Horror Story (was re: Decisions)

[illuzion]

Welp, I just got my plasma cutter today (miller spectrum 625). Almost anyways... More like half of one. It came today from a miller dealer which I mail ordered it from, and came shipped Airborne Express. When I got it, the box was obviously broken open and retaped. There was also some minor damage to the box. I signed for it, and had the delivery guy make a note on the bill of lading detailing the damage. I opened the box, and didn't find the unit nicely packed, more like just thrown sideways in the box on top of a pile of cardboard/plastic, the door that goes into the consumables compartment was broken off, and the biggest problem is that there was no torch at all. I don't understand how this can possibly happen, since it does not appear to be easily user removable. Just a ground cable/clamp and a power cord, no spare consumables. There was also some dents/damage to the blue housing on the unit. There is something that sounds like a piece of plastic rattling around inside the unit. I called the dealer, and they seemed "surprised" at what happened. I sent them a copy of the bill of lading, and emailed them the pictures detailing the damage, and they basically told me that they did not insure the package when they shipped it. All they could do was assure me that this must have happened in shipping because the unit left there new and factory sealed. Their guess was the thing was dropped/box broke open in shipping terminal or on truck, and they tried to repack/reseal it. They are supposed to be getting back to me tomorrow with more info as to what they plan on doing about this (from the impression they gave me, they do plan on making good on it in some way or another). I took several pictures of the carton before I opened it, and the contents (and plan on posting them here) and you can be the judge as to what happened here. I am not going to post the dealers name at this time, as they do extensively advertise on ebay and other places, and I will post their info after this matter is resolved (one way or the other), for now I am not posting any opinions. Definately not a good day.
-illuzion

[JWELD]

Makes my stomach drop:

I hope the dealer is not BR Welding Supply as I am in the process of purchasing from them, if it is, please tell. Has anyone else had either good or bad from BR?

As for your problem, I really feel for you.
I shall say a prayer--- Seriously

[GWB]

B & R is GREAT..
Great price and customer SERVICE..
Bought a 200 DX from them along with the contactors kit.
Decided I didn't need the kit..No problem with a return.. Bob was great.
I live in CA. but they will get all my machine buys..........

[illuzion]

No it was not BR, and I don't want everyone trying to guess who it was. After this matter is resolved, I will post the dealers name/info, so everyone here can make an informed judgement before dealing with them based on others experience.
-illuzion

[shane7207]

sorry to hear about your situation. i work for roadway express as a truckdriver and i've worked on the docks for about six months. i would bet 100.00 dollars that this was the shippers fault. i have seen all types of damage done to freight on the docks. unfortunately you signed for it but at least you noted the damage. the best thing to do would have been to refuse delivery. but since you didnt i would call the claims dept. of the shipper and complain to them. also keep calling the dealer to. if they ship alot through that carrier they can put alot of pressure on them to make things right. i'm sure they dont want to lose the business. keep calling the dealer and shipper and let them know you want your plasma cutter replaced even if it means small claims court. i'm sure neither one wants any bad publicity out of it. i hope you get a replacement. thats a big chunk of money to lose.

[iso50]

Call Airborne Express, thats who your beef should be with. Or have your dealer call them, if as they claim it was fine before shipping. I guess thats why they have (or should have) shipping insurance. At least you have pictures of the damaged item.

[moe1942]

Damage

I bought my Mig 175 from BR welder and found price and shipping great. Will be using them again.

The damage you described almost certainly happened in shipment. Shippers generally won't accept cartons that show obvious damage.

Since you noted the damage at the time of delivery you will get satisfaction. Won't be easy or timely but you will get a replacement. Also, you did a good thing by taking before and after pics.

If, in the future, you have a choice of shippers, use UPS. It is my experience that they take care of these matters without a lot of fuss.

I feel for you. It's a gut wrenching experience.

moe1942

[iso50]

Re: Damage

Originally posted by moe1942
If, in the future, you have a choice of shippers, use UPS. It is my experience that they take care of these matters without a lot of fuss.

