This thread has gone to hell in a hand basket. Matt, I feel your pain and hope you get compensated for fedex' lack of care with your bass. I think it may have been underpacked, but with that type of damage it looks as if some 300 pound gorilla sat on it or ran it over with their truck... I think they will reimburse you for the damages. Keep your head up and I honestly think that everyone here should try and not attack each other. It's honeslty pointless. Matt is the one with the issue, not all of us. He was just looking for guidance and opinions, not a pissing match IMO. Let's turn the heat down and act like grown ups, please.
FedEx Killed My King (Doublebass)
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Jul 29, 2007 9:51 p.m. wenzel:
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Jul 29, 2007 10:03 p.m. Hobie:
wenzel said: Let's turn the heat down and act like grown ups, please.
Sounds like a kitchen!?!?!
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Jul 29, 2007 10:15 p.m. wenzel:
I was thinking of the guy who kicks it up a knotch and used that analogy. Anyone arguing with each other over someone elses problem on here is pointless. It's not helping Matt is it? No. I understand that ego's get in the way, but step back, turn the heat down and think about it! Is it worth it to bash each other?...
I vote to let this thread die a graceful death until Matt gets confirmation either way on whether they will pay him back for the damages...
Of course, I am not king here, I am just suggesting that we all get along to the best of our abilities and not frivilously argue about squat.
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Jul 29, 2007 10:57 p.m. Proteus:
Agreed, wenz.
I think Shel and I have been coming at this from wholly different points of view, and thus missing each others' best intentions – his the literal, rational approach to dealing with shippers and their policies as they are, and mine a naively idealistic approach to what seems "right," rather than "according to the book."
Dealing with the world as it is will obviously be more helpful as advice for anyone shipping something.
In rereading, I think I probably overreacted to Shel's post on page 2. I now see it was his second post, and it may have reflected frustration that no one had paid attention to his first, less opinionated post making his points. (Which came a page earlier.) After Matt seemed set back by Shel's second post, then I seemed to attack him, and things escalated from there. I apologize for that.
I'm generally the one here who's defending the USPS, and other shippers as well. But as for experience, besides guitars and hundreds of other Ebay items, I regularly receive and ship computers – and I know that all the carriers occasionally manage to mangle computers in their original factory boxes, with all that 6" and more of form-fitting styrofoam. And it is ALways a hassle to get any carrier to honor a claim, even when all the i's are dotted, etc.
If there's any negativity in my feelings toward shipping companies, it's not that they do a poor job or even sometimes ball things up (in my experience, like yours, things go well by far most of the time); it's the weasel tricks they employ to deny claims when things DO go wrong.
That such behavior is universal to amoral corporations (and, yeah, health insurers) does not excuse it, and having to live with it doesn't mean I have to like it. My pointing it out and objecting to it may show me to be an idealistic hippie tilting at the impassive windmills of reality, but if we don't at least notice that business (and government) act in their own self-interest, rather than serving ours, we have no chance at improving things.
Shel, you're assuming that Fed Ex will fall back on the letter of their regulations to deny this claim. They may. But as an idealistic hippie, I can hope that maybe on the other hand they'll evaluate the packaging inside the case and determine that, yes, something way out of the ordinary happened in this transport, and they share liability.
(Despite any deficiency in the packing, I persist in doubting that every package is subjected to whatever happened to break this bass.)
We also don't know if the person at the counter did or didn't object to the packing job. None of us were there.
So you share my observation of several posts ago that NONE OF US WERE THERE to hear the conversation at the counter. That's been my point: that none of us know enough about this situation to pass judgment on it.
No doubt enjoying the brouhaha, Matt hasn't updated us! I'll be curious to see what happens.
Your research at FedEx's site, and posting their policies and regs, are all very helpful, and the thread should certainly serve as a cautionary for anyone shipping guitars – or anything else.
Hobie says in other threads we have everyone talking about freedom, and taking personal responsibility. Which is an excellent point. I'm hoping FedEx takes at least enough corporate responsibility to fairly investigate what went wrong here, and then to do the right thing accordingly.
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Jul 29, 2007 11:08 p.m. Hobie:
I would love to think fedex will take responsibility; and give the whole issue an intelligent assesment rather than use their fall back positions.
When I deal with someone or a corp or coy that does behave ethically and morally, and work to the intent of their policies, not the letter, I find the world a lovely and refreshing place again.
Yes we should rail against weasel behaviour by organisations, governments, individuals etc; and I do prefer to be disappointed than have a cynical attitude confirmed. But I still keep my eyes open when moving around this old world!
As an aside. Recently I met a lovely woman, Jennie, and have fallen in love so the world does generally feel a nicer place, well in some parts. (is that good enough for you Deed??)
Edit; Sheesh I just re-read this and I have gone super cheesy. Maybe being happy isn't a good idea
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Jul 30, 2007 4:28 p.m. Tsar Nicholas :
Hobay for Hoorie!
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Aug 6, 2007 7:54 p.m. MattYeoman:
So it's my birthday today. I opened up the case of my King today.
Still broken.
I was hoping for some sort of birthday miracle I guess....
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Aug 6, 2007 7:56 p.m. Proteus:
Yeah, but what's the status? Who's saying what?
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Aug 6, 2007 8:13 p.m. Jeff O(h, Look Me In The Eye):
Shelly-boy sez "if you can prove to them that they lost it or busted it due to negligence"
Being the first one to see the bass in question, I knew immediately it was going to be ugly. There were dark black marks all over the cellophane cocoon. Then when I noticed the smashed in front my skin did that crawly thing.
My guess - it was on a rubber conveyor belt, and the lazy bastard that put it on forget to tell the lazy bastard that was supposed to catch it to get ready and catch it. So lazy bastard #2 let it kerplunk on the ground.
Right now the glorious USPS has a package I paid extra to track, but won't give it to me. I check the tracking number daily, it never moves, but nobody will find it for me or deliver it. So it sits in a post office.
Fckunig idiots.
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Aug 6, 2007 8:28 p.m. MattYeoman:
No one is saying sh!t Proteus...come to think of it, it's time for my daily harrassment call. I keep getting told that the claims people will be getting to it, I was told I'd be called 'by friday' the first time I called. That friday was the 27th of July. Instead I get as far as the message taking monkeys...
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Aug 7, 2007 10:59 a.m. CnW:
I feel for you Matt. I won a Danelectro Challenger a couple years ago that the seller, who claimed to be a pro shipper, sent me WAY underpacked. A heavy amp chassis in a pressed-board cab. He double boxed it but the inner box was only about 2" smaller than the outer, and a very snug fit to the amp itself. Peanuts (which of course redistributed) in between. No evidence of rough treatment from UPS but I still have a cab repair project (or new cab construction project) on my hands.
Some ebayers are poor packers either because they're cheap, lazy, just don't have the knack, or some combination of the first 3. Feedback won't always tell you about their sorry ways. Previous buyers have have bad experiences, but put yourself in their shoes. You've got a couple hundred pos feedback and a 100% rating....do you want some "persecuted" crappy shipper ruining your perfect score with retaliatory feedback?
Sometimes you can read between the lines in these guy's feedback. You've seen the backhanded compliments. It's a crapshoot but it's a good deal on something that doesn't come along all the time. You roll the dice. Ouch! My amp still works and sounds good. Just busted up on two corners. Your situation is mine---taken to an extreme. I feel your pain and wish you a great outcome. It's your birthday, so treat yourself to an extra-enthusastic rant at monkey du jour!
PS: Congrats to Hobie---it's a great place to be!
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Aug 7, 2007 8:33 p.m. MattYeoman:
So I finally yelled at them just enough to get them to respond. Just one little outburst and SUDDENLY, "Oh, I'll patch you through to some asshole right now in claims, they just SUDDENLY became available." F*cking lying ass cock suckers.
Right now they're telling me that they don't have any documentation that says that this did not have any claimed value attatched to it and will not pay any more than $100. Bullshit. It was insured, how could it not have a claimed value? I talked to the shipper and he's going to start sorting it out more on his end because they consider me a '3rd party.' Motherf*ckers, I AM THE PARTY. THIS IS MMMYYY BASS!!! But I've gotta take it back to Jeff's place for them to inspect it now, because that is where it was shipped to.
I've got a feeling this is going to end poorly.
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Aug 23, 2007 10:39 a.m. MattYeoman:
THE CONCLUSION:
FedEx paid out on the claim. I just got off the phone with them infact. The problem is they always require the money to go to the shipper. And he has not sent it to me. It has been exactly 2 weeks since they paid out. I have called and emailed the seller numerous times and he has not responded in any way. He has taken my money TWICE now F*CKING TWICE!!!
I just......what the f*ck do I say? I have been hosed so badly here it's criminal. What am I gonna do? Drive 1000 miles and take him to court??? I'm moving 2000 (yes, two thousand) miles in 10 days, I can't do that....I'm just so bummed out right now I don't even have words for it.
Worst of all, I have no idea when I'll have money again to fix this wonderful instrument and it can't be played. That's what really bothers me. I've grown to love my few instruments (a 5120, and a beat up fender p-bass) so much and this one was going to be IT. I just want to make music......
