Official Luthiers Forum!

All of this is frightening. Every carrier has destroyed instruments. FedEx/
UPS/USPS. AND THEY ALL FIGHT THE CLAIMS!!!!!   It is like dealing with
an insurance co. Deny first and most will go away. It is sickening. You
almost have to have an "in" with the carrier and it is still a hassle. I have
had one neck destroyed on shipment. Thank god it was only a neck. I
have been fortunate, that I have gotten to know the postmaster at my
post office and he had been very helpful. Even with him personally filling
out my claim, it was denied because it was missing some X or Y on the
form.    

If they would just accept their responsibility and pay the claim.

Tony F. is shipping me a guitar as we speak today. To arrive tomorrow. I
am crossing my fingers and toes. All Koa OM. Now I am sweating
bullets!!

Michael...what can we say but we feel your pain. Making another is
certainly possible, but it doesn't replace the lost work of art. It can never
be replaced.

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

This is just awfull news Michael. I'm very sorry that this has happened to you, let alone a second time.

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My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

Michael, I am so so sorry. It made my stomach turn over, I can't imagine how you feel.

Its been a while, so my memory is a bit fuzzy on this, but....

DO NOT use an agent like a UPS store. You are signing over your shipment to them before it actually goes to UPS. The stores are independent of the delivery service, not the same company. Therefore, the store is the one who has to file a claim with UPS and collect the monies. You in essence have given up your goods to someone else.

I remember another very sad story of a builder using a UPS Store and his guitar arrived in about the same condition. I didn't follow it to the end, but he was talking about having to get a lawyer involved. If you go the route of an agent like a UPS Store, ask very pointed questions and ask them to show you what they are saying in the small print.

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Aoibeann

That's so sad Michael, what a shame.... hope it all works out O.K.

Greg

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Gwaltney Guitars

Man, thats terrible!!
So far as far as stories I heard, Fedex is the worst. I only use USPS to ship guitars.
Hopefully you can get your money back without a hassle...

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

Aw for cryin` out loud!
Good luck, Michael. Cocephus39050.8538310185

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Give me 50 cents worth of regular.
Check my oil too, if you don`t mind,,,

[QUOTE=Shane Neifer] That is just SICK Michael! I remember sending a weird shapped package to Brock, I took pictures before I sent it and posted pics of the package on the forum and wondered if it would arrive in one piece. It didn't but was insured and was covered for the most part. Having the pictures saved a bunch of hassle in getting the insurance. The lesson I learned is that if the package is quite valuable or in anyway atypical, take photos before you send it.

TONY!!! Insurance (no matter what it costs) is cheap!! I don't send a single order out without insurance and the cost of the insurance is in the shipping quote. It is just not worth not having it!

Shane[/QUOTE]

Yeah, and remember... they took your shipping crate apart and taped it to the exposed materials....

idiots....

Michael... sorry bro...

Guys... there is a VERY simple fix for this. HERITAGE. Then you are not at the mercy of the carrier for coverage. No fighting at all.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Brock
Explain Heritage

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

Yes, I was going to plug Heritage myself but forgot to. I'm not a customer of their's but have been planning to be for quite awhile. Their rates are very reasonable, and will help ease the pain of such things.
Just ask Mark Blanchard....

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

Andy, they are talking about Heritage Insurance. I know some of the other members have policies with them and I've been considering it as well.

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

Michael,

I'm sick for you. Seriously, I feel it in my gut. They must have run over it with a forklift or something, to do that much damage.

Of all the beautiful photos of gorgeous zoot that Bob posted over the past couple of years, I'd have to say that the Curly Narra was among the most beautiful wood offered at any price. So beautiful in fact, that I snagged a set from Bob too. The luck of the Irish was with me, and I suspect that I happened to click onto RC Tonewoods the day that Bob listed the Curly Narra sets. So lucky indeed, that I believe that I actually might have snagged the very best set from Bob. Bob is holding it for me...

Michael, I don't know you other than through the forum, but you seem like a really good guy with a big heart. Unless Bob bought several boards of the same tree, I have my doubts that you'll find any figured Narra similar in intensity and pattern, and that would only be if Bob stashed a board or a set, which isn't likely.

...so, I'm releasing my set to you (contact Bob.) I'm going to enjoy watching you make that wood into another of your gorgeous instruments. I hope your buyer is very patient and understanding with you.

Dennis

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Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

Michael,

     I am so sorry to hear that happened. I hope it can be resolved without too much hastle. It is truly a terrible waste and loss, but hopefully you can move forward with as little added personal grief as possible.

Peace,Rich

I feel sick just thinking about this. I have nightmares about this sort of thing every time I ship a guitar, and am anxiety-ridden 'til I know it's arrived safely.

