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Advice on how to get FedEx to pay up on damage

HELP! I recently shipped a subwoofer via FeEx ground. I put it in a heavy box with a lot of packing around it including about 6 inches of padding on the top because the speaker and grill are on the top. I marked the box all around with bright red arrows labeled "this side up" since it was very heavy and turning it over could damage it. Guess what. The grill and speaker were damaged and FeEx is claiming it was not properly packed. I figure they turned it over. Does anyone have any advice on how to proceed with this? I have spent hundreds of dollars shipping via FedEx recently and this is the first problem I have had. This is complicated by the fact that the speaker is now 2000 miles from where I am. Any thoughts?
herman

Showing 1 response by stereokarter

stereokarter
185 posts
 
The best way is to NOT ship! Drive there for a hand to hand exchange.

Audio Research Corp. has designed proper packing and double boxing. I cannot remember seeing their stuff damaged. Loose fill (monkey nuts), white foam (no matter how many layers) and air filled bubble pockets (useless) ALL COMPRESS and when an item is dropped IT WILL BECOME DAMAGED.

The piece must be restrained within the carton by formed polystyrene or pink foam or even wrapped wood blocks on every side. If over 100lbs. SKID the box!

As for claims I have eaten a couple, lost a few, and won two. Bad part is that these pieces are often irreplaceable. In every case the packing and boxing could have been better.

I just received a set of 4 wine glasses in perfect condition because the seller did an outstanding job of protecting them from any possible action during shipping, short of the driver running over the box.

Think 'UPS DAMAGE PROOF' when you pack, if you must ship, and/or have a professional do it for you.

As a rule, 10% of the item's value spent on shipping is your best insurance.
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