UPS Horror Story

Last year our web master sold a guitar via eBay for just under $900. The guitar had a hard-shell (plywood) case, and to further protect it in shipping he wrapped the case in very heavy cardboard. He then took the guitar to UPS, where the UPS clerk slit open and inspected the packing materials, and accepted the guitar for shipping. Our web master then paid UPS for shipping and for $900 "insurance."

During shipping, UPS destroyed the guitar. Our web master then attempted to collect on the "insurance" he had purchased. UPS refused to honor its insurance, stating that the guitar had been "improperly packed." (This after their clerk had inspected the packing material, accepted the guitar for shipment, and accepted payment for "insurance.")

We've known others with similar UPS horror stories. But we do know of one person for whom UPS honored its insurance. The person in question had shipped a large mirror valued at several hundred dollars, which UPS had destroyed in transit. UPS initially refused to honor the "insurance" they had sold the man, citing "improper packaging." They honored their "insurance" only after he produced the receipt showing that UPS itself had packaged the mirror.

This is the only instance we know of in which UPS has honored the "insurance" it sells.
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