UPS strikes again!!!

[garey77]

So, I recently picked up an Axe Fx Ultra from a seller on eBay. When I received the unit it had obviously been damaged in transit . One of the rack ears was bent back pretty severely. So, I go to hook it up, it fires up and I'm able to get a stock preset sound, fine it seems to work in that capacity. I go to check the firmware, it's version 7. It hasn't been updated since '09. Should be no biggie. I follow all the steps to update, and I find that it won't update. In fact, it won't show any midi connectivity. Needless to say, I'm bummed.

So, the seller, when he shipped it, only insured it for $500 and it's been a bit of a nightmare getting a straight answer from UPS as to correct protocol on returning of the package. We were both told different stories on what to do in order for it to be picked up.

All that aside, I'm wondering if it'd be lame to ask for my money back. I really want the unit, but now, if I don't release it to UPS, who will only keep it and give seller back $500 (which is his own fault), would leave me responsible for sending it back to Fractal to have it checked out.

Either way, this sucks.

Fuck UPS, and people, when ya ship something you're selling...insure the damn thing!

Thoughts?

 

[MrScary5150]

Ask seller for a refund and let him deal with it. Maybe notify PayPal as well if it was used in transaction. Meanwhile, I hear the Kemper is a beast.

 

[timeroo]

The Ultra is a pile of junk, you will spend more time dialing in semi-usable tones than you will playing guitar.

 

[garey77]

The Ultra is a pile of junk, you will spend more time dialing in semi-usable tones than you will playing guitar.

I dunno man, I've done some pretty extensive searching, and there are some folks out there dialing in some pretty decent sounding clips… in like no time. Just check out youtube.

Also, I've heard all the latest (and final) firmware updates are very nice. If nothing else, I could use it just for stellar effects in my loop. If the likes of John Petrucci are happy with it (he's since moved to the AFX 2) in his live rig, I'm sure I'd be just fine.

 

[garey77]

Ask seller for a refund and let him deal with it. Maybe notify PayPal as well if it was used in transaction. Meanwhile, I hear the Kemper is a beast.

I actually just did ask him for a refund. I did also open a claim through ebay. It was extremely hard to make that decision, but ultimately, I don't feel that I should be passed along the burden because the seller didn't decide to insure it fully. I really really wanted to work it out, but who knows what the unit could be worth after I were to send it to Fractal. He only wants to refund me $500 of the $1200 I paid for it. You never know what the repairs could be like. I'm so bummed right now. Not only for me, but for him. He's going to be pissed.

 

[MrScary5150]

Ask seller for a refund and let him deal with it. Maybe notify PayPal as well if it was used in transaction. Meanwhile, I hear the Kemper is a beast.

I actually just did ask him for a refund. I did also open a claim through ebay. It was extremely hard to make that decision, but ultimately, I don't feel that I should be passed along the burden because the seller didn't decide to insure it fully. I really really wanted to work it out, but who knows what the unit could be worth after I were to send it to Fractal. He only wants to refund me $500 of the $1200 I paid for it. You never know what the repairs could be like. I'm so bummed right now. Not only for me, but for him. He's going to be pissed.

Well...Good luck in whatever route you take. I've been lucky over the years and the only think I've had delivered to me damaged was some reissued Mullard El34's from MF. They gladly shipped me replacements.

It might be something as simple as a cold solder.

 

[Mizati20]

It's a bent rack ear... just bend it back, done it several times myself... not saying the seller isn't in the wrong... but it's less of a headache...

And what are you trying to hook it up with via MIDI? Those units are CRAZY picky about what you use... I used to use an old UNO Midi sport... thing was so god damned picky I had to buy 3 different cables before it worked... and mind you, the SAME cable, not different brands... so don't just assume it was damaged internally... just letting you know my experience...

... also you need to make sure you have all the drivers and stuff installed ahead of time... AND you have to find the old versions of axe edit... the new version doesn't work with the old stuff...

