UPS Damaged my LS90's.....need advise

NuckingFuts

I posted this in the 'troubleshooting' forum but I need to post it hear to get additional exposure as I need to make a decision very quickly.

I just purchased a set of used LS90's and they were sent to me by UPS. Unfortunately one of the speaker cabinets were damaged. One of the top-rear corners is smashed in about 1 inch:(

I am now in the process of filing a claim with UPS and part of their requirements is to get a repair estimate.

So, my question is this: How do I go about getting a repair estimate for a vintage speaker box?

It would be ideal if I could get someone at Polk Audio to give an estimate so that the UPS insurance company will pay what is fair.

Can you guys recommend a repair shop that would have the ability to restore the cabinet?

Realistically, I plan to live with the damage and take the money to offset the current resale value.......I just need a legitamate estimate to give the insurance company.

NuckingFuts

BTW, here's a pic of the speaker

MacLeod

Call Polk customer service. Im sure if they cant give you an estimate they could probably recommend someone who could.

F1nut

Isn't it up to the shipper to file the claim? Were they packed in the original Polk boxes with the original packing material? If not, don't hold your breath getting a dime out of UPS. For future reference, never ship anything big and heavy with UPS, FedEx is much better.

Anyway, you should contact a local cabinet shop or restoration business (yellow pages) and get the estimate from them on their company letterhead. I could fix that, so don't let anybody tell you it can't be fixed.

NuckingFuts

Naa, Its up to me since I have the packaging and item. UPS gave me the option to package it back up and send them out but there was no way on earth I was putting these speakers on that truck again.

I think my chances are pretty good since the box itself has an obvious puncture in an area that is in close proximity to where the speaker damage occured. Polk boxes or not wouldn't have prevented such an invasion.

Im pretty happy with the speakers regardless so if I dont receive a dime I wont make to much a fuss.

thanks for the suggestion though!:)

F1nut

Mark my words, the first response from UPS will be that they were not packed correctly and they will deny your claim. Don't give up, fax and email them to death with letters and pictures of the damaged carton and speaker. In other words, be a PITA to them until they settle.

RuSsMaN

I sent a McIntosh Integrated amp to a fellow in New Jersey. I pack to widthstand an atomic blast, mind you - ask around.

I shipped THROUGH Staples (authorized UPS ship center) on July 7th, the Mac arrived a couple days later - destroyed.

I JUST got check last week, after over 30 some odd phone calls, some at 45 minutes a pop, The check came from Staples mind you, THEY finally did the right thing, since UPS WOULD NOT.

Four months of **** from 'Brown'.

Needless to say, they have lost the literally THOUSANDS of dollars I (my customers) spend every year on shipping. I'm a FedEx man now. Good luck with you claim, and I mean that.

Cheers,
Russ

madmax

Originally posted by F1nut
For future reference, never ship anything big and heavy with UPS, FedEx is much better.

Yea, FedEx only knocked a half inch off the corner of my 901's. They didn't want to pay for it either. Much better.

madmax

steveinaz

I work in a Department of Defense warehouse that receives alot of VERY expensive equipment. I see UPS, DHL and Fedex twice a day for deliveries and shipments going out. I can tell you that UPS is the worst, period. I've seen other peoples boxes literally tossed across the truck, and have reported 2 drivers that mishandled my (your tax payer dollars) equipment and refused acceptance of the items.

I never have these issues with Fedex or DHL. They appear to be far more organized, and not in such a damn hurry. UPS always has to "dig" for my boxes, spread all over the truck.

ALSO: For freight customers; stay well away from Yellow Freight--they absolutely suck.

Just the 2 cents from someone who deals with this daily.

NuckingFuts

Originally posted by F1nut
Mark my words, the first response from UPS will be that they were not packed correctly and they will deny your claim. Don't give up, fax and email them to death with letters and pictures of the damaged carton and speaker. In other words, be a PITA to them until they settle.

Ive been know to be a burrowing tick until I get what I want:D

I wonder how much of a difference it will make that a UPS EMPLOYEE packaged the speakers up. He's even willing to vouch for the condition of the speakers since he was very proud of the way he packaged them.


BTW F1Nut,
Do you have the ability to give an estimate for my situation?

Thanks!

leog

hay nice dent/hole. A cabinet maker can fix no prob, cost ?
I worked for Purolator myself, and packages marked fragile or handle with care were commonly used as frisbies/footballs unbelievable. so I gess you take your chances regardless of how you ship and pack.
Keep after them and good luck.

