Follow this guide! Avoid Shipping Claims, and Denial of Claims on packages shipped to Sound Pure.
If a carrier denies your claim due to insufficient packaging, it means they believe the damage occurred because the item was not properly packed, not due to their handling, and they will not accept liability. They will deny your claim, leaving us with no recourse!
- Carrier’s Position:
FedEx and UPS both state that the sender is responsible for ensuring items are adequately packaged to withstand transit, including ordinary wear and tear (which can be more than you’d expect!) - No Exterior Damage:
If the box shows no external signs of damage but the internal contents are damaged, FedEx and UPS will almost always deny the claim, citing packing as the issue.
Packing is Key:
You must pack items so they cannot be damaged without clearly and substantially damaging the outer box. Some exterior box “wear and tear” may lead to a claim denial, if they determine the interior packaging is insufficient.
Here are some resources for fact checking with FedEx!
The FedEx packaging Guidelines
FedEx “Learn the Packing Basics and Get Tips for Specialty Items”
The Official FedEx Service Guide controls their comprehensive rules
Pro Tip!
If you’re unsure if your item is sufficiently packed, close the top of the box and give it a good shake. If your item moves inside, more packing material should be added. Your goal is VERY little, if any, movement inside of the outermost box.
Thoroughly pack your gear to ensure a safe arrival, and no claims being needed whatsoever!
Insufficient packing is not a risk worth taking.
Please note that Sound Pure will make every effort to fight a claim on your behalf when it is shipped on our account, but we can not be held liable for a lack of a claim payout due to what FedEx, or UPS deems “improper” or “insufficient” packaging per their Service Guides, which control their shipping claims process.
The Bottom Line:
Package carriers take no responsibility for the packing of products for shipment. This is true whether it is shipped on your account, a Sound Pure account, or using a third party shipping service (such as a packaging store). Even a FedEx or UPS branded store can insufficiently package a product, and many of these are really third parties anyway. Seeking recourse and claims against a store can be tricky.
Some General Rules of Thumb:
- Whenever possible, use the manufacturer OEM boxing, and then double box it!
- If you do not have the original packaging make sure that your Sound Pure Expert is aware as this can affect your trade/return value
- Ship fragile products individually, wrapping them in a minimum 3″ (8cm) thickness of air-cellular cushioning material.
- Packaging should be “tight” utilizing bubble wrap, packing paper or foam, and not allow for a lot of movement, or slippage towards a side or corner during transit. Packing peanuts, garbage bags, shopping bags, u-haul blankets and other like items do not offer sufficient enough protection for guitars and amplifiers.
- Packaging material should not compress (should provide soft rigidity to blows) over the trip, and should “rebound” – this is why bubble wrap (3” minimum can be a good choice)
- In general, do not pack multiple pieces in a single box unless they are separately boxed with adequate packing material between the separate internal boxes, and substantial packaging around each item. It is particularly risky to ship multiple high density pieces in a single box together.
Heavy, High Density Fragile Items are the most Dangerous:
BE AWARE: High density items (heavier electronic rack equipment, amplifiers, speakers, cabinets) are the most susceptible to damage in transit, and require the utmost in packaging materials and care to ensure their safe arrival. Prior to sealing your package, verify that all corners, rack ears, or other damage-susceptible locations on your item are properly covered.