Yikes, after seeing what UPS does with packages at the Milwuakee, WI terminal, I decided to never ship UPS if I had the choice. I always use FedEx, and have NEVER had any problem with them at all. Of course when someone else ships to you, you don't always have the choice.

[ASKANDY]

Dude,

Sorry to hear of your bad experience. It's too bad that these things sometimes happen. Let us know how this turns our or if you are having any issues.

A-

[cope]

Re: Re: Damage

Originally posted by iso50
Yikes, after seeing what UPS does with packages at the Milwuakee, WI terminal, I decided to never ship UPS if I had the choice. I always use FedEx, and have NEVER had any problem with them at all. Of course when someone else ships to you, you don't always have the choice.

Guess either you have been lucky or my company ahsn't been. We get lots of dameged packages courtesy of FedEx. Not an isolated experience; happened at my last job also. When we have something shipped for Saturday or Sunday delivery it always arrives on Monday with a note from the driver that the facility was closed when he attempted ddelivery. Hard to imagine a 24/7 facility with parking lots full of cars being closed but these bozos aren't interested in finding the door.

[iso50]

Re: Re: Re: Damage

Originally posted by cope
Guess either you have been lucky or my company ahsn't been. We get lots of dameged packages courtesy of FedEx. Not an isolated experience; happened at my last job also. When we have something shipped for Saturday or Sunday delivery it always arrives on Monday with a note from the driver that the facility was closed when he attempted ddelivery. Hard to imagine a 24/7 facility with parking lots full of cars being closed but these bozos aren't interested in finding the door.

I'm sure a lot of it has to do with the people that work at your closest FedEx location. But the people at the Appleton, WI location are great. Likewise my friend in Mikwaukee has nothing put priase for them.

[timw]

As for BR Welders they are great! I bought a MM210 2 1/2 years ago and a 625 6 weeks ago from them and they are PROS. As for the 625 I LIKE IT! My only complait is with the directions. They basicly say plug it in, add air. After 6 weeks I could write a small book on it. I cut a lot of bolts off that have concrete/mortar on them. I've found the trick is start the arc on solid metal and arc over to the bolt and cut using stand off setup. The arc is so hot that it melts the concrete, no popping like with a torch. I also carve metal with it like you would do with a torch. It puts out a flame once the arc is started that blows almost an inch out. I also cut seized bearings off of shafts with it. Maybe Miller needs to follow me for a day and come up with directions.

[Paul Seaman]

Illuzion: The supplier is always liable if they did not insure the item. You are paying for a new uninjured piece of equipment. If you paid for this with a credit card contact the card company and put hold on this payment until the problem is resolved, that way if they don't fix the problem the card company won't pay. The credit card company is always there for your protection against problems. I am so sorry to hear of your problems, hope this gets resolved soon. Especially since you deliberated so long to figure out exactly what you wanted. Sunny days are ahead, good luck

[illuzion]

The vendor has told me that they will be replacing the unit. I have yet to receive one, but they are issuing a call tag on the damaged unit so they can evaluate it. They clear state in a written company policy on the invoice that they are not responsible for shipping damage. As for something missing a torch that should be very solidly connected to the unit, I'm sure I could argue with my credit card company if this was in fact "shipping damage" or not. I am counting on the reputation of the vendor, which I researched almost as much as the unit before making a purchase, to make good on this dilemma. Also as for timw's post, I would appreciate you sharing any of your usage tips and tricks on this unit that you have gathered with experience, as hopefully sometime in the near future, I will have one of these machines (in one piece, and hopefully running). As for starting on a piece of metal, I thought that it does not matter with this unit because of the pilot arc.
Thanks
-illuzion

[HAWK]

illuzion,

Good luck with all the mess. I am glad I recommended the Spectrum 625, but not the vendor or shipper. You do not have to start the arc and transfer it to the piece to be cut. This must be what timw has found works best for his needs. My guess if the bolts are concrete covered they become electrically non conductive. Timw is starting the arc on an electrically conductive nmaterial and dragging the projected plasma stream over the bolt to melt off the concrete and cut off the bolt. If your material is conductive, start the arc on it. I hope you receive your machine soon.