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Bass damaged during shipping from FedEx

#21
bobyoung53 said:
I use UPS when I have the option, I had a tube tester restored 4 or 5 years ago and it came back inoperative, I filed a claim and they fought me for at least two months and after repeated emails and phone calls finally paid me off but it was like pulling teeth. I don't know if they're always like that but just something to think about.
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Yes, they take forever and fight it tooth and nail. A real pain.
 
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#24
Was it in a case or anything? Looks like it was just in a box. In that case, they will say it should have been in a case ( How to Ship a Guitar | FedEx ) and likely deny the claim. I assume you paid via PayPal, so you will be fine. If the seller isn't giving you the love, just file a claim. One of the dings looks like it was an old ding and just not disclosed in the pics (presumably) there is dirt in the wood grains. The larger ding was caused in shipping.
 
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#26
As a seller, I had a bass get damaged during shipping using FedEx. The recipient of the instrument was okay with the minor damage (strictly cosmetic) and still wanted to keep the instrument. I filed a claim with FedEx and and showed them the damage and gave them an estimate of what it would cost to refinish the bass. The bass was completely insured. They ended up sending me a check for the estimate of a refinish and I gave the buyer some money for the minor damage (he didn't ask for it, but he was cool about the damage and overall transaction, so I felt that would be the right thing to do).

As a buyer, you have to decide, is it worth keeping despite the damage? Is the seller willing to pay you for the damages? If not, you should send to it back to the seller. Only the seller can make a claim to the shipping company and they will get any money from a claim.

Fed Ex paid me for a claim as a seller.

I've heard UPS is tougher to get claim money from, so I wouldn't advise using them to ship.

As a buyer, I had an amp damaged during shipping. I brought it to a tech and luckily it was only structural - a $50 fix. I told the buyer i'd be willing to keep it if he paid me $200. $50 for the fix, $150 for drop in resale value. He paid and the claim with UPS is completely between them. Never heard about it. I was satisfied as the amp was perfectly fixed and I got the amp a bit cheaper with the reimbursement.

Good Luck.
 
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#27
I wonder how fedex and UPS insurance treats smaller businesses. I would think fender or sweetwater have their own insurance to cover things like this, or create a specific contract with fedex for there business. They also have a fedex rep. they can go to. But I wonder for small independent businesses if they have to get private insurance or if fedex is better with them at covering damages. They probably still have a rep. that tries to keep their business and settles issues. Though there are people here on TB who have shipped hundreds of basses without issue so hard to know how often (percentage change) this truly happens.
 
#28
The first chip pictured looks grey, as in old. There are also impressions in the finish, in that area. I'd say it has been there for some time. The warped control cover isn't unusual. Only 3 screws and a tight fit at the factory, then climate change, it warps. That other picture though, the chip looks fresh although the surrounding area is still showing wear. Id say it was Colonel Mustard, in the library, with a crack pipe.
 
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#30
JRB said:
I wonder how fedex and UPS insurance treats smaller businesses. I would think fender or sweetwater have their own insurance to cover things like this, or create a specific contract with fedex for there business. They also have a fedex rep. they can go to. But I wonder for small independent businesses if they have to get private insurance or if fedex is better with them at covering damages. They probably still have a rep. that tries to keep their business and settles issues. Though there are people here on TB who have shipped hundreds of basses without issue so hard to know how often (percentage change) this truly happens.
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Deductible limits for individual claims usually makes any secondary insurance worthless unless your entire business burns to the ground. GC, MF, Sweetwater have the benefit of shipping in the original packaging which is already designed for protection. They also have the benefit of buying the item at a lower price than we pay. Most of them don't insure and play the odds games. They likely have a deal to get credits for future shipping for lost and damaged goods.
 
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#34
IngloriousOz said:
I've stopped having FedEx and UPS deliver anything to my house, both are addressed to either FedEx or UPS store locations so I can open and photograph everything right there. A couple times they've shown up with damage and a claim has been much easier to get rolling.
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But if a seller ships to an address other than the PayPal verified address, then they lose all protections. The buyer can redirect to a local store after shipment.
 
#37
Lowend65 said:
I can tell you from watching people ship stuff for years. Unless FedEx (or UPS) packed the box themselves, the insurance isn't worth anything.
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In this case, FedEx did actually pack the box themselves so (arguably) it's on them. I spoke to the seller this morning and he has the ball rolling on the claim. He said he will take care of me whatever happens. He's a TB member.
 
#40
theguy155 said:
I should also clarify that I did not "pay" for extra insurance. This was the standard $900 that it is automatically covered for. No extra insurance.
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FedEx changed things recent(ish). You say what the item is worth and that is built into the price. That's my understanding of how the new stuff works.
 

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