Beware of ParcelFarce

[JPJ]

So I decided to take a chance on a KK Baby Bass as my next steps in the world of DB. A lovely five string came up on eBay and after a couple of friendly exchanges with the seller, a deal was hatched and the bass was bought. Only problem was the 369 miles between me and the seller So the plan was further developed to include insured shipping and the bass was packaged up and dispatched.

Now when I learned the bass was coming with ParcelForce (aka ParcelFarce) I was a little concerned, and I awaited delivery with baited breath. ParcelForce give you a helpful eleven hour delivery slot with no online tracking, and of course they chose to deliver within the precise 30 minute window when the house was unoccupied, so this morning I trekked over to the local depot to collect the bass. The packaging was extensive and looked intact, so I was somewhat relieved, and even more so when the ParcelForce lady commented that this was just as well as they don't insure musical instruments. Dashing back to the batcave, I eagerly unwrapped the cardboard and nine miles of packing tape, and eased the substantial padded gig bag out of the box. Again, everything looked good, so I unzipped the gig bag and 'bang' the fingerboard, complete with truss rod fell out first! Easing the rest of the bass out of the case showed, three substantial chips in the finish of the top (probably from the truss rod retaining brackets), two bent tuners, the bridge knocked out of position, and the end pin driven so far into the body that the rubber foot had come completely off, and the end pin locking bolt bent.

Its pretty clear that despite the 'fragile' stickers all over the packaging, something heavy has been placed on top of the bass, levering the fingerboard off (tearing the ebony at the nut end). Also, it must have been dropped on its end (both ends) to dislodge the end pin and bend the tuning pegs. As i type this, the seller is contacting ParcelFarce and I'm in contact with my local luthier about reattaching the fingerboard, but once again, a beautiful instrument has been virtually destroyed in the hands of couriers. My advice to my fellow basschatters is avoid couriers like the plague and avoid ParcelFarce in particular after this episode. Will keep you lot posted as this develops.

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[stingrayPete1977]

Bugger!

[scrumpymike]

A total disgrace! Good luck with the damage-limitation exercise.

[Grangur]

Regrettably I think the first assumption you need to make when packing anything is; assume it will be dropped as a direct hit on it's most vulnerable side/corner/edge... more than once.

All that said; good luck in getting it fixed.

PS - I know packing wasn't in the OP's area of control.

2nd rule - read the small print. There's no point in paying the insurance cover against risk of damage, if the small print says "all instruments must be in a flight-case", and you didn't pack it in a flight case.

Edited February 25, 2017 by Grangur

[bassace]

Bloody disgraceful. I feel your pain. I had a new Upton double bass from Boston, completely undamaged. Yet these clowns can't manage 400 miles.

[JPJ]

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1488042371' post='3245345']
Regrettably I think the first assumption you need to make when packing anything is; assume it will be dropped as a direct hit on it's most vulnerable side/corner/edge... more than once.

All that said; good luck in getting it fixed.

PS - I know packing wasn't in the OP's area of control.

2nd rule - read the small print. There's no point in paying the insurance cover against risk of damage, if the small print says "all instruments must be in a flight-case", and you didn't pack it in a flight case.
[/quote]

To be fair to the Seller, he had done an excellent job of packing the bass, and there wasn't a mark on the box to suggest the damage that lay within.

Let's see how far we get on pursuing a claim against ParcelFarce. My local luthier has had a look at the damage and thinks it's fixable without too much effort.

[Grangur]

I wish you well, but if the packaging was all intact and no sign of impact, are we sure it left home in good condition?

[Marc S]

Sorry to hear of this awful event....
Good luck in getting it sorted - hope that Parcel Farce are ashamed of themselves

It may well be that for legal & insurance purposes, they state that instruments should be in a flight case
But can't they read the label stating "Fragile" ???

[Conan]

That's awful, and it's always a worry when you courier stuff.

However, I can only speak as I find and I have used Parcelforce a number of times and had no issues. Maybe I have just been lucky?

[JPJ]

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1488462096' post='3249156']
That's awful, and it's always a worry when you courier stuff.

However, I can only speak as I find and I have used Parcelforce a number of times and had no issues. Maybe I have just been lucky?
[/quote]

In hindsight, I was 'pushing the envelop' a bit expecting them to safely carry something this large. The good news is a plan has been hatched for the repair and she should be back to pristine condition very soon (I hope so, as I wanted to use her at our Cluny gig on the 19th)!

