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USPS broke a computer build I sent for my cousin!!

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Yeah, I'm thinking these bastards won't pay for anything, so I'm thinking of salvaging it now, and guiding my cousin through a rebuild. :Q

He's buying a new monitor tomorrow, so he'll try to see if it works on that. If not, I'll guide him through pulling out the video card, and reseating it. Try that. If no go, then removing RAM, reseating, and removing HSF and CPU and then reseating. Try that. Hopefully it works after a reseating. If not...argh........and I was only trying to do something kind for my cousin. 🙁
 
Originally posted by: lnguyen
Originally posted by: Tremulant
Dell ships their PCs on their side (mobo down) with molded styrofoam pieces for the front and back. The PC is 'floating' in the middle of the box.

Edit: I'll see if I can get a :camera: of the next one that comes in (probably tomorrow), I don't think I did a good job explaining.
Click to expand...

umm.... that's how it's "supposed" to be... but you don't think UPS might tumble it around still? I mean, if you mass order them straight from dell, some of the boxes are packed in every direction. Not sure who packed it exactly though, you'd figure it was dell if you order 100 some computers.
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See previous post in response to stnicralisk.

Oh, and usually the PC is packaged correctly (not something that's actively checked though), even if the boxes aren't right side up when they arrive. And note I never said anything about how they're handled during shipping. erikiksaz asked how they were boxed and I answered.

Just realized he might've asked what company they use, Dell uses DHL/Airborne (or atleast when we have to send parts back their return labels are for DHL.
 
Originally posted by: virtueixi
USPS are a bunch of idiots. I mean they do work for the government right?
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Kind of...

I believe it is along the lines of them being a federally sactioned(?) agency, but post offices aren't federal buildings and postal workers are not government workers.

 
Originally posted by: Spudd
Yet, these guys still broke it. How do you accomplish that? Toss it off the airplane?? Drop it on the stairs?? I mean, to fwack the computer up this badly, they'd have really had to have mishandled it. It's as if when they see the words FRAGILE on it, they take extra pleasure in beating the crap out of it.
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how could yuo sneak the "as if" in? 😀
 
Originally posted by: Injury
Originally posted by: virtueixi
USPS are a bunch of idiots. I mean they do work for the government right?
Click to expand...

Kind of...

I believe it is along the lines of them being a federally sactioned(?) agency, but post offices aren't federal buildings and postal workers are not government workers.
Click to expand...

I thought post offices are federal buildings & their employees are federal employees Injury.

 
Originally posted by: Spudd
After busting my butt saving money to build a nice little comp for my cousin, and getting it out of here before Hurricane Ivan, these morons broke it. The entire front of the case is broken away, and the computer starts up but doesn't display anything on the screen...I had this thing boxed up with styrofoam, on the front, back and top protector, and packing peanuts on the sides to prevent damage. Yet, these guys still broke it. How do you accomplish that? Toss it off the airplane?? Drop it on the stairs?? I mean, to fwack the computer up this badly, they'd have really had to have mishandled it. It's as if when they see the words FRAGILE on it, they take extra pleasure in beating the crap out of it.

I did take out insurance on it though. What do I do? Send the insurance blue tags to my cousin by mail? I'll never use these nubs again for sending any packages...I'll stick with FedEx. 🙁:beer:
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No way man... I did EXACTLY(well, almost) the same thing a two weeks ago... I built a computer for my cousin in Florida, packed it up decently(it SHOULD"VE survived anything but a dropkick), and sent it off with USPS... Come the next wednesday, he recieves it... case is cracked, the hsf dislodged(it was on there fairly tight... I checked the sturdiness by roughly jolting it... anything but a dropkick) and messed up some capacitors... they must've drove by my cousin's apartment and threw it from the curb to their doorway or something

USPS is terrible in handling packages 🙁

oh, the only thing different I had done, was not take out insurance... theres like no way i'd be able to get a claim on that, and unfortunatly, probably the same for you

best wishes... i feel your pain...
 
