Ok, here comes a long one (that's what she said)...looks like we have resolution (details after all the quotes).
I wouldn't be too hard on MF, bui. They would have replaced the bass at no cost to you if they had another one. Unfortunately they don't. The suggestion to work through Fender for a replacement neck was obviously half-baked and wouldn't have worked, but at least they were using some creative thinking. MF originally thought the only damage to the bass was the neck. They don't have another bass, but maybe you could get a new neck. As I said, not a good solution but the only way they could see getting you the bass you want. Failing that, the best they can do is refund every penny of your money which they are also very willing to do - up front.
If you have ever dealt directly with UPS, it is not a simple process to get them to pay for shipping damage. I have twice bought items from private sellers on eBay and had them arrived damaged thanks to UPS. In both cases it was obvious the items were sufficiently well-packaged, but something catastrophic happened while they were in UPS's possession. The private sellers did not want to refund my money until they got their money back from UPS. It took me and the sellers working together for months - literally - to get them their money back and therefore my money back. Yes, the sellers should have refunded my money immediately and then worked out their own settlement with UPS, but it doesn't work that way in real life when the private seller has already spent the money on - oh - their mortgage!
This is a real disappointment for you, bui. But no way is it MF's fault. They ship hundreds, if not thousands, of guitars every day via UPS. UPS never tells MF they are inadequately packaged, they just accept them. MF would replace this bass for you at no charge if they could, but they can't. The best they can do is give you every penny of your money back, which they will gladly do as soon as you put the stuff back in UPS's hands.
It's obviously your decision, bui, whether you will ever deal with MF again. IME they have always done the very best they can for me, and it seems they are doing the very best they can for you, too.
Scott, you're absolutely correct. I was a little frustrated when I wrote that, but MF has been helpful and polite in their responses. I'm just disappointed that I will miss out on this opportunity, but what can you do?
They packed it, the packaging was there job it looks like a crappy job. Its not like there hands are totally clean ,
I think they will realize this when they get it back...or see the major dents in the boxes and go chew out UPS.
Reminder: from a previous post
Found one for you!
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Appreciate the links! I bookmarked every white Jag link on here and that I could find in the first 20 pages of Google...looking for a deal in the future. I'm mostly upset b/c I'm fairly certain I won't find a deal this good again...and being a guy with undergrad and grad school loans to pay off, I'll jump at any deal I can take.
bui, this is a horrid situation that would most likely have me exploding before everything finally got settled. As someone who has sold basses in the past I've almost always used FedEx or USPS due to UPS's terrible record in shipping "accidents" and subsequent awful refunding issues, but have used them twice because of the seller's wishes/delivery issues. After reading through this, however, from now on anything I sell will clearly state "USPS or FedEx shipping *ONLY* - no UPS under any circumstances due to negative reputation" and no changes will happen, if only for the betterment of the Buyer's purchase.
Best of luck getting through this situation, and IMO I'd take the refund and watch eBay and the "For Sale" forums here for a used model to pop up.
That's what I'm doing...taking the refund and watching the net like a hawk. I have shipped nearly 100 items as a seller on eBay, and ALWAYS use USPS. They are reliable, and take good care of their packages. The only thing that UPS does better is step-by-step tracking.
I wish I got a knock at all. I can only guess they hire ninjas around here. The only reason I notice my packages are here is when I leave for work or go to get the mail; they're always just sitting on my doorstop for who knows how long.
I've seen the guys (UPS, FedEx) doing it all around the neighborhood. They leave big, expensive looking packages right on the front porch and leave without even a knock. At least USPS lets me know when my things are here...
I have a bass coming, via FedEx at least, tomorrow and this thread is going to keep me awake and worried all night...
That's how it usually shows up here....I was home one day, some expensive car parts my dad ordered were left on the doormat...I only saw them as I was leaving for the afternoon. Turns out they had been sitting out there for 4 hours...anyone walking by could've taken them. No knock, no ring...
LCW, let us know how your bass turns out.
Final note (hopefully):
First of all, thanks to TB for the support, outrage, advice, tips, anecdotes. It greatly helped with the grieving process (sad that I was this attached to a bass...), and gave me some useful information.
Secondly, thanks to MF for resolving this (if anyone who works for them happens to read this). They sent me the prepaid package labels via email, and $25 store credit for my next phone order. Their responses were speedy and polite. I know that they had no fault in this (aside from inadequate packing), and do not hold them responsible (unless it was THEIR forklift that ran over the bass).
Thirdly, beware of UPS. My case, along with the others mentioned in this thread, are enough to keep me away from UPS for anything of value.
That is all for now...thanks again TB. You guys are a class act.
I was just waiting for a happy ending...
