Motor damaged during shipping opinion wanted

[mattC2993]

Insurance doesn't cover improper packaging. A forklift will will run into anything overhanging the edge. They move a lot of freight and it doesn't get handled with kid gloves. Anybody with experience shipping freight knows it has to be crated.

[faverymi]

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-used-parts-sale-wanted/971460-complete-3-6-1998-varioram-engine-6-speed-trans-dme.html

Nice to see some people do get it. Check the last post

With that price tag. Come on!!!!

[Unobtanium-inc]

Originally Posted by mattC2993

Insurance doesn't cover improper packaging. A forklift will will run into anything overhanging the edge. They move a lot of freight and it doesn't get handled with kid gloves. Anybody with experience shipping freight knows it has to be crated.

Insurance from trucking companies normally pays about 5 cents on the dollar, it basically worthless. That's why I always crate.

---Adam

[dg567]

no doubt Fred will make this situation right. he's one of the most standup guys I've met. hope all is well in CR.

[teamgomez]

My goodness...got sucked into this thread and couldn't stop reading. It was like watching Jerry Springer, COPS & Seinfeld all at the same time and was anticipating a train wreck. My gut was turning at the thought of taking a $23k hit and very glad to see the engine builder step up and participate in the outcome. Fred gets bonus points in my book.

[archnraft]

I waited to chime in until after this issue was resolved, knowing that it certainly should be given Fred is as honorable a man as you'll find.... A few times, I came by to help him move his shop in PA (no small task - a two month process) and saw this motor going back together and the quality of work/attention to detail was extremely good - if all tolerances were not spot on they were made to be!

I have a complete low mile 3.2 sitting in his shop right now that Fred will be building into a hot twinplug 3.4 Motronic motor when he returns from CR in the spring... that will be followed by a radical 3.5 build which at this time is with Fred's machinest (another superb craftsman like Fred). My dealings with Fred have always surpassed my expectations... Made me sick to my stomach to see him being slammed on this thread...but, all is well that ends well ... Anna

[bpu699]

Originally Posted by Unobtanium-inc

I have a question, since you are on opposite ends of the country, where will you sue him? In his county in PA, which means you hire an attorney to represent you or you fly in and represent yourself, both options are far from cheap. Or will you sue him where you live and expect him to fly in to represent himself? Doubtful.

People always say they will sue, but never think of how in fact you actually sue people, and where, etc. There is no court in the cloud, where everyone skypes in and represents themselves. Usually you or a representative have to be in an actual court with an actual judge. And then if the guy doesn't show up, you then have to figure out how to collect a judgement from someone in another state. Do you hire a collection agency? Get involved yourself? Is the judgement against a person, or a business, or both? Do you know where his bank account is? Not to mention if you file suit today, it might be a year before you get before a judge, do you want to prolong this for years if necessary?

Bottom line, suing someone over anything less than hundreds of thousands is incredibly complicated and expensive, your best bet is always to just try and work something out with them quickly, while they are still being cooperative, which in the case of your situation is still the case. Work it out, get what you can, and move on, learning from the experience. If you plan to stay in this business you will learn some hard lessons, I know I have, the trick it to learn from them so history does not repeat itself.

Good luck.

---Adam

AMEN. Anyone who has ever hired a lawyer or sued someone knows the reality of this. I have judgements >$100k against people... which I know I will never see.

Lawyers, are expensive. Not passing judgement on hourly rates, just noting facts. Recently hired a lawyer to review an employment contract. retainer was $5k. Talked on the phone a couple times for 15 minutes, met for 2 hours. Bill was about $3k.

Hiring an attorney to represent you for this will be >10k in legal costs, and small claims limit is 10k from what was written.

Sender did an inadequate job protecting the motor...

When I ship motor parts I assume they will be dropped from at least a 5 ft height, and need to be protected appropriately.

Regarding fedex, they also make it a point to tell you that what they sell you is NOT insurance, but freight coverage. I have no idea what that means. They charge the same others do for insurance...

I can tell you, whenever I ship something and insure for >$1000 dollars they open the box and verify appropriate packing before insuring. They may have looked at the way the motor was palleted, and declined to insure it.

[faapgar]

Hi,I never knew Frisbee Pallet was a sport.This one was higher than 5 ft,so you need to raise the bar.I had a nice day so no more comments unless Rawknees will post a pic of my gardner.She is from Nicaraugua though.Ciao Fred

[Cevan]

Originally Posted by archnraft

I waited to chime in until after this issue was resolved, knowing that it certainly should be given Fred is as honorable a man as you'll find.... A few times, I came by to help him move his shop in PA (no small task - a two month process) and saw this motor going back together and the quality of work/attention to detail was extremely good - if all tolerances were not spot on they were made to be!

I have a complete low mile 3.2 sitting in his shop right now that Fred will be building into a hot twinplug 3.4 Motronic motor when he returns from CR in the spring... that will be followed by a radical 3.5 build which at this time is with Fred's machinest (another superb craftsman like Fred). My dealings with Fred have always surpassed my expectations... Made me sick to my stomach to see him being slammed on this thread...but, all is well that ends well ... Anna

The OP didn’t slam this Fred guy as he didn’t name anyone. He was just seeking advice from the Pelican community. Fred is the one who revealed himself in this thread.

[nathanbs]

Originally Posted by Cevan

The OP didn’t slam this Fred guy as he didn’t name anyone. He was just seeking advice from the Pelican community. Fred is the one who revealed himself in this thread.

Yes thank you. Quick update Fred and I have talked several times both on the phone and via email and are basically waiting for me at this point to remove sump plate and inspect the case beneath. I also have persisted with fedex and got a call that because of Fred's 12/12,000 warranty they may be covering quite a bit more. Cross our fingers

[Tarek307]

Originally Posted by faapgar

I called Nathan from here in Costa Rica today and we spoke for a 1/2 hour.We are resolving this matter.My word has always been my bond.

This is how a proper businessman handles a situation like this! Kudos to you!

[dwelle]

Originally Posted by Tarek307

This is how a proper businessman handles a situation like this! Kudos to you!

agreed, and quite refreshing after being bogged down in the JE threads.

i still think most people will handle situations like this well given an opportunity and some patience.

well done...

[faapgar]

When I returned and saw 74 comments on the damaged motor I responded right away.At that time there were 21 emails about the damage from shipping already between Nathan and myself.I have never shirked a mistake I have made or not owned up.Parts were ordered today and on their way to Nathan.With the comments about the JE debacle I knew I had to clarify the situation right away.The sad part is the willingness of the bandwagon theory to jump in on the newest Pelican trainwreck post.I hope Nathan can get somewhere with my warranty with Fed-ex to aid his situation.Happy Thanksgiving to all Pelican members.Ciao Fred

[nathanbs]

So with some persistence I was successful in receiving approximately $6100 from Fedex. I kept pushing the issue of the warranty that Fred had luckily put in writing via email prior to shipping the motor. This resulted in them treating the motor as new which afforded me a much higher $ per lb claim amount. This should cover the repairs and Fred agreed to supply parts to help alleviate my whining about the somewhat permanant scratches and marring on the aluminum case. Im happy this took a turn for the better. Thanks Jeff at Fedex and thank you Fred!