Shipping Corals

[troynel]

I recently shipped out about 16 corals through UPS. I put each coral doulbe bagged in the plastic bags you get from the fish store. I packed them all very tightly in a styrofoam box. I also put heat warmers in. I then took the box to the ups store and they packed it in another brown box with peanuts.

I then got a call the next day that the package was damaged in processing. They claim that the white top of the box had come loose and cause the corals and water to damage the box. I taped the white lid shut with packing tape. I also labeled the box this side up.

Now UPS is telling me they won't cover it under the insurance.

Has anyone ever gone through this or does anyone have any suggestions. I'm super upset, one because the corals are dead and I had them for years, and two i'm out the money now.

 

[cobra9]

No shipping company will cover loss of livestock.

Also I would never ever use UPS or USPS for livestock. I would only use Fed-ex next day service , preferably to a kinkos/fed-ex site.

 

[James404]

I agree with cobra, on a side note if you look at how such vendors such as liveaquaria ships, the styrofoam container is packed within a box that exactly fits it, there is no way a top can come loose.

 

[troynel]

The styrofoam box was packed in a box the fit perfectly by the UPS store. They claim the lid came loose but it's impossible. What happened was they through the box around to much and some of the sps probably cut the bags.

 

[Dyzio545]

If I was in your situation I would go all the way with this. (Thats just the way I am) I'm getting mad just thinking about it. I'm very very surprised that they are giving you a hard time with this. I would also take in mind this:

Did you review the insurance policy?
Did you or ups mark the box with a label such as "live animals" "fragile" or "livestock"?
Did you ever come across this: http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/service/claims/hlp/damage_process.html

Since you seem to have packaged it correctly, it was probably simple negligence by UPS.

 

[anbosu]

I read another thread recently, and I think UPS basically has a policy where they deny every insurance claim initially. If you escalate you might have better luck.

 

[troynel]

UPS marked the box with this side up.
I haven't reviewed it. Only problem with that is that the UPS guy told me not to buy insurance because they wouldn't cover it regardless.
I have seen that website thanks!
I'm just going to keep calling and see what happens. It was totally their fault by throwing these things around like rag dolls.

If I was in your situation I would go all the way with this. (Thats just the way I am) I'm getting mad just thinking about it. I'm very very surprised that they are giving you a hard time with this. I would also take in mind this:

Did you review the insurance policy?
Did you or ups mark the box with a label such as "live animals" "fragile" or "livestock"?
Did you ever come across this: http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/service/claims/hlp/damage_process.html

Since you seem to have packaged it correctly, it was probably simple negligence by UPS.

 

[troynel]

anyone else?

 

[troynel]

Well just a FYI, I complained to UPS and they reversed their dicision. Thanks to all the info everyone provided.

 

[artman18944]

....thats good...i deal with ups everyday and some time i think they must have some of the most disgruntled workers...i ordered a part for one of my customers and three times the package showed smashed to bits as if they just kicked it around the wharehouse reminds of that jim carey movie where hes kickin the package to the door....