UPS ran over my bass. (Long story! PICS)

heb9_28 · #1 12-24-2009, 07:08 AM

Well, it wasn't really "my" bass anymore. I had sold it to 3rdBass here on TB and was shipping it to him. I had it packed well in a Fender box stuffed with literally an entire phone book worth of paper. I've shipped a number of basses that way and they've worked out fine.

So, I shipped the bass out on Monday and on Tuesday I got an email saying there was an "exception" with my shipment. I saw from the tracking info that the "exception" was that the package was damaged and it was being returned to the sending address which was the UPS store I sent it from.

I got a call from the store yesterday saying it was there, when talking to the guy I asked if it just looked like it needed to be repacked or if it was totally destroyed. He said he didn't know, they put the whole thing into another box to send it back and he didn't want to open it until I got there.

So when I got there, he brings this box from behind the counter that stood about 2 and a half feet off the ground. I immediately thought, "that's not a good sign." So, we open up the box and the entire neck is literally splintered and severed in half. (Apparently having an "exception" with your delivery can mean a lot of things, including your bass being run over by a truck) At around the 5th fret mark is where the break started. The truss rod was bent about 60 degrees. The head was also splintered and the tuning machines themselves were bent! The heavy duty G&L gig bag that it was in looks like it was dragged on pavement under a trunk, road rash all over it.

So I took these pictures, the manager took some pictures and he said he was going to make a call. After a while he came back and told me that because it was packed with paper, the shipping center automatically dismisses any claim on the insurance because paper isn't an approved packing material. But the guy was super nice and said that he had just called for me to dispute that and he told them that this was clearly not a packing issue, it had obviously been run over by a truck.

Now I'm just waiting to hear back on the claim. The store manager said he'd take it as high up as he possibly could to get my money back. He said he has dealt with the manager of the local sorting plant and that he can be difficult to work with. Hopefully things work out.

Side note, so now I'm going to have this G&L SB-2 loaded body once the claim is resolved and I get the "bass" back. I checked it out and it looks fine. Does anyone know what kind of neck would fit in there, or if I could just get pretty much any neck and shape it to fit in there? Or, because I'm not THAT handy, is there anyone here who would be interested in buying a loaded body? Just throwin that out there... I'll probably post it in classifieds when I get it to see if anyone is interested...

So that's what happened. Don't believe me? How bout some pics? (Though it's really not the same as seeing it in person)

cb56 · #2 12-24-2009, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heb9_28

..... After a while he came back and told me that because it was packed with paper, the shipping center automatically dismisses any claim on the insurance because paper isn't an approved packing material....

So let me get this straight. They're saying that if you would have used packing peanuts and bubble wrap instead of paper, this never would have happened????

heb9_28 · #3 12-24-2009, 07:22 AM

Well, that's their "policy." But the store manager specifically said that. He said, "I know they dismissed it because of the paper but come on, bubble wrap and packing peanuts would have prevented that? No way." He's really a nice guy and I'm glad he's on my side. I'm sure there are some people out there who would have just said, "tough luck."

HEADLE · #4 12-24-2009, 07:25 AM

Holy CARP! As far as a neck goes I think there is a Moses Graphite in the Classifieds for a G&L right now. Would be sweet!

H

**Freddels** · #5 12-24-2009, 07:25 AM

So UPS is taking no responsibility in this?

Also, only a G&L neck will fit. There are no after market necks for G&L's. You'll have to contact them. Get a quote for a new neck and go after UPS.

cb56 · #6 12-24-2009, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddels

So UPS is taking no responsibility in this?

Also, only a G&L neck will fit. There are no after market necks for G&L's. You'll have to contact them. Get a quote for a new neck and go after UPS.

What he said.

Bassman316 · #7 12-24-2009, 07:34 AM

Man, that's rough. Not to mention it's tough looking at those pics!! Hope everything works out and best of luck to you man.

heb9_28 · #8 12-24-2009, 07:39 AM

I appreciate it. Well, I wouldn't say they're taking "no" action over it. I personally would love to meet the person at the sorting facility who looked at this and felt justified saying, "not our fault, he used paper to pack it." That's got to be one.... unique individual. But the store manager I shipped from is going to do everything he can to get my money.

DaveDeVille · #9 12-24-2009, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heb9_28

Well, it wasn't really "my" bass anymore. I had sold it to 3rdBass here on TB and was shipping it to him...

...

holy crap !!

no way UPS should deny your claim on this one .
hopefully they'll do the right thing ...
best of luck .

... was it damaged in your town , or was it already in transit ?

i'm guessing 3rdBass has been notified , right ?

Zooberwerx · #10 12-24-2009, 07:50 AM

Might not have been run over. dcr/ Doug and I had a similar situation where UPS managed to blow out the entire end of a Peavey hardshell case (like an overcooked hotdog) without damaging the bass itself. Seems they have a tendency to overtighten the winched packing straps when securing shipping pallets. Goes thru a carton like a hot knife thru butter....never had a chance of survival irrespective of what packing materials were used. UPS actually owed up to it without argument and bought us a new case.

