Warning for UPS shippers/packaging info

MontanaGrant

MontanaGrant

Silver supporter
AH enthusiast
Joined
Dec 24, 2023
Messages
330
Reaction score
620
Location
Hi-line Montana
Didn’t know where to stick this so figured the classifieds would get this good traffic.

So a word of warning for those who ship UPS. I recently got a Ruger custom M77 in .458 win mag. Even being shipped in a hard case, it arrived broke at the wrist. Cracked the plastic hard case as well. Of course issued a claim with UPS.

After a month of run around and the same ruling from the UPS managers at both shipping and delivery point. And then a third ruling from the appeals person the consensus was:

They denied the claim because of inadequate packaging. Being a hard case we were a little incredulous and asked for clarification:

The UPS requires 2” of padding between the packed object and the outer cardboard shipping box in order to make a payout for damage.

A hard case counts as ZERO packaging because the hard case becomes the “object” which must be padded. So two inches of padding must be wrapped around the OUTSIDE…… of a hard case in order to be eligible for payout.

Since we were curious we asked about other stuff. Factory cardboard/foam boxes also don’t count unless padded 2” all the way around as well.

Which basically means 95% of shipped guns via ups are uninsured as everyone I know assumed a hard case counted as adequate packaging. Two additional inches of padding means a massive box which would almost double the cost of shipping.
 
I have had similar experiences. In the last couple of years I've filed 3 insurance claims for lost or damaged (actually destroyed) items. None of those claims were ever paid. The whole idea that a customer has to pay 'insurance' to a carrier as a safety net to ensure that the carrier does the job correctly that we are already paying them to do is ridiculous to me. Recently when I've sold items that the buyer requests insurance on, I've simply put the insurance money into enhanced padding/packaging and 'self-insured' it. What's the point of paying for insurance if it will never be paid out?
 
That is criminal and there should be something someone could do. I wonder if the BBB could help? Ugh!!!
 
I guess that goes for us individuals. You know damn well that if it happens to a bunch of brand new Rugers, Winchesters, Brownings, etc something WOULD be done about the issue!
 
Rafiki said:
I'm still trying to wrap my mind around how a stock could be broken when shipped in a hard case.
Click to expand...
OH trust me it can happen supposedly, I shipped a Winchester model 70 with bolt removed and wrapped seperately, wrapped in bubble wrap the gun, placed in hard case, Pelican, shipped it FedEx.
When buyer went to pick up the gun had been unwrapped by dealer, and bolt put in gun, big crack and chunk missing in bolt handle spot. Dealer claimed like that when he unwrapped, ( I doubt it was tho)
FedEx denied any claims stating that box did not appear damaged, Was just my word against Dealers,
I refunded money, paid shipping back to me, ate cost of brand new stock.
I suspect dealer dropped gun and would not admit it myself. I now make sure I have an insurance policy with Cole for all my guns and ammo
 
Mark Biggerstaff said:
OH trust me it can happen supposedly, I shipped a Winchester model 70 with bolt removed and wrapped seperately, wrapped in bubble wrap the gun, placed in hard case, Pelican, shipped it FedEx.
When buyer went to pick up the gun had been unwrapped by dealer, and bolt put in gun, big crack and chunk missing in bolt handle spot. Dealer claimed like that when he unwrapped, ( I doubt it was tho)
FedEx denied any claims stating that box did not appear damaged, Was just my word against Dealers,
I refunded money, paid shipping back to me, ate cost of brand new stock.
I suspect dealer dropped gun and would not admit it myself. I now make sure I have an insurance policy with Cole for all my guns and ammo
Click to expand...
Who is Cole? Never heard of them involved when shipping a gun? Are they some sort of special insurance?
 
Been a dealer since 1978, have shipped 1000's of guns and other types of items. Have recieved boxes that looked like they have been on a journey for several years. One time I recieved a box of bullets that it no longer had a square edge they were all caved in. But I was lucky the shipper used packing tape like they got it for free.
When shipping I have gotten complents many times on how good the gun was packed, not just from the new owner but the Gun Shop that recieved it. I always use styrofoam minium 2" around the gun. It weighs next to nothing and can take heavy impacts.

One important thing also about shipping long guns take them apart. You can ship a stock directly to the buyer no FFL is needed. This makes the action only around 34-36" shipping is less, because its shorter and a lot less chances of damage.
 
MontanaGrant said:
Didn’t know where to stick this so figured the classifieds would get this good traffic.

So a word of warning for those who ship UPS. I recently got a Ruger custom M77 in .458 win mag. Even being shipped in a hard case, it arrived broke at the wrist. Cracked the plastic hard case as well. Of course issued a claim with UPS.

