UPS

[A. J. Schobert]

Frank I didn't read all of the post's above seems like you got alot of advice.

If you did have ins. on your guitar, I would get a copy of the policy and it's limits. Read it over.

Of course they won't talk to you they don't want to pay out.

More than likely you will have to go to court, if you are finding them hard to deal with.

Take Care.

[Gary Holt]

I have been reading the accounts about shipping disasters. Even though I have never experienced any shipping damage, it is always a great concern of mine when I buy or sale anything of significant value, such as musical equipment.
Just last week I shipped a steel to a gentleman in Florida. As soon as I sold it, I began planning how to get it to him without taking any unnecessary risks.
I knew that I was going to make a box out of heavy weight cardboard, but I also new when I did, the handle on the guitar case would be too short to be accessible. I then went to Lowe's and bought a 11' piece of 3/8" rope that I would later cut into half to make two "suitcase like" handles.
My wife and I first cut some lighter weight cardboard 12 inches wide to go around the bottom and sides in the mid-section of the case. We did this to keep the "rope handles" from marring the case's tolex fabric. We then placed the two pieces of rope under the bottom of the case and up the sides of the case. We secured the two ropes to the cardboard with heavy duty shipping tape to hold them in place while we finished packing the case.
After we had the ropes in place, we wrapped the case in heavy duty bubble wrap. Lastly, we fashioned a box from heavy weight industrial cardboard. We cut holes in the top of the box to pull the two pieces of rope through to make the handles. Before we tied the ends of the two pieces of ropes, we threaded the ropes throught two 7" pieces of very flexible plastic tubing to make some nice handles.
This seems like a lot of work, but it only took about a hour or so. I thought this was time well spent considering the value of the item I was shipping.
The gentleman that bought my guitar emailed me and stated " You get the GOLD MEDAL for packaging!" He also said that the handles were a great idea. He further stated the delivering UPS driver seemed pleased that the carton had handles. The handles enabled him to carry the 65 pound box instead of trying to awkwardly pick the box up into his arms to carry it.
I told my wife that I wished all the steel guitar builders would pack their new guitars as secure as we did. I really am surprised that more guitars are not damaged and especially if the shipping carton does not have handles.

[Bent Romnes]

Gary, I read your post about handles..great idea!
Following this thread (sorta), one idea came to my mind. How about this:
First, wrap the whole case in 6 mil plastic, being careful to tape all the joints so spray foam can't leak in.

Then you make a cardboard box that is 2" bigger on all sides than the guitar case. Next, you suspend the case so that you can put the box around it,making sure you have the 2" clearance all around. Next, you get a can of LOW EXPANSION spray foam, the kind you use for installing doors and windows. One medium sized can should do it..this stuff expands a lot. Totally fill all the corners inside the box through pre-drilled 3/8" holes, spaced far enough apart to be sure the foam gets into the intended cavity. If you want to spray foam the whole cavity..no harm in that either. Let set overnight and ship in the morning.

Your steel will be mounted in a total suspension.
What do you think?

[Jim Sliff]

If you did have ins. on your guitar, I would get a copy of the policy and it's limits. Read it over.

Of course they won't talk to you they don't want to pay out.

More than likely you will have to go to court, if you are finding them hard to deal with.

AJ, if you would read the whole thread, he doesn't have ANY insurance - he's not the shipper. your comments aren't applicable, as the shipper has to file the claim - and he lost his receipt!

Gary - Honestly, that's a lot of trouble to go to for something that NONE of the shippers recommend, as any exposed items (like handles) can get caught and/or jam up conveyors. You don't *want* the handles to be accessible - they are more a liability than anything else. I know there are those who disagree (hi Tony! ) but noen of the shippers recommend the practice. They are only of use to the driver, who has the item for least about of time in the whole shipping process.

[Frank Raines]

Thanks for all the replys and P.emails, Pro`s and Con. Am not a Big time operator with UPS, just a little, Well as Alan Jackson would say in his song / video "The Little Man"! I`ll say one more time There was Ins on the claim(at least thats what ups saids it is) the guy was moving and thats why when UPS turn down "his" claim(he did file a claim) I wanted it in my name. and you can have the claim tranfer!! WE; the shipper and i took the right step`s with UPS in Alanta(Corp. Headquarters) to have the claim put in my name which they did.They sent me a copy of it in the mail which i have now. There`s another post right know intitled United Parcel Smashers there alot of good on that post which i know to be true do to my problem, there is a forum brother looking right now for a Sho Bud pedal they broke in shipment, and had trouble with them again just a month ago.

[Jim Sliff]

Frank - you keep saying they won't talk to you, yet:
1. you have details about them acknowledging the transfer of claim, and have it in writing.
2. You say they admit the damage - but we don't know if this is written or verbal.

Regardless - SOMEBODY has been talking to you. Part of the problem (at least mine) grasping the details is you're not being very clear - you're complaining but not saying WHO you HAVE talked to , exactly WHAT they have told you, , and what you have done to follow up. I know this is going to sound mean, but it's not, really - your spelling, punctuation and grammar make the posts very unclear and you still have not posted very specific details. Maybe you could have a friend type up a post for you that lays out the whole scenario in a precise manner...because I, for one, really have no idea what happened and there are too many conflicting statements in your story. I have a feeling the communication issues may be a big part of the problem in your dealings with UPS as well.

Example of information that would help US help YOU - Since they have admitted the damage:
1. Have they done so in writing? Who did? Did they set a dollar amount or is it in dispute?
2. Who at UPS did you talk to last - and EXACTLY what did they tell you regarding the status of your claim? Did they tell you it's pending; there's a dispute between the insured amount and the estimated damage? If you are not getting any answers, are you asking to speak to a supervisor...and if so, what does THAT person say?
3. You say the both acknowledge the claim AND have transferred it to you...yet the shipper needs to produce a receipt. That' to me, sounds like the claim has NOT been transferred to you yet - it sounds like they may be trying to but can't without the receipt. Is that correct?

Franks, some of us in this thread have been dealing with UPS successfully for many years. Your story isn't making any sense because too many things are unclear and lack specific details. If we had those details (and a clear idea of precisely what has happened so far) we could probably help you; but the request for a receipt; the acknowledgement of damage; the confirmed transfer of claim....all those details (which are just about the only details) run counter to your statement "they won't talk to me".

If you can have someone help you present the whole story/process from beginning to end in a clear manner I'm sure we can help you. Right now, however, it simply doesn't make any sense. Seriously, if you need some help email me and maybe I can work through the information with you and figure out what to do. But somehow or another you need to make things clear.