Then again, maybe the truck got stuck in the snow, couldn't find any sand / salt, so they threw the bass under the back wheels for added traction.

Hope they take care of this quickly and painlessly. Merry Christmas!

Riis

NoTalentHack · #11 12-24-2009, 07:53 AM

You might try this if they don't own up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-UoERHaSQg&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_X-Q...eature=channel

Bassman316 · #12 12-24-2009, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heb9_28

I appreciate it. Well, I wouldn't say they're taking "no" action over it. I personally would love to meet the person at the sorting facility who looked at this and felt justified saying, "not our fault, he used paper to pack it." That's got to be one.... unique individual. But the store manager I shipped from is going to do everything he can to get my money.

Sometimes you gotta wonder how someone can look at a situation like this and have no real problem just shrugging it off and say "eh, not our fault, not our problem". It's good knowing that at least the store manager is doing what he can to help you out.

ryognbass · #13 12-24-2009, 08:00 AM

I've just recently started working at a UPS store and the only reason that the paper vs. packing peanuts/bubble wrap is an issue is because if the package is marked as "Packed by customer", then UPS is not responsible for damage due to packing error within a conceivable bound. If the UPS store packed it, they would have been shoveling stuff down your throat every which way because in that case, they are at risk. this is obviously negligence on their part, however you are not entitled to 100% return on costs. however, did you insure the package to full value, or the standard $100?

Sorry this happened man. it's a terrible thing and best wishes in getting it all sorted out.

Indiana Mike · #14 12-24-2009, 08:01 AM

Not good...

If they stand their ground...

I would start a "UPS is anal in their policies and fails to assume responsibility for their own faults" website. post all your pics etc...

Then post a link here and get everybody to hit it over and over so it comes up to the top of the search engine pages when UPS is searched.

A friend did this with Chevy a few years ago over a POS brand new truck, they called one day and said " come trade yours for a new truck after you take down your website"

Rock-Bassman · #15 12-24-2009, 08:14 AM

[quote=heb9_28;8431412]Well, it wasn't really "my" bass anymore. I had sold it to 3rdBass here on TB and was shipping it to him. I had it packed well in a Fender box stuffed with literally an entire phone book worth of paper. I've shipped a number of basses that way and they've worked out fine.

So when I got there, he brings this box from behind the counter that stood about 2 and a half feet off the ground. I immediately thought, "that's not a good sign." So, we open up the box and the entire neck is literally splintered and severed in half. (Apparently having an "exception" with your delivery can mean a lot of things, including your bass being run over by a truck) At around the 5th fret mark is where the break started. The truss rod was bent about 60 degrees. The head was also splintered and the tuning machines themselves were bent! The heavy duty G&L gig bag that it was in looks like it was dragged on pavement under a trunk, road rash all over it.

So that's what happened. Don't believe me? How bout some pics? (Though it's really not the same as seeing it in person)

Well you seem to be taking this better than I would! Whoever ran it over wouldn't be in a great spot if it was me... but I guess its Christmas Eve (day) and all... BUT WOW how does someone actually run a bass over with a TRUCK!

heb9_28 · #16 12-24-2009, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david meissner

holy crap !!

no way UPS should deny your claim on this one .
hopefully they'll do the right thing ...
best of luck .

... was it damaged in your town , or was it already in transit ?

i'm guessing 3rdBass has been notified , right ?

Yes, this happened before it even left so it was never "in transit". Which is all the more reason the packing had nothing to do with it. If the packing had been poor, it would have made it there and there would have been "internal injuries." Obviously not the case here.

Yes, 3rdBass knew about the whole thing from the beginning starting with the "exception." He's a really great guy and told me not to worry about squaring up with him until I get the claim and everything. I really appreciate his attitude towards the whole situation.

heb9_28 · #17 12-24-2009, 08:28 AM

Oh, and yes I did have it insured more than just the $100. Thank goodness. I kinda wish I had insured it for waaaay more than it's really worth. I might start doing that from now on....

J. Crawford · #18 12-24-2009, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indiana Mike

Not good...

If they stand their ground...

I would start a "UPS is anal in their policies and fails to assume responsibility for their own faults" website. post all your pics etc...

Then post a link here and get everybody to hit it over and over so it comes up to the top of the search engine pages when UPS is searched.

A friend did this with Chevy a few years ago over a POS brand new truck, they called one day and said " come trade yours for a new truck after you take down your website"

NoW THAT is an awesome idea! And I would be down for hitting the website as much as humanly possible.

barrybass33 · #19 12-24-2009, 08:32 AM

That's rough.. I hope you insured for the full amount. That driver must of been MR.grinch. good luck.

Bardley · #20 12-24-2009, 08:33 AM

Those pics make me sad...

Hope you get it all sorted out.

Merry Christmas