[R-390] Re: UPS is Garbage

Thu, 7 Nov 2002 21:15:22 -0600

Actually, I didn't ship the radio to Rick for restoration.  Rick supplied
both the radio and the restoration for $1000.00 plus $100.00 for shipping,
and we never discussed anything about the handling of damage claims.  I wish
we had.  I offered several times to go from Texas to Ohio and pick it up in
person just to make sure that I got it in the condition that Rick put it in,
which appeared to have been outstanding.  But Rick said he thought he could
pack it where UPS couldn't tear it up.  And he did pack it very well - even
UPS admitted that.  And I got along just fine with Rick up until the time I
found out that he had settled with UPS without telling me about it.  I had
even written UPS a letter telling them that Rick was a person of
undisputable honesty and integrity, and that if Rick said that the radio was
shipped in a certain condition they could take it to the bank.  Rick asked
me what I wanted him to tell UPS at his end, and I told him to just tell
them the same thing he had told me - that the damage appeared to be about
$300.00 to repair, and that he would prefer to settle it without sending the
radio back to him.
I'm sorry that I stirred things up.  I didn't mean to do that, and I should
not have revealed who the restorer was.  I thought it was plain that I
actually hold UPS more responsible than I do Rick, and I understand that
there might be an honest difference in opinion about the worth of the rack
handle and four used crystals that Rick sent me to help repair the damage.
Rick may have thought they were worth the $150.00 that UPS paid him to
settle the claim.  I didn't, especially since Rick had already told me that
I could send him about $40.00 for the handle and crystals when UPS settled
the claim with me.  As far as I know, Rick never told me anything that was
actually untrue, and I have never claimed that he was untruthful.  My main
bone of contention with Rick was that he settled the claim himself with UPS
without telling me about it, and then let me continue to make a fool of
myself for over six months trying to get UPS to do what they said they were
going to do.  And as far as UPS was concerned, it was no contest between me
and them.  They held all the cards, and they didn't mind lying to me until
they could make their deal with Rick and get off the hook.  And even after
that, UPS kept on corresponding with me about how they were still working on
the claim without telling me that they had already settled it with Rick.  I
only found that out after I made an issue out of it with their corporate
office.  And I am not going to say anything more about this incident.  I
have learned my lesson - from now on, all my input will be technical.
Bill K.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael Melland" <[email protected]>
To: "Cecil Acuff" <[email protected]>; "Bill Keller"
<[email protected]>; "Dan Arney" <[email protected]>
Cc: <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, November 07, 2002 2:42 PM
Subject: Re: [R-390] Re: UPS is Garbage

> I think in all fairness that if one is concerned about
> this incident they should talk to Rick and get the story
> from his perspective.  I did... the basic facts are not in
> dispute.  The radio was done and shipped back as it was
> received via UPS.  The radio was damaged by UPS.
>
> Here is where things get a little "fuzzy".  There is no
> implication anyone is being less than truthful here...
> however there appear to be details that have not been
> related in the information provided.  In my experience
> this isn't uncommon at all... everyone has a different
> point of view... often reflected in their individual
> recollection of an incident.
>
> Before crucifying Rick Mish and telling each other what he
> "should" have done I suggest you get "all" the facts from
> each side.
>
> And.... for those who might ask... I have never met Rick
> Mish.  All I know is he has been immensely helpful, fair
> and kind to me... a guy he has never even met.  And...
> when I sent my R-390A to him in May his terms were clear
> and up-front regarding damage claims.  And I agreed to the
> terms.... if I didn't accept or agree with them I was free
> to turn elsewhere.  That's the American way...
>
> Mike
>
> --
> Michael Melland, W9WIS
> Winneconne, WI USA