First, thanks to all who took the time to respond in the GB&U and in the Blade Discussion forum. This one reply will cover the responses in both areas.
I do appreciate your concern and kind words.
Insurance is a tricky issue - especially when you are working with UPS who are notorious for trying to weasel out of paying claims no matter the circumstances.
However, I have to take it up the gazebo and I have refunded my customer in full- now I will hammer it out with UPS and their underwriter. (Also with the help of my Uncle Oscar
.the lawyer)
To quickly respond to just a few points.
LARRY B.- you ask a very good question- if I bought and paid for $3525.00 of insurance and UPS didnt honour the signature requirement, then why dont I simply get a cheque from them for $3525.00?
Here is the answer- (as Tom from NGK said) they will only refund me what I "paid" for the items and I need to prove that. Fortunately, as I am a formal business, I do have receipts from all the suppliers/Knifemakers so I can prove my cost. Nevertheless, the cerebral question is, WHY DOES UPS TAKE INSURANCE PREMIUMS FOR $$$$ THAT THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF RESPECTING. My answer to that" "Why do you think they call it "BROWN"?.... Therefore, taking out full insurance with UPS is nothing more than a fraud in my opinion. Larry B- thanks for your input here- I appreciate it.
FARAMIR- In another BROWN moment- I had a previous loss with them on a $375.00 William Henry knife- that package completely vanished at their Louisville hub. In one of my conversations with their insurance adjuster, he told me that they saw a similar knife at Wal-mart for $20.00 so that was all they were giving me. However, after a quick phone call to my UPS account representative telling her to come to my office, take back her UPS LP2844 thermal label printer, and close my account, my case was resolved and I received my $375.00.
TIM8557- My UPS driver here is a wonderful guy- we have an understanding and he NEVER leaves any packages without a signature. I am in no way making any accusatory comments towards the UPS drivers etc. They have their policies and that is that. I ship with whichever carrier my customer designates.
COSMO- Absolutely correct- but although that system may be a pain in your ass, at least you get your merchandise.
Not all couriers only honour the wholesale price- actually, although I do not use them, the Post Office is the best (from what I hear) at claims. Whatever insurance you purchase is recovered. May take some time- anyway, this is only what I have been told.
FedEx one lost a package of mine- within 2 weeks I had a cheque for the entire invoice/insured amount - not merely my cost- and I got a nice fruit basket.
UPS drivers have the authority to override and leave packages without a signature if they deem the neighborhood safe. According to UPS, they would rather pay insurance claims than have to redeliver (This is an actual quote from them). Makes sense as long as they continue to take the premium for $3525.00 and only have the intention to pay back the cost. That is a business within a business.
In general, if you consider the millions of packages that are soaring all over North America daily, the loss percentage is miniscule- just hurts when one has to take a hit in the wallet. Nevertheless, this is business, as I have to take the good with the bad.
Thanks very much to all of you who have offered to watch out for these knives- they are all quite unique and should they turn up in a pawn shop or on eBay etc, I would really appreciate knowing about it.
Money aside, lets catch the thieves.
Take care, Neil
