Fedex=UPS!

[lougio]

I've had UPS damage just about anything that has been shipped to me. So I've been using Fedex for guitars and amps exclusively. I will use the USPS for pedals and smaller stuff. Well I sold an '81 Dean ML to a TGP member and shipped it Fedex. Well seems like Fedex isn't all that great. They wound up splitting the headstock right down the middle through the Dean logo. The Dean was in a non-original case that fit it very well. I packed the box around the case and was happy that I packed it safe. I fully insured it and Fedex was notified of the damage and came out to retrieve the guitar. They better make things right. What a bunch of idiots. The only thing I can think of is the box was dropped from some height upside down in order to do that kind of damage. Hopefully the buyer will get to keep the guitar and get the insurance money as well.

UPS damaged several amps including a JTM45 head several years ago that was hit so hard that the joints of the shell came apart. When I opened the box and tried to lift the head out by the handle the top portion of the shell came apart from the chassis. It was fully insured and an investigator came out to take a report and some pics. They sent me a check for the amount and the best thing was that electronically everything worked. So I glued the shell together and got a free amp for my trouble. Karma I guess!

 

[FadedLP]

I'm glad you were able to get paid from UPS-I've heard some horror stories!

 

[rjpilot]

You need to let them package your stuff. I have shipped a 4x12, 3 heads, a guitar and have never had a problem with FDX.

 

[lifeinsong]

Sorry to hear about your misfortune. I'm sure you probably think you packed it well enough but chances are you didn't. You need to pack everything securely enough so that it can withstand a 5 ft. conveyor belt drop. I ship guitars/amps with Fed Ex all the time and have never had one problem, and they're prices are much cheaper than UPS.

 

[MBreinin]

FedEx broke my '73 LP. They then denied my insurance claim, twice. If you ever us them, let THEM package your guitar. They claimed mine was improperly packaged. I cancelled my account with them. I only trust them for letters.

I was told flat out that everything must be able to withstand a 6 foot fall from the conveyor belt. So, imagine your expensive guitar/amp taking that kind of tumble.

 

[guitarfish]

I've been extremely fortunate shipping gear over the years, never had anything get damaged. To think I shipped a Gibson LP from PA to CA and it made it alive and well. I was definitely streesing over that one.

Delivery companies hide behind lots of stuff to get out of paying claims, including the improper packing line. They won't say a thing to you when you step up to the counter and insure a guitar box for a couple grand, but then after the ruin it, they plead innocence.

One thing I do is ship from my office using the company UPS account, and reimburse them. As a company, we do a lot of business with them and have had a couple claims through the years which they've paid.

Oh well, I hope you get some satisfaction on the Dean.

 

[dspellman]

If you do not pack the guitar inside the case to prevent it moving around, you're not packing it well. If your guitar's headstock is right up against the top of the case, it's an inadequate case. You need to make sure that the body of the guitar is not acting as a hammer if the box/case takes a header. I've seen all kinds of yahoos assume that their cases were adequate to prevent damage to a guitar and fail to put extra packing inside the case -- it's like assuming that a tin can is adequate to use to ship an egg, with nothing more inside the tin can. No matter what you put between the case and a box, the guitar can still get damaged thanks to collisions with the interior of the case.

 

[blueshawk1]

I've been extremely fortunate shipping gear over the years, never had anything get damaged.

This has been the case for me. I've gone through way too many guitars, and shipped ones I was selling all over the country and haven't lost one yet.
I think the main reason is because I pack stuff with the assumption that it is going to get the worst treatment possible, no matter who the carrier is, so I overpack. Yeah, it costs me a little more for a little bigger size box, I probably add weight with my packing materials, but it's worth it because I know, just from reading these stories in the forums, what a nightmare it will be collecting on the insurance if the carrier destroys it.

 

[lougio]

Well, I don't think I'm a Yahoo cause I have shipped guitars and amps before and not had problems. But bottom line is I am paying them to ship the item and I'm insuring it. If I want to ship an egg inside a tin can and they agree to ship it, they better either blatantly tell me the way the item needs to be packed or pay the insurance money. Better yet do their job and don't abuse the package and there won't be a problem.

 

[Help!I'maRock!]

Well, I don't think I'm a Yahoo cause I have shipped guitars and amps before and not had problems. But bottom line is I am paying them to ship the item and I'm insuring it. If I want to ship an egg inside a tin can and they agree to ship it, they better either blatantly tell me the way the item needs to be packed or pay the insurance money. Better yet do their job and don't abuse the package and there won't be a problem.

the onus is on you. you're the shipper. find out what their requirements are. otherwise they're not liable.

