Thanks Punker, will keep it civil. But the story is kinda long and begins with a big bid:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1384823239&rd=1
Sounds great right?
Well, I got a mint Pioneer receiver all right, just barely, with some undisclosed fin damage, minor but present nonetheless, no pre/main jumpers, but the best part involved the shipping...It is a tribute to Pioneer's over-engineering in the 70s that saved its life after this guys ride. I am convinced!!
First, after he shipped it he sends me the Mailboxes Etc order number, useless info, and stalls me the whole trip on providing a UPS tracking number. Claimed he didn't know what it was, yet later he claims he has years experience shipping audio gear.
For my $89 total shipping and handling charge, I got a 75 lb SX-1250 stuffed into an old IBM computer monitor box designed for gear half that size and weight. Box was worn and bulging when I got it, held together with shipping tape wrapped all around it!
Here's the best part, absolutely no protection for the face of this beautiful receiver!!! When I opened the box the unit had obviously shifted so many times that the SINGLE sheet of bubble wrap in the front, the only bubble wrap in the whole box, was hanging loose. It was all done in styrofoam, no plastic bag to protect the unit, no bubble wrap, just unbelievable! Less than 2 inches before switch and knob meet box wall!!!! Here's his response when I confronted him:
"Hello Jim, I'm sincerely sorry you are not pleased with my handling of things, I will try to reply to your thoughts....
I have looked again at the MBE paperwork. There is nothing on what I was given, front or back, with any
infomation other than what I provided you. All insured packages are protected completely in the event of a
shipping issue. Your unit was fully insured,covered, trackable, and never in danger of being lost without
recourse."
Oh really? Then you must have known about UPS tracking number, so how come I never got it? His BS continues...
"On the packing, this was a very difficult item to find a box for. The size of the 1250 was just outside the
normal sizes in some measurement...for boxes commonly
available. I used the box you received because it was a commercially acceptable box which would do the job. "
Ay yah. Boxes are available at any UPS office to ship heavy electronic equipment. Just received a 9090DB in a brand new UPS box with dimensions well inside UPS/FedEx limitations for Ground. And the Sansui is much smaller and lighter than the SX.
Here comes the hocus pocus and the smokescreen, hang on for the ride now....
"I hope you understand this often difficult next point but I assure you that it is valid. I have packed many pieces, sometimes what seems like firmer,safer,packing actually puts a piece in greater danger. A too
firm material just transfers force and movement. Had I put anything too firm on the front side, a blow would have been transfered, no matter what was put there short of a wood frame, and the delicate switches, etc would have been damaged for sure. This
is why many commercially designed package formats use airspace to protect fragile areas. If double boxed, this force issues is still just as
important.. especially on a heavy piece. In addition, the UPS size/weight limits for ground would have been
exceeded to boot and this package would have had much higher shipping costs. This was not necessary.
The approach taken was to suspend the unit from its sides top and back, insure any movement was slight and
gentle,and hold it away and off at the front. Two inches is fine with the proper protection, where needed. Most speakers are shipped with less. The 1250 was surrounded by styrofoam. This is what protects contents, not the box. Bubble wrap is useless on a
heavy item. During shipment, with any shifting, the bubbles will burst and the contents will find themselves loose and unprotected. This unit was not
wrapped in bubble wrap because this would guarantee it would not arrive safely given its weight. That the box arrived worn and battered, without damage to the piece, I hope validates these points. This has been my experience over many years. I would not take a chance with this unit.
Jim, I honestly do not understand your references to the $15 dollars charged for packing. The materials alone cost near $9 dollars, not counting the box
(usually about $7-8 in this size) and labor. The charge is less than most charge for small light items all the time on eBay and far less that any packer
would charge."
My reply:
"As far as the boxing goes, most of what you say is pure nonsense. Your
box is designed for a computer monitor, which is smaller and weighs a
fraction of the 1250. This explains the bloated box, not your pseudo-scientific nonsense. Ever hear of overload? How about use the right tool for the job? It was difficult to find a box? Any UPS office has boxes available for shipping heavy electronic equipment, sized
30.5" x 26.5" x 18", perfect for a receiver like this. Any serious
experienced shipper of expensive heavy audio gear knows this. I just
received a Sansui 9090DB perfectly packaged in one last week, and the
Sansui is much smaller and lighter than the 1250. This box is common
and well within UPS and FedEx Ground size restrictions. I would
describe for you in vivid detail how it was properly packaged, wrapped
in plastic to prevent tape from contacting the unit, and the triple
bubble wrap treatment, which is invaluable when combined with the nice styrofoam basket it was cradled in on four sides and top, the heavy
cardboard shims protecting sides and front/back. But you believe your
method is more than adequate. Interesting how your feedback indicates at least one other buyer feels the same way I do about your packing
jobs. Again given your experience how could you not know how poor it
really is. Please knock off the pseudo-scientific hocus pocus and look
at the reality. I never asked for double boxing so there is no weight
issue here. Single boxing, properly done, is more than adequate."
If you wade thru his deflecting nonsense, here's what he is really saying....and I quote from my reply to him...
"Weeding thru the smokescreen here, the truth is you did the bare
minimum you could and were so unsure of it you wouldn't hand over the UPS tracking number. It was on the damn label man. And you sent it UPS
thru MBE, charging the highest premium possible. By chance I received
it, and in one piece. When you inevitably trash some big ticket item
for someone else, then perhaps you'll wake up and clean up your act.
I see you did not post positive feedback for me right after receiving
my very fast payment as most folks would have, but now I see you were
waiting to see if I even got it so you could respond in defense. Defense is not a wise position to hold on ebay my friend.
Post or not, but I will take a day or two to review this situation and
let you know how I will proceed. "
Now what do I do? I have never received or given negative feedback. Since unit is undamaged by sheer luck, the only other issues are the fin scratches and the missing pre/main U jumpers. Part of me wants to post negative and take the hit in return. I just don't think I got what he described. And I think if it had been lost, he would have not produced a tracking number. And the damage potential...I don't like to gamble with gear I collect, just with the Texas Lottery.
Pretty long I know but definitivedan really messed with the wrong buyer!
Beware of him...
Any advice I'm all ears...
Jim