APOTOW

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[stapp59]

APOTOW - Another Post Office Tale of Woe

I've sent and received dozens of kites through the USPS over the years with no problems; always on time, no lost shipments, and no damage other than a creased box occasionally.  Recently, I bought a Vendetta from the swap.  Chris and I have done several deals together and he's a great guy so I knew we'd have a smooth transaction and I'd have a nice kite to add to the collection.

The box shipped from Ohio to Indiana in two days.  Here is what I received:



The box had been broken in half and taped together.  One half was crushed.  Either this box suffered a bad accident or someone needs an anger management class.

As you can see, almost every frame tube was broken into two to four pieces.  Only the upper spreader, two standoffs, and the spine extension survived.  Amazingly the sail suffered only one tear where the spine punched through.

I promptly took the box to my local PO.  They acknowledged something probably happened in shipment but since the box was not insured there was nothing they could or would do to help me. If the box HAD been insured the PO would have assumed responsibility and made it right.  Sigh.

Moral of this story: Always ship with insurance and delivery confirmation. The additional cost is low and just one lost kite will make you a believer.

Fortunately I have a box of spare tubes and experience reframing kites.  An evening with the Dremel and some CA had Humpty back together again:



So the Vendetta lives and flies quite nicely - thanks Chris!  I can no longer be accused of being a total Blue Moon and Aerostar bigot, just mostly 

[DWayne]

I'm glad to see another one of my kites has found its way into your bag. 
Really sad to see what they did to it though. 

Denny

[CTaylor]

I'm glad to see another one of my kites has found its way into your bag. 
Really sad to see what they did to it though. 

Denny

You're telling me.  I folded that fresh new box only an hour before handing it over to the PO.  Who would have thought a 5 to 7 hour drive across one state border could have caused that much damage to an item.  I'll definitely be insuring everything from now on.   

[stapp59]

All's well that ends well I suppose.   At least they didn't lose the box

Denny I should have picked up the UL while I had the chance.  The other BMKs are in the car and get flown often.  Am trying to wear them out but I don't think I'll be successful.  Ken's kites wear very well indeed. 

[Beachbum]

Jeez, it looks like someone ran it over with a forklift.  I remember almost losing my first Vendetta I sold to DHL.  I had to keep calling them and even sent them a picture (Thank you Mr. Chilese) so they could ID it.

...and I didn't insure it, so I'm also glad another Vendetta survived.

[ezme6]

I NEVER ship without insurance.

[kiteking]

You know its to bad the Post Office doesn't have basic coverage, especially when it is clearly their fault

UPS has this on all shipments:Shipments are automatically protected against loss or damage up to US$100.00. Protection up to US$50,000.00 per package is available for an additional charge at the time of shipping.

I had a kite arrive from Coastal Kites that was obviously stepped on or driven over, both leading edges and the spine were all broken in the same spot, it was shipped UPS, so they sent me a replacement and Coastal filed the clam w/UPS, 2 day longer wait but I ended up with a extra sail.