After a month of run around and the same ruling from the UPS managers at both shipping and delivery point. And then a third ruling from the appeals person the consensus was:

They denied the claim because of inadequate packaging. Being a hard case we were a little incredulous and asked for clarification:

The UPS requires 2” of padding between the packed object and the outer cardboard shipping box in order to make a payout for damage.

A hard case counts as ZERO packaging because the hard case becomes the “object” which must be padded. So two inches of padding must be wrapped around the OUTSIDE…… of a hard case in order to be eligible for payout.

Since we were curious we asked about other stuff. Factory cardboard/foam boxes also don’t count unless padded 2” all the way around as well.

Which basically means 95% of shipped guns via ups are uninsured as everyone I know assumed a hard case counted as adequate packaging. Two additional inches of padding means a massive box which would almost double the cost of shipping.
Click to expand...
I had a stock broken when I was in college and had to fight with UPS tooth and nail, they tried every way in the world to deny it, but the shipper knew his business and fought them like a war lord.

UPS agreed to pay and then started trying to inhibit me by requesting every piece of documentation as well as stone walling me.

I filed a complaint with the ATF because they were holding my property and then sent a registered letter to the claims manager informing him of my ATF complaint and that I would next be filing a larceny complaint with the police if my property was not released........

48hrs later I had a check in hand.
 
UPS is the only shipper that has ever broken one of my guns.
I use USPS registered mail and have had no problems.
Why UPS is still in business is a mystery to me.
 
This is why if you have nice guns you have to have an external 3rd party insurance policy. Many have been discussed on here, I use Collectibles Insurance Co., haven't had to use them yet thankfully. When I was looking at buying the policy I specifically asked about transit with the airlines, and shipping domestically, they told me that the guns were covered no questions asked.
 
Mark Biggerstaff said:
Gun and Trophy Insurance, a Sponsor on AH
Click to expand...
To complement Mark, a friend contacted a U.S. Senator when USPS lost (stole) his Rolex GMT that he bought for $250 in Hong Kong on his way to Vietnam. The watch was insured, but USPS initially declined to honor the claim because he couldn't produce the original receipt, and he did not have an appraisal with market value. Sometimes, you have to get very tough with these clerks who probably hate their jobs almost as much as they hate guns.
 
Rimbaud said:
To complement Mark, a friend contacted a U.S. Senator when USPS lost (stole) his Rolex GMT that he bought for $250 in Hong Kong on his way to Vietnam. The watch was insured, but USPS initially declined to honor the claim because he couldn't produce the original receipt, and he did not have an appraisal with market value. Sometimes, you have to get very tough with these clerks who probably hate their jobs almost as much as they hate guns.
Click to expand...

I actually think that UPS, USPS and FedEx adjusters get bonuses on money not payed on claims. They sure do make a small fortune on the insurance they charge. USPS gives you the first $100 free...Ha Ha.....How often do they pay it out !
 
coyote wacker said:
I actually think that UPS, USPS and FedEx adjusters get bonuses on money not payed on claims. They sure do make a small fortune on the insurance they charge. USPS gives you the first $100 free...Ha Ha.....How often do they pay it out !
Click to expand...
100% agree. Total bastards.
 
Also note USPS Registered mail is handled hand to hand and must be kept in locked compartment at all times so its not just chunked on a conveyor. As well as has a higher level of insurance you can purchase, max out at $50,000. I am sending JJ a gun this week and will be using Registered mail and Ins.
 
Ah yes, I remember now (it's been a year & half), I shipped my Ruger No 1 via USPS; UPS would not ship it but they did package it in a huge box; it was also in a hard case. Who would'a thought USP_S would do something right.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

... and 1010 more.
Total: 328,456 (members: 1,060, guests: 327,396)

Forum statistics

Threads
67,930
Messages
1,509,640
Members
148,777
Latest member
LeonidaP80
 

 

 

Proudly sponsored by

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

Andrew62
Andrew62 wrote on Imac45acp's profile.
Hello,

Am I reading your post correctly to say that the Tsavo rifle will be coming out with a composite stock later this year? I ask because I had been looking very hard for a Tsavo, but if there is going to be a composite stock model I will wait for that.

Thank you for your time,

Andrew
•••
1r4rc
1r4rc wrote on Corylax18's profile.
Saw your post. Nice. Denver too. Genesee area (just off 70) if ever up this way. Alternatively, do you have a membership at GGC? Whatever, you'll have a wonderful time in Africa. Enjoy.
•••
6
'68boy wrote on UNTAMED KNIVES's profile.
Did you get my info? I sent name and requested info today. Want to make sure you received it. I don’t need any serial number etc
•••
C
Cuthbert Musavengana
Leaner professional hunter
•••
M
MooseHunter wrote on Wildwillalaska's profile.
Hello BJ,

Don here AKA Moose Hunter. I think you got me by mistake. I have seen that rifle listed but it is not my rifle No worries
•••

Share this page

 
Top