 

[lougio]

I checked the shipping form and it is my responsibilty to make sure that the package is adequately packed. That is their wording. I guess that is up for interpretation so we'll have to see what happens.

 

[khromo231]

Hey, Lougio, next time you walk up to the Kinko's/FedEx counter over by Grossmont Mall tell the little gal with the tatto on her neck that you would like to ship a MUSICAL INSTRUMENT and that you want it to be FULLY INSURED! Then ask her for a few of those stickers that say "This End Up".

Then go home and call FedEx's main office and tell them that you would like to ship a MUSICAL INSTRUMENT and that you want it to be FULLY INSURED!

 

[XmasTree]

I've never had damaged stuff
BUT they can't seem to find my apartment and it's been late two or three times
IT DRIVES ME NUTS TO TRACK A PACKAGE NONSTOP......JUST KNOCK ON MY DOOR ALREADY!!!!!

 

[FadedLP]

I've never had damaged stuff
BUT they can't seem to find my apartment and it's been late two or three times
IT DRIVES ME NUTS TO TRACK A PACKAGE NONSTOP......JUST KNOCK ON MY DOOR ALREADY!!!!!

Cant you call UPS/FDX and just pick it up at the hub around you? It might not be as far as you think.

 

[Troubleman]

Taken from my "you can't make this $hit up" file a few year ago:

They left a package for me at work once - it read "FILE" on is side....
It read "FILE" because it had been smashed and compressed so badly that the letters "R-A-G" of the word "FRAGILE" were hidden in the part of the box that had accordion'ed on itself.
The driver left it like that and took off.
The box was 60% as wide as it should have been, but he simply left it.
I took a picture of it and sent it with my complaint.
When they called me, they explained that the driver said it didn't "sound" broken when he made the delivery, so he left it.


It has been my experience that FedEX, UPS (oops), and USPS are equally capable of destroying musical equipment. FedEX costs a bit more, but if you have them pack it for you (no guarantee that it'll arrive safely), they will pay, should your package meet with misadventure.


pEAcE,

jb

 

[Help!I'maRock!]

FedEX, UPS, and USPS are equally capable of destroying musical equipment.

exactly.

do everything you can to ensure that if the contents are mangled, it isn't your fault. because they will find a way to make it your fault and not pay out on the insurance.

 

[Travst]

I've had one item damaged in transit-a Laney Lionheart amp. It arrived in non-working condition. The seller advised me to have it fixed and UPS would pay the claim. I had two bad pots diagnosed and replaced and UPS refused to pay the $152 claim. Their reasoning was that I should have shipped the amp back to the shipper so that he could make the claim. I was certain that the customer service rep who told me this must have been confused, or outright daft, so I called again to speak with someone else. The second rep told me that, in having the amp fixed, I'd violated their rules and so they couldn't pay the bill. So, I ate the cost of the repair and now choose any other option except UPS when shipping. Even the seller weasled out of this one and refused to pay, pointing out that UPS should bear the blame. At any rate, I learned that the UPS insurance isn't worth the paper it's printed on. On my end, I pack well and have never had to make a claim.

 

[FadedLP]

Taken from my "you can't make this $hit up" file a few year ago:

They left a package for me at work once - it read "FILE" on is side....
It read "FILE" because it had been smashed and compressed so badly that the letters "R-A-G" of the word "FRAGILE" were hidden in the part of the box that had accordion'ed on itself.

 

[lougio]

Hey, Lougio, next time you walk up to the Kinko's/FedEx counter over by Grossmont Mall tell the little gal with the tatto on her neck that you would like to ship a MUSICAL INSTRUMENT and that you want it to be FULLY INSURED! Then ask her for a few of those stickers that say "This End Up".

Then go home and call FedEx's main office and tell them that you would like to ship a MUSICAL INSTRUMENT and that you want it to be FULLY INSURED!

Huh, you lost me there. Where is the Fedex/Kinkos? I have to ship an amp and I'll have them pack it if that will do the trick.

 

[khromo231]

Huh, you lost me there. Where is the Fedex/Kinkos? I have to ship an amp and I'll have them pack it if that will do the trick.

Lougio, I just typed a long answer detailing my experience with them, and the computer ate it. I don't feel like typing it again, so I'll PM you a phone number and if you want to you can call and I'll help you out if I can!