Damaged in UPS shipping. How's this work?

[gfen]

Ordered a used insturment from a GC.
Insturment arrived with hole in box, and major denting about where the hole would've been.
Confirmed with GC that they didn't ship it to me with those major dents.
Talked to UPS, opened claim.
Waiting for claims investigator to contact me.

I get that part... But I'm curious what happens. The UPS offshore CSR says that they will pay out insurance on what it takes to repair the bass. I'm no luthier, but I imagine the cost to strip to wood, fill, sand, and repaint is going to be way more than the $300 I spent.

Does this mean that UPS will payout up to $300, my full amount? If the total repairs would be over $300, and the insturment was insured for say $499 (list), would they pay me up to that amount? Do they expect to take possession of it after they essentially total it?

I would've been satisfied with partial refund, but wouldn't turn down the whole amount. I do want to keep it, though, unless they're going to hand me list value.

(edited to stress that i want to keep it)

 

[Jeff Scott]

Just return the instrument. GC is the shipper so they should be filing the claim, anyway. Find another bass.

 

[Doctor Hugocat]

^ +1.

GC will try and duck out of responsibility if they get the chance, but they are the shipper. Return it. Sorry it happened.

 

[Rob L]

Just return the instrument. GC is the shipper so they should be filing the claim, anyway. Find another bass.

Yes, contact GC. They have to file the claim.

 

[Johnny Alien]

^ +1.

GC will try and duck out of responsibility if they get the chance, but they are the shipper. Return it. Sorry it happened.

I have had a guitar come to me from GC used that was damaged in shipping and there were no issues at all. I told them about it and they told me to return it to them and they will refund me and take care of filing. No problems and no trying to duck out. Return it is the right answer.

 

[gfen]

Except I don't want to return it, I don't actually care about the dents... they've just saved me the effort of making them, myself. If GC had told me they were there, I would've accepted it. I was just amazed at the overall shape of every except these two massive dent on the side. The pick guard cover was still covered with the original plastic, and the neck is flawless. They said the only damages were "small enough you'd have to look hard to find them," and because there was a bit of plastic wrap actually embedded into the finish as if it was smashed hard with something.

Frankly, I'd have accepted the response of, "it was new, and we dropped it. now its used."

I'd much rather receive a claim check towards the repair/etc cost as to lower my total layout.

 

[darrenmt]

Ask GC how much you may be refunded due to the damage+cost to return vs them getting it back and selling it as a 2nd. I'm sure you could get a couple hundred bucks out of it.

 

[Inertialsky]

Except I don't want to return it, I don't actually care about the dents...\

This is how it works...

I have never heard of UPS paying for repairs. They will pay the shipper (GC) for the amount they insured it for. Once GC get the check from UPS then they refund you the amount insured for. Now do you think GC put the exact value on the shipping label? It's possible. If they put a higher declared value I can almost guarantee that they will only refund what you paid and then keep the rest for their overhead. If they put a lower declared value then you need to return the bass to them directly and have them (GC) refund your full purchase cost.

If a claim is filed for a damaged item and UPS pays out on the claim they will show up at your address to collect the bass.

 

[gfen]

Tobias, the truth is unpleasant... but that sounds unfortunately all too likely.

I'll wait for the UPS claims investigator to get in touch with me, we'll see what he says. Obviously, he's going to try to push the blame to GC, so I expect that I'll be caught in the middle. I was hoping someone who's been through this would tell me it works like a fender bender.

Alas, my good mood has been sullied.

 

[Johnny Alien]

You are not caught in the middle as it's not your claim. UPS will take the bass. They will either take it from you or from GC if you take it there. There has been times when they get a repair cost and pay it out but it's highly unlikely. It doesnt work the way you want it to. You can try calling GC and letting them know that you would prefer to keep it but see if they will refund a bit for the damage. That is more possible than UPS paying a partial refund. If you don't want to return it then that is likely your only option.

 

[Hoochie Coochie Man]

If you would rather get a discount instead of a new bass from GC, offer them $165 instead of $300.

Let them counter-offer, if you really think it's worth it.

If it were me, I would just return it for a new one.

You have no contract with UPS. GC does, so the insurance would not be paid to you.

 

[JIO]

I hate hearing UPS stories like this - most of the time over the years - I've had no problem. I just shipped a bass to Ohio today via UPS. This time of year, like all carriers they take on more temporary holiday workers - I've had issues in the past this time of year. A bass shipped in a hs case in a box and the bass and case were damaged, most likely by being tossed off a truck or plane. Insured or not - I hope anyone including myself has no problems from now till the 24th in terms of shipping a bass.

 

[Downunderwonder]

GC will probably need the bass back in order to claim on the insurance, discuss that point with GC.

Either they need it back or not. Possibly they could use your photos to make their claim. Then you are in a great position to get a stunning deal by offering them peanuts to keep it and save them reshipping.

 

[ZenG]

When you ship something by a courier and the carton itself is damaged ...that points toward 'damaged in transit'.

But if there is no damage to the carton , how do you prove the courier damaged the goods inside?

I just had that happen to me.

Shipped a keyboard out to get one key fixed.

Got it back.....the key works but now another one doesn't.

Sent it back to same shop by same courier.......shop calls and tells me LCD is a blank blue screen when he powered it up first time after receiving it and now will need a lot more work.
Other than the key it was working fine when it left my house.

Carton is not damaged..........but the courier could have banged it around while handling......

I can't prove it was them although I suspect it.....

 

[fhm555]

I used to buy totaled motorcycles from a local insurance broker for a dime on the dollar for whatever the claim payout was. If a claim is paid someone somewhere will be snagging that bass for peanuts. It might even come back to GC to resell as a scratch and dent or used. Lowball GC on it and negotiate a better deal than the original. I'd bet they will go for it just to avoid the trouble of the claims process.

 

[fourstringdrums]

I don't know why you're putting yourself through the stress. Return it and let GC deal with it. Find another bass.

 

[Downunderwonder]

I don't know why you're putting yourself through the stress. Return it and let GC deal with it. Find another bass.

Pretty obviously the OP likes the bass and sees opportunity to own it for less than he paid. What's not to understand?

Practically, cheap mass produced basses are hit and miss for tone and dead spots but OP finds nothing wrong except minor dings. Get another crapshoot bass or keep the good one? Choice made.

 

[fourstringdrums]

Pretty obviously the OP likes the bass and sees opportunity to own it for less than he paid. What's not to understand?

Practically, cheap mass produced basses are hit and miss for tone and dead spots but OP finds nothing wrong except minor dings. Get another crapshoot bass or keep the good one? Choice made.

Understandable, but it should be GC who is dealing with this, not him. Whenever I've shipped something and had to file a UPS claim it was on me to deal with them. Actually they wouldn't talk to the buyer, only the shipper.

 

[Downunderwonder]

Understandable, but it should be GC who is dealing with this, not him. Whenever I've shipped something and had to file a UPS claim it was on me to deal with them. Actually they wouldn't talk to the buyer, only the shipper.

Read my original advice.

 

[NWB]

I hate hearing UPS stories like this - most of the time over the years - I've had no problem. I just shipped a bass to Ohio today via UPS. This time of year, like all carriers they take on more temporary holiday workers - I've had issues in the past this time of year. A bass shipped in a hs case in a box and the bass and case were damaged, most likely by being tossed off a truck or plane. Insured or not - I hope anyone including myself has no problems from now till the 24th in terms of shipping a bass.

I ordered a Carvin back in October and it will be shipped this month. I recently realized that I made a huge mistake because it will be shipped during "maximum damage season".

I pray that my bass will get to me undamaged.