FedEx
Declared Value $2,800 Plasma TV Destroyed, Only $150 Offered

My complaint is about FedEx's refusal to pay a $2,800.00 claim on the shipment of a new Panasonic Plasma TV, for which we paid additional money for a declared value to make sure we would not be out of luck if they damaged it. After destroying it (see pictures), they sent us a $150.00 check saying, sorry, that is the most they can pay. We never cashed the check and plan to sue them in an attempt to recover our sizable loss.

As I can see now, tons of people have written and logged complaints about similar situations they endured after making the mistake of deciding to use FedEx for their shipping needs. What I am curious about is whether there is anyone out there who successfully filed a claim in Small Claims Court, got the judgment and managed to get paid for the damage done while the item was in their custody.

As I mentioned above, our story is about a Plasma TV that was grossly mishandled and treated with a complete lack of care. When shipped, it was packed in the original factory box, designed for excellent protection. On top of that, we put 5 heavy duty plastic strips which reinforced the already sturdy box, just to ensure additional safety. After creating the label online (where there was no link to any of the pages stating what is not covered), we called Customer Service to make sure we would not be out of luck if the Plasma TV we were about to ship got damaged or destroyed. And we were assured.

Upon pick up, FedEx first misrouted the package, sending it off course to Anaheim. When the parcel finally reached its destination, the recipient refused to sign for it, 1) because the box was already demolished and 2) because the package was 3 days late. From there on, one can imagine what happened to the 130 pound TV on its route from IL to Los Angeles, CA. When the package was finally brought back a month after it was originally shipped, it looked like someone had thrown it down from the 2nd floor. The TV was smashed, the box was torn open, and FedEx would not even come to inspect it!!! More than a month after tons of calls and aggravation, we got a check for $150.00 stating this was the maximum they could pay, regardless of the $2,800.00 declared value we believed was accepted with no problem, because we PAID for it!

As another report on FedEx said, dealing with the FedEx claims department is like dealing with a brick wall. Customer service practically does not allow direct contact with the claims department and goes the extra mile to stonewall you as far as who handles your claim. In our situation, their excuse was that they are not liable for damages done to Plasma Screens, which exists as a policy somewhere among 1000 other pages on their corporate web site. Given the amount of money the TV cost, we have decided to take them to court. If you have any information about someone who did the same, and how the case was decided, please let us know.

My advice: AVOID shipping anything via FedEx, at all costs!

Company: FedEx
Country: USA
State: Tennessee
City: MEMPHIS
Address: 942 SOUTH SHADY GROVE ROAD

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