Damn you FedEx! **UPDATE Post #56 Claim paid by FedEx**

[NorcalGSG]

So how was it packaged? Far, far too many people don't know how to wrap things up and package to really protect. They think wrapping a layer or two of bubble wrap around something and tossing it in a box will do the trick. I'd never send something like a rifle in nothing less than a double box with some wood plank reinforcements to resist bending/crushing. I'm betting that the seller just wrapped in in a layer of bubble wrap and tossed it in a regular cardboard box. That's a recipe for disaster.

Bummer that it happened and at least the seller is going to make good. Hopefully you'll find an even nicer one and when you do, you might give serious consideration to providing your own shipping container. Ship it to the seller and give him instructions on how to pack it up. Maybe even just get a Pelican case for shipping.

Ya I agree 100%. This is why I pre-ship my own plastic case, in a nice cardboard box I made to fit my case snug, with foam and a gun sock inside to the seller.

[nick]

Sorry to see this. UPS broke an 1889 Commission rifle sent to me just like that. Have the seller file the claim with Fedex, and hopefully they'll leave you the rifle's remains. Candyman on Gunboards repairs stocks pretty well.

[McNally M.]

I'm so sorry to see that GOEX FFF, my heart really goes out to you. From the looks of it, that Krag was in nice condition. Not something that you can find everyday. I can totally understand your frustration and being upset that a rifle with such a long history had to end up like that. But it happens, and at least you are not to blame here.

My advice is to keep your chin up through this ordeal. Once matters get settled you'll either end up with your money back or the rifle and hopefully a little to compensate for your loss. Then you'll begin the process of looking for a replacement parts or a different rifle all together.

These things again, and they sure stink when they do.

[TKM]

Ouch, that is painful and sickening to look at. I'm hoping Fed Ex won't pull their shenanigans about how it was packed incorrecly and refuse to pay the claim. Hopefully you'll Find another Krag in similar condition or perhaps a replacement stock.

Bummer, it was packed incorrectly. The CMP uses a CMP hard case with a closely fitted cardboard over-case.

Your package is sharing a conveyer belt going forty miles an hour with engine blocks. Plan accordingly.

[jimsguns]

Heartbreaking...so sorry to hear that. I had a pistol on its way to me that apparently was on a train that derailed and burned. Sad day.

[GOEX FFF]

Thanks for all the encouragement!

Sorry to see this. UPS broke an 1889 Commission rifle sent to me just like that. Have the seller file the claim with Fedex, and hopefully they'll leave you the rifle's remains. Candyman on Gunboards repairs stocks pretty well.

And thanks for the name drop!

I was also thinking about this route if I happen to get stuck with the rifle, aside from looking for a replacement, is to find someone who's a "master" in rifle stock repair. I've seen some impressive work done out there for just this sort of wrist breakage. It might cost a little bit, but keeping the rifle as original is still important to me.

I dunno, I'm still brewing on it.

[MikeSmith]

That really sucks that happened to such a nice rifle.

I work for Fedex as a driver...I've also worked in a ship center packaging boxes for customers.

So what did the box look like? That usually tells the story of what happened to it.

I want to say that it may not have been that the driver threw the package at all. Actually that probably wouldn't break a rifle in half.

But here is something that a lot of people don't realize. When a package gets picked up by a driver and gets back to the station it is put on a conveyor belt with a bunch of other packages. The conveyor belt is only so wide. A long item like a rifle may shift sideways and end up going over the edges of the conveyor belt. There are then guides at certain points to direct boxes that are hanging over the edges back onto the belt. A very long box if shifted sideways will get caught on both guides on either side of the belt and the box will stop. The boxes behind that box will run into it. This is pretty rare but it happens every so often. That jams everything and the workers need to hit the emergency stops as soon as possible. The rifle may have been packed in a flimsy old box with not enough packing material, or it may have had a really heavy package put right behind it. Or who knows what even happened.
When you underpack something you are really taking a chance. It needs to be packed very well just in case. Because you never know when your little tiny box that weighs 5 lbs is put right next to a big box that weighs 200lbs.

This is not an issue of which company is better Fedex or UPS, it's just the way shipping works. But... I actually know for a fact from seeing UPS drivers on my route and talking to them, that UPS pushes their employees harder than Fedex. They have way more to do in a shorter amount of time. This may be why you see so many videos on the news of UPS drivers throwing packages in a hurry.