NuckingFuts

I made some calls and found that cabinet makers really wont do it but furniture re-finishers will........so Im off to get an estimate.

Problem is, if the estimate exceeds the insured value ($250) then I would have to take the $250 and give up the speaker which I DONT want to do.

We'll see:(

F1nut

Chuck, that's because they don't like you.


NuckingFuts, I can give you a estimate on my letterhead, but getting a estimate from someone you don't even live close to is going to raise a few eyebrows. Still, if you need something I'd be glad to help.

wallstreet

Not necessarily. I shipped a set of fx1000's to docSpec which arrived damaged. I filed the claim and received the check. He got to keep the speakers. In the end, he made money on the deal. So just tell them that you're going to keep the product.

polkatese

this whole discussions on Brown's nightmare is very discouraging! I've been using Fedex ground for all of my outbound shipments, unfortunately, inbounds I have less or no control. Lots of online vendors have long-term contracts with Brown, because of its perceived reliability, cost, and coverage (keyword is perceived) Although, I haven't had any problem with any so far (knock on wood), what I've been experiencing is the drivers willingness to forge delivery (twice, the driver marked the packages as delivered online, and then showed up the first thing next day to actually drop it off).

Is it fair to assume that Brown has worse performance on bigger packages (i.e. anything bigger than say a receiver/amp boxes) or is it more of a hit and miss experience? just curious..

PolkThug

Originally posted by polkatese
Is it fair to assume that Brown has worse performance on bigger packages (i.e. anything bigger than say a receiver/amp boxes) or is it more of a hit and miss experience? just curious..

Yes, getting them to leave large boxes at their distribution centers, so you can pick them up yourself is impossible. Even when they confirm that it will be there!

I am sure it happens because they are too lazy to unload the big boxes off their trucks, so they just leave them on there. Also, the people at the 1-800 number are so far removed from the local distribution centers that they have huge communication gaps. The lady at the 1-800 number refused to give me the local number, even after they made me waste an hour of time at the distribution center the night before (not to mention borrowing a truck,etc.)

end rant.

dorokusai

I've used UPS for work and personal, and shipped probably 10,000 packages over the last 2 years.

I have never had to file a claim. Guess it's just about luck.

NuckingFuts

This is my first claim:(

So far......so slooo. But I figured as much:rolleyes:

polkatese

Sorry to read on your Brown's experience, NuckingFuts!

I guess patience is indeed a virtue, for anyone filing a claim with Brown

myork

My experiences with Fedex and UPS are opposite, regarding ground service.

I bought a CS400i off ebay, and when it was delivered by Fedex it was totally destroyed. It was insured however, and I did get my money back. I have had a few similar instances with packages being damaged but luckily the contents were intact.

On the other hand I have a few friends that work at UPS and they say it is a disaster there as well, but I have never had a problem with any items delivered.

It's like Dirty Harry says - "Do you feel lucky, punk?"

NuckingFuts

Yeah, businesses are composed of humans........and humans will always be humans.:rolleyes:

NuckingFuts

Update from the trenches:

Just heard back from my UPS store rep who btw is EXTREMELY helpful and persistant in following this claim through to the end.

The initial claim was sent and the UPS response was DENIED. But, because UPS is now handling their insurance internally (whereas before they had outsourced it) their inital response to every claim is an automatic denial.

So, one to round dux. :rolleyes:

They are asking for a POV (proof of value). Which Im asking for a formal quote from polk as well as using my money order receipt stub to satisfy this request.

I'll keep you guys updated so we can all learn from such great fun:D

dorokusai

NF - Stay on them like a Pit Bull......last resort, BBB and Fox news threats. Document EVERYTHING.

madmax

Take some nice pics, write a very matter of fact description of the packaging, damage, value of speaker and cost of repair and fax it to them. They will mail you a check. This is how I completed my problem with the LSiC they damaged. They were like, Oh, so now that we have enough documentation here is your check. My doc package was friendly and straight forward, and about 7 pages long including cover sheet and pics from different angles. If you don't piss them off and provide enough documentation for the person ok'ing the claim to show their superiors everyone is happy.
madmax

MacLeod

This is ridiculous!

Its been a month and you still dont have replacement speakers.

That sucks!