Alembic Guitars Club
Connecting => Swap Shop and Wish Lists => For Sale & Trade => Topic started by: sonofa_lembic on January 13, 2015, 11:31:21 AM
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Two weeks ago I purchased this 1980's Persuader from a lady in Austin Texas. She shipped it via the Post Office on Dec. 31. Tracking shows it never made it to Los Angeles from Dallas. It was in a Gibson box, so likely some USPS guy stole it thinking it was a Gibson. Anyway, I have paid for the bass, and would like to get it, so if anyone sees it up for sale, please alert me and the police.
I will list the serial number when I have it.
Thanks,
Trevor Lindsey oib805@gmail.com (http://mailto:oib805@gmail.com)
(http://alembic.com/club/messages/395/205711.jpg)
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Man, that makes me MAD!
Trevor, maybe post this in News & Announcements section too. Will definitely keep an eye out for it.
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I assume you also filed a criminal complaint with the Post Office? They usually take postal theft and fraud seriously and might have better luck than you local police department.
And send the serial info to Mica or one of the moderators so it can be added to the Stolen Alembics thread.
Keith
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Good luck, man. I've had a similar situation and if that's any forecast of how you're going to do. You're screwed. In my case I knew it was the delivery driver. I tracked the bass, except I never got it. So I called and after 2 calls they decided to investigate and for those who don't know, they ask the delivery driver. And his reply was I delivered it. And since delivery drivers never lie. I'm screwed. So good luck to you, sir! It does look beautiful!
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I will keep an eye out on CL and in shops down here. This is my worst fear. Make sure to call all the pawn shops in the area
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Sorry to hear this Trevor.
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Thanks for your condolences. I feel bad for the lady who sold it to me. It belonged to her late husband who considered it his prized possession. She reluctantly decided to sell it, and had hoped it would go to a good home. That was the plan until it left Dallas, and never was scanned again. I have started all the wheels in motion with the post office investigation, but I have very little faith in their ability to do anything right. I have also told the shipper to contact the police as well as make a claim with the post office. It was insured for $2500.00, and I hope she will not have too hard of a time recovering the insurance. It is a fairly distinctive bass, so please be on the lookout everyone.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/205718.jpg)
[edited for picture alignment]
(Message edited by adriaan on January 15, 2015)
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That is really sad to hear.
Will put forth positive recovery vibes for you and the woman and her deceased husband. A bass that was treasured does NOT belong in the hands of a thief.
Ironic that the potential thief is a US government employee. . . .
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Most mail is not transferred by Postal Service employees. Line haul companies, UPS and FedEx are contracted by the post office to handle long distance transport. Likewise anything going by air is turned over to their employees. So the pool of potential perpetrators can be fairy large.
Whoever it is I hope they find them and throw the book at them (I wanted to use some different terms but this is a family site).
Keith
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How do you know the lady was legit? Can you be sure the bass actually shipped?
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I have been in contact continually with the seller, and I have the tracking info. No matter what, something was shipped?maybe not my bass, but I would not know that until the box arrived. I think she is trustworthy. I paid with Paypal, so I should be covered on my end for a refund.
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Sorry to hear about your unfortunate situation, Trevor. I hope everything gets resolved quickly, with positive results for you and the lady.
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When I purchased my first Alembic using paypal, the funds were distributed to the sellers paypal account but he couldn't access them until I provided a note indicating that I had received the bass. Has this changed or are people not using the purchase part of paypal because of the 3% Fee and utilizing the free money exchange instead.
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Does she have the serial number? I would like to update the stolen instrument list.
Also, I know lots of people use USPS for shipping basses and guitars, but I think it's crazy. The only problem I've had with VERY late or absolutely lost instruments is through the postal service.
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The serial number of this missing bass is 89P5660.
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I do hope that this gets resolved quickly.This really sucks and so does USPS.I have recently been a victim of their shoddy delivery with a couple of purchases being sent to me and although they claim a delivery POOF they just vanished into thin air.
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Good luck getting this resolved and hope it shows up. I have a Persuader that looks almost identical to that one and just love the look and sound. Although there are other Alembics I could love more.
