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

[Dennis Younker NE6I]

As someone who ships from work, and receives a LOT of items at work, my 
advice is to pack items in a strong box and leave plenty of space for lots 
of packing material.  Many people use boxes that are just slightly larger 
than the item, and pack a small amount of packing material into the box. 
That is asking for problems.

Each box of any merit has a stamp on the bottom indicating the burst rating 
among other things.  Read it and adhere to it. Don't scrimp.  Use a box that 
is PLENTY larger than the item you are trying to ship, and use good quality 
packing materials (bubble wrap or so-called packing peanuts).  Use a high 
quality packing tape, not the inexpensive, thin stuff.  The Office Depot 
"heavy duty" packing tape is frankly marginal.

I know that because I use it at the office.  Don't scrimp.

In the case of a transceiver (and similar), I would suggest double boxing 
for added protection.

My favorite company for shipping items was Hughes Microwave.  They no longer 
exist but I used to take delivery of items regularly from them.  As an 
example, we used to get Solid State Sources from them pretty regularly. 
They were maybe 6 inches on a side.  They would put it in a box about 15 
inches on a side, all foam inside of course, and that box inside of another 
box about 30 inches on a side, all filled with peanuts.  You probably 
couldn't hurt that thing if you ran OVER it with the UPS truck!

As an aside, I was surprised and pleased to find that Office Depot now sells 
biodegradable "packing peanuts".  They are water soluble!  Kudos!  I'm sure 
Staples and other large office supply stores have them as well....  That's 
my "green" observation for the day...

--Dennis, NE6I


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "The Pollacks" <rinkies at att.net>
To: "'Dennis Vernacchia'" <n6ki73 at gmail.com>; <sddxcnews at yahoogroups.com>
Cc: "'SCCC Reflector'" <sccc at contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 5:39 PM
Subject: Re: [SCCC] Tips for shipping Electronic Gear with Fedex andFiling 
Claims When Wamaged


> All good advice.  I've had luck with big companies calling the president's
> office.  They usually have someone who takes care of things, although I
> haven't had to do this with FedEx.
>
> However, I've shipped dozens of packages with FedEx, and only one was
> damaged.  The value was just over $100, and it was trashed. I filed the
> claim with minimal red tape, and within a week they paid the $100, plus
> shipping costs, and returned the broken package to me.  All with no 
> hassle.
> Maybe it was because it was a small claim, but I cannot fault them for 
> their
> handling.  I have had friends with less cooperative results, but 
> persistence
> paid off reasonably quickly!
>
> Ron K2RP
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: sccc-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:sccc-bounces at contesting.com] On
> Behalf Of Dennis Vernacchia
> Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 5:01 PM
> To: sddxcnews at yahoogroups.com
> Cc: SCCC Reflector
> Subject: [SCCC] Tips for shipping Electronic Gear with Fedex and Filing
> Claims When Wamaged
>
> *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.*
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