Daily Bulletin,Shipping Firearms)

[Rustystud]

Paul you do a wonderful job with this web site an I especially enjoy reading the daily Bulletin. I would just like to say the box shown with a shotgun in todays bulletin is far to fragile for shipping with UPS, FedEx, or DHL. Last year I had a dispute with UPS and it took 9 months to resolve with threats of court action. I switched my shipping to FedEx. Since May of this year I have had two rifles damaged and/or destroyed by FedEx. The destroyed rifle was boxed in a double walled cardboard box that a Kimber Rifle was shipped in. The rifle was crushed so badly it is bent at the action barrel juncture. The end of the box was 8 layers of double wall cardboard and the barrelled action was taped with the clear shipping tape inside the packace. The muzzle end of tha barrel was pushed through the box and exposed for about 8-10 inches the crown was ruined. I insured the custom barreled action for $1,500.00 Just enough to cover the parts. FedEx took two weeks to respond. Since they have sent out an adjuster who acknoloweged the rifle was destroyed. Now FedEx is refusing to honor the claim even after having been sent an itemized cost list. I have sent a Certified Restricted Delivery Registered Return receipt letter to Fredrick W. Smith, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of FedEx requesting that he honor the Insurance claim.

I have not even gotten a reply after having gotten the return receipt. These large carriers make it difficult to communicate with them when you have a problem. Apparently the lawyers have tought them "to put age on it" and wear down the complainant. I filed a complaint with the Insurance Commissioner of my state. They responded what I bought from FedEx is not Insurance and they have no jurisdiction over it. They recomended I file a complaint with the Attorney General's Office Consumer Protection Division.

Since this coverage I paid FedEx for is not insurance then maybe I should take another approach. I contracted with them to get my package to its destination in its original good condition. Since they failed to do so then they have breeched their contract with me. Maybe I should be suing them for breech of contract. Then publicise the suit making it a class action, seeking Amicus briefs from others who have had the same or simular problems.

Back to your picture on the Daily Bulletin. I used much heavier shipping containers and my guns were destroyed. If you want your guns to get to their destination you need much stronger containers than shown.

Sorry for the rant. This matter has really got me upset.

Rustystud

 

[dreever]

I agree with Nate 100%, that box wouldn't make it across town.
You've got to make it fool proof,bullet proof, bomb proof, and theft proof.
The last rifle I shipped was with the USPS. I first bought a Doscosil hard case at Wally World, put the rifle in it and then Duct taped the hell out of the case. Then I put the case in a heavy cardboard box with plenty of foam all the way around for cushioning. I then did every corner and edge on the box with that HD strapping tape, and again taped the hell out of the box.
I opted for Priority Mail,insured, with signature and delivery conformation. Including the Doscosil hard case I had $45.00 tied up but considering the horror story Nate just told us I figure it was well worth it. The rifle arrived unscathed but they had to use a knife and some sweat to get it out of my packaging. The key to good packaging is to insure that there is absolutely no movement of anything within your package. The way they get tossed around any movement stands a chance of something breaking loose.

I shipped a heavy front rest to a guy in Florida. I dissembled it, wrapped each piece individually in plastic pop wrap, made a plywood crate to pack it all in super tight then screwed the whole thing together. He had to work to get it open, and to unwrap each piece, and yes it cost me $38.00 to ship it insured, but it got there in one piece.

Another member of this forum sent me a box of bullets. Inside the Priority mail box he filled it full of that liquid foam that sets up like concrete. I had to hack it all apart, but the contents were fine.

Again Let me say it has to be bullet proof, bomb proof, theft proof, and fool proof. Even so they can steal the whole box but I haven't figured out a way to stop that, but I'm working on it.

Danny

 

[Forum Boss]

OK guys. Many times on the site I've recommended that hard cases be used for shipping. I was just looking for an illustrative photo. This story was more about legal regulations for shipping--who can ship what legally. But anyway, I've modified the article to make it clear that one should use a sturdy hard case for shipping.

 

[dreever]

Paul,

We were not cutting on the article, if anything I think Nate was bringing to light what can happen with various shippers.
The article was good information for those who haven't shipped a firearm for themselves before.
UPS, Fed Ex, USPS all have their problems. Sometimes it all comes down to what "Hub" your package is passing Through. Some Hubs are notorious for lost guns. Atlanta comes to mind.
Again, if we gave the impression we were criticizing the article in regard to shipping containers that certainly wasn't my intention. Just passing on some more info on what works for me.

Danny

 

[Rustystud]

Paul:

I was not meaning to undermind your article, just share my disasters so others want make the same mistake. I am sick because I sent a custom trued and timed action fitted with a new 30" Brouhton 6.5 X .284 in a box desigined for shipping a gun and the carrier,FedEx) destroyed it. Then they failed to honor a warranty they sold. Your readers need to know what happens when you ship with these destructive bums.

I may have taken to much editorial freedom my apologies.

Nat