Heart Breaking Story..... Pioneer Series 20

[Galaxie65]

So I was thrilled to make a purchase of a long awaited Series 20 A-27 that was in amazing condition. It was left behind in a condo that a lady purchased and after awhile of negotiating back and forth she sold it to me. I paid extra to have it packed and explained that because of the weight, (63lbs) it needed to be very, very secure when packed. She paid UPS to pack the amp and insured the piece for 1200, we used a local UPS store as an access point so I could pick it up there and not off my porch.

Today......... I arrived at the store to see the box in the corner, it was banged up with "Fragile" stickers all over, yellow labels (Heavy package) and I prayed that was not my package. The lady walked over and picked up the package barely able to lift it...I ran over to help and we set it on the counter. The manager walked in and has dealt with me before so walked over to talk. I explained that I wanted to open the package now and have them present to see if there was any damage. We opened the box and my worst fears came true...

Single walled box (200lb crush rate, 65lbs max capacity)
Single layer of bubble wrap around the amp
2 small/thin pads of insulation fiber in plastic wrap.

That's it...... nothing else.......

I use to work for UPS a long time ago and even the most uneducated individual would have known that if you can barely lift the box then it needs to be packed to withstand a few drops. I'm just completely stunned that they would have done this. I mean I talked to the customer service department and they apologized over and over about it. I told them it would have been easier for them to simply cut me the check for 1200 and send that then to attempt a shipment like this. If this is an indication of how that store in Virginia packs then I would steer clear. That store didn't even appear to care when I called and wouldn't even help me.

I just feel sick and devastated as I have wanted this piece for such a long time. And now I sit here looking at the saddest display I've ever seen. I didn't care about the money because I wanted the amp not the money back so to speak.

So that was my day today, I guess it's back to the drawing board to seek out and find another A-27 because I still want one.

 

[Decibel_116]

Man that sucks. So sorry to hear that.

 

[Galaxie65]

 

[Galaxie65]

 

[Galaxie65]

Thanks man, it's a tough sight to see. I hope I can work out something to keep the piece for parts at the least. I mean it just kills me to see if so banged up.

I'm hoping that I can track down another. I just can't believe what happened. It's literally a shock still, and several hours have passed.

 

[Decibel_116]

I had something similar happen to a Pioneer SX-8 except no bubble wrap. Only a couple of layers of newspaper. The damage was similar. Not in the same league as yours. Still maddening people can be so careless.

 

[Decibel_116]

Here's a photo of mine. I kept it for parts. I hope you can locate another one without too much trouble. I've actually never seen one of those. Must be pretty rare and special. I'll keep a look out for a replacement for you.

 

[markthefixer]

NEVER EVER allow a franchise counter shipper to pack something heavy and fragile.

They follow "guidelines" that will not work. I have seen too DAMN many things that those so called counter "professionals" pack that are EXTREMELY inadequately and BADLY packed and subsequently DESTROYED by normal shipping stresses.

I had one Spec-4 come in that the seller / consignment store / shipment store huffily inform me that it could not POSSIBLY be the packing at fault for the damage (even after I sent them PICTURES no less - documenting the box as arrived, and during the unpacking) and instituted a UPS claim, UPS picked it up "for evaluation" subjecting it to ANOTHER trip through the dryer. TOTALLY rejected this UPS franchisee's packing. HUBRIS = one DESTROYED Spec-4 - with very little salvageable content after it was returned to the source, repurchased as salvage by myself, and made another trip somewhat more securely packed.

 

[Galaxie65]

Yeah I agree, I didn't want it packed by anyone remotely involved with a packaging store by any means. I was pretty much up a creek though as it was a single mom that had no experience and she was willing to take it to someone who could pack it. I explained in detail and paid about 80 bucks to have it "taken" care of ....

It was heartbreaking to say the least but I guess I should have known. I was hoping that in the slight possibility that the insured value alone would have made the UPS store pack it so that they didn't have to pay out. I mean the UPS rep was stunned as much as me when he saw the packaging and said that it was not packed correctly even to the standards they have. He said he would also help if there was any push back which was outstanding to have someone do from UPS. He even printed off his screen that showed he noted the box was delivered in fair condition and that it was highly likely that the contains were damaged.

So if anything at least I have that.

Just really makes me sick though, I wanted it so bad and I've looked for so long that I took a chance and I'm regretting that now. It's hard to see another rare piece shattered and lost. I'm hoping to keep it for parts, they wanted me to ship it back to "evaluate" and I explained if I did with the packing UPS did it would not arrive or in worse condition. So I submitted pictures, several detailed ones.

Thanks everyone for the well wishes on finding another. If anything maybe I can salvage some parts on this unit to help others who may need them.

