FDEDX Policies?

[XKnight]

I've shipped about 5-6 guitars via FEDEX in the past year and never had any problems, luckily. However, the last two times I've shipped guitars with them they have given me a hard time about declaring a value over $500. One time, they said they needed to inspect the guitar, which makes sense to me. Today. even after inspecting the guitar and agreeing that it's in like new condition, the FDEX rep said he still can't insure it for over $500 because it's not being shipped in its original box. I told him that the case was original and therefore it should be considered as being shipped in the original container. He relented and agreed to insure it for over $500, especially when I showed him how securely I would be packing it.

I'm just wondering if anyone is aware of any policy changes at FEDEX recently?

The current policy that is on the FEDEX website for shipping guitars is listed below. My guitar was not over 20 years old, or customized/personalized so I don't see how this policy would apply to me.

[FONT=arial, Arial, Helvetica]Declared Value & Insurance[/FONT]

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. If you wish to insure for higher amounts, we can ship your item via UPS and/or USPS via 3rd party insurance like PIC. Please review the list below of FedEx value limitations

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

 

[70s Rocker]

I've heard these stories for EVERY carrier! I've shipped dozens of guitars and amps in the $2,000 to $4,000 range over the past 2 years and quite a few recently. All but one with Fedex! I pack them but don't seal the box until they look inside - so they can see it is packed well.
After a bunch of great luck with only a broken plastic pickup ring on a Les Paul in over 3 years, they broke a neck on a beautiful LP standard I sent to another TGP guy.
They sent an inspector to his house, and then paid the full claim after collecting the guitar. Of course, Fedex also refunded the shipping.
Count me as a believer.
(And no - I don't work for them, but I was pulling for Tom Hanks in Castaway...)

 

[Drew816]

70s Rocker:

(And no - I don't work for them, but I was pulling for Tom Hanks in Castaway...)

Now THAT is some funny $hit! :BEER

I don't ship with Fed Ex because of this policy; having to get a lawyer involved even after you've PAID to insure for more then their know limit in a claim situation is just beyond my means nor interest since I've got UPS and USPS that don't have these limits... I know tons of people have had great luck with them and if you're a business all the better as they really give you a break, but as an average guy looking to ship say 1 guitar every 2-3 months why take the risk and have the potential hassle? PLUS USPS Priority is usually cheaper to include insurance and I've had guitars make it from here in Columbus, Ohio to Oregon and Nor Cal in 2 days for less money fully insured! Their tracking sucks but... Again, I don't have a corporate account, I don't get big pricing breaks, I left to the mercy of UPS and FedEx's normal prices so take my comments with a grain of salt.

Castaway, too funny... So did Tom bag that artist chick in the end or what, that's the part of the film I wanted to see!

 

[70s Rocker]

Absolutely - but only after trading emails - opening a larger artist shop next door - putting her out of business, and then meeting her atop the Empire State Bldg.
(Or was that another movie???)

 

[Slyib]

Castaway, too funny... So did Tom bag that artist chick in the end or what...

That made me smile.

 

[* velcro-fly *]

 

[XKnight]

This thread definitely took a turn for the worse.

 

[Timmo]

FEDERAL EXPRESS ..............they just plain SUCK !



:moon

 

[Kappy]

XKnight, that Fedex thing you quoted is for "express packaging" only. I called Fedex today to clarify that (from a discussion in another thread about carriers) and they said with your own packaging you can insure to any value you want with any of their services. Now whether that insurance amounts to a hill of beans has yet to be seen (by me, since I've never had anything go wrong with any carrier I've used, and I've shipped a lot of stuff!), but that's their terms.

The call took all of 2-3 minutes, so if you want to hear it from their mouth, call them and ask. If the counter guy said that to me now, I'd tell him to call Fedex and verify right then and there.

Dave

 

[Kappy]

p.s. one annoying thing I found with Fedex (and even with UPS sometimes) is that what the person at the Fedex/Kinkos says and what their real policies are seem subject to the counter person's memory, which can get pretty whacky. I was literally told something different every time I went to the same Fedex/Kinkos like 4-5 times in a row about shipping guitars. I think I'm going to bring my cell phone and call them directly every time I run into someone saying something different about insurance values, ship times, services, etc.

 

[XKnight]

p.s. one annoying thing I found with Fedex (and even with UPS sometimes) is that what the person at the Fedex/Kinkos says and what their real policies are seem subject to the counter person's memory, which can get pretty whacky. I was literally told something different every time I went to the same Fedex/Kinkos like 4-5 times in a row about shipping guitars. I think I'm going to bring my cell phone and call them directly every time I run into someone saying something different about insurance values, ship times, services, etc.

Thanks for the info. That makes sense since it was the same counter clerk that gave me a hard time about insuring for over $500 both times, while every other time I shipped with them at the same location all was well. I guess this particular clerk has his policies confused.

I do like the fact that they have been asking to see the guitar before shipping. I'm going to start bringing a camera to the store and taking pictures of them inspecting the guitar and then take another picture of it all boxed up. That way if a claim has to be filed, I'll have evidence that they inspected it and it was in good condition before they accepted it for shipping. I figure the more guitars I ship the higher my chances become of something going wrong.

 

[treeofpain]

I ship all the time with FedEx and have never had an issue with breakage in transit. Can't say the same with UPS.