ThePerfectBass? Not this time...

Post pics when u can so we can see what that crack looks like.

If i were you, i'd send it back and demand a refund, so i can get it from somewhere else.

 

Sorry to hear about that, there's always a risk when you order online - and this crack could have occurred during shipping. Did you insure the shipment? That would be another option to explore.

But don't be surprised about having to pay for return shipping. They aren't Amazon and that money is lost to them.

I think that their 10% discount is a pretty fair offer, to be honest.

 

Sounds like they did everything right to me. Stuff happens sometimes, they look to me like they have looked after you.

 

Damage caused by shipping is not the fault of Perfect Bass.
If the box was crunched, you should make the UPS driver wait while you inspect the instrument.

There is no way the body will be cracked and the box show no signs of trauma. Once you sign for the shipment, you are stating "goods received in good order". UPS is off the hook. If you refuse the order cause it's crunched, you will be responsible for nothing.

Sorry you have a problem. Perfect Bass did nothing wrong.

 

I will agree they did everything right..

 

It's the shippers responsibility to file a damage claim with UPS (or the shipper), not the buyer. If they didn't insure it, it's on them.

I was actually looking at some of their basses recently. Not now. This proves they are not willing to take care of a customer or know shipping regulations. They must not have insured it. Which is a big no no when shipping gear.

The ball is in their court. I call them up and tell them to open a damage claim with the shipping company. ASAP.

IMHO opinion it's not their fault it was damaged, but their responsibility (even according to shipping companies) to file a claim. If they didn't insure it then IT IS their responsibility to offer a full refund since the bass did not arrive in described shape.

 

Eh, I don't know, seems like either insurance or the company ought to pay for it. That's what most online companies do (that I've ordered from at least). For example, I ordered a Rickenbacker 4003 from Muscian's Friend that I had to return twice due to defects (the first one had a cracked inlay on the neck and the second had a defective pickup). MF paid the shipping for both returns as well as shipping for the third bass -- which thankfully was just fine.

 

Wrong opening it in from of the driver is still receiving the unit.. Only way to not receive it is to not sign and they will return to sender since you refused it.

The driver has nothing to do with anything. They dont care one bit. And it wont hold up against them either.

Just thought I would share that story since I went thru it, with a packaged I opened in front of a driver.

 

Funny how most the comments say PB did the right thing. If it was GC or MF it would be a whole different talk over the same issue.

 

I also think onlines stores should accomodate the customer and make sure he/she gets exactly the instrument ordered and as described.

I know big-box stores suck (Zzounds, MF), but their return policies rule.

If that happened to me, I would be expecting the store to pick up the bass at their expenses and either send a replacement, or a full credit.

 

this is the first bad experience with TPB I've heard

so i doubt it's them.

 

+1

I do NOT agree with they did the right thing.

It was due to shipping, but TPB needs to own the issue since they have the contract with the shipper, not the buyer.

 

True that, drivers are not reponsible for standing around while you open/inspect. They have 80 deliveries and 80 p/u's to do and will ask you to sign or refuse. If the bass is hanging out of the box or it looks damaged, you can sign, immediatly inspect and call the shipper if it is damaged. Shipper will call the carrier and they will send an inspector out to follow up. Save all packaging, take pics of damaged box b4 you open etc. Never allow anyone to ship a bass uninsured.

If your box looked like it was treated with care, it is doubtful the damage you describe happened during shipping.

 

Signing for the delivery is receiving the merchandise.
Maybe cause I get deliveries regularly, but my drivers have no problem allowing me to inspect my stuff before I sign for, which I do not do unless the box appears to have been bumped. I do not know what UPS's official policy is on that but it has not been an issue for me. Signing for the delivery is what determines accepting it. If it is damaged, reseal the box and refuse it, the insurance settlement is between the shipper and UPS at that point.

 

I have had UPS come back and pick it up after I sign. No questions asked, not everyone can open a package on their doorstep and UPS understands that. All I did was call the shipper (ex TPB) and have them create a call tag for damaged goods.

 

Except one thing.. You opened it.. Now what makes UPS say the damage was caused by them and not buyers remorse.

Opening the box is accepting it. Trust me call UPS and ask what happens if you open the box can you still refuse it.. NOPE you can ask to send it back but your not refusing delivery. You accepted it at that point.

If a box looks damaged and you will never know until you open it, it might not be, you are in fact accepting the package at that point and its your responsibility they now have an out.

These big shipping companys are not out to refund money, or side on the buyer.

I have shipped over a 100 basses/guitars in the last 2 years and luckily have on had one issue with a claim and let me tell you it was a real adventure trying to get them to fess up that they damaged it.

New policys with FedEX and UPS with musical instruments have been reinforced lately when you drop off your package ask them, see what I mean.

They are not going to admit fault on a problem unless you can really prove it was there fault. And trust me even then they will try and weasel there way out of it, buy asking how much to fix versus replace. Was it really worth the amount you insured it for. Etc.

 

Yea but it probably took 6 weeks. I just went through this with MF and I was less than happy with the turn around times and enthusiasm of the return department.

 

From Fedex this is there policy on musical instruments.. So you insured your Fodera you just sold for $4000 nope... Try $500.

Declared Value & Insurance
FedEx has maximum insured values. Shipments (packages or freight) containing all or part of the following items are limited to a maximum declared value of US$500: We cannot insure beyond these limits.

Guitars and other musical instruments that are more than 20 years old, and customized or personalized musical instruments.

And if I recall correctly and I may be wrong but I will try and find it UPS stands by the same statement. Even though you insured it for $4000 they will only offer $500 in insurance if something goes wrong.


So if you do have a claim do not mention the words custom, or vintage, or anything that can violate those terms. And trust me they will do there homework. And will weasel out of it.. You put new strings on well its was personalized.

I went thru it. I didnt get my point across until a friend who is a lawyer made a call, then they issued a check. It took 9 months from start to finish of the claim to get the check.