New jetglo 650c damaged, but how?

[zrob]

I've written before about this but... I received an eBay 660/12TP through UPS and when it arrived I signed for it and the driver left. As he turned his truck around to leave I flagged him down and told him of a shoe sized hole in the box, and I asked him to make a notation. He said he's worked for UPS for 10 years and they won't pay if there's damage, they'll just blame it on the shipper. He was emphatic on this point. Then I told him it was packed and shipped from a UPS store in PA (i'm in socal). His advice was to take photos as I open the package, wished me luck and drove off. He would not make a notation, however I suppose I could have laid down in the street. Anyway, it turned out all was fine. My point here is that allowing your dealer to blame this on UPS, especially with no damage on the box, it to hang yourself out to dry. UPS will never pay and your dealer knows it. I'd never shop there again just for that reason.

The TP comes in a vintage case, but I believe the 650C is shipped in a molded case, and I've heard those are superior at protection. To me, unless there are some obvious marks on the shipping box, and damage to the inside of the case (at the headstock), this has to be prior damage. The wood isn't going to scuff & gouge because it slides around, not without penetrating the lining of the case and leaving evidence as to what gouged it. This is common sense stuff. And you know it didn't leave the factory that way. Minus obvious evidence to the contrary, it's time for the dealer to step up and fix this mess for their customer, and it seems you're going to have to buck-up and keep them honest. I know I would.

That's my 2¢. But I've got two words for UPS: Fed-Ex! I pay extra to ship FedEx.

BTW, I have a 650C and am quite pleased, once it's set-up. Best wishes Dan!
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=377831

[admin]

I agree that it is hard to argue that the cuts and scuffs seen in the photo would result from the foam inside the case.

But my question is how does one rule out the possibility that the headstock was forced rapidly against the top inside of the case.

At the end of the day, I defer to those with the experience in handling such damages.

[clearblue]

I have no choice in the matter and will proceed with the way I was instructed by the dealer.

Thank you everyone for yout kind works, suggestions and opinions. They are greatly appreciated.

[teb]

Some of you guys need to watch CSI more often. First of all, the damage was obviously not caused by smooth case material covered with fuzzy stuff. It's simply not abrasive enough to make those scratches. This would mean that if there is something in that area of the case that's hard and/or sharp enough to do that kind of damage, you should have no trouble finding it. Secondly, the stuff that was worn off of the headstock didn't just evaporate into thin air. If the damage happened while the guitar was in the case, the residue should still be in there and not hard to find.

[ozover50]

Good work, Bradshaw..........

[admin]

Excellent Todd. We should do our homework. Perhaps we could see a close up photo of the case near the headstock.

Also, under this smooth case liner there may be a rough edge or other aberration.

A careful look at the latches on the new case wouldn't hurt either. Perhaps happened as the instrument was set in the case.

Wise words too, Wooly. None of us is perfect.There should be no statute of limitations when it comes to making things right.

[jdogric12]

Not for nothing, but I've experienced an '07 650S that slid around in the case because it doesn't fit quite right. Another forumite can back me up on this if he chooses to chime in. My solution was to wedge a piece of thick cardboard under the bottom strap button.

[beatlefreak]

I think in a case like that (pun intended), I'd rework the case to put extra padding in one or both ends so it didn't slide around.

[ken_j]

I always protect the headstock when shipping. I also use a piece of foam with cloth wrapped around it to limit the body from moving. I got this tip for using crumpled paper to protect the headstock from my Larrivee owners manual.

[clearblue]

I conducted a thorough inspection of the case last evening. I even called in Moulder and Scully in case ET or supernatural phenomena may have been involved. With a high intensity flashlight in hand I inspected the headstock area of the case. There were no fragments of paint or any remnants of the headstock in the case. No impression marks were on the inside of the headstock end of the case. While headstock damage "can" occur in transit, it would leave significantly different marks on the headstock and would have had to of been a major impact resulting in visible case anomalies. There was also no evidence that ET or any supernatural phenomena was involved. Of course this is just my opinion (FWIW).

[admin]

Dan: Your reality check is appreciated. I am impressed with your protocol.

Could the damage on the headstock been made by the latch as the instrument was being put into the new style case?

[jps]

I have no choice in the matter and will proceed with the way I was instructed by the dealer.

You dealer is trying to weasel out of his responsibility by claiming UPS caused the damage; it is pretty apparent to most of us, if not all of us here, that the damage was caused prior to the guitar being handed over to UPS. You should be more assertive/aggressive with your dealer or you may be on the loosing end of this, unfortunately.

[pickofthericks]

Gentleman: I have sat quietly and read this post. I am the dealer who sold Dan this guitar. I can assure all of you that this guitar or any other would not leave this shop in that condition. I have had many dealings with UPS, Fed Ex and the likes. It is certainly feasible that this occured during shipping without causing damage to the container. We ship many instruments weekly and have seen quite a few "impossible things" happen. I have procedures I must follow and have also offered to send a replacement instrument. Please dont draw conclusions and express your opinions so hastily.

Chris

[admin]

Agreed, Chris. Looking at all possibilities and letting the investigation take its course is only fair.

[jps]

Sorry Chris! I know you are one of the most upstanding dealers and if you say it happened in shipping, I believe you. From the original posting:

"Got it from a well known dealer"

I wrongly assumed it was Musicians Friend or a similar dealer like that.

The evidence I have seen lead me to the conclusion I made! I am still confused as to how the inside of the case would have caused so much damage!