FedEx-Damaged RTA 15TL

[decato]

Hi everyone,
I recently purchased a pair of RTA 15TLs. The seller did an excellent job packing them. He used multiple layers of boxes, bubble wrap, and styrafoam swirls. Something went through all the layers of packing and caused the damage you see in the pictures. Even the grill staples have left imprints on the cabinet. I am quite upset about this. The same thing happened to me over the weekend with my Rotosonic Leslie drum. FedEx managed to puncture the 1/4" drum wall, cracking the pressed board and leaving me with a hole the size of a dime.

I thought UPS was the worst, but FedEx is quickly catching up.

Any ideas about how to make this look a little better?

Thanks,
Brian

[cmy330go]

Sorry to see the misfortune. Seems no one is trustworthy anymore.

As far as the damage goes. There is the ever popular Sharpie. Not a perfect fix but a blind man running for his life would never notice. ;)

For a better fix you might consider going to your local home improvement store and have them mix up a pint of black latex paint. When they mix black it makes for a pretty thick paint, and when rolled on it leaves a very similar texture. Of course to get a uniform finish that will probably mean pulling the drivers and rolling the entire front. Maybe even sanding it all first.

Hope you find a suitable fix.

[PolkThug]

+1 Black Sharpie

[cfrizz]

Yup black sharpie will take care of it!

[Loud & Clear]

It really pisses me off to see that.

[cmy330go]

Just curious....any insurance on the shipping? Even it no insurance was purchased I believe both UPS and FedEX automatically have up to $100 insurance included on each package shipped.

Just a thought.

[decato]

Just curious....any insurance on the shipping? Even it no insurance was purchased I believe both UPS and FedEX automatically have up to $100 insurance included on each package shipped.

Yes, insurance was purchased. The other speaker got separated in transit, but it should be here tomorrow. I am waiting to see how it arrives. If it is also damaged, I will probably collect the insurance money. However, before I can collect anything, a FedEx rep needs to examine the speaker and the packing materials. They actually wanted to come and pick it up to ship to a facility for this examination, probably adding a few more dents in the process. Luckily, there is an authorized FedEx station nearby, and I will take it there on Friday to see what they say. Somehow I have a feeling they will blame it on inadequate packing, since that's much easier than claiming responsibility.

[F1nut]

I remember cringing when you told me he used bubble wrap. However, that doesn't explain the puncture, which no amount or kind of packing material would prevent. Tell Fed Ex you're not going to take no for an answer.

[decato]

Hey Jesse,
Yeah, the packaging was quite good. This is the same type of hole I had with my Leslie speaker for the organ. Whatever it was, it went right through 1/4" particle board. That means I would have needed shipping box to be made out of something like 1/2" particle board to avoid damage. Can you imagine shipping the RTA 15s in a particle board box instead of cardboard boxes? FedEx must shoot at my packages with a bow and arrow.

Any advice on how to clean it up other than a sharpie? It scraped the vinyl right off, so the puncture mark is slightly recessed.

-Brian

[F1nut]

Yeah, I think that's beyond a Sharpie. When I was restoring Doro's CRS's I searched everywhere for that black vinyl material (even asked Ken), but to no avail. If you find any, please let me know.

[cmy330go]

This may not be identical but it looks pretty darn close.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=260-018

[F1nut]

Yep, that was the closet I could find too.

[shawn474]

you have to be careful with fedex and ups when shipping stereo equipment specifically. sometimes, they deny insurance coverage (in very small print mind you) that specifically excludes electronic and stereo equipment. trust me, i learned this the hard way with a dvd player that i purchased. you may want to call them and see if you even eligible. just a thought.

take care and good luck with the sharpie, as it seems to be the fix of choice.

[decato]

Well, the other speaker is damaged too; it took a rather sizable hit right at the top. What a shame! I will be requesting that FedEx give me a full refund. I do not feel like spending the time and money to fix these back up.

[cmy330go]

Man that sucks. I would raise as much hell as you can about this!! There is no reason in the world they have to be so rough on things.

You sure got me sweatin'. I have two new truntables, a phono stage, and a large printer shipping to me this week. I just hope I have better luck.

Keep us posted.

BTW. If you don't plan on keeping them I might be interested.

[F1nut]

I hate to say it, but bubble wrap and peanuts doesn't cut it when shipping heavy speakers no matter what the carton is made from as the speakers will shift around inside the cartons.

When I shipped mine I had the original cartons, but not the packing material, so I made new packing material from 1/2 and 3/4 inch styrofoam sheets available at Home Depot. I shipped FedEx Ground and the speakers arrived in perfect shape.

I think you have a better chance of getting a refund from the seller rather than FedEx on this one.

This is a picture of them before going into the cartons. Once in I placed more sheets around the sides and front.

[polksda]

I think you have a better chance of getting a refund from the seller rather than FedEx on this one.

I think it depends on the outer box. If there is a hole in the exterior box where something clearly went through to the speaker, the chances are good for a claim. If, on the other hand, there is no hole in the outer box, then it's a case of "the immaculate gouge" and Fed Ex won't pay.

Keep in mind that FedEx autodeclines 90% of all claims. I had a FedEx rep tell me this on the phone. It's SOP, and they said to appeal. It's like companies offering rebates rather than a lower price. Some people just won't bother, so the company ends up making more money (or in this case not paying on a claim).

Good luck!

[BobMcG]

It sucks when something like that happens but I can't believe the bigger problem shipping caused.... It reversed the order of the drivers in the cabinets!!! :D