Double Bass Soundpost knocked out

[Rugdoctor]

I just got a new bass today, just picked it up from Fedex an hour ago and the sound post is knocked down and is now rolling around inside. The company said to call them if this happens but I they closed 20 minutes ago.
Story of my life

Aside from that, what should I be expecting. This seems like something that a professional should be doing so I don't really know what I could possibly do, I guess what I am asking is is it possible to fix myself with their guidance? Or am I going to have to take my brand new bass to a luthier to play operation?

Also I don't know what the purpose of the soundpost is, from what I can gather it gives tone to the instrument, can anyone give a better explanation.

Thanks for the time guys.

 

[Huy Nguyen]

Soundposts transfers the vibration of the top to the back and acts as additional support. Without it, the top might cave in from the pressure. Since you're a newbie, it would be best if you got it to a professional luthier who could put it in the right place. Doing it wrong could result in irreversible damage.

You also need the proper tools to do the job as well. I've done it multiple times but I also had the advantage of being able to see where it sat properly before I started (I marked it's position with a pencil long ago)... and even then I was extra careful to put it back where it was simply because it fell down.