OT (sort of) Oh the fun begins, filing a FedEx claim Options

[GaroldShaffer]

So I sold this Saratoga Top on ebay for $421. Shipped it FedEx Ground to RI. Arrived cracked. The top was wrapped in a moving blanket, then placed in side a box and that box was then put in a bigger box with more packing around the smaller box.

They buyer is cool, he wants to keep the top, but would like some $$ refunded. I'm cool with that because it is the right thing to do. I have never had to file a claim for damage. I don't expect this to be a fun or easy process. Any words of advice before I start? Thanks

[STL914]

Garold,

I had a similar experience about 6 years ago, but with the opposite position. I bought a Saratoga top from a guy in California who had it sent via UPS, even before I sent him payment. The box arrived at my door with a crushed corner and my wife called me at work. Got home and pulled out the top, front right corner shattered, ceramic mounting block for the latch also shattered, large scratch about 15" long from the latch as it fell in the box.

Seller didn't insure the package, but UPS had $200 coverage on it. I made several calls to UPS to find out what to do. Someone from UPS from out of state called me and warned me that UPS would take the top and ship it to their Florida center to sell it to recoup their up coming settlement. They tried 3 times to pick it up at my house and each time my wife told then to take a hike. I figured it was repairable, based on showing photos to a co-worker who had experience working with ceramics and plexiglas. He was able to repair it and handed me a bill, which I submitted to UPS.

It took over 6 months to get a settlement, the $200 sent to the seller. He was happy as a pig in shit because he sold me the top for $50. I was happy becuase I had the top, even though it was repaired, for $0. I later sold it on eBay for $250.