Thread: UPS Damaged My Skis

Found a pair of barely used XXL's and had them shipped to me. They arrived via UPS appearing that they had been dropped off of a five story building. Brakes were sticking out of one side of the box, but no apparent damage. I took them to my shop and had them remounted and scraped the storage wax off. The shop tech pointed out a little "hiccup" on one ski. Theres a dent in the sidewall and a lump below it in the base. Looks like an edge segment has popped loose. I know the shop didn't do it because the dent lines up with damage on the box, plus I know them and they wouldn't lie about something like that.

They were shipped to me via a buddy who didn't wrap them, although I don't know if this would've helped. I wish he would have, but I'm not about to bring the damage up to him. Haven't checked to see what he insured them for. Do I have any recourse with UPS? My buddy at the shop seemed to think I'm outta luck.

Assuming UPS tells me to fuck myself, is there a fix for this? I probably wont notice the small bump in the base from the ski, I'm just worried about future structural integrity of the ski. They only have one day on them from the past owner and I'd like to get some seasons out of them.

Originally Posted by DeepHelmet

They were shipped to me via a buddy who didn't wrap them, although I don't know if this would've helped. I wish he would have, but I'm not about to bring the damage up to him. Haven't checked to see what he insured them for. Do I have any recourse with UPS? My buddy at the shop seemed to think I'm outta luck.

Sorry to hear that. I'm sure the way your buddy packaged the skis is like 90% of the skis sent here are packaged. I try to protect the skis the best I can but you can only do so much in the limited space in the box. From what I've heard there are tons of hoops to go through to actually get paid if they were insured -- unfortunately. Whenever I shipped expensive things for work ($10K for example) they sometimes told me that I needed to double-box equipment to be fully insured. Obviously skis are cheaper but nobody likes to actually pay you even though you are insured.

Things that may have helped or could help in future transactions:

1) Pictures of item in pre-sent condition.
2) Picture of item in box as it arrived (I know -- not likely)
3) Pictures of item damaged after it was taken out of box.

NOTE that it would always be a good idea for the sender to take a picture of the shipping box prior to sending so that they can see that it was well packaged. (I'm sure only the analist of people actually would do this though)

Did you have to sign for the package? If so you should always open the box if it appears damaged before signing.

Probably not too helpful at this point but if anything can be done I believe it is the sender who has to make the damage claim.

Hopefully the damage can be fixed by a good tech. I worry about skis I send out. I just figure if something happens in transit and someone isn't happy I'll either refund all their money or come to an agreement that everybody is happy with. Maybe your buddy will pay for half the repair if possible? I'm sure your buddy wants you to be happy with the transaction too.

UPS is famous for this. I shipped a new pair of skis a few years ago, they arrived with one ski's edge crushed and completely delaminated. The ski box was broken, with tire marks.

They were insured, so I filed a claim. UPS said, "Nope, they were carelessly packed, we're not responsible." (I used a standard ski box, skis were triple wrapped in bubble wrap and then peanuts added.) Then I asked one of the franchise managers what would have happened if I had let the store pack them. "Oh, they still would have denied your claim, they would have said we were responsible. They never pay anybody for anything." Would the franchise have paid? He shrugged.

Bottom line: You're screwed. Next time use FedEx.

You should of filed a claim ASAP and not taken them to the shop for a mount. You will, more than likely, be fucked now. I deal with UPS on a weekly basis and have had to fail a few claims with them for damaged goods from shipping. They always have reimbursed for product, albeit with proof and acknowledgment from the driver.

Beyond: Sorry, but I feel your story is full of shit. Especially if said package was insured. You work for FedEx or fucking one of their drivers?

Originally Posted by Beyond

Bottom line: You're screwed. Next time use FedEx.

I've sent tons of packages via Fedex too. Something tells me you would be screwed with either carrier unless the skis were packaged so well it would cost $50 to send them instead of $20. Luckily skis are made to take a beating so damage doesn't happen often.

Fedex is even harder to work with than UPS.

UPS Sucks monkey nuts. Buying the insurance is a joke. Its impossible that it is there fault. What can brown do for you

Thanks for the replies. I kinda figured I was screwed. To clear up a couple of things. The skis were mounted when they were shipped- they were used, but barely. My buddy who shipped the skis wasn't who I bought them from. He was just doing me a favor since he lived in the same town as the seller. Hardly charged me anything.

Anyone know of a REALLY good repair shop in salt lake city?

Buy local?

Thanks Meanfruit. I never thought of that, but now that you've enlightened me, I'll go forth never having to worry about UPS fucking up my skis ever again. Don't know what I would've done without you.