Shipping fully built systems is pretty risky. I can't even seem to get many computer cases
on fed ex ground from newegg without the faces on them being loose either.

You might have them reseat the memory and the video card and make sure all the other
cards (if any more) are reseated and see if they get video then.

I have had 1 experience with usps where a guy shipped me a system and it sounded like
a box of cracker jacks when I picked it up needless to say it was a pile of junk.
 
The secret with USPS service is to use registered mail for fragile and expensive items. It is separated from everything else and every employee that touches it must sign-in, as they are held personally responsible for the package's condition. Package often comes to you literally unscratched. It costs more, but if the item is of high value, say over 1k, the service fee isn't that much higher since it automatically includes insurance of the full amount.
 
Originally posted by: Injury
Originally posted by: virtueixi
USPS are a bunch of idiots. I mean they do work for the government right?
Click to expand...


Kind of...

I believe it is along the lines of them being a federally sactioned(?) agency, but post offices aren't federal buildings and postal workers are not government workers.
Click to expand...

Wrong on both counts.
 
Originally posted by: Spudd
Originally posted by: DurocShark
I just sent a PC via USPS last week. Got there safe and sound.

It helped that I used the factory packaging from another PC: An HP box that was designed for shipping. Used the factory foam and everything. 😛
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That's just it: I too used a factory case packaging PLUS peanuts on the side.
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Uhh.. not quite. You used a box for a computer case to ship a computer... that's very unsafe. The space is too small, even if you can stuff peanuts in the sides. Look at the boxes for HP-Compaq, Dell, IBM, etc... they're much bigger.

I blame this one on poor packaging more than the USPS.
 
I shipped my computer to Europe a few years back. The box it was in was pretty much round by the time it arrived; it looked as though they had kicked it all the way. Insurance took a few months to straighten out but eventually paid up.
 
I did take out insurance on it though. What do I do? Send the insurance blue tags to my cousin by mail?

You'll need to file the claim since you're the one who purchased the insurance. Don't let your cousin throw the box or packing materials away until you get a response from the USPS.

edit: I stand corrected. Thanks for the proper info. My experiences have all required the mailer to file. Makes sense that the one who actually has the damaged stuff can file.
 
Originally posted by: allisolm
did take out insurance on it though. What do I do? Send the insurance blue tags to my cousin by mail?

You'll need to file the claim since you're the one who purchased the insurance. Don't let your cousin throw the box or packing materials away until you get a response from the USPS.
Click to expand...

Not quite. Either party can file the claim for damage. However, it makes more sense to have the recipient file the claim since they have the damaged goods in possession. USPS insurance claims requires one to surrender the content and packaging while making the claim. Claims over $50 go to a regional insurance processing center so the process takes time. If your claim is denied, you get your junk back, otherwise the claim filer will get a check in the mail six weeks later. Have the person filing a claim take with them some type of proof of value as well (ebay printouts are acceptable).

link for details
 
I heard that USPS handlers provide extra "attention" (ie: designated ball to kick around) to boxes with Fragile written on it.
 
I've sent tons of packages through UPS and USPS with only one incident in over 6 years of buying/selling/shipping. Of course, I don't use parcel post for shipping packages via USPS.....that'll probably guarantee you poor handling by them. I've only used first class or Priority Mail with them.....most times with insurance.

These packages include a lot of very fragile crystal plates and stemware (such as Goebel, Heisey, and the like), china (such as Noritake, Franciscan, and the like), computers and computer parts, bicycles and bike parts.

The only thing I've had damaged was a phone (my packing mistake). I mailed a 24" diameter Johnson Brothers turkey platter several weeks ago (circa 1950's and retail value at replacements.com of around $300) and it arrived without incident.....was very fragile yet no problems at all. Again, Priority Mail with insurance.
 
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