HELP FedEx Mangles Speakers - Refuses Claim

Hi, I had a set of VA Strauss, 150lbs each, shipped to me in original boxes (not double boxed) insured and they were almost destroyed by FEDEX. Corners smashed, woofer completely dislodged from its mounting, tweeter dislodged, they must have been dropped from a height to do this much damage.

Anyway, made the complaints and at one point was yelling on phone to the claim rep from Fedex. Got estimates and finally got a settlement check. Got a piano repair guy to do estimate considering the furniture grade and musical nature of these boxes.

Speakers got fixed up and sound great. FEDEX, forget it for shipping such items. Be persistent. Good luck, not an experience I would want to go through again.

the seller should have warned you about this.

Take them to small claims. I used UPS Store to ship an expensive item. It was damaged and they helped me with the claim. When it was denied, I loooked to the UPS Store to pay it since they sold me the insurance. They denied it too. I filed a complaint in small claims for $2500, and 1 week from the trial date, I got a call from UPS Store to tell me a check was waiting for me.

AFAIK, in small claims neither side can have an attorney. Theoretically, this puts you on even footing with the giant multinational corporation.

Has anyone even thought of this? Fedex will NOT allow YOU to file a claim in the first place. The shipper has to initiate and follow through on a damage claim. Not YOU. How did this even happen?

As stated before, the shipper is on the hook here. If it's denied, he owes you a refund. If it's paid, the check comes to him and he forwards you the funds. You have more of a fight on your hands with him than fedex. Let HIM do the legwork.

Shakey