Anyone ever process a claim on a damaged guitar amp before?

[ZR]

I've never had to file a claim in over 10 years of ebay/net trading. I have a 100% 283 Ebay rating etc. etc. so I enjoy treating people right.

Anyway, a 1 x 12" combo I just shipped to an Ebay winner arrived with a cracked wood cabinet indicating a fairly good impact while shipping. I packed it well in what essentially amounted to a box within a box package. The small size 1x12 combo (not a widebody or anything like that) was in a box that was (from memory) 32"x18"x24". It had styrofoam corners and bubble wrap and cardboard etc. It weighed 65 Lbs all boxed up to ship. He wants to keep the amp but just wants it fixed. He has already received a repair estimate at $350 (he paid $1,725. for the amp).

I told him that I would submit the claim online and that he could do whatever he had to on that end (allowing for inspection of the damaged goods etc.). I told him this will probably be a pain for both of us but we can get through it together.

Are there any tips you guys might have in dealing with this sort of thing?

Signed,

Claim Newbie

[Bloozguy]

Take a bunch of high-resolution photos of the damage.

Don't throw away any of the packaging and take photos of that as well.

If it's practical, get more than one estimate on the repair cost.

Be mindful of any deadlines for filing damage claims. I read somewhere that the biggest reason carriers don't pay claims is that they are not filed in the required time.

[Joe G]

I had 1 claim with UPS. I shipped a $2,000 phone switch that was damaged in transit to Florida. In the end, the fact that the box had a puncture in it like a fork lift through the side of the box was the only reason they paid. The main phone switch still worked, but some jacks and the plastic housing had to be replaced. UPS did pay out a little over $500. If not for the puncture in the side of the box I don't think they would have paid anything.

[Brooks]

i got a dead amp from usps. i had to give up the amp to get full insured value, took 4 months and many phonecalls, trips to usps, letters, grrrr... dunno how it works for a repair. BE SURE TO PROCESS IMMEDIATELY, STAY ON THEM and ASK MANY QUESTIONS; i almost didn't get paid because they kept kicking it back (prolly trying to get past the time limit), and the local usps said "you're all set" but the national claims office kept saying "we don't have the right paperwork". good luck.

[Feynman]

Just hope that your buyer is cooperative, and do all of the above (save packaging, don't try to fix anything, take lots of photos, get quotes, etc).

I've had two claims, and one was a NIGHTMARE because my buyer was, well, insane. I'd tell the story, but it's a long one and not applicable to your question.

My other claim was for a Studio Custom that UPS flat-out lost. Even with a very clear claim like that it took nearly three months to get paid. Luckily I was dealing with a good guy on the other side of the claim.

Good luck.

[Brother Noud]

Did you double box it? I doubt they will honor a claim if it wasn't.

[ZR]

Did you double box it? I doubt they will honor a claim if it wasn't.

Well, it wasn't a sealed box within a sealed box, but nearly; it was an amp with styrofoam corners with another layer of cardboard wrapped around that and taped with more packing/bubble wrap etc. around that within the other box. There was also a separate area off to one side that had the footwitch and power cord. I put an extra layer of cardboard in front of the whole speaker grill and then more bubble wrap on top of the amp as well. The bottom also had a thick piece of cardboard that had holes cut exactly where the feet of the amp go to help keep it in place. The exterior box was in good shape and sealed well. It looks like it suffered a high drop on the side of the amp and broke that top/side joint. The amp is still playable. The buyer already sent me a Repair bill from Bruce Zinky to make a non-production cabinet for $380. Hopefully, it won't be a problem.