or more cardboard works, but the whole thing still needs to be immobilized. Immobilization is extremely important- immobilization inside of bubble wrap works great.

1) Pack it so the Samsonite monkeys can't destroy it. Use a box that's larger than the item and if it's an odd/irregular shape, attach other packing material so it's somewhat close to being square or rectangular so more rigid packing can be placed between the item and the box. If the packing will push out at the middle of the top, sides and/or bottom, add layers of flat cardboard, Masonite or something to give it more support. Multiple layers of cardboard can be taped together to make it more rigid. Wadded up newspaper is pretty useless unless the item is very lightweight- heavier objects need more support. Make it so the item can't move inside the box unless it's small, cheap and lightweight. If it's loose, they may not take it unless you write "OK to rattle" or "Loose items inside".

Double-box it if you can. If it came to you in a box and the shipping label was placed on that box, you can ship it the same way. If it was inside of another box, don't expect this box to hold up- they packed it that way for a reason- sometimes, they come in a "master carton", which is able to take more punishment than a single item in the same box.

2) If it comes and the package is damaged, open it while the driver is there if you need it immediately, so it can be inspected and witnessed. If it's OK, keep it and if not, you can either refuse it or keep it with a claim filed.

They're under a lot of pressure to complete their rounds, so don't make a career out of it- get it done quickly and without getting in the person's face- it's unlikely that they damaged it, viral videos notwithstanding. If it's damaged, the driver can fill out the claim while they're still on-site.

If it looks like hell, refuse it. The driver won't be mad (it's your option to use and the driver is probably annoyed for the same reason you are- it SHOULDN'T have been damaged).

3) If it was left at the door and it's damaged, call the shipping company ASAP- take photos as it's being opened and make sure they have time-stamp in the photo.

4) If it shows up in and the package has no damage but the item inside IS damaged, you'll need to fill out a 'Hidden damage' claim with the shipping company and it's a good idea to call the seller to inform them of this. This is usually caused by a bad packing job.

I give the driver the benefit of the doubt because I have a great UPS driver. He hides things when I'm not home, puts them in plastic bags when it's raining/snowing or leaves a blank delivery tag on my door if it can't be left unattended (if the package clearly shows what the item is, they're not supposed to leave it)- then, if it's before about 12:30PM, I can meet him at the industrial park about 1/2 mile away to pick it up.

[1958Bassman]

Originally Posted by mjac28

That has to go back and if you live close to a Guitar Center always have it shipped to the store that way you can take care of everything right there.

And if buying online from GC is a common occurrance, find out if everything can be sent to the closest GC, so THEY can deal with the damage before you even have to see it. Another way is to have it delivered at a UPS/FedEx/USPS shipper/store. PostNet and others can receive things and if they see damage, you can be notified immediately. Also, they'll know exactly what to do if it's damaged.

[godofthunder59]

Do yourself a favor and send it back! The cab is made of particle board, aside from the visible damage it may be cracked far worse under the covering. Particle board is difficult if not impossible to repair. The cab is compromised. Not to mention the possibility of trouble down the road wit the amp itself.

[Jeff Scott]

I can't believe the OP is seriously considering keeping this amp.

GC would give him store credit? They should just give a full credit (including S&H costs) to the guy and call it a day. IT will cost GC more to have it returned just to put the amp in their dumpster.

[staccatogrowl]

Originally Posted by 1958Bassman

That's not all true. . . The shipper's insurance pays whoever lost on the deal. . .

Really? From the UPS website:

• A damaged package may be reported to UPS by the shipper or receiver.
  
• Shippers are encouraged to report the lost package because notification letters are not sent to receivers.
  
• An inspection by a UPS representative may be required. A damage inspection report is prepared and the shipper of record is contacted with the results of the inspection. If approved for payment, a damage claim number is issued.
  
• Claim payments are sent to the shipper of record at the address on file with UPS.

The damaged item you report on has nothing to do with the UPS claims process. You just happened to run into a good seller that is doing right by you, on their own accord. Good for you!

Originally Posted by 1958Bassman

. . .I don't think I have seen the claim process take three months. . .

I was not referring to the claims process taking three months. I was referring to the buyer's remorse that will become magnified in three months.

[Joe Nerve]

Originally Posted by Jeff Scott

I can't believe the OP is seriously considering keeping this amp.

If it winds up only costing him $99, and works perfectly, why not?

[pat5150]

After careful consideration, reading all the thoughts posted here, and speaking with the store manager of the GC that this amp came from, I'm sending it back for a full refund including my shipping costs. The manager was totally cool about it, was very sorry for all the trouble, and provided me with a paid shipping label and UPS pickup from my home. It did take a number of phone calls to get a final resolution on this thing but overall I'm ok with how GC handled it. I think even if I had gotten a hundred bucks (half) off, this amp was too compromised for me to be comfortable keeping it. I will say here that I did a HELL of a lot better job packing up this thing than they did. I used the original box but reinforced the floor, sides, and kind of "Framed it" with 90 degree pieces of cardboard on all corners and sides, and did way more with bubble wrap and packing than they did. It'd be a shame if it came back to them even MORE ****ed up. Come to think of it, the guitar cab I got from GC.com used website a while ago wasn't packed very well either, but was no worse for it.

[SBassman]

Originally Posted by pat5150

... I think even if I had gotten a hundred bucks (half) off, this amp was too compromised for me to be comfortable keeping it. ...

Exactly. I think you made the right decision.

[pat5150]

What I didn't notice at first was caster damage on the bottom. Like the amp had been set down HARD on the casters or dropped, numerous times. The plate on a couple of them, the part that bolts or screws to the amp, was kind of pushed into the wood on the bottom. Scary stuff. Kind of sealed the deal for me.

[Mugre]

We receive/ship 10-12 packages a day from FedEx/UPS. According to several of our drivers, packages run on open roller track as much as 10 feet off the ground and stuff frequently falls from there. THAT'S what you should be packing for. We won't ship keyboards anymore unless we have at least an SKB grade case for it.

Mugre

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by SBassman

Exactly. I think you made the right decision.

+1! Smart move.