Remember My Lost Package from UPS? (Need advice)

[Iron Chef]

UPS informed me today that they were unable to locate the package containing the documentation for the sale of my ZR-1 next month. If you'll remember, this had all of the cars history including the original window sticker and all the receipts. So help me I'll never ship with UPS again, but that's not my question.

UPS is sending me a claim form. I guess that they want me to put a value on my lost paperwork. What does everyone think? Documentation has an intrinsic value to the car's providence, so I have to idea how to assign a number to that. The only thing I can think of is to estimate how much more I would have gotten for the car had the paperwork accompanied the car.

Any ideas? :bigears:

[RedLS1GTO]

Did you put a declared value on it when you sent?

Seeing as it would most likely be a few thousand dollars in a case like this, I'm guessing you are going to have a hell of a time getting anything close.

I don't know if they would do it, but a signed declaration of value loss from the auction house might be a good place to start.

[Mike Mercury]

my past experience with UPS and lost/damaged shipments:

as a company making a claim = they bend over backwards

as a private individual making a claim = pennies on the dollar (if you get anything at all)

Serious.
When a single person makes a claim, they really don't care if you "never use them again" or not.

without additional insurance purchased, they will write the check for $100... and not a cent more.

[Datawiz]

$5,000?

But good luck getting anywhere near declared value. You'll likely get the above mentioned $100. :sadangel:

[Rob]

But good luck getting anywhere near declared value. You'll likely get the above mentioned $100. :sadangel:

:iagree: sadly....maybe see if you can find an antique car collector that would be glad to write you a letter (for a nominal fee) that would give an approximate appraisal for the value of that documentation?

Just throwing out ideas

[TheHammer]

wtf? did you send it ground?

[lspencer534]

Chef, I don't remember what make of car you sold, but the old rule among Corvette C2 collectors is a tank sticker adds $10,000 to the value. A window sticker contains the same info as a tank sticker, so I'd equate them in value.

[Norm]

Count the amount of hours it would take you to gather all the papers that are gatherable X $30 an hour. See what happens.

[MrPeabody]

See if you can get anything in writing from the auction company about the difference in value with/without the documentation.

[C5SilverBullet]

Find what one sold for at the same auction with all the paperwork, wait for yours to sell, then claim the difference.

[Millenium Vette]

I don't know if they would do it, but a signed declaration of value loss from the auction house might be a good place to start.

See if you can get anything in writing from the auction company about the difference in value with/without the documentation.

:iagree:

I would go one step further and get Mecum to do the work. They are the experts and have the credibility when it comes to the value of the documentation. If Mecum is unwilling to do this, I would withdraw from the sale. I am not saying I am right, but that is what I would do.

:cert:

[Iron Chef]

wtf? did you send it ground?

When you consign a car, they provide you with a prepaid shipping label. I'm pretty sure it goes air.

Chef, I don't remember what make of car you sold, but the old rule among Corvette C2 collectors is a tank sticker adds $10,000 to the value. A window sticker contains the same info as a tank sticker, so I'd equate them in value.

It's a C4 ZR-1. I still have the build sheet, but I don't think I can reasonably expect that kind of value with a C4.

I would go one step further and get Mecum to do the work. They are the experts and have the credibility when it comes to the value of the documentation. If Mecum is unwilling to do this, I would withdraw from the sale.

The paperwork may have no effect on the value at all as this is a later model vehicle, and it would be unfair to penalize Mecum as this is clearly not their fault (and I really would like to sell the car).

HOWEVER, read on...

as a company making a claim = they bend over backwards

as a private individual making a claim = pennies on the dollar (if you get anything at all)

I spoke with Mecum today and THEY will be the ones filing the claim for $2000. I couldn't ask for better cooperation. We'll see how it turns out. :seasix:

[Jeff '79]

Are you sure that you sent it?
You are getting quite forgetful lately. :D

[TheHammer]

When you consign a car, they provide you with a prepaid shipping label. I'm pretty sure it goes air.

Wow, I've used UPS and FedEx Next Day or Second Day services for over 20 years and have never had one lost. Very rare I'd say.

:leaving:

[Iron Chef]

Are you sure that you sent it?
You are getting quite forgetful lately. :D

Don't you have a barn to paint? :slap: :D

[Y2Kvert4me]

With UPS, every package is insured for a value of $100. Declaring a higher value when scheduling the shipment purchases additional insurance and slightly increases the cost of shipment.

If Mecum arranged the shipment and provided the label, that makes them the consignor (sender). Which means only they can resolve this with UPS, and only they will know what it may have been insured for. It may be possible their account has a higher blanket amount set for base declared value.

[lspencer534]

Chef, this is from personal experience: UPS will offer an individual a maximum of $100 to settle a claim. They will also claim that they have no liability because all UPS stores are independent businesses (which they are technically). But if you sue them, they will pay.

For example, I shipped a NOS set of C2 sidepipes (incl. covers, etc.) via UPS. When they got to their destination, they looked like they had been run over by a bulldozer. I sued them (without warning them), and they eventually paid everything I wanted.

[Jeff '79]

Don't you have a barn to paint? :slap: :D

Honestly, my heart sank when I read the OP
To keep that stuff safe for that long and then to have someone lose, it is just totally bogus.
I hope it doesn't cost you too much.

[Mike Mercury]

I spoke with Mecum today and THEY will be the ones filing the claim for $2000

:thumbs:

[Millenium Vette]

When you consign a car, they provide you with a prepaid shipping label. I'm pretty sure it goes air.



It's a C4 ZR-1. I still have the build sheet, but I don't think I can reasonably expect that kind of value with a C4.



The paperwork may have no effect on the value at all as this is a later model vehicle, and it would be unfair to penalize Mecum as this is clearly not their fault (and I really would like to sell the car).

HOWEVER, read on...



I spoke with Mecum today and THEY will be the ones filing the claim for $2000. I couldn't ask for better cooperation. We'll see how it turns out. :seasix:

That's exactly what I figured Mecum would do. Mishaps like this is one of the reasons why they send you a shipping label. You will get paid. They are a sharp outfit which is one of the reasons they have grown so fast and done so well.

The reason I said I would withdraw from the sale if I got no help isn't to punish the auction house, but rather because in my experiences over the years if a deal is too hard and nothing goes right it is better to shit can the whole thing and start over.

:cert:

[Kerrmudgeon]

I could see a clean documented ZR1 losing at least 5k in value not having the proper paperwork with it Mike. But without ins.......:bilmem:

[RedLS1GTO]

If Mecum arranged the shipment and provided the label, that makes them the consignor (sender). Which means only they can resolve this with UPS...

Yep.

[boracayjohnny]

Those one of a kind papers are worth more than the average $100. I wish you good luck with the process, Mike. :seasix: