|
|
Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | OK, My really nice 1614 has only one issue with it, it needs a refret and maybe a little work on the fretboard. I send it to the mothership, and when it arrives, Kim tells me it has a crack in the top. I of course say "your kidding, right?" and he says...no. He said since it's so fresh, they can probably fix it without much cosmetic damage. I give the OK, and after a month or so, it gets back to me. I pull it out of the box and notice a rattle in the case. (uh oh)... I know what that means, the dreaded " battery box is loose" condition and sure enough, it is. I open the cover of the case, and the top doesn't look like there was any damage, except "the crack" is something you can really notice. I emailed Kim and John letting them know what happened, and will await the outcome. From past experience, I know dealing with "UPS insurance" is a lost cause. It just pains me to pay for a repair that it didn't need when it left here, and now have a crack in the top, but a nice neck. Sorry, just had to vent. :mad: :mad: :rolleyes: |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | Jim,
Sorry to hear about the problems on your 1614. :mad:
These models, (1114 & 1614), do have nice necks. I believe they have a slightly larger radiused fretboard. I am enjoying mine. I still need to raise the action slightly,(next string change) and see if the guys down at the Music Outlet have a screw for the TRC. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Jim ,
I have no words to express my thoughts...
Vic
...damn..!!.. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 1380
Location: Central Oregon | Sorry to hear that. United Parcel Smashers strikes again. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 1889
Location: Central Massachusetts | Jim, I know just how you feel.. my 2001C had to go in for a new top... I was looking forward to a pristine guitar, and when it came back... uggh...
I was lucky, after another round trip to the factory and some amazing work by John, Kim, and crew, it's better than new today, you'd never know what it has been through. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Ah, UPS... [U People Suck?]
Same Stuff, not quite as expensive...
UPS stopped at my house today, I just got me a Crate GFX-15 amp.
The speaker was flopping around in the box! (cab?)
I'm pretty sure that it didn't leave the dude's house like that!
(I was Blessed! No tears in the speaker! Four bigger screws and it is fine :) ) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2006
Posts: 1634
Location: Chehalis, Washington | Amazingly, my last UPS purchase came intact, and on time. That's pretty much a first for me.
I only ever use FedEx anymore for bigger, expensive items. UPS is WAY over priced for lousy service, horrible claims processing, and they don't even transit on Saturdays, which both FedEx and even snail mail do.
I share your frustration...hopefully they get everything worked out for you. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | I agree with Andrew, FedEx is my preference. But they are not immune to problems either, probably environmental. Guitar sent for a routine upgrade arrived at the factory with a lacquer crack. Can't blame FedEx, after being repaired the damn thing cracked again (different spot) this time sitting on a stand with me staring at it. "Pop" and it was cracked just like that. Personal opinion, the finish is way to thick and hard to be put on a soft wood top. You're just asking for trouble.
The one thing I have noticed lately is that even FedEx rates are starting to creep up there. Used to cost me about $40. to ship a guitar 2-days anywhere in the US. I just shipped one this week and it cost me $70. But to be honest, the FedEx peace of mind was worth it.
Dave |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5563
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | I went through the whole UPS nine yards file for damage claim...took 8 weeks to get money from them for the damage done to the 1868-6 case when it was left lying face up in the sun after the driver signed my name for delivery....heat bubbles and lid warpage was the result...supposed to settle for $160: I got a check for $96 and change...
Sorry for the problems Jim...UPS has earned this new moniker: Useless Property Smashers!
Hope things go better for you...
;) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally posted by Old Man Arthur:
Ah, UPS... [U People Suck?]
Same Stuff, not quite as expensive...
UPS stopped at my house today, I just got me a Crate GFX-15 amp.
The speaker was flopping around in the box! (cab?)
I'm pretty sure that it didn't leave the dude's house like that!
(I was Blessed! No tears in the speaker! Four bigger screws and it is fine :) ) WOW! This has been an educational experience...
I also discovered that there is a Processor, or something made of heavy aluminum with cooling fins, inside of an amp...
And it apparently it will come loose if you drop it hard enough!
Then the amp don't work unless you smack it.
The Educational Part is that I now know what is inside my amplifier! And how to Fix It! :cool: |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 1126
Location: Omaha, NE | Originally posted by Tupperware:
Personal opinion, the finish is way to thick and hard to be put on a soft wood top. You're just asking for trouble.
Yep
The one thing I have noticed lately is that even FedEx rates are starting to creep up there.
Its all about the cost of fuel. The fuel surcharges on our LTL shipments are going way up too.
We ship thousands of binders a day. The majority go out palletized on LTL carriers, but a fair number go out in individual boxes via either FedEx Ground or UPS. Right now, we are with UPS, but that's only because they had a promotion last year and cut us a smoking deal. Its only a matter of time before FedEx does the same and we switch back. I'm not ashamed of being a complete shipping slut.
