Shipped Motor Damage - What to do?

BrightE's

BrightE's

Paul
Location
Seattle, WA
I'll premise this by saying I REALLY tried for it to not come to this. The seller had a quick and smooth transaction. Unfortunately due diligence on the shipping side of it was not made.

I bought a couch motor (62T/62T) in great shape from a Facebook group member of which the seller is a member here as well. He had the motor listed for a good price, I paid him for shipping, paid for Paypal fees because he didn't yet have his business account setup, and paid $15 for "packing materials".

It was communicated to me that he had sent many motors, which I don't dispute. Come today I find the motor completely inadequately packed - literally wrapped in some bubble wrap, and tossed into a Sterilite. The engine clearly bounced repeatedly off of its cases and case bolts enough to puncture the plastic sterilite clear through in a band across the bottom of the container.

Plugs were left in, and additional bolts were left free to bounce around the inside of the container in a loose baggie. No cardboard, no towels, no padding. The top of the Sterilite has stress whitening as well where the flame arrestor bore the entire weight of the engine repeatedly.

Fortunately I have not found any malfunction in the engine, nor blatant case cracks. There is however oil running down the case bolts, and all along the case seem. I am also concerned about impact micro cracks up through the cases, nor do I feel comfortable in running a motor that has seen such abuse.

I requested a refund from the seller, and offered to properly pack the motor and send it back at my own expense. I was told the fault lies completely on FedEx for the handling. I could not disagree more.

I took unpacking photos as I've been burnt by this before, and captured the state of the motor pack-out. With the seller not willing to refund me, and FedEx guaranteed to state no fault of their own, I am in a bit of a pickle.

Any advice here? Is it worth submitting a ticket to PayPal about?

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McDog

McDog

Other Administrator
Staff member
Location
South Florida
I'll throw my 2 cents in:

1. Yes, it should have been packaged better.

2. You are being a bit extreme on the worries over "micro cracks" on a used motor off ebay. If you want perfection buy new, otherwise just expect a used motor to be one big micro crack. I don't see any actual damage.
 
BrightE's

BrightE's

Paul
Location
Seattle, WA
Yeah I am being nitpicky about it.

But it doesn't change the fact that motor is not in the state that it was purchased in.

I wouldnt have bought it knowing it had been dropped repeatedly on concrete, I hope no one would.

Based on that it's grounds to ask for a refund. Product condition wasn't what I bought, and it's at fault of the seller.

I offered out if my pocket to ship it back for $100. He said paraphrasing "then what, I have a dropped up motor?"

Yeah, you do guy. What kind of business model is it to acknowledge that the motor got damaged then leave it on the customer?

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BrightE's

BrightE's

Paul
Location
Seattle, WA
At this point I've assumed FedEx will tell me to shove it based on the photos so I've filed a PayPal dispute. Should be a fun next 6 weeks waiting.

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BrightE's

BrightE's

Paul
Location
Seattle, WA
Big Kahuna said:
What are those thick washers on the case bolts????
Pressure test the motor............
Click to expand...
I'm not actually sure, they're metal, but I'm not sure what they're doing there. Not a standard part on the couch motors?

I'm going to let the motor sit till the PayPal dispute blows over.


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37

37

Precipitation Hardened
Location
Indy
Big Kahuna said:
What are those thick washers on the case bolts????
Click to expand...
BrightE's said:
I'm not actually sure, they're metal, but I'm not sure what they're doing there. Not a standard part on the couch motors?
Click to expand...
Those are standard. The bolts have shoulders built in to space the bolt head for the giant rubber damper under the motor. See #21 below.

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BrightE's said:
At this point I've assumed FedEx will tell me to shove it based on the photos so I've filed a PayPal dispute. Should be a fun next 6 weeks waiting.
Click to expand...
It's definitely up to the seller to pack it better. Even if the motor is actually okay, it should have been packed better.
 
BrightE's

BrightE's

Paul
Location
Seattle, WA
Literally could have been a non-issue if the seller took a note from the factory about putting dampers under the motor.



