Filing a USPS claim

EndersShadow

I need to know what steps I need to take to file a claim and what documentation I should get beforehand.

The Parasound HCA-1200ii I shipped to Glen arrived with a bent rack ears. I shipped it insured for 500, packaged it appropriately (double boxed with lots of hard foam between boxes) and have pictures of the packaging.

I'm not sure what we need to do to get the issue resolved. They don't make these anymore so I don't know if they can fix the chassis issue. Additionally it has some humming likely due to abuse.

Help me wade through this as I've never had to file a claim before.

MrBuhl

Haven't had to deal with USPS but from FedEx and UPS experience, save all the packing - they'll want to see it. I think you just file the claim with them online on the USPS website.

EndersShadow

Thanks. Glen and I talked and he has all the packaging and will be taking lots of pictures of it. I also have pre packaging pics of the amp and pics as I packaged it within each of the two boxes.

I'm more trying to figure out how we can get it repaired since there isn't much around Glen dealer wise to get a repair quote. Plus they no longer make the amp so a chassis repair won't be possible unless we send to Parasound and they have a spare chassis....

Also is it going to cause issues that he paid via PayPal as a gift rather than a business transaction? I can show what he laid me and it has his email address and physical address on the memo line but is that all I need?

xjghost

Paypal payment should be a non issue sense we are not dealing with them. I'd leave that out. It's a USPS issue of what looks like a dropped package.

hochpt21

Damn, that sucks guys!

heiney9

More than likely they will pick up the unit and packing from the buyer for evaluation, and some point in the future they will make a ruling. I had to eat $150 for a cdp I shipped and they mangled. After seeing the unit turn on (they didn't care if it was skipping or not). It light up so in their eyes it worked.

They ruled the packing was insufficient (it wasn't) and it wasn't damaged, so my claim was denied. I sent the $$$ back to the buyer and he shipped the unit back to me. I sold the unit (Nakamichi MB2S) for $20 for parts.

You have physical damage so I think that's good. In the case of my cdp, there was no outward physical damage. Just the laser was knocked out of whack as was the multi disc mechanism causing the unit to bind up and or skip extensively.

Good luck.....it really could go either way. Physical damage is good!

H9

EndersShadow

xjghost wrote: »

Paypal payment should be a non issue sense we are not dealing with them. I'd leave that out. It's a USPS issue of what looks like a dropped package.

I will have to show some sort of transaction receipt otherwise they won't be about to ascertain value I don't think.

Farkenhostile

My guess is in the end the insurance pays you money instead of trying to repair it if they aren't even made anymore. Like when they total a car.

xjghost

EndersShadow wrote: »

xjghost wrote: »

Paypal payment should be a non issue sense we are not dealing with them. I'd leave that out. It's a USPS issue of what looks like a dropped package.

I will have to show some sort of transaction receipt otherwise they won't be about to ascertain value I don't think.

Value can be determined by what the going rate is to replace the item. At least that has been my experience in the past with other insurance issues.

Farkenhostile wrote: »

My guess is in the end the insurance pays you money instead of trying to repair it if they aren't even made anymore. Like when they total a car.

Yes. Or replace with a like item in some insurance instances I've heard about. I'd just call the claim number when you can and see what they say.

EndersShadow

Well filed it using the pictures Glen sent me of the damage and a screenshot of our transaction to establish value.

Guess we will see what happens from here.

Glen sent you particulars via PM.

MrBuhl

Hey guys good luck - I've had it go both ways as well - FedEx screwed me - but UPS made it right - I never thought I'd say the words, "physical damage is good" but I'm with H9 - he's right about that! Good luck with this - what a PITA especially when you did your parts!

EndersShadow

Yup, thankfully I've always had the foresight to take good pics of the item before shipping, as well as pics of the packaging process of the item so they cant say I didnt put enough protection on the item.

Hopefully I dont get screwed, but only time will tell.

motorhead43026

Good job on the CYA part, but what a waste of a good amp.

heiney9

UPS, USPS, Fed-Ex isn't going to monkey around with getting something repaired or find a replacement. They will assign an monetary value and then the buyer and seller need to work it out.

H9

xjghost

heiney9 wrote: »

UPS, USPS, Fed-Ex isn't going to monkey around with getting something repaired or find a replacement. They will assign an monetary value and then the buyer and seller need to work it out.

H9

You are probably correct and that was kind of what I was trying to say,

rooftop59

I've filed a couple claims with ups or fedex. I had one paid out the full amount, the other was denied, and the sub was sent in HSUs original packaging.