Really, really sorry Micheal.

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James Warwick
J. Warwick Guitars, LLC
http://www.jwarwickguitars.com

I am dumb struck and awed that is very gracious sir

Wow, my heart goes out to you Michael.
All the best, Evan

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http://www.NewYorkGuitarRepair.com

Ok Guys I appreciate your sympathy but Mark Macalik is the one that needs it. He is out a guitar he has waited on since The 15th day of May. I will build many many more guitars. True this one was sonically and to some degree visually stunning. Truth is it was the top rung of my work. But it would never had been the top rung for ever. The things I learned on this build no carrier can take from me. But now Mark will never Know how well our choices turned out. That is the saddest part for me.

In memory of the Carp







I am thankful I got to hold her and even more blessed That I got to hear her sing    

Ok enough of the mush I want the money so I can re build her for Mark I want it now MichaelP39050.9433680556

I am also saddened to hear the bad news.Hopefully there will be resolution to some degree.I have also had a package of neckwood disapear among other things, but that in no way compars to this.
good luck with your claim.
Tim

Hey Old man!!!! (Ron) Some one stold your bones

Just a tease

Michael,

So sad to hear about this terrible loss.

I've had two guitars broken by FedEx Ground in the last couple of years.
One was a Talor LKSM-12 I sold to a guy in CA. Arrived broken at the
body/neck joint. The other was a 25th anniversary Alvarez, not really
nothing in comparison to a beautiful handbuilt but it still had a voice.
That one arrived with the back crushed although the case arrived fine.

The last time I ever used FedEx: I had bought a Taylor 754-12 string.
Anxiously awaiting it's arrival I see the fedex driver pull up out front.
I keep waiting for him to get out....but he never does.
Then I see the back doors fling open on the truck and my boxed guitar is
literally tossed out the back and into the road!

He picked it up and brought it to the house where I met him about
halfway up the drive. Somehow I was able to keep my cool and took his
name and information and filed a complaint.

As for reimbursement. Both times things were taken care of by fedex but I
did have to have receipts to prove value.

Again, sorry for the loss of this beautiful instrument, your time, your
customers disappointment and lastly, my long winded post.

Chris

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Christopher C. Cordle
North Muskegon, MI

http://www.yardsaleunderwear.com
http://www.facebook.com/christopher.cordle

Aww geez... Michael I really love that rosette! I'm really sorry this happened.

The Heritage link that was posted was helpful, thanks.

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Instagram: @jfrenchluthier
Web: https://www.jfrenchguitars.com/

What has been said about Heritage Insurance http://www.musicins.com/

I have had one FedEx "accident" and the instrument was insured through them before I got Heritage. The store called FedEx and had the entire package, case and instrument inspected the next day. FedEx paid the claim of $800 (damage was repairable) within 2 weeks.

Now, I only buy the $500 through FedEx (that's the deductible on my Heritage policy) and the balance will be covered by Heritage. The policy costs $500 a year and includes instruments held on consignment at a dealer's location, in transit items, my shop tools and wood supplies along with any customer instruments on my premises for repair, adjustment, etc. plus work in progress.

If you are doing this as a business, or a hobby, take a look at your total value of equipment, supplies, etc. Double check your Home Owners policy as many exclude a lot of this stuff unless a specific rider is added, and paid, to cover these items. Think jewelry, fine art, antiques etc which all must be specified (itemized) in an H.O. policy.

I presume most of you include the shipping charges in the total cost of the instrument, and a good portion of those charges are going to FedEx (UPS, Etc)for "insurance". In lieu of buying the full shipper's coverage, do a calculation for full value vs. the minimum to cover your deductible and set aside the difference to pay for the Heritage plan. It will only take 3-4 instrument shipped a year to cover the policy cost and you will be gaining added coverages that you probably don't have now.

At times like these, you will avoid a lot of stress and you should sleep better all year long knowing the additional coverage spcifically takes care of your luthiery business.

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Hank Mauel

Well here is the damage. I miss understood just what the client said happend. The case is racked a bit but no noticable puncture of dents. the sides look bad. most looks to be repairable but one spot is so mashe I doubt i could make it look good if I gould get it back in line Peghead is a mess. It looks to me like the crate took a long hard fall.

Chest pain!!!!!!!!!

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

Oh, man, that's sickening.

I can only imagine how you must feel. You have my sympathy for what its worth.

Looks like you can salvage some bits and pieces, but that's small consolation.

So, some people out there are too stupid even to load parcels onto/off trucks. That's just sad. Who'd you ship with, three stooges express?

Man, that hurts. What a terrible thing to happen to a brand new, absolutely
gorgeous guitar.