Damaged Nitti Cue USPS

So your saying, this whole time I have been paying for insurance w/ the USPS, that my claim would be denied, because I only wrapped the cue in bubble wrap and then placed it in a hard tube. Mind you, not the post office's triangular cardboard long Priority "tube", but a hard cylinder type blueprint tube.

If that is true, I just learned something very valuable!!! Thanks :)



hangemhigh said:
Double boxing is what the USPS, as well as UPS and Fedex require to be eligible for a insurance claim. If it is packaged in only one vessel, like PVC, and is damaged the claim will be denied. Like Joe surmised, nothing was going to protect this package, so full value insurance as well as proper packaging per their guidelines is the only way to recover from a loss like this incident.
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Obviously

Bamacues said:
Just got back from leagues and wanted to put my $.02 in....

needless to say, I was sick (as I know Casey is) over the condition of this cue when it arrived. The USPS lady was going to leave when I signed for the package, but I had her wait and call the post office when I opened the tube in front of her and found the cue destroyed.

The only good thing that I can say is that the cue is not a total loss. I took it over for Cory Barnhart to take a look at right away. There is not any damage to the forearm or butt sleeve (other than the tenon, etc), so it can be repaired.

I really don't think that PVC, double packing or any thing else would have saved this particular package. It looks like a fork lift got hold of it. It was broken clean through, almost at a 90 degree angle.

Joe
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This can be fixed with some Ductape????:smile:
 
Cue Damage

From the way the shipping tube was ravaged, I wonder if PVC would of prevented some type of damage.


Cue Shipping Specification 15123, Section D, Paragraph 2.6

When shipping cues via USPS, use Carbon Steel Schedule 160 pipe with ANSI Class 900 RTJ blind flanges.
400 PSI rated Roustabout couplings for end caps are not acceptable.
Hire a certified welder tested for ASME B31.1 & B31.3 power plant piping codes.
All welds require a final test report using an independent Xray testing inspector.
 
cuesblues said:
From the way the shipping tube was ravaged, I wonder if PVC would of prevented some type of damage.


Cue Shipping Specification 15123, Section D, Paragraph 2.6

When shipping cues via USPS, use Carbon Steel Schedule 160 pipe with ANSI Class 900 RTJ blind flanges.
400 PSI rated Roustabout couplings for end caps are not acceptable.
Hire a certified welder tested for ASME B31.1 & B31.3 power plant piping codes.
All welds require a final test report using an independent Xray testing inspector.
Click to expand...

I've got my ASME IX 6G, maybe i could make some money on the side making tubes for cue shipping.

I'm sorry to see how the cue ended up, at least it is fixable.
 
ASME 6G Certified

deep said:
I've got my ASME IX 6G, maybe i could make some money on the side making tubes for cue shipping.

I'm sorry to see how the cue ended up, at least it is fixable.
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I am also sorry to see this, and I have heard great things about Chris Nitti cues.
Reallly a nice looking cue, less the splinters.

As far as welding up shipping tubes, if you have a good pipefitter
working with you keeping the gaps to a minimum. along with your ASME 6G
certification, I'm sure there is plenty of money to be made.
I just hope the copycats don't start bulding them using grooved fittings.
 
Dude that literally just mad me sick to my stomach....Please dont ever show anything like that again.
 
Hi,
I am not saying you are wrong about denying your insurance claim.. but where does it state that an item has to be double boxed in order to collect a claim? If this is so, why do they continue to insure non double boxed items if they have no intentions of paying in case of damage?This is why Obama is trying to get health insurance reform. Insurance companies taking your money with no intentions of paying when you get sick. They always have a loop hole. I have paid insurance every time I ship a cue and now I hear they had no intentions of paying in case the cue was damaged if it was not double boxed . What a SCAM!!!
hangemhigh said:
Sorry for your loss, I know you are sick.

