BGD III: Salt in the Wounds

[Guest mgoetting]

Vince let me know two things just now.

 

First, the repair cost will be about $1600. It needs renecking and to be fully refinished. Jack will give the exact figure when he returns from deer hunting tomorrow morning.

 

Second, Vince has never seen UPS or FedEx pay for a broken guitar. He thought I may have a chance since FedEx documented the initial damage and sees that there was severe additional damage with their packing and transport.

 

Once I get the Heritage repair document I must send it to Amanda at FedEx.

 

The melodrama continues.

[Patrick]

Vince let me know two things just now.

 

First, the repair cost will be about $1600. It needs renecking and to be fully refinished. Jack will give the exact figure when he returns from deer hunting tomorrow morning.

 

Second, Vince has never seen UPS or FedEx pay for a broken guitar. He thought I may have a chance since FedEx documented the initial damage and sees that there was severe additional damage with their packing and transport.

 

Once I get the Heritage repair document I must send it to Amanda at FedEx.

 

The melodrama continues.

 

Mark: If FedEx doesn't belly up to the bar with the $1,000 . . . you may just want to have the head stock repaired and keep the guitar as a beater. It isn't worth $1,600 to have a re-necked refinished Eagle. If you ever wanted to sell it, you'd be hard pressed to get your $1,600 back and break even from the repair. That would mean a total loss of your initial acquisition cost of the guitar. If it was my guitar, I'd have the head stock repaired . . I wouldn't even worry about the refin. Put it in your parlor as a knock around guitar and play the shit out of it. The other thing you could consider doing, is take it to a local high school (after the repair)donate it to their jazz program, get a receipt and write the full list price off as a tax deduction for the donation. Or, just give it to a jazz guitarist who might not be able to afford a decent arch top. I know that Aaron Cowles, or Ronaldo could do a repair on that neck that would be just fine. You've also got someone there locally that you've mentioned, who could facilitate the repairs.

[Guest HRB853370]

I'd hold Fedex's feet to the fire. If they pay, they keep the guitar.

[Guest mgoetting]

Mark: If FedEx doesn't belly up to the bar with the $1,000 . . . you may just want to have the head stock repaired and keep the guitar as a beater. It isn't worth $1,600 to have a re-necked refinished Eagle. If you ever wanted to sell it, you'd be hard pressed to get your $1,600 back and break even from the repair. That would mean a total loss of your initial acquisition cost of the guitar. If it was my guitar, I'd have the head stock repaired . . I wouldn't even worry about the refin. Put it in your parlor as a knock around guitar and play the shit out of it. The other thing you could consider doing, is take it to a local high school (after the repair)donate it to their jazz program, get a receipt and write the full list price off as a tax deduction for the donation. Or, just give it to a jazz guitarist who might not be able to afford a decent arch top. I know that Aaron Cowles, or Ronaldo could do a repair on that neck that would be just fine. You've also got someone there locally that you've mentioned, who could facilitate the repairs.

 

 

FedEx may pay fair market value, in which case they have salvage rights (fine with me). They may pay $1000. Or they may blow me off.

 

The argument for them paying more than $1000 is that they inflicted more damage in their return shipment to me. They have full responsibility to for that shipment: packaging and insurance.

 

I am optimistic that they will pay market value. If not, I have to decide how much energy I want to put into this. One resource I have is four kids who are Michigan lawyers. All they have is the power of FedEx. BFD!

[Guest mgoetting]

Frankly, all I have going for me is their sense of fairness and that they are dealing with a corporate account.

[rjsanders]

following w/interest. and horror. how does FedEx determine fair market value? i mean, do we know what resources used?

[Guest mgoetting]

There is a blue book on this.

 

I submitted the info of three similar guitars sold by Elderly Instruments.

[rjsanders]

There is a blue book on this.

 

I submitted the info of three similar guitars sold by Elderly Instruments.

 

yeahman. there's also the VG Guide. Geo. Gruhn's a recognized expert. i'm just wondering what FedEx will use or approve...

[FredZepp]

I'm sorry to hear about the ongoing drama. But there is still hope of a reasonable resolution.

 

I wish you luck.. hang in there.