Fedex and Ups Damage thread

 I used FedEx to ship a pair of David Berning Quadrature Z amps for repairs to Indiana from San Francisco.  One was blowing fuses.  Packed in manufacturer's box with specially selected protective density foams.  Boxes and foams were in perfect condition.  Used Gorilla Heavy Duty to reinforce all corners and covered every seam for extra protection.  Insured for 10K which cost a fortune.  Two boxes arrived in Indiana, 1 original, other was odd ball, water soaked stains with some of original form and other padding with a damaged amp.  FedEx driver did not report that it fell out of the back of their truck during a storm.  Receiver questioned box differences but did not verify strange box or damage with me.  I filed a claim once everything was returned and FedEx denied everything.  It took over a year, needed an attorney, had industry experts verify value of amps and cost to manufacture replacement parts, plus I took lots of pictures of equipment and boxes before and after to support claim.  FedEx eventually paid after attorney got aggressive.  I purchased a Wolf Audio streamer, 10K, UPS delivered it to back entrance (which we do not use) without notification of delivery, setting it on top of water sprinkler for ~ 36 hours.  External box was trashed but secondary inner box was intact.  USPS is no better.  We work from home and our "office" window over looks sidewalk approach to secure front door porch.  Their deliveries in our residential neighborhood often get left at wrong address and on wrong streets.  We seldom find out were they are left and no one redelivers their mistakes.  Basically you can not trust any of the services.  Mostly things turn out OK.  May luck be with you!