TVM - issues

[paulvallandigham]

Gentlemen: To no one in particular:

The areas where packages are moved at these common carriers is too small to allow long boxes to be carried like a suitcase. All such packages are are moved, manually, by being carried on the Vertical axis- that is, its the buttstock or muzzle that is closest to the floor!

Unfortunately, if you don't understand how things work, you can't anticipate potential damage.

I received a gun through shipment that had a large Block- 3+ inches wide of Styrofoam between the butt of the gun, and the end of the cardboard box. Another similar thick piece of styrofoam protected the muzzle. There was "Movement" between he gun and these blocks at both ends, when I opened the box on receipt. Both ends of the gun had been driven into these blocks of Styrofoam to one extent or another.

BUT, the blocks of styrofoam absorbed the energy of the drop, rather than transferring it to my gun stock, and the stock came through unscathed.

Another gun arrived without that protection, and I had a crack through the wrist of the stock. A third rifle arrived, without that protection, but its steel butt plate protected the wood from damage. You could clearly see the damage to the cardboard box where it had been thrown or dropped on the buttstock end of the packing box.

So, when discussing how you are going to take delivery of a gun, its wise to discuss how the seller is packing the gun for delivery. All the wrapping and wood support around the middle of the gun is not going to save you the damage to the stock or muzzle unless there is some serious effort to Pad the ends of the gun to accept the blows that will come when the box is thrown or dropped on its ends during handling. And, put a big stamp, " FRAGILE" ON THE BOX, on all sides, in hopes that someone reads the sign and handles the package accordingly. ( Don't count on it. I am not sure how literate these handlers are, or how fluent they speak and read English.) :shocked2: :hatsoff: :hatsoff:

 

[rr11]

It is not just UPS or the USPS all shipers rush the handeling of packages. I used to work at a major airport after a flight left they had to have a crew clean up the ramp to remove all the "fod" left by the loading crews. Hope it all workes out for you. Dont know if it would have made a differance all three of my TVM shipments were by Fed EX and no issues. That said if I order my .36 this summer I will drive to Ms. and pick up.

 

[dcriner]

TVM repaired my gun with UPS shipping damage - a new stock. It arrived today. All is good.

 

[roundball]

TVM repaired my gun with UPS shipping damage - a new stock. It arrived today. All is good.

Good...knew that they would !!
:thumbsup:

Now...lets get that baby in operation...and we need pictures !!
:grin:

 

[ronrryan]

I recently received a rifle shipped from a PA business in a used Track of Wolf double box, shipped UPS. This box had been carefully taped on four previous occasions, shipped Postal service by me, It was still in very good shape. When I received it the outer box was pretty shredded on two sides, the inner box and foam padding had protected the valuable flint rifle within. I said some pretty nasty things to the driver, but he got it that way, I think long boxes have a very hard time in the machinery. I haveused USPS a dozen times, no problem. Good smoke, God bless, Ron in FL

 

[dcriner]

By the way, the repaired gun was packed exactly the same way as the one that was damaged in shipment. Both came via UPS.

TVM packs their rifles in a sturdy cardboard carton, reinforced on all four sides of the inside with 1x2s, screwed together. The rifle is wrapped in bubble wrap, and cushioned with plenty of shredded paper.

My hunch is that on the original (damaged gun, stock split at the wrist), UPS dropped the package on its end.

I was impressed that TVM turned the whole thing around in a month, door to door. They handled the claim with UPS, and I was left out of the middle.

 

[stone knife]

That's awesome :thumbsup: I just ordred a Fowler from them and specified it shipped in a crate.

 

[Macon Due]

Actually mine came 'both' times...in a cardboard box with one lil 1"x2" down each side of the box [lengthwise] and bubble wrap with the shredded paper.Mine was undamaged both times though.
Macon

 

[majg1234]

My 58 Early VA from TVM came in the "crate" the day before christmas,The crate had signs of abuse!!! so I was a little nervous opened her up and every thing was good.....Now if I can make some smoke with it all will be well :thumbsup:

 

[bchannell]

I just couldn't ignore this thread, as I'm currently into my 6th week and counting dealing with a damaged longrifle and the resulting UPS claim. UPS IS NOT GOOD ABOUT HANDLING CLAIMS! Don't ever get that idea. They have done everything they can to delay, act ignorant (might not be an act), and making every step as hard as possible. I've been told by more than one person that the claim is going to be paid, but they keep asking for items I've already provided from day one, and I keep having to remind them that they have whatever it is they're asking for. I've spoken to supervisors on more than one occasion with only minimal help.

IF you have to handle the calim, then,
My advise, keep calling, have estimates in writing and signed by the business who provided it, call often, and be persistent, and not rude. They will take you places you don't want to go, but remain calm.

Better advise is to send the gun to TVM, (or whoever shipped it) and let them handle it, and tell them to send you a repaired gun. You'll save a lot, and I mean A LOT of hassle.

I've talked to some of the top names in the muzzleloading business, and I won't print them here, but EVERY SINGLE ONE of them told me that if I got UPS to pay for my rifle, I'd be the first one they'd heard of and they certainly had no luck at it. Most mentioned they NEVER us UPS for shipping simply because of this. So, you don't have to take my word for it. This is not a pleasant process.

UPS is infamous for this kind of claim handling and it's well known. I've even seen pics in gunbroker auctions of damaged guns from UPS shipments and unpaid claims, with a notation of 'no UPS shipments'.

I wish you good luck and God's speed!

 

[hanshi]

Ever since that time I received my TVM smoothie only to find the cock snapped of the Chambers lock; I haven't really worried any more. TVM took care of the lock situation and I was back in business in a couple of weeks.

 

[dcriner]

Hey dcriner
can we see a picture of the rifle?

No photo available, but the photo would not be any different from the pix of the rifle on the TVM website. The crack would be invisible in any photo, anyway - unless I deliberately separated it with a little force. Sorry.