BK, I had a similar runaround experience with UPS when I got home from Maine. The theater was responsible for shipping any boxes to us, so all we had to do was package anything we wanted shipped well and label them, and they would be (and were) fully insured.
I had them send me one box, which was packaged perfectly. I had even bought the box and padding from the UPS store in Portland, Maine. When it arrived, one item, a recent purchase, was completely shattered and ruined. The cost of the ruined item was a measly $45.
I called immediately and reported it, and I was told to keep the box for 6 days in case they wanted to send an inspector out. They never did, and never called to let me know anything further. Then, when I pestered them about it again, they gave me a two week runaround because I wasn't the shipper of name, since the theater paid for the mailing.
My company manager did all she could to help on her end when I let her know, but every week for a month I got another runaround. Finally, I was told that maybe I should call the UPS store, which UPS said that they would do weeks earlier. They obviously never did.
I had to browbeat them into them giving me the store's phone number, and when I called, the folks at the store couldn't have been nicer and more helpful. They handled everything in a day, went out of their way to contact me to let me know their progress, and sent off a check immediately. That is what the UPS main office should have done. It seems the UPS main office has a new policy of "let's see if we can drag it out long enough so they forget they are owed anything, and then we won't have to pay." Horrid.
TOD: I've seen some bad movies, but none that I can think of that rivals Grand Piano. Oy.