Just trying to help!

 

[LP Freak]

If it won't update I'd definitely be looking for a full refund. Wash your hands of that thing.

 

[glip22]

You did the correct thing in opening a dispute. His fault for not insuring and packing better.

 

[chumbucket]

Ask seller for a refund and let him deal with it. Maybe notify PayPal as well if it was used in transaction. Meanwhile, I hear the Kemper is a beast.

I actually just did ask him for a refund. I did also open a claim through ebay. It was extremely hard to make that decision, but ultimately, I don't feel that I should be passed along the burden because the seller didn't decide to insure it fully.

If this was through eBay and Paypal, you have nothing to worry about. Now, you just have to wait. eBay will definitely side in your favor.

 

[thiswaythatway]

How the hell does a rack ear get bent like that? They must of had some serious weight ontop of it, or the seller didn't pack it well.

Send it to Fractal and have the seller pay for repairs.

 

[Tone Monster]

Ask seller for a refund and let him deal with it. Maybe notify PayPal as well if it was used in transaction. Meanwhile, I hear the Kemper is a beast.

I actually just did ask him for a refund. I did also open a claim through ebay. It was extremely hard to make that decision, but ultimately, I don't feel that I should be passed along the burden because the seller didn't decide to insure it fully. I really really wanted to work it out, but who knows what the unit could be worth after I were to send it to Fractal. He only wants to refund me $500 of the $1200 I paid for it. You never know what the repairs could be like. I'm so bummed right now. Not only for me, but for him. He's going to be pissed.

This is what I would do. Any issues are his own doing, not yours.

 

[Dingleberries]

Yep, you did the right thing. If he doesn't want to give a full refund, then let ebay/paypal sort it out. Right now I'm dealing with a seller who won't even ship or communicate. Also musicians friend sent me the wrong case. If they don't make it right, gonna let ebay/paypal sort it out.

 

[mjtripper]

So, the seller, when he shipped it, only insured it for $500

I've had this problem - it's not the seller. The last time I tried to ship a high dollar 'music related' item both fedex and ups had $500 caps on the insurance value. I ended up having to cancel the sale and refund the money because it was over $2k and I couldn't find anybody to ship it fully insured. I've had better luck with the ups store because they don't use the ups insurance but rather have their own carrier. It's been hit or miss though.

 

[nighttrain69]

Definatly send it back and get a full refund from the seller , when you agree to ship you take full responsibility for it's safe arrival to the buyer. And to only insure for 500 ,,that's around 5 dollars extra to the shipping cost , so he obviously wanted to be cheap. That only is shady

 

[TrueTone500]

You did the correct thing in opening a dispute. His fault for not insuring and packing better.

+1

 

[esizer]

So, the seller, when he shipped it, only insured it for $500

I've had this problem - it's not the seller. The last time I tried to ship a high dollar 'music related' item both fedex and ups had $500 caps on the insurance value. I ended up having to cancel the sale and refund the money because it was over $2k and I couldn't find anybody to ship it fully insured. I've had better luck with the ups store because they don't use the ups insurance but rather have their own carrier. It's been hit or miss though.

Fedex doesn't have "insurance". They have a declared value, which is the maximum value they are liable for in the event of damage or loss. I just sent an amplifier Fedex and the declared value was over 2k. Sure it cost a little extra but it's worth the piece of mind.

 

[Bob Savage]

The seller/shipper owns the loss. Saving 6 bucks on shipping isn't worth it and he shouldn't have done it.

 

[Tone Monster]

The seller/shipper owns the loss. Saving 6 bucks on shipping isn't worth it and he shouldn't have done it.

It really is that simple...

 

[garey77]

It was likely on a pallet with some guy driving his fork like Mario Andretti and got impaled. Those guys at the shipping hubs drive their forks pretty fast. I drove a bobtail for a shipping and logistics outfit for a while and have seen those forklift operators in action...they hit shit all the time.