Shipping Damage: Lost For Words

[Tewest86]

I recently sold a bass through Reverb. I also had it list here. It is a Fender Jazz Elite so it came with a hard case. I placed the bass in it's hard case and used all the original packing material that I had when I bought the bass brand new.

However, here is the issue. I get a message from the buyer that the bass had this extensive damage that was not there when I shipped it. I can't imagine a bass getting this kind of damage inside a hard case. I shipped through UPS. Someone from UPS had to have opened the package to inspected and dropped the bass of something. I'm at a lost for words. I wiped the bass down before inserting into its case. I can't believe this.

Below are pictures of the bass when I shipped.

 

[Tewest86]

Here is the damage that the buyer is showing.

 

[king_biscuit]

Agreed. It doesn't look like that happened while in the case. It is possible the buyer did this, though.

 

[Tewest86]

Agreed. It doesn't look like that happened while in the case. It is possible the buyer did this, though.

I don't know what to believe but he said he didn't. I hope that my perfect feedback on Reverb and on here will help my case. There's no way I would ship a bass in that condition and not show it. It's not like the buyer wouldn't notice damage that big.

 

[FunkHead]

I smell a rat.

 

[Quadzilla]

Is the buyer asking for a return or a discount?

In any case, did you insure the shipment for full value?

Was the hardshell case damaged too?

By the way, I've never heard of UPS, Fed Ex, etc opening up a domestic bound package for inspection. My gut tells me that the buyer dropped it and wants to blame you.

 

[Tewest86]

Is the buyer asking for a return or a discount?

In any case, did you insure the shipment for full value?

Was the hardshell case damaged too?

He's asking for a return. I've only seen pictures of the bass. The claim with reverb has just been filed this morning after I denied a full refund. I argued that this isn't the bass I sent so I asked him to show me the damage and SN in one shot. He declined and said it's in Reverb's hands now. I don't know what to believe. I asked to see pictures of the box. I can tell if the box was opened and repacked. I tape my boxes a weird way. I also keep track on how I restring the bass. I know which ones were string though the body and which weren't.

 

[stingray69]

I can't, for the life of me, imagine what kind of accident could cause such a bizarre series of dings of these size discrepancies over such a wide surface area in these specific locations.

It would be pretty shameful if the buyer did something like this on purpose, but anything is possible.

 

[mikewalker]

Package opened for inspection has to be sealed with special tape indicating it was opened for inspection. Was there damage to the packing materials? I don't take delivery of instruments without FIRST inspecting the packaging, taking pictures and if there is any hint of rough handling, taking the instrument out for inspection. Actually will routinely ask the shipper to wait while I take the instrument out, if it's valued at more than $1000...

 

[Tewest86]

Is the buyer asking for a return or a discount?

In any case, did you insure the shipment for full value?

Was the hardshell case damaged too?

By the way, I've never heard of UPS, Fed Ex, etc opening up a domestic bound package for inspection. My gut tells me that the buyer dropped it and wants to blame you.

And yes I insured it. Reverb requires you purchase their insurance when something sells over $1500.

 

[Tewest86]

Package opened for inspection has to be sealed with special tape indicating it was opened for inspection. Was there damage to the packing materials? I don't take delivery of instruments without FIRST inspecting the packaging, taking pictures and if there is any hint of rough handling, taking the instrument out for inspection. Actually will routinely ask the shipper to wait while I take the instrument out, if it's valued at more than $1000...

I know sometimes they open up packages for inspection when you are wanting to insure it over a certain amount but if an employee damaged it, I would expect them to fess up. I know that damage wasn't there when I shipped. I marked the damage that i had in the ad with an arrow pointing to it. It was small but noticeable. This new damage is out of this world. I don't want a return because there is noway I can get what I was asking for with this new damage. This is some blank blank.

 

[organworthyplayer337]

I can't, for the life of me, imagine what kind of accident could cause such a bizarre series of dings of these size discrepancies over such a wide surface area.

It would be pretty shameful if the buyer did something like this on purpose, but anything is possible.

Right. It seems like damage that would accumulate over a decent period of time from multiple "accidents" unless, of course, it was intentionally done. The only "reasonable" ding is the big one on the bottom. And that is only if the hardshell case and shipping box were impaled, otherwise, something is fishy.

 

[Rallypoint_1]

I smell BS. He won’t show you any other pics? Box, case, serial number? I like others suspect he/she dropped it and now they don’t want a dented bass for the price they paid. Man this really sucks!!

 

[Tewest86]

Reverb is handling the dispute. If they are anything like eBay then there is no way for buyer to when. I've sold probably 20+ basses here since 2007. All transactions went smoothly. I've sold about 10+ on reverb and have great feedback. No way I would overlook damage like that when selling a bass for a few grand. It was in new shape when I packed it up. I bought the bass brand new on MF in September. This really irks me because other than the pictures, I have no more proof. Pictures were taken a few days before shipping. I packed the bass up at home and dropped off at UPS. From not own I will video and photo bass during packing with a time stamp and time stamp when I give it to the shipping company.

 

[Silky Johnson]

How long after it arrived to him did he make the complaint?

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Here is the damage that the buyer is showing.

View attachment 3591802

View attachment 3591804

View attachment 3591806

It looks like he dropped it when he opened the case. That couldn't happen even if you had the worst UPS carrier in the world. One who likes to throw and kick his packages.

 

[organworthyplayer337]

OP, it definitely looks like the same bass if you look at the tort figuring. The string through B-string is consistent (at least from what we can see in the photos).

The case looks fine. Either the shipment was intercepted and tampered with, or, he dropped it/stand failure. Little chips, like the ones on the horn, don't happen in a case during shipping.

How long after the delivery did he email you?

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

The buyer opened it. He dropped it. Now he wants to blame it on you.
Hold your ground.
I just had a thought that would be an idea for all shippers. Include in the box a full set of photos date and time stamped just before you ship.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

Here is the damage that the buyer is showing.

View attachment 3591802

View attachment 3591804

View attachment 3591806

That totally is FU! Sorry that happened to you!

 

[Burwabit]

Shame with a beautiful instrument. Unfortunately, buyer normally wins. Did you have shipping insurance? Case/box damage?