[montanafos]

Just a heads up to those shipping rods via USPS Priority Mail. I bought an unfished rod a couple weeks ago and it was packaged very well in the original tube and then in a PVC tube with bubble wrap on both ends. I paid $275 for the rod and it was insured by the shipper. Upon receipt of the rod the tip had broken just below the tip top and I started the claims process. Before and after pics of the rod, value / price paid invoice, proof of insurance and tracking as per the online form. The $275 claim was "approved" within 4 days...pretty impressive in my thoughts. However, the check was just received and the USPS arbitrarily placed a value on the claim of $100. $275 claim approved based on backup submitted...they send me $100 to settle the claim. Absolute BS. Just submitted my first appeal to them based on the backup provided and a description to help them better understand the full ramifications of a short tip, etc on an out of production rod. Anyhow..."shipper / buyer beware" of the USPS. My thoughts are they just automatically devalue a claim by 70% and expect that people will just settle and go away as they know they're dealing with the government. I'm going to stick this one out and see it through. First time down this road with them...

 

[Pere]

I feel for you buddy. Take it to them and good luck. You are against a big fish there.

 

[fredaevans]

Thanks for the 'Head's Up.'

I feel for you buddy. Take it to them and good luck. You are against a big fish there.

I've shipped a lot of fishing gear, rods, reels, etc., via the USPS (even to Europe/UK) and so far so good, not a blip.

That said, the last two rods were in a bubble wrap (these are done by a shipping company here in Medford) and a HEAVY cardboard tube. Tube was bent like heck when it got to sending address but the rods were 'OK.'

Being I'd insured the hell out of them (a first I might add) this thread bothers me ... a lot!

fae

 

[SteelerHeeler]

Very troubling, hang in there. Was the PVC tube crushed?

 

[middlecalf]

What was the rod insured for? If $275 than they should pay $275. Shipping insurance is not to get it there sort of in kind of the same shape but maybe a little different with a few minor scratches and a couple of breaks no big deal kind of thing, it's suppose to get there as shipped, exactly. Pure BS. Hang 'em high 'fos!

 

[FKrow]

Unfortunately a very common story with UPSP insurance claims, they are the worst for damaged contents.

You paid for $275 insurance value if lost,,,,, and they decide the amount on damaged goods.

Same sad story with UPS who use another independent insurance company to settle claims for damages.

The most reliable is FedEx less grief when claims are made.

Regards,
FK

 

[montanafos]

The rod was insured for full value and they still sent me $100 check after "approving" the claim. Absolute...complete...BS. Will see how the appeal goes. What a crock...an appeal to the USPS. I'm pretty well SOL I expect. I imagine a USPS employee would be having a cow if this were their rod. The PVC tube was not crushed, it appeared that the rod had probably been smacked on the end enough to create movement of the inner tube that was enough to snap the tip top at the metal / graphite intersection. There was bubble wrap on both ends of the tube internally so must have been dinged pretty good to cause that kind of shock.

 

[SLSS]

I think that's insurance in general, not just USPS.

On a contrary note- a broken tip- some rod companies might sell you a new tip for that $100.00. Of course you need to ship the rod to them….

 

[wrx_canoe]

Was the rod in a rod sock? There must have been some movement in the inner tube. Movement is what causes damage. I'm sorry to hear about the grief USPS is causing you. Have you taken this up with the seller? If they didn't pack the rod tightly in the inner rod tube I would say it's partially their fault.

 

[meb]

Another USPS experience

Also, if you print your own labels and put them on a round cardboard tube the automatic computer/robot readers can't normally read the tracking information. The package will be delivered the same, but it won't be tracked until it reaches its final destination and someone does it by hand.

Mark

 

[montanafos]

Was the rod in a rod sock? There must have been some movement in the inner tube. Movement is what causes damage. I'm sorry to hear about the grief USPS is causing you. Have you taken this up with the seller? If they didn't pack the rod tightly in the inner rod tube I would say it's partially their fault.

The rod was in the original sock and tube. The tube was then placed in a PVC tube and bubble wrap was placed on both ends of the rod tube to absorb impact.

 

[montanafos]

USPS Denied the Appeal...on to round 3

Well...the online status of my appeal changed to "denied" overnight. Amazing the integrity of the post office....or lack thereof. Easy to do when you don't have to converse with the person you're telling to pound sand. So...another appeal is sent and pending. Unfortunately, if they deny this one...I'm done...they win. What a crock.