Now is a good time to remind everyone who is shipping USPS to do two things differently than you did in this case. First, insure the cue for full value, as you have already advised. The next thing is to double box ( round tube inside a triangle box is the method I use) the cue. When you got to collect thousands of dollars, they will deny your claim unless the cue was double boxed. They will also require proof of value or bill of sale, which you can obtain form the maker, or some of the cue dealers here. With those guidelines followed, you will be made whole by the USPS, and FedEX or UPS, for that matter.
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ALL shippers (at least USPS, FedEx & UPS) require this. They don't mention it on the small (<$200) stuff, but file a claim over that amount and the first thing the Inspector will ask/look for is the double-box. Not every time, mind you, but they can and will require proof of double-box packaging.

Apparently it's in the small print somewhere. :eek:"I agree to the USPS Rules & Regulations" --- not that we have easy access to those, but we agree to them nonetheless.

cashin said:
.. but where does it state that an item has to be double boxed in order to collect a claim? If this is so, why do they continue to insure non double boxed items if they have no intentions of paying in case of damage?
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cashin said:
Hi,
I am not saying you are wrong about denying your insurance claim.. but where does it state that an item has to be double boxed in order to collect a claim? If this is so, why do they continue to insure non double boxed items if they have no intentions of paying in case of damage? I have paid insurance every time I ship a cue and now I hear they had no intentions of paying in case the cue was damaged if it was not double boxed . What a SCAM!!!
Click to expand...

I have done extensive checking today, and the double boxing provision has vanished from the USPS web site, as well as the UPS site. It still remains on the Fedex site, but none of these sites expressly describe how to package insured items anymore. Now the USPS has guidelines to follow when packaging fragile items, and though they don't alert you to the fact that improper packaging will result in insurance claim denial, it is what they base many of those denials on according to frustrated users who have been denied.

Here is the link to their guidelines:

http://www.usps.com/send/preparemailandpackages/preparingpackages.htm

UPS guidelines:

http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/ship/packaging/guidelines/how_to.html

FedEX guidelines:

http://fedex.com/ca_english/shippingguide/preparepackage/expresspackaging.html?link=4

Note that none of these companies tell you that if you do not follow these instructions your claim will be denied. A simple search will reveal that many have been denied because of their failure to follow these instructions. I will be speaking with my Postmaster about the changes to packaging requirements, and will follow up with what information he offers. I previously spoke with him in 2008, when I had a claim, and was given the information about double boxing to be sure I was covered on any future claims concerning packaging requirements.
 
The Nitti photos make me reach for the barf bucket. It doesn't matter which carrier you use. Cues will get tossed around, so the packing is critical. I recently sent a cue that was packed in a 1x2 case within a tube mailer and somehow a custom ebony-and-ivory joint protector managed to arrive split in two, as if someone used a tiny, toothpick-sized ax to split it, but the tube had no battle scars. Go figure that one! By the way, the insurance claim has been pending for the past few weeks. I can't wait to see how it's resolved and how long that will take. I share in all this pain, and like I said, it's just sickening.
 
hangemhigh said:
I have done extensive checking today, and the double boxing provision has vanished from the USPS web site, as well as the UPS site. It still remains on the Fedex site, but none of these sites expressly describe how to package insured items anymore. Now the USPS has guidelines to follow when packaging fragile items, and though they don't alert you to the fact that improper packaging will result in insurance claim denial, it is what they base many of those denials on according to frustrated users who have been denied.

Here is the link to their guidelines:

http://www.usps.com/send/preparemailandpackages/preparingpackages.htm

UPS guidelines:

http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/ship/packaging/guidelines/how_to.html

FedEX guidelines:

http://fedex.com/ca_english/shippingguide/preparepackage/expresspackaging.html?link=4

Note that none of these companies tell you that if you do not follow these instructions your claim will be denied. A simple search will reveal that many have been denied because of their failure to follow these instructions. I will be speaking with my Postmaster about the changes to packaging requirements, and will follow up with what information he offers. I previously spoke with him in 2008, when I had a claim, and was given the information about double boxing to be sure I was covered on any future claims concerning packaging requirements.
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Great info Tommy,

I will admit as well that I never heard of or knew about the Double box policy. This means all of the shipments I have done over the years and paid the extra money for insurance on was all for nothing. Really unbelievable if you think about it because I am sure that I am not alone
in almost never double boxing but almost always buying insurance.

