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Another UPS Horror Story

I bought an Allnic T1500 amp here earlier this month. It was shipped in the original packaging by a UPS store from NJ to Seattle, fully insured. It arrived with a hole in the bottom corner and substantial damage to the amp (subchassis bent). I contacted the seller who refused my refund request and I processed a UPS claim.

UPS picked it up and did an inspection at their customer service center. They found no damage to the box (I have photos of the 6" hole in the bottom), did not look inside and have now sent it back to the NJ. Once again the seller has refused to refund my payment claiming he doesn't have the money to refund.

At this point the shipper will have my original payment plus the damaged unit, which might be repairable. Can a UPS claim be appealed? Can a UPS Store be sued in small claims?

I know I should never have given this back to UPS for "inspection". My best hope is that once it gets back to NJ they will ship it to the Allnic recommended repair shop in Pennsylvania and it can be fixed.
jarrett
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
I love UPS
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"03-29-15: Syntax
I love UPS"

I think you forgot to take your meds.
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Never had any problems in 40 years.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
tonykay
1,298 posts
 
Jarrett,

Your cautionary tale is regrettable but not unfamiliar. IMO, your issue is not with the seller, but with UPS (only). The seller had it packed and shipped by a national carrier. How was he to know it would be damaged in shipment? Why should he now receive back a damaged amp? That's hardly fair! I agree with Rlwainwright that pickup is the best option. That way you can, in most cases, audition the item before you pay for it. I look for sellers within 400 miles of my home so that I can do just that. I know this advice doesn't help now but buying an amp from 3000 miles away DOES increase your chances of having the experience you describe.

No need to make responses that I'm overly cautious and many have had "wonderful experience" buying here on Audiogon and shipping thousands of miles without issue. Every transaction has the potential for disaster. I have never had a problem buying here but if a problem develops, it can be a nightmare and you end up blaming everyone. But again, your issue is with the shipper not the seller. I hope this ends well for you.
tubegroover
2,320 posts
 
I'm sorry but a stand up dealer would replace the unit and deal with UPS. Why should it be your problem to deal with damaged goods through shipping when you didn't ship it regardless of how well it was packaged? Many years back I shipped a TT that was double boxed and shipped as it was originally. It arrived to the buyer trashed, apparently dropped. I suppose I could have said to the buyer the tt is insured, you deal with UPS. I didn't I left it up to him to tell me how I could make it right for him. He requested a refund which I did. It's just bad business to leave the burden on the victim, in this case the purchaser. A cautionary emphasis would be that prior to accepting a package make certain there is no obvious damage and if so, do not accept! Rarely will you get the opportunity to open and inspect prior to signing. I do expect that the seller did require a signature for delivery? Justlisten sums it up nicely, NEVER ship back to UPS, that is just going to create a greater quagmire to an already unpleasant experience.

So far as UPS is concerned, since that incident I have not used them for ANY shipping, it was the 2nd incident for me. They finally paid up the insured amount but only after I pushed them hard and provided photos from the purchaser including an onsite inspection at this home and several phone conversations with their claims department.
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