[2761377]

unless things have changed in the last 10 years, an insurance claim pay-off will result in Fedex taking possession of the rifle.

there is no provision for a partial pay-off. it is all or nothing, paid to the seller.

fwiw, I've been the seller in a situation just like this.

[DirtyRussianAmmo]

Sorry to see it, OP.

I've never shipped a rifle, so it's a good heads up. Plastic case or double box.

[Tonymin]

My last rifle from Gunbroker came what I consider as underpacked. Single box with bubble wrap. My rifle last month from Simpsons had bubble wrap and double boxed. Not everyone knows what they are doing. I was worried when I saw the single box, but I got lucky.
Your rifle is repairable but you would have to deny the claim. You would be saving it though as FedEx will probably destroy it (further).

[bigbossman]

But here is something that a lot of people don't realize. When a package gets picked up by a driver and gets back to the station it is put on a conveyor belt with a bunch of other packages. The conveyor belt is only so wide. A long item like a rifle may shift sideways and end up going over the edges of the conveyor belt. There are then guides at certain points to direct boxes that are hanging over the edges back onto the belt. A very long box if shifted sideways will get caught on both guides on either side of the belt and the box will stop. The boxes behind that box will run into it........

This, in a nutshell.

I've spent time in distribution centers, both for FedEx and UPS. Long packages can get hung up on the conveyors when they go around the corners. This is where the majority of snapped stocks happen.

There are two things yuo can do to help prevent it:

1) Proper packing, as outlined in several posts above.

2), Proper packing in a shorter box. I like to remove the barreled action from the stock, wrap both securely side by side, and ship in a shorter, wider box. It is very hard to bend a box enough to snap the stock when the barreled action is along side it being used as a stiffener. I have shipped a lot of rifles, and have not lost one to this damages yet.

Long thin boxes are the enemy here - they can jam the conveyor system which often results in disastrous consequences for the contents contained therein.

[joefrank64k]

The seller will be lucky to get the claim paid...FedEx will say that the item wasn't packed to their published specs.

I've shipped bunches of rifles...I only use UPS...and have never had one damaged (knock on wood!). But I pack the rifle (I use brand-new U-line boxes) so that I can stand on the box without it bending. I figure that way, it will have a better chance of surviving getting jammed on a high-speed conveyor.

OP...that break can be "easily" fixed by a stock guy who knows what he's doing. If the rifle is otherwise tight, that might be an option if the seller is willing to pay for the repair. Otherwise, send it back and get a full refund. There are other Krags out there!

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I will second the opinion that it was badly packaged. There is no doubt that the package will be handled roughly, so you anticipate and prepare for that. Heavy corrugated cardboard. Lots of bubble wrap, and every nook and cranny stuffed with paper or other filler to prevent any movement inside the box. Reinforcement and additional padding around the wrist, crown, and butt. If the box can be shaken and the rifle moves, the packaging job sucks.

[sl0re10]

So how was it packaged? Far, far too many people don't know how to wrap things up and package to really protect. They think wrapping a layer or two of bubble wrap around something and tossing it in a box will do the trick. I'd never send something like a rifle in nothing less than a double box with some wood plank reinforcements to resist bending/crushing. I'm betting that the seller just wrapped in in a layer of bubble wrap and tossed it in a regular cardboard box. That's a recipe for disaster.

Bummer that it happened and at least the seller is going to make good. Hopefully you'll find an even nicer one and when you do, you might give serious consideration to providing your own shipping container. Ship it to the seller and give him instructions on how to pack it up. Maybe even just get a Pelican case for shipping.

No amount of wrap in the world would help with that... you'd need to pack some rebar in the box to keep them from bending it like they did... and thats not reasonable to ask...

I mean; they already broke a piece of wood... paper/plastic wrap wouldn't even slow them down.

[GOEX FFF]

Thanks again all for the replies. Very Informative.

The seller filed a claim today with FedEx and someone from FedEx is going to come out to the FFL's shop to inspect the rifle and packing tomorrow.

What 2761337 said, it looks to be all or nothing. If the claim is paid, FedEx takes the rifle and Lords know what they do with it, then cuts a check to the seller.
As stated I'm guessing too they probably destroy it. Who Knows........ Then I'll be on the hunt for another Krag.

If the claim is denied, then I'm going to look for an original replacement stock and / or try to get this one fixed by someone who knows what they're doing.

I spoke to my FFL again today and he thinks it can be repaired pretty good. FWIW, the break was very clean with no missing chips out of the side exterior. The chip shown in the pics is a piece from the inside.

I'll keep this thread updated throughout the process.