Damaged during shipment...

[Double Trouble]

Has anyone ever had an item damaged during shipment by UPS ?

And, if so, did they demand that the item be shipped back to them (at their cost) for "evaluation" of the claim ?

That sounds to me like that would leave them "holding all of the cards."

Comments, suggestions please ?

Thanks !

[Opening Day]

They do hold all of the cards... If the box was damaged and you could see the damage never accept it send it back to the shipper. If you did open it the shipper is responsible for the shipment. And yes it's going to be a rocky road

[Double Trouble]

This was an item I already owned. I sent it our fo repairs. Once fixed, it was being shipped back to me by the repair person. Thata's when the damage occurred.

This item has sentimental value. Although "injured" - at least I got the damn thing back in my possession. However, if the carrier thinks I'll let them come & pick it up - so they can take it god knows where & "evaluate" the damage claim, they're crazy !

If their settlement isn't adequate, are they going to hold this item for ransome ?

Do I sound nuts, or do you think they should be fine with quality photos for proof ?

(I just don't want to lose this item !)

[Dean Romig]

Why not simply hand carry it to your nearest UPS center and let them examine it without surrendering it to them completely?

[Ruff Hunter]

I had a pristine LC Smith 16nr damaged during shipment. I called and reported the damage the day it arrived. They promptly sent a claims inspector to meet me at my office, which was a 3 hour drive from their office in Spokane. They took my statement and photos of the damage. A few days later they sent me a letter offering to pay the cost of repairs if I would send them 3 estimates from licensed gunsmiths. I explained that a vintage gun in original 100% condition was not "repairable", and that the only proper measure of damages was the before and after value comparison. They said that they did not recognize that method of quantifying damages, so I told them I would file a small claims suit and asked who their registered agent for acceptance of service was? That finally broke a settlement loose, but it took several weeks and I had to work my way up the food chain to a big corporate claims adjuster in Atlanta. So don't expect to be compensated soon or easily. AND WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT PART WITH THE GUN, SHIPPING CARTON OR INSURANCE RECEIPT! If they wish to inspect it, they can send an adjuster to view it at your place and take all the photos they need.

[Double Trouble]

Justin/Dean - I agree.

I will NOT relinquish possession of this item !

Sometimes I'm shocked that any packages survive their journeys...

Thanks !

[King Cobb]

While it is in vogue to bash the USPS and other shippers, I have to say when you consider the sheer volume of mail they handle, it is rather impressive how good a job they do.

Think we have it bad, compare notes with our cousins across the pond some time about all the mail strikes they have had to put up with in London Town.

[Harry Reed]

FYI, there are confirmed reports of deliberate damage by postal personnel to packages containing long guns shipped via the United States Postal Service. I have had so many problems with USPS that I will no longer ship long guns through them. UPS/FedEx is a better option. If you do ship via USPS don't use a shipping carton that has a gun manufacturer's name printed on carton. This can be difficult because these cartons are engineered so well for preventing damage.

[Opening Day]

Originally Posted by Harryreed

FYI, there are confirmed reports of deliberate damage by postal personnel to packages containing long guns shipped via the United States Postal Service. I have had so many problem with USPS that I will no longer ship long guns through them. UPS/FedEx is a better option. If you do ship via USPS don't use a shipping carton that has a gun manufacturer's name printed on carton. This can be difficult because these carton are engineered so well for preventing damage.

Harry UPS is notorious for damaging guns if the employees know what is in the box far worse then USPS.

[Patrick Butler]

I have never read a report contrasting the package damage rates for
USPS, UPS and FedEx, but would suspect they all have relative low rates when the item is properly packaged. For long guns a dedicated double-walled heavy cardboard gun box and bubble wrap is a must. For high-end guns you can also buy an inexpensive hard plastic case and send that inside a cardboard box. Some auction houses use this method.

I like USPS Registered mail, as the basic cost is low and it is hand carried from one locked area to another. It takes longer (five working days from coast to coast), but due to the high security the insurance is very inexpensive and has a limit of $25,000. The one pain is that you need to cover all box openings with brown paper tape. When the package is accepted they then stamp the tape every six inches. There are also restrictions on hand guns, and (this is from memory) you must be sending to an FFL, have an FFL or have a C&R and be sending to a C&R. The regulations and rates are all online-but hard to find as they do not exactly push this low-cost service.

As for UPS claims, I bought a vintage slot (about 100 pounds) which arrived broken. It was delivered by one guy, and the truck had no lift. I reported it to the sender, emailing him photos, and he called UPS who sent an inspector out from an office two hours away and also took a lot of photos. Be sure to take you own photos and save all of the packing. The sender told me he was fully compensated by UPS.

Last, I would avoid sending any long guns over Christmas, when all the shippers hire extra help as they are slammed by millions of packages.