FedEx Busted My Bass - They Say they Didn't

berman3313 · #1 02-11-2010, 06:52 PM

Background: I buy a Fender Jazz 24 Deluxe from a guy in Texas for $550. The bass is insured for $400 - that's the amount of insurance I bought.
He does a super packing job. Hard shell (plastic) case - wrapped in bubble wrap - filled with packing peanuts - Encase in a sturdy cardboard box.

OK, box arrives last week. As I am opening it, I am looking for damage in the box/packing - nothing. I excitedly take the bass from the hard shell case and notice a crack in the body. BUMMER!

Bottom line is the HS case was not intended to accommodate a stacked pot.

I take a picture of the damage - found attached here. I immediately report the damage to FedEx. They take all the info and email me forms to fill out. I take the bass that night to luthier who gives me a written estimate on a $600 repair job on the body.

FedEx "Inspectors" pick up the box, case and bass the following day and take to their facility for inspection and report to FedEx. Meantime, I file a faxed claim with FedEx including picture, luthier damage assessment and all other descriptions.

A few days go by. I get an email from senior FedEx agent requesting pictures of box and case. I reply by saying I have only picture of the bass, figuring the FedEx facility would photograph box.

OK, a week or so goes by, the bass goes back to Texas until I tell them to route it back to me. I speak to the FedEx agent today and she says "when you get the bass back (guitar is what she really said) please send pictures of the box and case".

That produces another question from me, "You had the bass and packaging and never took pictures"?
The agent replies by saying the inspectors "found NO damage" to the box, case OR bass. So "there is no payment for this claim".

Whut the Eff ?!?!

So I ask what the next step is. The agent tells me that FedEx would need damage pictures in order to substantiate a claim. (editorial comment: is she opening a door here?)
The agent instructs me to take pictures of the box, case and bass when it is returned to me.

So, I ask you, my TB brethren. What would you do?

Do I; poke a hole in the box (which initially had no damage to the outside) - mess around with the outside of the case (which was "distressed" but not breached") - or just go with the straight play?

I'm inclined to try to part it out and find another of these basses.

Oh yeah, since you asked, the bass plays OK, sounds fine, and the only issue is a loose mid-tone knob, loose stacked pot - and of course, the cracked body.

What do you think should be done?

B

adamrobertt · #2 02-11-2010, 06:55 PM

Why are you blaming FedEx if the guy who shipped it put it in a case that wasn't made for it and ultimately caused the damage in the first place?

I don't think you have much of a case with FedEx here, man. I'd send the seller a message though.

Mad Russian · #3 02-11-2010, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berman3313

Bottom line is the HS case was not intended to accommodate a stacked pot.

There lies your answer - The seller should be held responsible...

ithump4 · #4 02-11-2010, 07:10 PM

I agree with Adam. Also, sounds like the bass may have been damaged before actual shippment.

gjbassist · #5 02-11-2010, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamrobertt

Why are you blaming FedEx if the guy who shipped it put it in a case that wasn't made for it and ultimately caused the damage in the first place?

I don't think you have much of a case with FedEx here, man. I'd send the seller a message though.

Ditto. I'm sure you are not happy with the situation. I know I wouldn't be. However, I don't see how FedEx can assume any responsibility if there is no physical damage to the packaging or case!

Stradavus · #6 02-11-2010, 07:11 PM

Pro tip: Before committing insurance fraud, do not post about it on the internet.

In all seriousness, though, I'm no lawyer, but I'm pretty sure that if you were to tamper with the box at this point it would constitute fraud. I say play it straight. Also, they probably just didn't see the damage because whoever looked at the bass doesn't have a keen eye for this sort of thing. Take off the back plate and photograph the crack from the inside to make it clear.

gjbassist · #7 02-11-2010, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stradavus

Pro tip: Before committing insurance fraud, do not post about it on the internet.

I thought about that as well. Who knows, someone on TB might even work for FedEx and has already read this thread. Oh wait, that would be me!

SBassman · #8 02-11-2010, 07:22 PM

Subscribing to yet more TB free entertainment.

Pilgrim · #9 02-11-2010, 07:43 PM

Not FedEx's problem. If the case was wrong for the bass, it's the fault of the shipper...and that makes it your problem. But not FedEx's.

Don't commit fraud to try and make FedEx responsible.

berman3313 · #10 02-11-2010, 07:52 PM

Thanks for the replies. I'm on the straight path - fellow TBers (and lurking agents!)
But I like the idea of back plate removal - a picture is worth....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stradavus

In all seriousness, though, I'm no lawyer, but I'm pretty sure that if you were to tamper with the box at this point it would constitute fraud. I say play it straight. Also, they probably just didn't see the damage because whoever looked at the bass doesn't have a keen eye for this sort of thing. Take off the back plate and photograph the crack from the inside to make it clear.

trunkshope6 · #11 02-11-2010, 07:57 PM

wow i didnt know the wrong case for a bass can damage it,one thing to remember i suppose

Jim Campbell · #12 02-11-2010, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trunkshope6

wow i didnt know the wrong case for a bass can damage it,one thing to remember i suppose

if the case caused damage because it was an improper fit you should be able to tell by placing the bass in and see if it moves around,or the tone knobs strike the lid anywhere etc.....could be any number of things....but if the shipping container seems undamaged the carrier is probably not at fault....it would seem that you have a pretty good case against the seller tho',and depending on your payment method,you may be able to recoup

berman3313 · #13 02-12-2010, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

If the case was wrong for the bass...

Pilgrim, do you work at Jonny Cochran law firm, possibly?

Seriously, thanks for the reply.

justabass · #14 02-12-2010, 11:45 AM

This is on the seller! Get your money back! Its his responsibility to take it up with Fedex if he wants!

berman3313 · #15 02-17-2010, 06:23 AM

After 2 weeks of inspection - FedEx yesterday returns the bass, case and box. Looks like I focused too much on only the bass upon arrival. The box is crushed - how about that mashed case?

Shining a light from the cavity through the body didnt photograph well. I thought it might look like the "cracked egg" poster from "alien" but looked instead like a Fender table lamp.

Anyway, more entertainment value for you TBers til the verdict comes in.

Bass Junkie · #16 02-17-2010, 06:28 AM

If the case don't fit, you don't acquit!!

Sane · #17 02-17-2010, 06:34 AM

Sure the seller put the bass in a case that was maybe a little to snug for the stacked pot. However, it would take a lot of force to not only bend in the case, but to push the knob down to crack the wood. It was something very heavy, at least 150+ , thrown not stacked, ontop of your box. In a very unfotunate spot. I still think this falls on fed ex. Especially after seeing the case.