Biggest advice: DONT LET THEM TAKE THE ITEM. Make them inspect it at your house. I think like with any insurance, it comes down to the adjuster you draw. The FedEx person just paid up (even though that was early in my packing career and probably not the best) while the ups just denied despite the original packing. Speaking on the phone to a person really helps, and if denied ask for a supervisor or to elevate the claim.

Sorry dude. This sucks and is a PITA.

xjghost

DSkip wrote: »

Learn to pack.

It was packed quite well......

mrbiron

CALLING PFB!!!.....CALLING PFB!!!!...................

http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/service/claims/hlp/damage_process.html
I would hope you started there.

mrbiron

CALLING PFB!!!.....CALLING PFB!!!!...................

http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/service/claims/hlp/damage_process.html
I would hope you started there.

boston1450

Well i sure hope you the best..... I sat on my porch & watched the UPS driver drop a item of mine right out the truck & picked it up & looked right at me. Lucky enough the only thing it hurt was a bulb on the tuner dial. I couldnt believe my eyes & he had nothing to say

EndersShadow

@mrbiron

United States Postal Service... USPS not UPS.....

Dabutcher

USPS is the worst to file against. In my case they will deny you and keep doing it til you give up. Eventually they will have to pay you. But I think their MO is to deny as much as possible because most will give up. Good luck. D

mrbiron

EndersShadow wrote: »

@mrbiron

United States Postal Service... USPS not UPS.....

The funny thing is, i wrote that message after you had made the initial post. Then Vanilla told me "Have to wait for post approval" and i was like Waaaaaa?

I love how it showed up hours later and twice as many as needed!

Sorry to ruin your life! I'll go jump off a bridge now!

EndersShadow

mrbiron wrote: »

EndersShadow wrote: »

@mrbiron

United States Postal Service... USPS not UPS.....

The funny thing is, i wrote that message after you had made the initial post. Then Vanilla told me "Have to wait for post approval" and i was like Waaaaaa?

I love how it showed up hours later and twice as many as needed!

Sorry to ruin your life! I'll go jump off a bridge now!

Nah don't do that. Who would I play halo with then .


Maybe just punch yourself in the junk instead tehehehehe

tophatjohnny

Why on earth would anyone ship a amp usps....that's messed up out the gate.

EndersShadow

tophatjohnny wrote: »

Why on earth would anyone ship a amp usps....that's messed up out the gate.

I've had less trouble (re no trouble till now) with them than UPS or Fed-Ex lately.

Polkie2009

I swear, they all suck, some more than others it seems. I've heard horror stories about all of them and have had my share of jacked up boxes and once had a Soundcraftsmen amp arrive with a rack ear that was bent a little along with a slightly bent cooling fin in back, and the box had a hole in it. Single boxed with styro peanuts . Someone had obviously dropped it hard. Thank God they were easy enough to bend back out somewhat and when I plugged it in , the amp sounded fine. Big old amps like this and the 1200ii are heavy , and probably better left to being picked up in person.

EndersShadow

Yeah but if it doesn't sell local and you have a buyer who needs it shipped then what do you do lol....

Polkie2009

Take your chances with the shippers I suppose. It really sucks to hear this happened to you guys and to the 1200ii, these are such nice amps.

tophatjohnny

Well..USPS i. Ok for small stuff...but here nor there...I would have packed the amp so good that even if it was dropped off a bridge it would gave been good So I still am in awe over this deal. Out

xjghost

EndersShadow wrote: »

Yeah but if it doesn't sell local and you have a buyer who needs it shipped then what do you do lol....

Dan it's all good. I've had so much stuff shipped and never had a problem. I shared with you this earlier but I'll share with the rest. I emailed the generic service email at Parasound today.

My Email:

I recently purchased a 1200II from a friend. When he shipped it to me it apparently was dropped. The face plate was bent and there is a hum that was not present when he shipped it. There isn’t a Parasound repair place near me. Once we figure out what the shipping insurance is going to do I’d like to get it repaired. Do you do work like that or is it just warranty repairs.

Glenn Fulmer

Hello Glenn,
We repair this model. I’ll check if we have the replacement face plate and let you know.
When you’re ready to proceed please call our tech dept at 415 397 7100 x120 7-1:30 pdt.

This is an very much worth repairing!

Kind regards,
Richard Schram
President
Parasound Products, Inc.

I'll get it fixed it might take some time but it will get done. Thanks for working with me and thanks for packing it as well as you did. I've received other stuff with a lot less packing and was shocked when I saw it when I opened it.