[Lozz196]

Assuming I remember, whenever I buy an instrument I request Parcelforce to not be used as the courier. Not because I`ve had any issues with them, just that they don`t insure musical instruments.

[cameltoe]

Their online tracking is also so far behind the competition. It's almost non-existent. Have you seen DPD's? It tells me who my delivery driver is, where he is at that precise point in time, what number delivery he is making (i.e number 30 of 73), which number parcel is mine, and an incredibly accurate (in my experience, within a couple of minutes) expected delivery time.

Sorry to hear about the breakage, and I hope something comes through for you to sort it.

[JPJ]

[quote name='cameltoe' timestamp='1488497938' post='3249570']
Their online tracking is also so far behind the competition. It's almost non-existent. Have you seen DPD's? It tells me who my delivery driver is, where he is at that precise point in time, what number delivery he is making (i.e number 30 of 73), which number parcel is mine, and an incredibly accurate (in my experience, within a couple of minutes) expected delivery time.

Sorry to hear about the breakage, and I hope something comes through for you to sort it.
[/quote]

Yes, DPD are pretty much leading the field in terms of tracking. Their app is good too :-)

[Conan]

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1488471487' post='3249257']
Parcelforce.... don`t insure musical instruments.
[/quote]

Do any of the major courier/delivery companies? Whenever I have read the small print the outcome appears to be the same. They are happy to take the money when you pay for enhanced "cover" though.

[RhysP]

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1488540075' post='3249766']
Do any of the major courier/delivery companies? Whenever I have read the small print the outcome appears to be the same. They are happy to take the money when you pay for enhanced "cover" though.
[/quote]

I don't think any of them do, or if they do it's only a small amount of cover - £100 or so.
I've only ever used Parcelforce, sent loads of instruments with them over the years & never had any problems.

[fleabag]

DPD also require guitars in hard cases. I know as i tried to book them a day or so ago

I ended up with TNT - insurance upto £500 = +£10

Edited March 3, 2017 by fleabag

[fleabag]

Blimey - collected at 4.30 pm yesterday, delivered today 3.00 pm

[JPJ]

So the patient is on the operating table. Tuners have been disassembled, straightened, and reassembled onto the bass, and the neck & fingerboard have been block sanded to remove the old glue residue, and the fingerboard reattached. The glue recommends 24 hours in the clamps so I won't know until tomorrow afternoon whether this has been successful, so fingers crossed!

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[stingrayPete1977]

Fingers crossed, looks well clamped up, patience required, no peeking!

[JPJ]

Well the clamps came off and the fingerboard stayed attached, so I'm calling that a result. A little bit of fine filler in one or two spots where I may have been a little enthusiastic with the glue removal and a lick of lacquer and she'll be as good as new. I have some enamel paint inbound too to touch up the chips on the body, so hopefully by next weekend she'll be back together and looking good.

[Marc S]

[quote name='JPJ' timestamp='1488798612' post='3251787']
Well the clamps came off and the fingerboard stayed attached, so I'm calling that a result. A little bit of fine filler in one or two spots where I may have been a little enthusiastic with the glue removal and a lick of lacquer and she'll be as good as new. I have some enamel paint inbound too to touch up the chips on the body, so hopefully by next weekend she'll be back together and looking good.
[/quote]

Ah, glad to hear this news. It does look like you've done a proper repair

[paul_c2]

I don't know any couriers who insure/cover musical instruments. I think all of the regular ones don't cover it. When I sent a French Horn through the post, it was well wrapped (including in a semi-hard case) and after fruitlessly searching for an insured courier, I simply selected the cheapest one, didn't buy the insurance and crossed my fingers. It was worth approx £650 and it arrived fine. On another occasion, I've driven to-from the seller, it was approx the same cost as 2x couriers (I was part exchanging a horn) and it also gave me a chance to look at it.

When I looked at prices for hiring double basses, I think I came across a company that basically delivered the instruments themselves - they had a suitable van.

I am sure there's specialists out there which shift pianos and have a good reputation (and know what they're doing), maybe something like this exists?

[JPJ]

So she's reunited with her fingerboard and restrung and sounding as I hoped she would. Now all I have to do is work on my hand strength!

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[TPJ]

Good stuff. Looks great.

[stingrayPete1977]

Result!