What to do when you get this in the mail?

Road Bull · #1 12-14-2011, 02:26 AM

So I got a couple of items from MF today via UPS. I ordered a Fender bass case, and a Tech 21 VT bass pedal. There were sent ground. I arranged to pick up the package at the UPS facility. I got there, signed for the package, noted no significant damage to the package and took it home. As I was taking the box out of my truck I heard something, (the pedal box) sliding around inside. I thought, no... there is no way they would just toss it in loose to let slide around all willy nilly.

When I opened it up, I was a bit surprised to find very little in the way of packaging. But I figured that, hey, its an ATA style bass case, it should be fine. Well, the case seemed fine, the pedal tin didn't do so well. It turns out that this thing was not secured in the least. No bubble wrap, no extra padding, hell no tape to keep the tin secure. Needless to say the tin is a banged up a bit.

I have yet to plug it in, but I have to admit that it is off putting to open a package and see it is given so little care and thought. Regardless of whether the pedal works or not, it just seems that this was done with so little respect for items and the buyer.

I am just really let down. I have had more than one bad experience with UPS, and I avoid them at almost ALL costs, but this was clearly not their fault. It was just bad packaging.

What would you do?

Road Bull · #2 12-14-2011, 02:28 AM

A couple more pics.

topo morto · #3 12-14-2011, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road Bull

What would you do?

Thank the Lord that I am not as stupid as some people, Be happy if the pedal works, and not buy from there again...

Blue · #4 12-14-2011, 02:30 AM

... is it UPS ... or a crappy job by the original packager?

Low Sound Love · #5 12-14-2011, 02:34 AM

If the pedal works as it should, I personally wouldn't worry much or take any steps, aside from never ordering at that store ever again.
On the other hand, if you have an e-mail adress, a quick message to inform them of this terrible performance could make a difference in the future, if not for yourself then maybe for your fellow musicians.

James Judson · #6 12-14-2011, 02:42 AM

MF has a return policy. I believe no questions asked. Probably the best feature of mail order. Your call!!! Is it worth what you paid or send it back.

BigDaddyMick · #7 12-14-2011, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue

... is it UPS ... or a crappy job by the original packager?

+1. Most of the time, it's the packager.

I can report that everything I bought here in the classifieds has been packed better than I have ever seen.
I wish companies would pack things that well, but sadly, they do not.

Road Bull · #8 12-14-2011, 02:42 AM

This is not UPS's fault here. This is just poor packaging from Musician's Friend. Maybe someone had an off day or something, but for a business that does a lot of shipping, it looks like there first day on the job.

They could have simply wrapped it up a few times in bubble wrap and it would look fine. Hell, they could have wrapped it up a bit and stuck it inside the bass case and that would have been better.

A.Scovanner · #9 12-14-2011, 02:44 AM

I just looked at MF site and their shipping info page is kinda light on info, perhaps on purpose- They say a lot about fast and free delivery but nothing about packing or what to do in the event of a situation like yours, which leads me to believe they might push the blame off onto UPS- That said, can't hurt to call and raise a little hell. I have had more luck than not in asking for a supervisor right away in cases like these (not w/ MF)- if not only to show them you're seriously pissed, perhaps that can get you through to a person who can do something for you right away instead of having to go back & forth w/ an order taker before you get to a manager

Plays_For_Dog · #10 12-14-2011, 02:47 AM

I'd say blame UPS for the package being damaged, and complain to MF about the poor packaging job they did. You might get a discount on another order.

Don't feel too bad though. At least you got what you ordered. I just got a package in today that is the wrong item. It took 9 days to be shipped 5 hours down the interstate.

Road Bull · #11 12-14-2011, 02:53 AM

I did shoot off an email tonight with the pictures to see what they say, and I will follow up with a call in the morning to see what they can do. I think that things you get from people here on TB are packaged well because they care about the item being packaged and respect that someone will want that item in the condition it was described.

Jeff K · #12 12-14-2011, 08:18 AM

I've always found Musician's Friend's customer service to be excellent. Just call them up. They'll make it right.

pedroims · #13 12-14-2011, 08:27 AM

It is MF , I bought a F500 this week and got it yesterday, they sent the amp using only the original box , that's it ! oh yeah in case of a return they demand that I should send the amp using doble box !

stflbn · #14 12-14-2011, 08:30 AM

It's that 'crappy shipping and packaging' time of the year. Gotta love the holidays.

Warrior_Bass · #15 12-14-2011, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff K

I've always found Musician's Friend's customer service to be excellent. Just call them up. They'll make it right.

+1

It was probably a one off incident. I've purchased from them many times before, with one bad experience, and they worked hard to make it right.

WalterBush · #16 12-14-2011, 08:38 AM

I'm having to return some tubes I ordered for a friend's amp in need of repair. They put them in a box with some paper packaging, and shipped 'em off. No surprise that one of the tubes arrived broken.

Past experience tells me that there'll be no problem aside from holiday delays in getting them replaced fairly quickly. They have return instructions printed on the back of their shipping label, complete with return label. In the past when there's been a problem with something I've ordered, MF has made it right, in one case above and beyond what was required.

It does kind of bug me that they demand I use a double box when they couldn't be bothered in the first place, and that they require I pay shipping...I already paid shipping, thanks. Now, I'll have paid twice to get product shipped, effectively raising the price of the order. But, that's their policy and I was aware of it when I ordered. Most other companies' policies are similar IME.

lowendgenerator · #17 12-14-2011, 08:39 AM

I would shoot for some kind of discount. Demand compensation!

**StrangerDanger** · #18 12-14-2011, 08:41 AM

Those Tech 21 tins are notoriously easy to get bent up.

mrtanner42 · #19 12-14-2011, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff K

I've always found Musician's Friend's customer service to be excellent. Just call them up. They'll make it right.

+2

Ds1 · #20 12-14-2011, 08:43 AM

I once ordered a Rouge 8 String from MF (I know I know, but don't worry it was on sale) and it came slightly damaged on the headstock because of packaging. I gave them a call, and they credited me $40 to compensate. It made me happy