I'm sending this to both lists as it seems to have migrated. Due to many problems over the years with UPS, in particular two that have happened since moving the shop to NH, Lawson Horns is no longer shipping by UPS. The "last straw" was when UPS opened to box to see if the horn (valued at $11,000) was "packed properly" and damaged the instrument when they had it out of the case. They denied the insurance claim since the box was undamaged. We are now sending everything by USPS Priority Mail. Horns go by registered mail. A bit more time in packing as all seams on the box must be over sealed with paper tape. You must take it to the PO for shipment as they stamp the tape all the way around and it goes under escort to its destination. They do not throw the packages as those workers are bonded and follow procedures set up to insure safe handling of valuable items. This does not preclude packing the instrument well whether in a case or bubble wrapped. In the instance of screw bell horns without a case, I pack the bubble wrapped parts in two separate boxes. Depending on the distance, it takes 1-3 days longer than regular priority. Cost is about half of current UPS rates, including insurance. You can also pay more for Express Mail and get it there a bit sooner. I think you are taking the same chances with FedEx and DHL as with UPS as competition has forced them to cut corners. Insurance is a racket, anyway, and only designed for total loss, not damaged goods. The above mentioned horn, shipped from Staples, had "High Value: $11,000" written on the box by the Staples employee, much to my protest! The manager at the store said this was "UPS policy" and there was nothing he could do about it. It was opened after it left the store, either for "inspection" or perhaps with the UPS employee having thoughts of arranging its disappearance. I had problems with FedEx over customs proceedures some years ago in shipping a horn to France, so I don't use them either any more. I am now recommending to our customers to ship horns in by USPS, registered Priority, as well. If I have any problems with the USPS, I'll let you know. So far, so good! KB In a message dated 11/17/2007 5:16:09 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, "thehornrx" [EMAIL PROTECTED] (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) writes:
Even if you pack it this way (which is very safe) - UPS will deny any claim on it due to the fact that the instrument is NOT packaged in it's hard case. It's ironic that the safest was to package the horn is a way which UPS will deny any claims against it. (Believe me I KNOW!). Basically, insurance on sent horns is mostly to cover loss of the instrument. UPS seems to deny every claim at first blush, and Kerry's case was a rare instance of UPS 'giving in' - as any horn repair tech. or salesperson can attest. Ken Pope http://www.poperepair.com ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com _______________________________________________ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