 

[zebulon1]

They don't care, it's insured.
They don't care!
I learned the hard way, same as you.
Never have the store pack it.
Better to have the homeless guy who lives behind in store pack it. He cares more than they do.

 

[ranch 22b]

That is such a shame. What a wonderful piece of electronics gone to waste. I'm really sorry that happened to you. Makes me sick too.

I had my own bad experience with the UPS store "packing" an SX-828 receiver I bought. Luckily, it didn't have all that far to come and wasn't damaged too badly.

When I have a choice, I don't do business with UPS.

 

[Galaxie65]

Yeah, that's no joke. And I'm no longer going to use them based on this experience. Just a shame and another piece that will no longer be around for enjoyment.

 

[zebra03]

It's not totally the packer's fault . It was labeled fragile and you would have to go out of your way to do that kind of damage .

 

[blhagstrom]

I learned about UPS a loooooong time ago.


Never, never, never, never, ever.

The handling machinery is brutal and can't read.

 

[dyche01]

Oh the humanity!

 

[markthefixer]

It's not totally the packer's fault . It was labeled fragile and you would have to go out of your way to do that kind of damage .

You have to consider that each package is handled in about the same way. Labels for "fragile" have no legal bearing UNLESS it's written into a shipping contract. It is argued that a "fragile" label INVITES abuse. But that assumes that the package handlers even have TIME to notice a fragile label and put some extra hurt onto the package.

The handling interacts with the package (which encloses and interacts with the shipped item)
once you have the physics of that down pat - well then you are good to go.

Once the package is compromised, all bets are off. Things only gets worse.

 

[zebra03]

Mark , I completely agree . The whole attitude of these companies is lousy .

 

[larryderouin]

Damn Galaxie, what a mess. I hope you get satisfaction from the shipper. As an example to all employees, The shipping Co., should make a movie showing the packer being packed up the same way and shipped between the two locations to illustrate HOW NOT to pack an item for shipment. bet he/she gets a bruise or three. Don't forget that FRA-GIL-E is Italian( remember "A Christmas Story" and the Leg Lamp), and most people at UPS/FEDEX/USPS can barely speak English, much less Italian.


UPS, FEDEX, USPS....it does'nt matter which one packs it as 90% of the handling is by machine, above 4ft off the floor. And when it gets to the plane or truck it gets thrown into a shipping container that fits the cargo hold of the plane (or just pied loosely in the truck) and usually has other stuff piled on top of it, and loosely at that so the items move around during the flight (road trip). Last year I bought a piece of gear(Fisher X-101-B Integrated Amp) and the FEDEX guy literally rolled the box off the truck and then rolled the box up to my door and not too carefully at that. All with me taping the whole thing(which I normally do for large/bulky/expensive shipments. Luckily the amp wasn't damaged (very good internal packing by our own Battradio) but I DID file a complaint with FEDEX, citing improper handling, poor attitude,(the guy acted like he didn't give a ****, I kept on rolling tape while I explained to the moron what he was attempting to deliver was fragile and not up to that kind of handling) and lack of due diligence for a customer's property . When I showed the tape to the Management at the FEDEX Depot, The SUPV's literally went ballistic and the employee was FIRED when he pulled in at the end of the day, and FEDEX refunded my shipping costs on the spot.

This is the biggest reason I stopped shipping items and went to local sales on almost all of the gear I DO sell off. It's a smaller market and takes a longer time to sell, but the buyer gets the satisfaction of auditioning the gear prior to purchasing it and then HE is responsible for getting it home safely. If I DO sell something it gets at least the standard shown in this thread (when I sold off my 1010 in 2012).... http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/for-those-shipping-sx-1010s.439711/ many times a complete, braced wood box/crate with the unit bubblewrapped and bolted to the box, and the inner cardboard box at least 2" larger than the unit's "crate" packed full of styrofoam sheet, and then the outer box at least 1" larger in all dimensions with more styrofoam sheet between the boxes. Then it all gets a shake test. If I feel any shifting, then it gets all torn down and repacked until it doesn't move inside during shake test. Outer box gets 2-3 layers of re-inforced(filament) tape on all corners and seams.

 

[j_loop]

I learned about UPS a loooooong time ago.

Never, never, never, never, ever.

Ditto. USPS all the way.
I feel worse for the lady. When this happens it's the seller that gets the shaft.

 

[Dearslayer]

Man that sucks big time and I really feel your pain... Last year I had a TT shipped to me from the East Coast and was promised it would be packed proper.... Guess what!!! My saving graze was that I was able to totally restore it.. New Walnut veneer and new lid and rewired etc. I hope you can find another one.