Originally Posted by rludes025

UPS Sucks monkey nuts. Buying the insurance is a joke. Its impossible that it is there fault. What can brown do for you

Yeah, UPS will always fuck you. Mangled / crumbled boxes that were insured, good luck getting your money. These guys are so slow and have screwed me over so many times that I refuse to use them. Certainly do not buy the insurance it is a complete waste of money. USPS for me, fast delivery, and no problems.

Wish we could make a sticky about shipping insurance being a scam for private individuals because UPS, USPS, FedEX, FedEx Home Delivery none of them are ever going to pay up for you if shit gets fucked up.

I've gotten paid on two ups claims.
The key is to become a huge pain in their ass until they send a rep out.
Then make friends with him/her. The rep has a lot of leeway on settling claims.

The biggest hurdle you're facing (assuming it was packaged OK) is the fact that you didn't bring it to their attention before you opened the box.
You really should have taken pics of the broken box when it came in.

I would still give it a shot.
Yes, they will deny it.
They denied both of my claims but I kept pushing and eventually I got my money.

Don't ship in December.

I would follow up with UPS. If one person isn't helpful, ask to speak to their manager. Keep going up the chain until you talk to someone who can actually help you. You just need to be persistent. If the first call and climb up the manager chain doesn't work, repeat the process again.

Originally Posted by bern43

I would follow up with UPS. If one person isn't helpful, ask to speak to their manager. Keep going up the chain until you talk to someone who can actually help you. You just need to be persistent. If the first call and climb up the manager chain doesn't work, repeat the process again.

The problem here, and I could be wrong, but I believe it would have to be his friend who submits the claim since he was the sender and the one who bought insurance. UPS had no agreement with the reciever of the goods. They had an agreement with the sender. Maybe that has changed.

I could be wrong, but based on your original description it sounds like the damaged sidewall and edge are in the middle under the bindings: if even the bindings weren't wrapped, I don't see how UPS could be held responsible. Yes its a major PIA to wrap and ship (if not wrapping, I would have seriously considered pulling the bindings and shipping them separately), but the bindings stick out so much they're damage waiting to happen if not properly protected. It certainly seems like UPS manhandled them pretty badly, but by not providing even minimal wrapping/protection you're pretty much SOL.

Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

Wish we could make a sticky about shipping insurance being a scam for private individuals because UPS, USPS, FedEX, FedEx Home Delivery none of them are ever going to pay up for you if shit gets fucked up.

+1

OP - If you paid with cc you can have it issue a chargeback. If it's a good cc. And you get to keep the skis.

Go usps. The two times they broke my crap the insurance check came in within a week. They even refunded the sales tax.

Of course they have no problem telling you to fuck off when that signature required package gets stolen after being dropped off at the door.. But that's another story.

Originally Posted by bern43

I would follow up with UPS. If one person isn't helpful, ask to speak to their manager. Keep going up the chain until you talk to someone who can actually help you. You just need to be persistent. If the first call and climb up the manager chain doesn't work, repeat the process again.

this


eventually, you will get someone who can fix it, and the couple hundred bucks it'll cost them isn't worth their time.

USPS? I havent ever had an issue and I ship 10+ pairs a year.

I will deliver skis anywhere for gas money and lift tickets..... except Texas

Originally Posted by trainnvain

Don't ship in December.

Please read the above and listen to that advice. All the problems I've had shipping things (as far as damaged packages goes) have been during the holidays.

All of the 3 major carriers are a pain when it comes to claims, but in my experience fedex is the best. I had one claim with them - $500 for some skis - and they paid out after two or three phone calls. Wasn't really that hard, sent the people some photos of the before/after condition, and that was pretty much it.

I used to use UPS a lot, and Fedex customer service is 100x better in my experience. That said, just call and explain your case. Try "They did not arrive in the same condition they were sent in." Say it a bunch and maybe something will happen.

Last spring, this happened:

On 04-17-2009 I skipped skiing in anticipation of FedEx delivering a pair of DPS F3 120s. FedEx claims the skis were delivered around noon but my dogs—who go ape at the sound of a delivery truck—and I say no way, no delivery today, so far. There’s either a stoked criminally minded delivery driver or FedEx chose the worst possible package to screw up on.

The skis were “lost” for one week. The driver claimed the skis were delivered on the specified date and the driver kept claiming over-and-over that he delivered the skis to the correct address, on the correct date. Finally, my girl gave the driver a sob story about how important the skis were; the driver took off for a half an hour and then finally delivered the skis with a note claiming that he had “transposed” the address…

Just here to chime in and agree that the major carriers suck balls.

I sold a pair of gotamas + naxos here last spring. FedEx broke the toe-piece on one ski and refused the claim 4 times.

In the end, they stated that since the box did not show significant damage, how could the broken binding possibly be their fault?