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My problem with the USPS hasn't been with merchandise not being delivered but with it being delivered in a mutilated condition (i.e. In a plastic bag to hold all of the broken parts that are now in hundreds of pieces together). The most infuriating aspect of the experience is the note they attach that fails to even mention how to go about getting compensated for your loss but instead reads something like...sorry we broke your stuff but that's life when you use the USPS...have a nice day.
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A friend who owns a music store told me it is hard to insure 20+ year old old instruments for damage with Fedex and UPS but not the post office. I am no expert though.
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I've also had problems with the post office. One time they delivered my guitar to a neighbor a few houses away. The neighbor never contacted me. A few days later we were able to track the package to the neighbor's house and they returned it to me.
Another time, the guitar never arrived. After getting no help on the phone, I went to my local post office where they found it had been just sitting in back for a few days with no attempt at delivery.
I prefer UPS, though it helps to pay them extra to package it - then if there is any damage they can't use their usual excuse that it wasn't adequately packaged.
Bill, tgo
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For me I have had the opposite experience.
I've had UPS leave amplifiers and other electronic equipment by my garage or behind the bushes when it is raining out. Once I found a package in the garbage can when I while taking a bag to be thrown away. I've also had must sign for items just left on the porch. When I've called and actually talked to the local facility manager the responses have pretty much been who cares or the drivers can decide how they want to handle it regardless of what service is specified.
For USPS I've always had small packages left on our covered porch and the doorbell rung. For larger items she rings the bell and waits for someone to answer. If there is not answer we get a unable to deliver ticket with the rest of our mail. I can also talk to our carrier ahead of time and make special arrangements where UPS will totally blow me off. I might help that I have had the same carrier for 6-7 years now but the previous one seemed just as accommodating.
I will give credit to UPS and FedEx when it comes to package tracking. While all three have it UPS and FedEx seems to be kept up to date better than the USPS.
Keith
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The insurance problem is with FedEx, they do not insure custom made instruments or vintage instruments over $1000, it's right in their customer service guide. You can purchase the declared value insurance for more, but they are only obligated to pay out $1000 if something happens. If you have your own insurance, it's not that big of a deal.
The bottom line with shipping is that it's just a string of people that hand your precious cargo from one to the other. Most people are good, but some are not or are apathetic.
When it comes to your local delivery person, it makes all the difference. One company we deal with has the worst local driver! The other local delivery folks are awesome and do a fine job. I'll go as far to say that our UPS driver is amazing. She really goes the extra mile in the service department.
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Wow. I didn't know that about FedEx, that they won't pay out more than a grand. I've got instrument insurance through Heritage, but it doesn't cover stuff in transit. They did tell me that I could add it when/if I need it. I have a gig in a couple of months that I have to fly to. I am torn on whether to check it through the airline or ship it ahead of time.
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The regular Heritage policy will cover your instrument if it makes it into the cabin with you. If it goes underneath the plane, their regular policy doesn't cover it. However, they will insure it under the plane for an additional premium, about $25 or $50, as I recall. I have arranged with them in advance that I can email them from the plane after I board and let them know if I need the additional coverage or not, depending on whether the airline let me carry on the guitar or made me gate check it.
If you are going to fly with it, get to the airport early. The new rules are that they are supposed to let you carry it on if it fits - and they can't make you take it out of the luggage bin to make room for someone else's stuff. Also, always carry it to the gate - don't send it with the checked baggage. If they don't let you carry it on, they will gate check it right there at the airplane door and hand carry it to the luggage compartment. When you land, they will give it to you as you exit the plane, along with the people with baby strollers and car seats. One thing though - I only will chance the guitar going underneath on a non-stop flight. I don't trust the airlines not to lose it if I have to change planes.
Bill, tgo
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Good News! After starting an investigation with the post office, they were able to track down the bass and amazingly complete the delivery! I had given up hope, but after a month of searching, they miraculously discovered the bass. Consider this case closed!
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Man, that's a relief! Good for you.
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Glad to hear it was found!
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That's really great to hear.
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Yay!
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Karma
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OUTSTANDING!
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Wonderful news. Now start playing, and post some photos of that beauty!
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All cleaned up and ready to go. Just in time for Thursday's gig!(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/206069.jpg)
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Ah, the all too recognisable Alembic grin.
Play her healthy
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Thanks to you all for your support and advise.
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THAT'S a happy man! Glad it worked out. What a heart stopper!
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Congratulations! Glad everything turned out well for you.
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Joy!
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Yes!