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SmittySX

SmittySX

Location
Cleveland, Ohio
There is no doubt that this was packaged piss poorly. My personal rule of thumb when sending off packages to people is making sure they are bomb proof. I ask myself "if I roll this down a cliff, will it survive?". If the answer is no, it doesn't leave.
As far as the seller goes, that's a pretty typical answer you'll get these days. He didn't "technically" screw up the engine but because he doesn't know how to ship properly, it was damaged. It's kind of his fault..
FedEx will tell you to F off if you bring it up with them. It's not even worth a call if you didn't buy extra insurance.
If you file a claim through PayPal, you will get your money back... IMO your being pretty picky considering there is no real damage but, you have the right to be. If the seller isn't willing to work with you then it sounds like your loss unless you get PayPal involved.
 
OCD Solutions

OCD Solutions

Original, Clean and Dependable Solutions
Location
Rentz, GA
I went a few rounds with UPS a few years back and ended up screwing myself out of $1200 because I underestimated their ability to drop kick a 120lb package from one side of the country to the other.

It was explained that their automated system handles packages and the conveyors and transfers could expose any given package up to a 4ft drop. So, it's on you to pack accordingly.

My package was clearly destroyed so it was clear cut. I consider yours is worse because ultimately, the extent of the damage is unknown still.

Given the abuse a running engine endures, I doubt it sustained much, if any, serious damage but still, the doubt is worth something and I would break the engine down, inspect and re-access the situation.

All this of course could have been avoided and does entitle you to some form of compensation. IMO anyways.
 
Mr_Bucket

Mr_Bucket

Location
South Jersey
PayPal is notoriously buyer-friendly, you should have good luck with them.

I'm not sure if you'll be able to persuade them to issue a full refund without some proof of damage though. "This looks like it was probably damaged but still functions normally" is a tough sell.
 
BrightE's

BrightE's

Paul
Location
Seattle, WA
Mr_Bucket said:
PayPal is notoriously buyer-friendly, you should have good luck with them.

I'm not sure if you'll be able to persuade them to issue a full refund without some proof of damage though. "This looks like it was probably damaged but still functions normally" is a tough sell.
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I'm concerned about that as well. If it's enough to get some clean cases and some compensation for my install time and gaskets and stuff I think I'd be cool with that.


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BrightE's

BrightE's

Paul
Location
Seattle, WA
I also dont believe the OEM crank is a welded crank? Not sure if a few four foot drops could slip a counter weight but I guess I'll find out if I ever get a chance to utilize this wonderful purchase of mine.

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mike b

mike b

Michael "Mayhem" Bevacqua aka MikeyChan
Location
California
Bolts are normal for couch motors for the rubber piece on the bottom.

Yes you are being a bit picky about the shipping and if any issues with it maybe a bit far fetched.

Yes seller should have packed much better and been a bit more thoughtful.

Maybe seller should send a few bucks back or some other parts.

And yes I agree with you being pissed off/disappointed and looking at the small things and micro worries. I would say that too, not necessarily worried but ticked off how things were handled. I don't see you getting anything back but if disputing on Paypal I would make a note for either request for refund or maybe something down the lines of 15% off purchase price due to negligence during packaging, loss of time (having to wait a few weeks to be resolved before you can install motor), and possible issues down the road caused by shipping. Shipping companies will not cover stuff like this because there is no physical damage and it wasn't packed well. This is not over the top of what you are wanting and it gives the seller two decent choices to make for his "business" that are reasonable.

Also, when selling a motor or anything I always ask buyer if they want extra insurance on the item and show them pictures of it packaged and wait for their approval before shipping. This protects me as a seller, and assures buyer their item is protected. I don't run a business selling parts or sell off of ebay, I don't see why this seller wouldn't take the extra steps on his work if the average person does. I doubt he is that busy to not spend the extra 5 minutes.

Good luck, hope it gets resolved and that motor works out well for you!
 
T

thomps33

I think the standard most shipping companies use is 1" of stuffing all the way around the package. If that's not done it won't be insured.
 
Lumberjack

Lumberjack

Location
Saskatchewan
I''d be pissed, who ever shipped that clearly didn't care about what showed up at your door. Horrible move by the seller, I would make a claim. even if its $125
 
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