DHL Shipping JBL 100's

[Larry]

I shipped a pair of JBL 100's to a buyer. I used Postal Max to box and ship. I wrapped up the speakers. They arrived damaged. I insured the speakers with Postal Max for the value. I sent pictures of the damage (obtained from the buyer) to Postal Max. They submitted the claim. It has been 2 months and still no resolution. Even worse, my only contact has been with Postal Max, since they submitted the claim. The tell me that they are in constant touch with DHL and we'll get paid. But, so far no money and frustration. Postal Max won't let me talk to DHL or their insurance. So, my only communication is with them. Is this the normal process or am I being to passive?
Larry

[Andyman]

Did you request that Postal Max insure the speakers and did they? Did you pay for insurance, and is it noted on your reciept? If so, I'd start shaking trees at Postal Max. If the manager at the location isn't helping, get his supervisior's name and start bugging him.
Two months is too long. Yes it is the holidays, but that's way too long. Fedex trashed a receiver I sent to a guy two months ago and I had a check in a week..

BTW, who is Postal Max?? Never heard of them, which may be why you're having issues. You know rinky dink startup company that is clueless on what to do.

Keep us posted.

[El Predicta]

I've had 2 Predictas, both well packed and insured busted by DHL. Shipping was through an independent company, Postal Depot. It took between 2 and 3 months to get payment. In each case, they paid the independent co. and then the co. paid me. So in your case, they may have already paid the company. Either way, raise some hell.

[Larry]

I've been talkiing the the Franchise owner of the Postal Max store. I did insure them. He claims that we're going to get the money - but it gets paid to him and not me first. Says it's any day now.
Larry

[wank]

Tell him that's great, since he's so sure "we're" going to get paid any day now, he can pay you now and deal with the reimbursement from the carrier. Sounds to me like your contract is with them, absent wording to the contrary.

[Larry]

Well, the story has a happy ending...at least for me. The JBL100's arrived, as explained above, damaged. They weren't destroyed, just damaged. The frame broker - the grill frame, and the speakers had damage to the corners - fairly extensive. Postal Max, the shipping company, paid me the shipping cost plus the insurance in full.

What I still am confused about is the recourse I had was with Postal Max and not DHL. In fact, all of the communication was between those two parties. It seems that when you ship and insure and something comes up broken, you deal with the store and not the shipping company. I find that very frustrating. So, while it went well and I received a full refund - full insurance plus shipping, it did take 3 months.

Best advice - deal with a major chain like UPS or Mail Boxes Etc...and not a individually owned store. If things don't go quite the way you like, you have a corporate person to talk to.
Larry

[vertex]

Best advice - deal with a major chain like UPS or Mail Boxes Etc...and not a individually owned store. If things don't go quite the way you like, you have a corporate person to talk to.
Larry

Even better, drop your item off directly at the Customer Service Center (Fedex/DHL/UPS) if you happen to live/work near one.

A Kinko's (for Fedex) is ok, because it's Fedex employees. The UPS Package store or Mail Boxes, etc is not ok, because they are franchised, and the workers are employees of the store, not the respective corporation. I find Kinko's employees to be semi-accountable.

Bottom line: eliminate the middle man.

[Larry]

Good to know, and good information to pass on.
Larry