Please keep us informed Tommy.....WOW what an eye opener


Thanks..........Paul
 
cashin said:
Hi,
I am not saying you are wrong about denying your insurance claim.. but where does it state that an item has to be double boxed in order to collect a claim? If this is so, why do they continue to insure non double boxed items if they have no intentions of paying in case of damage?This is why Obama is trying to get health insurance reform. Insurance companies taking your money with no intentions of paying when you get sick. They always have a loop hole. I have paid insurance every time I ship a cue and now I hear they had no intentions of paying in case the cue was damaged if it was not double boxed . What a SCAM!!!
Click to expand...

First off sorry about the cue.I'm just glad it can be repaired.

2nd You don't think the government doesn't rip you off?You still haven't woken up to the fact that he is clueless.Ive never had a problem with a ins. co denying a claim.
 
Evidently you have never had a so called pre-existing condition. I hope you never have to buy individual health insurance. You will find out quickly about insurance companies taking your payments and then denying coverage under the pre-existing condition loop hole.
bobroberts said:
First off sorry about the cue.I'm just glad it can be repaired.

2nd You don't think the government doesn't rip you off?You still haven't woken up to the fact that he is clueless.Ive never had a problem with a ins. co denying a claim.
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VonRhett said:
ALL shippers (at least USPS, FedEx & UPS) require this. They don't mention it on the small (<$200) stuff, but file a claim over that amount and the first thing the Inspector will ask/look for is the double-box. Not every time, mind you, but they can and will require proof of double-box packaging.

Apparently it's in the small print somewhere. :eek:"I agree to the USPS Rules & Regulations" --- not that we have easy access to those, but we agree to them nonetheless.
Click to expand...




UPS, and Federal Express are both a pain in the butt to deal with when they destroy, or loose a package. I have had bad experience with both. The Post Office I fell is fair in dealing with claims. Yes they all require you to pack items well, believe the fine print UPS use is like two inches of padding on all sides of what you ship. BIMHO all carriers/shippers should handle all shipment with TLC, but in the real world they do not. I had Federal Express Ground run over a wooden shipping carton, destroyed the contents. I trusted them with, the package was insured for full value. Never the less FedX tried there best to avoid paying the claim, after I paid for full insurance. An appraisal was what they want, and got, and 9 month later I got my insurance check. Never will use Federal Express again....
 
That cue is a scary sight. In my experience, USPS uses better handling characteristics (although this example would contradict that), mainly because they are less automated than both UPS and FedEx. More hand handling generally means better care. A package falling off a tram that's more than a story tall is in trouble regardless of how well packed it is. That being said, the main reason I ship USPS as you can get them not to leave an item at the front door, both UPS and FedEx drivers will leave stuff no matter what is specified on the package. My FedEx guy leaves packages that are insured for 10K where the shipper has paid for signature confirmation on my door all the time as a favor to me. He's doing the person that sent the item no favors that's for sure.

I've shipped Will a 55K cue and just sent Barry an 8K cue and although both recipients raved about our packaging, but I shudder to think of what would have happened to either cue if what ever happened to this Nitti happened. I like the idea of the PVC tube and will probably go to it, but I don't know if even that would have helped in this case.

As far as insurance goes, of course the services have the right to inspect your packaging and verify the value before they pay out a claim. 2 inches is recommended for valuables, double boxing is recommended, but not mandatory that I've seen. Each USPS office has a claims person and its their job to verify that the item was packed with reasonable care. In my experience, these folks would rather OK the claim than deny it, less chance of some angry customer yelling at them and they are certainly not paid any bonuses for claim non-payment. My experience with both USPS and FedEx (both as a recipient) has been they pay off quickly and efficiently if you give them what they need up front. UPS is a little different, but I've found there service to be deficient in all areas except tracking (again, great automation).

As an aside, this might sound unbelievable, but in 10 years of shipping pretty valuable items through USPS, some 15,000 articles, as a shipper we have never had a domestic breakage, not one, and only one claim for loss (and on that claim, they found the box and item a few months later, the shipping label had been torn off). USPS is a bit of a pain to deal with, we have to go to the counter to get all the upgrades we need, but our experience with them has been superlative.

Sorry about that cue. It does look like it was a pretty one and it does look worth repairing.

Kevin
 
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