[SCCC] Tips for shipping Electronic Gear with Fedex and Filing Claims When Wamaged

[Dennis Vernacchia]

*This from a ham friend who had Fedex Cruchtimize a HF Transcievr


Tips for shipping electronic gear with Fedex:...and filing Claim for Damage

A Ham Friend Wrote:

If you ship with Fedex and insure with Fedex and file a claim, they have
many techniques for avoiding paying your claim.
Their basic procedure is that the longer they postpone paying you and the
more difficult they make the process, the better chance you will die or give
up.

1.  When you first file, be sure to keep track of the shipping number.
2.  When you file you need to get a claim number as soon as you can.  I
shipped through an intermediary and they initially refused to supply a copy
of the claim number or a copy of the claim form.
 It may be necessary to call Fedex or harass the shipping agent for this
number.
3.  Keep a journal of your actions and copies of all documents.
4.  If the claim agent with Fedex asks for any documents such a bill of sale
or comparable prices for equipment, do not Fax them.  Instead, ask for a
mailing address.  You will need this later.
5.  Try to find out the name of the claim agent assigned to your claim.
This may take some persistence.
6.  When you get the run around on the phone or the myriad excuses why the
claim person cannot take care of your claim, send a letter, preferably
via registered
mail requesting settlement.
7.  When you don't hear back  (they don't respond)  file a claim in small
claims court.  The cost is about $40. Small claim courts require that you
have requested a  settlement in writing.
*

*8.  You can also file the small court claim against any intermediaries or
agents; in my case, I also filed against the Intermediary
9.  Occasionally, Fedex will try low balling you - hoping you will settle
for a smaller amount than the claim.  In my case, they called a week before
the trial date*

* and offered to settle for the full amount if I would sign a settlement
form.  Do not do this!  Instead tell them you will sign the paperwork after
receiving the check.  Otherwise you will never see the check.
10.  Sometimes, Fedex will claim that you did not pack the equipment
sufficiently.  In my case, I shipped in the factory Kenwood container;*

* foam around both ends wrapped in cardboard and double boxed.  If you don't
have the original shipping boxes, it is sometimes better to let the shipper
pack the equipment for you - so they can't use this as a reason for not
paying.*

*It took me almost 5 full months to collect this way – but at least I got
paid for the damage.*