Julian
Lifetime Supporter
The recent threads on shipping of parts hit a nerve with me and I have held off posting my experience as I had hoped it would get resolved amicably, but alas it seems more and more unlikely that will be the case, so to avoid anyone else falling into a similar situation I'm writing this word of caution on International ordering/shipping of parts.
Back in February I ordered parts for my KVA MK1 from a UK based GT40 supplier. The packages arrived damaged and I contacted the vendor whereby I was told it was TNT's issue for damage in transit, so I contacted TNT to file a claim. Once the claim was filed the vendor took offence and said it was his place to file any claim, so I passed it over to him to deal with. From there it has been a circular string of e-mails and contradictions from the vendor getting me nowhere.
One package was a set of windows which were inadequately packaged for International shipment being stuffed in a single piece of corrugated card. The triangular ends of the windows simply broke through the ends of the untaped card and got damaged.
Firstly I was blamed by the vendor for accepting delivery this end. Fact is TNT dropped the package on my doorstep so I didn't have a chance to refuse it and no one ever signed for it.
I was charged a princely sum of GBP195 for packing, shipping and INSURANCE on a 22lb package. Well it turns out the shipment was not insured, so TNT liability is limited to a weight basis only. I have no problem with the principle of 'self insurance' if the vendor were prepared to stump up when things go wrong, but charging for a service and then not providing such basically amounts to fraud.
I offered to send the parts back, but was not willing to pay out of pocket for return shipment due to the additional overseas cost. First this was accepted, then later I was told it was not okay.
I have been told TNT approved the claim, but the vendor will not ship parts until TNT pays up. Well TNT offered to pay me direct about 2 months ago, but I left it to the vendor to sort out as I really just wanted the windows replaced. Now the vendor has stopped responding.
Suffice it to say I will not be ordering from this company again, they were quick to take my order and are quick to knock the competition on this board but when it comes down to it they are just full of WIND.
Back in February I ordered parts for my KVA MK1 from a UK based GT40 supplier. The packages arrived damaged and I contacted the vendor whereby I was told it was TNT's issue for damage in transit, so I contacted TNT to file a claim. Once the claim was filed the vendor took offence and said it was his place to file any claim, so I passed it over to him to deal with. From there it has been a circular string of e-mails and contradictions from the vendor getting me nowhere.
One package was a set of windows which were inadequately packaged for International shipment being stuffed in a single piece of corrugated card. The triangular ends of the windows simply broke through the ends of the untaped card and got damaged.
Firstly I was blamed by the vendor for accepting delivery this end. Fact is TNT dropped the package on my doorstep so I didn't have a chance to refuse it and no one ever signed for it.
I was charged a princely sum of GBP195 for packing, shipping and INSURANCE on a 22lb package. Well it turns out the shipment was not insured, so TNT liability is limited to a weight basis only. I have no problem with the principle of 'self insurance' if the vendor were prepared to stump up when things go wrong, but charging for a service and then not providing such basically amounts to fraud.
I offered to send the parts back, but was not willing to pay out of pocket for return shipment due to the additional overseas cost. First this was accepted, then later I was told it was not okay.
I have been told TNT approved the claim, but the vendor will not ship parts until TNT pays up. Well TNT offered to pay me direct about 2 months ago, but I left it to the vendor to sort out as I really just wanted the windows replaced. Now the vendor has stopped responding.
Suffice it to say I will not be ordering from this company again, they were quick to take my order and are quick to knock the competition on this board but when it comes down to it they are just full of WIND.