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Aug 23, 2007 10:53 a.m. wenzel:
Have you contacted the admin guys at rockabilly bass .com? Maybe they can help you get in touch with the guy and get your money back? He has no right to keep it. I am sure you could call a lawyer in his local town to have him served and or the local police or sheriff's dept. You'll need to get a certified statement from fredex that they paid him back for the damages and then have proof that you paid him for the bass. Get your ducks in a row, if he won't pay you, you are left with no choice. It's technically internet fraud. Good luck bro, wish I could help. Where does he live? I am sure there's some "friends" living out there that could pay him a visit for you!
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Aug 23, 2007 10:55 a.m. otterbean:
Jeez Matt- Sounds like the dude that shipped you the bass is the problem at this point. The shipper has done their part. I wonder why the shipping service sent him the money. Like you said, that is paying him twice. That makes the assumption that the seller has the morals to do the right thing. I guess the reality is that the shipper was the one who entered into a contract with the shipping company. - My guess is that you have that persons address at least and some identification of some sort. That should help things a bit. Ever think about contacting the police in his local area? I've seen people who have done that before with some very good results. It would surely wake me up if the police came knocking on my door asking me to pay up to settle a claim.
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Aug 23, 2007 11:00 a.m. wenzel:
How did you pay him? Paypal? If so, contact their legal dept and explain the situation. Explain that you paid him, it was broken, a claim was filed, he got paid from fedex, send them something from fedex stating that they paid him and then have paypal yank the funds back for you and let THEM go after the guy.
You could also try to contact your bank's internet fraud department and see if they'll at least give you your money back while they pursue him. It' a long shot, but worth a try.
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Aug 23, 2007 11:05 a.m. MattYeoman:
Wenzel man, I have his address, his email, and his phone number. Rockabillybass can't help me out anymore.
I dunno what to do. I have all my paperwork from paying him still. I'm smarter and less naive than I appear to be. But smurf. I don't need this right now, I'm moving across the whole damn continent in 10 days. ARGH!
Maybe you're right otterbean, maybe I call the cops. Or a lawyer....but those bastards are just gonna want my money too.
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Aug 23, 2007 11:07 a.m. MattYeoman:
I paid him by a certified bank draft through my bank. They would have records of where exactly the money went....lets see what they have to say I guess.
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Aug 23, 2007 11:23 a.m. wenzel:
I wasn't implying that you were naive in any way. I was just trying to help man!
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Aug 23, 2007 12:02 p.m. Pappy:
Good god, Matt. This is just a horrile situation! I hope it comes through for you so get your cash.
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Aug 23, 2007 12:17 p.m. Tsar Nicholas :
Jeez. This really has taken a turn for the worst. But hey, FedEx eventually payed out, maybe he will too?
Just keep calling him. Use different phone numbers.
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Aug 23, 2007 12:51 p.m. Setzer:
Matt said: Wenzel, the company that shipped it to me was a guy named Chuck selling his used bass to pay off medical bills he incurred while in the hospital and away from work for awhile. He doesn't have insurance, and I have absolutely no heart to ask him to pay for this. I'd rather pay for the repair work myself if Fed Ex punks out on me.
Good luck Matt. Have you tried calling the local hospitals to see if he is still in? He may have used the funds to pay more bills. I think from the very start wrapping a case in saran wrap and shipping it like that is just plain stupid. He clearly was using cost cutting measures. Maybe the bass was fubared before FedEx got it. Have you thought about that?
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Aug 23, 2007 1:30 p.m. ADR:
Maybe the bass was fubared before FedEx got it. Have you thought about that?
I didn't want to say anything earlier, but that was the FIRST thing that crossed my mind, because I've heard of this sort of scam before. Guy sends something that is busted, gets payment and insurance, then disappears. Fortunately most people are honest, but it only takes one ass to ruin the basket.
Hope that this is NOT the case in this situation and there is just some sort of weird delay in communication.
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Aug 23, 2007 2:04 p.m. MR TROUBLE:
Matt,
My advice to you as a police officer is you need to contact your local police and get a case established before you move. You can't go over there to his house. Even if you had the ability to go over there it's a bad idea. And having someone else go over there is another bad idea. But I understand the temptation to find somebody who will. This appears to be possible fraud and grand theft. Leave the guy one more message advising that this appears shady and you're left with no choice but to contact law enforcement for possible fraud and grand theft. Don't wait a day to see if that spooks him into action, go to the police right away. Take all your documentation, dates/times/names, and photos, with you.
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Aug 23, 2007 2:10 p.m. Deed Eddy:
Very good advice. Good luck, Matt, this is just rotten.