As to damage rates and the likelihood of cost recovery, my experience is that there is ZERO difference between any of them. They all break stuff at about the same rate, and they all suck for claims to about the same degree.
Quick question to the OP on this one though: It sounds like the stuff you had done was routine. Why risk shipping it back to CT when any decent local luthier could handle that stuff no problem, and no risk of shipping damage? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Serious Question - Who does the MotherShip use? or do I get my choice? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | They use UPS. Don't know if you can request someone else. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 1889
Location: Central Massachusetts | They ship to Oregon via UPS Ground.. lots of time on trains between CT and OR. :( |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 1889
Location: Central Massachusetts | Waskel, Colton must be back on the air, welcome back! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2004
Posts: 709
Location: Germany | If you want you get the choice to use a different parcel service. My Josh White rebuilt was shipped yesterday and I wanted Kim to ship it with USPS ´cause it's the cheapest international parcel service. No problem so far. I hope it'll all work out. I will tell you ...
Karl |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | "Quick question to the OP on this one though: It sounds like the stuff you had done was routine. Why risk shipping it back to CT when any decent local luthier could handle that stuff no problem, and no risk of shipping damage? "
I really don't know any local luthier that I would trust. I needed the fret board refinished (divots) and new frets. I've always had great service from the factory, so I had no problem shipping it back. Maybe next time, I'll think twice. I'll let you all know what happens next. If they want UPS to pick it up for "inspection", I'm going to want an ironclad guarantee that I won't end up loosing my guitar forever. I would rather let Ovation assume the responsibility on that, as they were the shipper. I've heard horror stories of this before, and if thats the case, I guess I'll just lick my wounds, and consider it a learning experience. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by dvd:
Waskel, Colton must be back on the air, welcome back! Wachoo talkin bout? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | My experience is different. I've never had an issue with UPS, but have had FedEx completely loose a large $3500 package . And just last week, I was talking to a colleague who had experienced the identical thing with FedEX (shipping the very same item)... in addition, FedEx lost another very large very expense shipment as well of their. And By loose, I mean, "gone forever". He won't use FedEx anyl longer.
Ya pay yo money, ya takes yo chances... no matter who your shipping with. Insure it well, and fill-out the proper paperwork BEFORE you ship. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 608
Location: Caribou, ME | Knock on wood.... In all the ebay transactions I've been involved in (over 5000) I have never had anything lost or damaged. Mainly I've dealt in motorcycle parts but probably a couple dozen guitars a year as well.
UPS good: Still seems the cheapest around.
UPS bad: Nothing appears to move on the weekend.
FedEx good: I've shipped heavy motorcycle engines through them without too much hassle.
Fedex bad: Incovenient package drop off and counter staff are indifferent.
USPS good: Still the fastest and Saturday delivery.
USPS bad: Guitars are generally double UPS rate for priority mail. Packages grow cobwebs while being shipped parcel post though.
If I have a guitar I bought and don't really give a rat's butt when it gets here, I'll go UPS ground. If it means anything to me, and particularly if I paid $1000 or more, I'll usually request (and willingly pay for) priority mail. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | From now on, I'm taking pictures of the packing process and the guitar before I ship it so there's no question.
Now for the update....I called John and we had quite the conversation. Now the 1614 is going back to them, again, and he offered to replace the top for a VERY reasonable price. Actually whats going to happen is they are going to remove the neck from the 1614 and install it on a new....are you ready.....(drum roll).... FD14 body with electronics!! So I guess it's going to be an FD1614(?) These guys are more than fair in all the dealings I've had with them, and I can't heap enough praise on them and the company. I've got to go take a cold shower now...... :D :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | That body must be from the guitar that UPS snapped the neck off of ...
Seriously, sounds like a good resolution to your situation. The FD does not have the thick finish and should give you no cracking problems.
Dave |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | Jim,
Great news. That will be one killer of a guitar. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | cool. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4049
Location: Utah | Back ten years ago I flew for a small company that did a lot of feeder service for UPS and FedEx. We'd get a call in the middle of the night to go fly a planeload of boxes somewhere.
My observation was that UPS took much less care in handling the packages, at least out at the airplanes. A crew would show up, typically one supervisor and a handful of college kids. They'd toss the boxes in, and they'd toss them out. More than a few fell to the ground.
FedEx had a similar crew to load and unload, but the supes did seem to put some emphasis on handling the boxes with care. If a box hit the ramp, the bungler got chewed out.
The FedEx people always seemed happier, which might translate into better care of the packages. From my experiences, I choose FedEx whenever possible. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | I had a violin delivered while it was fine
the box was really crushed and after not ringing my doorbell and did not leave a notice.
I went to pict it up and
at least a 10 boxes were on top of it.
So much for delicate handle with care. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Yeah, next time I think I'll just paint a big target on it. Maybe then they won't mess with it. |
|
| |
What can Brown do for you....