Guns broken in shipping

[Mark Biggerstaff]

I have shipped hundreds of long guns and handguns over the last 15 years.
4 have been damaged. 1 was on FedEx. Claim denied. End of discussion with them as you have to be Licensed with FedEx to ship guns.
1 UPS. Paper work was nightmare but they did pay for stock replacement
2 were believe it or not USPS. Paperwork was easier and they paid for stock replacement costs no problem.
I alway double and triple check packing on wood stock guns.

One that was broken by FedEx was in a Pelican case! Tells you how rough they treat packages.

We have also had many come in to shop with damaged stocks or other issues. New guns from suppliers. We always just box up and ship those back. Most have no idea actually how many damaged guns Gunshop's get in.

 

[gbflyer]

Always use US Postal 100%. 2 claims in 30 years. Both paid. All they want is proof of worth.

I’ve beat my head against the wall with vendor upon vendor about this. Unfortunately they start talking “company policy” is UPS and FEDEX and that’s all she wrote. We live in Alaska. FEDEX gets taken to Anchorage and put in the us mail hahaha.

 

[DavidC]

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As an FFL holder there are two criteria that I hold too. One is that the bolt is removed and padded and secured in the hard case that I ship in, if it is left in the rifle there are two things that are key. Number one is - is the rifle really un loaded? Number two is critical- if there is pressure on the outside of the shipping container the bolt will act as leverage and a broken stock may result. I always insist on bolt removal when arms are being shipped to me, and when they are shipped out. Did have a bolt flop around in the case and punched right thru the objective lens on a Kahles that was attached to a rifle shipped to me. Seller made good and Kahles factory did a free rebuild. Only minor grief for a moment or so. Had a claim with FEDEX and it went nowhere, very disturbing. Another thought on when to ship_ always ship at the beginning of the week, so your item is always moving and someone has custody. Had a friend that shipped late week and some items sat in storage so a few things,(bolts) went missing for a shipment of rifles. Most dis- tasteful.

 

[Sabre]

Sorry to hear that Jay. My claim still isn't being handled...just bounced around with no results after months. That's on a paid insurance from one FFL to another. Ridiculous.

Sorry to hear that they are still dodging their responsibility. I noticed that someone prior had recommended threatening with a lawyer. I just wanted to say that this can sometimes be a double edged sword. Sometimes as soon as a customer threatens to use a lawyer, a business will say that they can no longer discuss it with you and things must be handled through their legal team.

Although considering they seem like they aren't going to help you anyway, it might be the only course of action at some point.

 

[Altitude sickness]

I’m hoping my insurance company recoups the claim money from UPS

 

[PARA45]

Again, I’ll say it one more time. How can fedEx get away with damaging a a rifle and not paying for the damage? Is it even legal for them to do so?

 

[Green Chile]

Again, I’ll say it one more time. How can fedEx get away with damaging a a rifle and not paying for the damage? Is it even legal for them to do so?

It’s a good question. I’ve never heard of a gun claim that went smoothly. I think the shipping insurance is something of a scam and they do all kinds of things to avoid payment on damages.

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

I can remember reading a post of someones woes on another forum where a valuable antique firearm was destroyed by one of the postal carriers, you could see on the box where a forklift had driven over the box and they just taped it up and delivered it. I believe that involved lawyers
Gumpy