Parcelforce requirements regarding damages.

[stairpost]

I recently received an amp that arrived damaged via parcelforce. It had taken such a knock that it pushed the fascia into the knobs, rendering them immovable. The parcel was well wrapped in bubble wrap, packed in a brand new heavyweight packing box, with cardboard inside to strenghen it. I can honestly say I considered it to be well packed. A simple drop would not have caused this damage, I'm suspicious that it was given a hefty boot or even thrown.

I paid an extra £25 for insurance so obviously submitted a claim. Parcelforce said they wouldn't pay any compensation for the damage as it was not packed in polystyrene blocks (no problem if you have original packaging obviously). It might be useful to know that however well you pack a parcel to send with parcelforce, if it isn't packed in polystyrene blocks their insurance could be worthless.

[struth]

They are con men. Did that to me too. Charged me 45 quid for next day. Didnt get next day and when it arrived it was badly smashed. They just said poor packing obviously and the next day isnt guarenteed. Then had cheek to offer me a 10% discount on my next disaster with them.

[nthall]

That's ridiculous. The reason you pay for insurance is to protect yourself from damage incurred from poorly packaged, and mishandled items. I would call an exec. LinkedIn is the best way to find their contact info.

[Sherwood]

That's ridiculous. The reason you pay for insurance is to protect yourself from damage incurred from poorly packaged, and mishandled items. I would call an exec. LinkedIn is the best way to find their contact info.

I am not defending ParcelForce as I have had problems with them in the past. However, insurance is most certainly not to cover poorly packaged items. The issue here is whether an item has been adequately and appropriately packaged and I dispute the claim that polystyrene is the best form of packaging for all items.

For some items, their sheer mass will render them vulnerable to damage irrespective of how they are packaged due to the g forces generated through sudden deceleration.

Geoff

[struth]

Its supposed to cover you from bad handling, but they make the decision on what is bad handling. Apparently a package needs to be able to withstand a drop of 1 metre, which means most heavy items that are damagable are not covered.

[Macca]

Unless there is a clause in their contract re polystyrene,(and there won't be) this is not sufficient grounds to decline the claim.

This is just their first line of defence 'fob off' attempt, possibly part of a general policy to reduce claims paid. Don't fall at the first fence. Call again and break balls, threaten legal action (you can take it to small claims adjudication who will find for you 95% of the time) and they will roll over and pay you out.

[Sherwood]

Its supposed to cover you from bad handling, but they make the decision on what is bad handling. Apparently a package needs to be able to withstand a drop of 1 metre, which means most heavy items that are damagable are not covered.

Exactly: bad handling not bad packing. However, they get to decide whether an item has been badly packed, and as you note, some items cannot be packed to survive a moderate drop impact however well packaged!

[nthall]

We don't have Parcelforce here, but FedEx, UPS, and even the Postal Service cover that type of damage. Offering insurance dependant on the way it was packaged without inspecting it first, and denying the claim would be illegal.

The Post Office is the only one I know inspects packages before insuring them, and I have been reimbursed by all three. Usually with no questions asked.

[stairpost]

Luckily, there is actually a fairly happy ending.

I wasn't sure if the knobs were bent or just obstructed, I didn't want to touch the amp until the claim was completed in case parcelforce wanted to inspect it. However as soon as the claim was declined I had a look at it, 4 loose nuts and 5 minutes later the fascia was back in the right place, and all knobs are working as intended. It's just as well really as parcelforce wouldn't talk to me, the sender had to make the claim, and to be fair to him he did so without issue, but he has no real interest in pursuing matters beyond the initial claim, after all he has had his cash.

The bulk of my frustration with parcelforce quickly faded as soon as I knew the amp was alive and well. I'm not the type to pursue a claim if I have no right to. My only lingering annoyance is the extra insurance charge, £25 for arbitrary cover is galling to say the least.

[Macca]

I just accept that if I have to claim it will mean breaking balls to get paid.

Anyway all's well that ends well. Not letting on what the amp is?

[stairpost]

Anyway all's well that ends well. Not letting on what the amp is?

That's very much my take on it too.

It's a Copland CSA28. I know it's a risky thing to say out loud but I think I am actually done. I'm happy with every inch of my system, for the first time I can remember.

[struth]

good amp. fancy one of those too ..good for you.

[stairpost]

good amp. fancy one of those too ..good for you.

It's a superb bit of kit, I have a Copland CD player too, I am listening to and buying so much music at the moment, it's great fun.