Well it was insured so they should be covering it, either way, it's not coming out of my pocket. And just to clarify it's packaged exactly how frank's site shows, they put something on top of it that broke it. There's a defined crease down the middle and the sides of the container are blown out. It's only the top of the case that broke, tail and front of the tranny is fine.

 

I don't know about DHL, but I insured my **** with UPS for like $800 and I didn't get a penny when they broke it.

 

I'm the guy who shipped this and before shipping it, DHL had very poor customer service. And of course after shipping it they are showing the same lack of quality service. They are claiming that we did not even put insurance on it. She specifically asked us how much insurance I wanted on it, and I said $400. After looking at the receipt today I see THEY did not put insurance on it, nor did they charge us for it and therefore their reason for having no records of it. When I went back to DHL and told them what happend, this lady layed back in her chair and replied with (in a sarcastic tone) "well, ain't that a shame" and then continued to sit there as if she didn't care and it wasn't her problem.

Frank, do you not see the wood in the bottom of that picture? I'm a little on edge right now so I will try not to take offense to your accusing me of not securing it correctly. Everything was cut to your specs off your website and screwed together. That transmission could roll have rolled around in there the way it was boxed up. This was definately dropped from some height to cause the impact required to shatter die cast aluminum like that.

The ropes appear to be secure even after whatever accident occurred to cause this. It appears to me that it was dropped off of either (a) the truck or (b) some sort of loading equipment where the heavy side slipped off first, crashing onto the bellhousing.

I am refunding Ricci's money so he can move on with his project while I fight with DHL for the making right of this situation.

Michael

 

You will be happy with your choice in builders. Frank can build one heck of a trans!

Sorry to hear about the broken one. I see the wood at the bottom too. But I had to take a second look. Looking at a 2D picture and its a little deceving at first glance. The broken pieces look like the bottom of the tub. The only way to avoid that abuse is to build an entire crate from wood. Basically just use Franks plans and line the bottom with 2x4, then make some vertical supports and a top frame. Then cover it all with plywood to make a crate. Easier said then done though... you have to be somewhat skilled with wood to make a reliable shipping crate like that.

Your trans was obviously either dropped or had something dropped on it. Either way I am not supprised. I've see UPS and FedEx in action. Sometimes I wonder how anything makes it to its destination with no damage.

 

Michael,
There does appear to be wood there, but I didn't notice the 2x4. If you packaged it according to our instructions, it should've been fine.
Just for comparison sake...The reason we use DHL is because we've had UPS break one and not cover it, even with $500 worth of insurance (it was on the way to us).
I write out all my own Waybills, so I know everything I ship is covered.

Weren't you talking to me a while back about building this transmission for you? I thought you were building a turbo car? Did you buy Matts transmission?

Whoever ends up with the broken transmission, I'll give them $100 + shipping for it.

Frank
CPT

 

My transmission arrived in California today. The case was busted up, but trans seems to have survived. I am waiting on the buyer to do a complete inspection.

 

Like mine? Who did you ship it through?

 

I built the crate exactly as Frank described. Even down to the 3 screws per joint. I shipped DHL. Although my 1/2 inch ply blew through the bottom and there was a large piece missing on the top where the bell broke thru, customer says trans looks ok. Just some dings in the bellhousing.

 

I was extremely impressed with Franks crate and specific instructions. Could not ask for a better shipping container, in my opinion. Regardless of who ships it, these units weigh enough that workers clumsily hump them around. Damage seems consistant with all shippers.

 

Javier,

It seems that your trans made it to Frank, but UPS SUCKS!!!



I guess when you write this side up, and don't stand on end, they just take that as a suggestions...

 

Yep, but the great part about Frank is that he called me not once, but TWICE this evening to update me on how my trans arrived.

That is some serious customer service. Glad to know the trans made it in one piece, even though the plastic container did not. lol

 

DHL is full of idiots it seems, im glad yours arrived in one piece !!

 

Mine shipped via UPS... so I guess all the shipping carriers suck. I wish it was cheaper to freight stuff, but it would make it absolutely too expensive to ship stuff like this out.

 

That's cool, I was talking to him yesterday and he told me about him getting to the shop and seeing the box standing on end, and when he got it into the shop and opened it up it was laying on its side. At the point I was talking to him he didn't have a good chance to inspect it though, so glad to here it made it relatively unharmed.