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All's well that ends well! (BIG sigh of relief.)

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Patch
Posted 2009-06-16 11:27 AM (#411677)
Subject: All's well that ends well! (BIG sigh of relief.)



Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4236

Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent		A few of you have heard this story, but now that it's winding to a conclusion (and I don't have to fear that I might jinx the deal by going public.), it's time to air the laundry.

Some of you may recall that I sold a beautiful, white Elite 1758 to Trader Jim in April.

Here\'s a link to the thread.

Well, I know this hasn't happened to anyone else on this board but... :rolleyes:

When it left, it looked like this...



And when it arrived, it looked like this... :mad:





And so began the USPS Claims process.

To make a long story short...the claim was denied! :eek:

I called USPS Claims the day I found out about the denial, demanding an explanation. The excuse was pretty standard; "The box showed no signs of damage."

My retort was quietly forceful and to the point:

"Send this case to your supervisor and tell them I intend to file a small claims suit under the auspices of the Carmack Amendment. The US Postal Service assumed liability for this instrument while it was in their possession, and I intend to hold them accountable. If they wish to reach me, my number is xxx-xxx-xxxx."

Someone called within the hour requesting I fax copies of two more documents, including a copy of the cancelled money order used to pay for the guitar to prove its value. It took a couple of days to get a copy from the bank, but was otherwise pretty straightforward. I faxed that to the USPS Friday morning, and received a call today (Tuesday morning) that the claim will be closed as soon as the check has been mailed.

So, as the title says, all's well that ends well. But there are THREE major object lessons to learn here:

[list]
[*]Keep copies of EVERYTHING related to a shipment; labels, method of payment, pictures before and after, packing pictures, you name it!

Know the Carmack Amendment!

Keep close tabs on the claims process (I called once or twice a week.), and use your phone to bother the snot out of people.
[/list]

A couple of closing observations:

Trader Jim has been a champ throughout this process. He could have simply demanded his money back, returned the guitar, and been done with it. But he has helped time and again to stay one step ahead of the Post Office. So I would like to say loudly and publicly:

Thank you kindly Sir for your excellent assistance and support!

Also, the guitar is not dead! Iffy has decided to buy the guitar from me "as is" and intends to send it to the factory to be repaired and customized. It will take some time, but I for one cannot wait to see the result! At the least, I'm sure it will involve walnut epaulettes and maybe another feature or two that will make this instrument uniquely his own.

And there you have it. Believe it or not, perseverance can drive these claims through.
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dweezil
Posted 2009-06-16 11:33 AM (#411678 - in reply to #411677)
Subject: Re: All's well that ends well! (BIG sigh of relief.)


Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2336

Location: Brighty in Blighty		GOOD NEWS!

There's hope for us all ;)
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moody, p.i.
Posted 2009-06-16 11:51 AM (#411679 - in reply to #411677)
Subject: Re: All's well that ends well! (BIG sigh of relief.)


Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15680

Location: SoCal
Originally posted by dweezil:
There's hope for us all
I wouldn't count on it. Obviously, you've never met Temp.....
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BT717
Posted 2009-06-16 12:55 PM (#411680 - in reply to #411677)
Subject: Re: All's well that ends well! (BIG sigh of relief.)


Joined:
October 2007
Posts: 2711

Location: Vernon CT		Patch and TJ, So sorry to hear about your misfortunes. That was a beautiful guitar when it left. To bad something like that happens.
Best to both of you and Iffy, good luck with the restoration. I'm sure "Mother" will make her as pretty as she will sound!!
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stephent28
Posted 2009-06-16 1:24 PM (#411681 - in reply to #411677)
Subject: Re: All's well that ends well! (BIG sigh of relief.)



Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303

Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066		I am shocked that they are paying the claim (I assume for full value) and letting you keep the guitar. Usually when USPS pays a claim they assume ownership of the damaged item.
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Patch
Posted 2009-06-16 1:41 PM (#411682 - in reply to #411677)
Subject: Re: All's well that ends well! (BIG sigh of relief.)



Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4236

Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent
Originally posted by stephent28:
I am shocked that they are paying the claim (I assume for full value) and letting you keep the guitar. Usually when USPS pays a claim they assume ownership of the damaged item.
I made specific note that this was a "Repair" claim. Apparently, that's the only way to ensure that the instrument will come back to you. The USPS still has to retain possession during the claim.
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ProfessorBB
Posted 2009-06-16 2:15 PM (#411683 - in reply to #411677)
Subject: Re: All's well that ends well! (BIG sigh of relief.)



Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881

Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains		You think shipping guitars is risky, try huge neon display signs and heavy tube amps! I just today received a moderate size tube amp (fancy that!) that the shipper had laid down on its back in the middle of a large flat box stuffed with peanuts. This left its heavy twin speakers hanging off the baffle during the entire shipment. The baffle was attached to the amp cabinet with wood screws. The box was obviously tossed around in this manner and the weight of the twin speakers pulled the baffle off the frame, knocking the speakers into the tubes hanging off the chassis. The tubes came loose and were found in amongst the peanuts. It was all corrected in just a few minutes with no permanent damage, but I just don't understand such carelessness from professionals who should know better.
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2ifbyC
Posted 2009-06-16 2:23 PM (#411684 - in reply to #411677)
Subject: Re: All's well that ends well! (BIG sigh of relief.)
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268

Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast		Someone needs to teach shippers that 'THIS END UP' doesn't mean !!!

Glad it worked out fer ya Patch! I've requested before that the Carmack Admendment be FAQed.
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Trader Jim
Posted 2009-06-16 5:48 PM (#411685 - in reply to #411677)
Subject: Re: All's well that ends well! (BIG sigh of relief.)


Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307

Location: South of most, North of few		Well, not the end of the story. I called Iffy, and he graciously let me keep the guitar (after I pay Patch again) and I will be getting it restored to original condition at the factory. Got a call in to John, so he should call me tomorrow to arrange for the return. This has been quite an experience with dropping off the guitar at the post office, waiting, getting a copy of the check from my bank, waiting, and finally picking up the guitar at a different post office. All you have to do is out wait them and be persistent.
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2ifbyC
Posted 2009-06-16 6:19 PM (#411686 - in reply to #411677)
Subject: Re: All's well that ends well! (BIG sigh of relief.)
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268

Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast
Originally posted by Trader Jim:
Well, not the end of the story...
First dibs!!! No, seriously...

I was a little surprised when TJ called to make transfer arrangements and then casually mentioned he had, at one point, thought of keeping it and sending it to the MS. I said "Go fer it!".

That'll give me some time to recover from purcha$ing the 'flag' before he puts his on the market. By then he'll have done his 'TJ Mojo Setup'... :D

BTW ya'll, if you're an Eskimo and don't want a refrigerator, don't talk to Patch!

This has been an interesting saga and I'm glad it worked out the way it did considering the genesis!
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Trader Jim
Posted 2009-06-16 7:43 PM (#411687 - in reply to #411677)
Subject: Re: All's well that ends well! (BIG sigh of relief.)


Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307

Location: South of most, North of few		Johnny, you should change your name to "slydog" :D
You know me too well. I'll get it all fixed up and end up selling it. I'll give you first dibs..
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Patch
Posted 2009-06-16 8:49 PM (#411688 - in reply to #411677)
Subject: Re: All's well that ends well! (BIG sigh of relief.)



Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4236

Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent
Originally posted by Trader Jim:
Johnny, you should change your name to "slydog" :D
You know me too well. I'll get it all fixed up and end up selling it. I'll give you first dibs..
Have'em put walnut eppis on it, and he'll be so enamored when he sees it that he'll pay you twice without realizing it.
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mercury187
Posted 2009-06-17 4:20 PM (#411689 - in reply to #411677)
Subject: Re: All's well that ends well! (BIG sigh of relief.)


Joined:
February 2009
Posts: 78

Location: Bellingham, WA, USA		Wow I really like the look of the white in the first picture, are white O's hard to find?
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Trader Jim
Posted 2009-06-17 7:52 PM (#411690 - in reply to #411677)
Subject: Re: All's well that ends well! (BIG sigh of relief.)


Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307

Location: South of most, North of few		There aren't many that I've seen. I always liked Music Mikes and finally found one for myself. My picture of the crack is darker than the finish looks and Patch's pic looks lighter than it actually looks. When it comes back from the factory it should be pearl white, like the first pic looks.
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stephent28
Posted 2009-06-17 8:46 PM (#411691 - in reply to #411677)
Subject: Re: All's well that ends well! (BIG sigh of relief.)



Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303

Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066		I had one of these that I sold a couple years ago (not sure of the model number) but the top had started to turn into that nice yellowed out white. Beauty of a guitar. I should've kept it.
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Trader Jim
Posted 2009-06-18 5:54 AM (#411692 - in reply to #411677)
Subject: Re: All's well that ends well! (BIG sigh of relief.)


Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307

Location: South of most, North of few		It's leaving today for a spa treatment/makeover. John said 2-3 months :eek:
I'm hoping they get sick of having it around and send it back sooner. BTW Johnny, back to all original, no walnut eppies, sorry...
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BluesSailor
Posted 2009-06-18 12:16 PM (#411693 - in reply to #411677)
Subject: Re: All's well that ends well! (BIG sigh of relief.)


Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 1133

Location: Parrish, FL		T28,

It was an 1868. I remeber 'cause I had major GAS for it. Sure was pretty.

Blues
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Patch
Posted 2009-06-18 12:28 PM (#411694 - in reply to #411677)
Subject: Re: All's well that ends well! (BIG sigh of relief.)



Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4236

Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent
Originally posted by BluesSailor:
T28,

It was an 1868. I remeber 'cause I had major GAS for it. Sure was pretty.

Blues
Is Parrish near Tampa? The GC there has a white 1868 for sale I think. (Who says I never share? ;) )
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BluesSailor
Posted 2009-06-18 7:41 PM (#411695 - in reply to #411677)
Subject: Re: All's well that ends well! (BIG sigh of relief.)


Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 1133

Location: Parrish, FL		Yep, Parrish is south of Tampa. Not sure how far to the GC though. I need to get out and explore some, but I'm currently living an hour south. We move in over the 4th weekend.

Blues
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JeffreyD
Posted 2009-06-19 10:43 AM (#411696 - in reply to #411677)
Subject: Re: All's well that ends well! (BIG sigh of relief.)


Joined:
September 2004
Posts: 777

Location: East Wenatchee, WA		Glad that turned out. I had a similar dealing with the USPS on a W597 Adamas. "Claim denied". I made multiple phone calls, letters, faxes (didn't know about the Carmack thing...need to study that), but in the end, while they denied the full value, they did accept the claim for the repair which was ok with the buyer. But it took 60-90 days.
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2ifbyC
Posted 2009-06-21 1:02 PM (#411697 - in reply to #411677)
Subject: Re: All's well that ends well! (BIG sigh of relief.)
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268

Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast
Originally posted by Patch:
Is Parrish near Tampa? The GC there has a white 1868 for sale I think.
If anyone is interested, I can check it out fer ya.

BTW, I didn't know there was a GC in Parrish...
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MusicMishka
Posted 2009-06-21 1:10 PM (#411698 - in reply to #411677)
Subject: Re: All's well that ends well! (BIG sigh of relief.)


Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567

Location: Blue Ridge Mountains		You mean one of these?

http://api.ning.com/files/Jyihe4GTaX9vBWoUEoZrbO6nDHvrgdlXquUmMaEF-...

Click and then click again on the image...
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Patch
Posted 2009-06-21 1:12 PM (#411699 - in reply to #411677)
Subject: Re: All's well that ends well! (BIG sigh of relief.)



Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4236

Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent
Originally posted by MusicMishka:
You mean one of these?

http://api.ning.com/files/Jyihe4GTaX9vBWoUEoZrbO6nDHvrgdlXquUmMaEF-...

Click and then click again on the image...
That's what it looks like alright.
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BluesSailor
Posted 2009-06-21 1:54 PM (#411700 - in reply to #411677)
Subject: Re: All's well that ends well! (BIG sigh of relief.)


Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 1133

Location: Parrish, FL		Ahh...I'm thinking he means the GC is Tampa and how far is that from Parrish.
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