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Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | I'm thinking it might be easier to claim on my household insurance |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I have had 2 claims with USPS.
The first was a total loss and they paid the claim and kept the item.
Second time around was for damage and after I supplied 2 estimates they paid the claim and I kept the item. |
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April 2008
Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | Finally a happy(ish) story. Thanks. |
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February 2005
Posts: 1132
Location: Parrish, FL | Does anyone have another number useful for making claims at the USPS? I have tried the 800-222-1811 provided by the USPS for this purpose, but all I'm able to do is confirm delivery date and time and then return to the automated call handling purgatory.
There are no options to talk to anyone or file a claim.
Brad
(Frustrated) |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Both times I filed a claim I had to go to the post office. |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by stephent28:
I had to go to the post office. ditto
And be prepared to get no additional info besides what's on the form! |
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Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | That seems to be the only number. Remember to tell them the packaging was all brand new. |
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February 2005
Posts: 1132
Location: Parrish, FL | Remember to tell them the packaging was all brand new.
That's the plan. I'll try to stop this afternoon after work. If I don't make it, for sure tomorrow at lunch.
I went yesterday and the only help I was given was a 1/2 sheet of paper with the useless phone number and a detail of the info required.
WTF!
Brad |
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April 2008
Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | Sorry for the extra grief Blues, I really am but look at it from my perspective my expensive guitar needs Wizard love. |
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February 2005
Posts: 1132
Location: Parrish, FL | Dweezil,
I'm 100% with you on this. There is extra grief, but no fault of yours. I'll get it in motion at this end, whatever it takes.
Please have Keller copy on the emails with repair quotes so that I can include that with the claim.
Blues |
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March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Doesn't USPS pay your claim but they keep the item? Usually...the Tak that was USPS damaged in shipping to me (parcel post) last year is still under the counter at the local Post Office...I got paid, but had to surrender the guitar to do so...
Getting paid for a repair is even more complicated: Patch nailed it in his post detailing the process...
Just a few must-do's about shipping a guitar:
1. Always use a heavy duty guitar shipping carton (available from a local music store for free)
2. Always ship in a factory hard case if possible
3. Always detune the instrument before shipping
4. Use extra bubble wrap sheets to cover the instrument's top, neck and headstock inside the case
5. If at all possible, spend the extra money and expidite shipping
6. NEVER, EVER, USE USPS PARCEL POST SHIPPING...
These steps will certainly help reduce problems... |
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April 2008
Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | I wonder whether it might be best to send the guitar to Kim regardless, I would hate to see a FD-14 sit under a USPS counter the rest of it's life.
Perhaps we try the claim route up to any point they say send the guitar to us. Perhaps at that point you say I sent it to Ovation to get the repair done to claim afterwards.
What a mess. |
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May 2006
Posts: 4232
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Hi again Dweez,
As unfortunate coincidence would have it, I just talked again with the USPS to follow up with TJ's guitar. The only new thing I need to report is going to sound complicated even though it isn't. (Bureaucracy is at least consistent ain't it?)
Somewhere on the claim form they will give options of describing the condition of the instrument. Even if the guitar is totalled do not, I repeat, DO NOT mark/click the box that says "DAMAGED (ANY DAMAGED, NOTHING MISSING)". I found out today (And it took some serious sorting out.) that this category inexplicably tells the USPS that the guitar is beyond repair so they can keep it! (Why? How the heck would I know?!!! :rolleyes: I think and reason like a normal person no matter what you've been told.) Anyway, somewhere there is a category that specifies that the item be repaired. Check that one and save yourself a long conversation in the future.
Keep at it pal! This can be made to work. And remember, the prize for all the frustration and persistence is a nearly NEW FD-14! (BTW, not that I'm spending your $$$ or anything, but since the MS has to put a new top and bowl on it anyway, there's always....(dare I say it?)....the prospect of customization. That's what I keep telling myself about my Book Elite. (There will now be two Book Elites with a glossed neck in the world.)
One last thing: The factory is backed up twelve ways from Tuesday at the moment. Expect to wait a while to get your instrument back because warranty repairs have priority. Just keep thinking.... neeww FD-14......Neewwww FD-14.........nneeeeewwwww CUSTOMIZED FD-14.......  |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by MusicMishka:
Just a few must-do's about shipping a guitar: 7. If possible, remove battery and place in the case neck compartment. |
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Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | COOL PATCH!
Thanks. I'm in no rush, I have a plenty of killers to play whilst I wait.
I've already considered glossing the neck but wonder about possible devaluing if I do it. |
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May 2006
Posts: 4232
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Originally posted by dweezil:
I've already considered glossing the neck but wonder about possible devaluing if I do it. Value is of course in the eye of the beholder, but my Book Mandolin (with glossed neck) is worth $1500 while one just sold on CL for $700. I doubt the risk is too far out of line. Just my 2 cents, IMHO, etc., etc., etc.  |
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Posts: 1486
Location: Cincinnati | Originally posted by dweezil:
COOL PATCH!
Thanks. I'm in no rush, I have a plenty of killers to play whilst I wait.
I've already considered glossing the neck but wonder about possible devaluing if I do it. It would only devalue it if someone didn't like glossed necks. I would prefer it. Customization on the FD-14 is limited. I wanted to do a burst on mine but John said the burst doesn't work with the cedar. I would just get the neck glossed and a custom truss rod cover that says "Witco" or "Toby" and be done with it. |
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Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | I don't think customization (within limits) will devalue the guitar. We're not talking about pre-war martins or '57 LP's here. Might limit the pool of potential buyers, but not the ultimate value. In fact some will probably pay a premium for a guitar not identical to all the rest. |
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April 2008
Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | This is all a crying shame. It's sad enough that a guitar develops a crack in transit (especially as I'm sure Brad took lots of care), but then to add insult to injury, the shippers try to weasel out of it.
I've had bad experiences with "one-off" insurances like this. Insurance claims work much better when the insurance company sees you as an ongoing customer. By contrast, my car insurance companies (various) have always been a delight to deal with on the rare occasions I've made claims.
I hope a good ending comes from this. |
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October 2005
Posts: 5331
Location: Cicero, NY | Originally posted by kotadawg:
I wanted to do a burst on mine but John said the burst doesn't work with the cedar. Not that I would ever question John but I wonder why they couldn't do a burst on cedar? Takamine does a very nice one on their EAN10CTBS . |
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Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | 
Burst on cedar. |
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April 2008
Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | Why Witco / Toby? |
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October 2005
Posts: 5331
Location: Cicero, NY | Originally posted by dweezil:
Why Witco / Toby? There's been a nasty rumor around for years that that Witco character would gloss any neck he could get his hands around. I heard it was years before his wife would leave him alone with his kids after they were born. :eek: |
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November 2007
Posts: 1486
Location: Cincinnati | Originally posted by Weaser P:
Originally posted by kotadawg:
I wanted to do a burst on mine but John said the burst doesn't work with the cedar. Not that I would ever question John but I wonder why they couldn't do a burst on cedar? Takamine does a very nice one on their EAN10CTBS . |
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October 2005
Posts: 5331
Location: Cicero, NY | John certainly knows his business and, being a recipient of some of his handiwork, I certainly know that and I would never suggest otherwise. Just wondering out loud, that's all. |
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FD-14 For Sale
