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#16
Chipped Veneer
Problem:
Loose
veneer would seem to be an area of inspections at origin that is all
too
commonly overlooked. A couple of
routine actions can cause the need for
extensive repairs:
#1 Picking up an older case good or
#2 Covering and uncovering
the same item with a moving pad.
Both actions can cause considerable portions of old
dry and extremely
loose veneer to fall off, exposing glaring sections of core wood.
Even though this
should reasonably be interpreted as inherent risk, that position falls
short
when the customer knows the damage wasn’t there before, there are glaring
chipped areas where the veneer has come off, and the loose veneer was not
noted
on the inventory.
Solution:
It
would seem this problem is prevalent enough (and the cause of
many costly
repairs) to justify the creation and inclusion of an additional
exception
symbol on the inventory and it might help to alleviate the problem.
The
symbol could be:
LV = loose veneer.
#15
Marble Topped Case Goods (tables, buffets, dressers, etc.)
Problem:
Although
the veins in marble allow repairs to blend when it breaks,
they are the root
cause of the problem. The designs are created by a mixture
of materials
that are made of different densities. Yes, marble is a stone, but
integrity-wise it more resembles peanut brittle glued together with cupcake
icing.
Solution:
Treat
all marble pieces as if they were glass, full of fractures
(that is it is VERY,
VERY FRAGILE). The marble can break from its own
weight if not crated
and handled with the utmost care.
#14
DAMAGED ITEMS THAT "CAN'T" BE REPAIRED
Problem:
Sometimes
a well-intentioned driver tells a shipper that an
item damaged in transit
can't be repaired.
Whatever
the approach or technique, we as repair firms, are well aware
that the FIRST
STEP to a successful claim satisfaction is to obtain the
shipper's confidence
that we CAN accomplish the job.
No
one wants to start any job saddled with an unnecessary handicap and
I would like
to outline one such handicap here. "The driver told me this item
can't be repaired." This statement is usually expressed in one of two
scenarios:
#1 The driver is one of those painfully honest guys who have
been involved with
less than professional repairs, or #2 He has made exception
on the item when
he picked it up at storage, absolving himself of
responsibility.
In
either case, it's a mistake that only makes the repair firms
task that much more
difficult.
Solution: The
decision as to whether or not an item can be repaired
should
be left to the expertise of a professional repair firm and the adjuster
who may decide an item is not worth repairing.
#13
POT METAL PULLS/HANDLES
Problem:
Easily
broken
pot metal pulls and handles on dressers,
chests and other case good items.
Solution:
The
fancier they are
the more we need to consider removing them
prior to handling. While I have
had some success repairing some of these items
using posting and epoxy, many are
just too delicate to lend enough
strength for a sturdy repair.
If you have ever tried to find a match for the handles of your bedroom set,
you
will realize why replacement of all the pulls is the best approach.
However, this can mean that a broken $5 or $6 part will mean
$100 or more just
for replacement parts--Especially when you're
talking about 9-drawer dressers,
nightstands, chests (all having to match).
#12
CASE GOODS -- LOST HARDWARE
Problem:
Lost
fasteners (screws, nuts, bolts, etc.) when disassembling
an item in preparation
for transportation.
Generally, this is applicable to case goods:
computer desks, armoires,
entertainment centers,
china cabinets, hutches, etc.
We
are seeing a lot of claims of missing parts.
It seems that the effect of
the loss of these apparently insignificant
parts is not being appreciated.
A
75-cent bolt can become a $100 service call.
While I can and do carry
a myriad of nuts, bolts, screws and related
fasteners, it’s impossible to
keep up with the manufacturers use of custom
fasteners for many items.
Solution:
Enforce
the use of the policies that were created to deal with
this exact problem.
Most moving companies have such a policy in place.
It requires a small plastic or cloth bag
that the fasteners can be put inside of,
and then
tie to or tape the bag right on the item itself. This may save
you a claim.
#11
CASE GOODS --
PACKING/TRANSPORTING
Problem:
Often, when I address repairs to the tops of case good items,
there are other
damages to the piece. These usually include scratches, dents
and rubs in
random fashion that would have been overlooked by the shipper
except for the
extreme damage to the top.
This repeated
scenario points out the importance of taking extra care in
protecting the tops
of dressers, chests and tables.
The most high
quality moving pad will not protect a finished wooden top
from the pressure
created by another item with feet or legs placed feet
down on top of the case
good.
All too often I
have seen the pattern of two or more impressions caused
by an item such as a
trunk or cedar chest, which is delivered at destination
to the same room as the
damaged item.
Next to a
cross-grain scratch on a light colored piece, some of the most
demanding repairs
are the pressure dents.
Solution:
Whatever the inconvenience, we would suggest this packing
technique be avoided at
all cost. There are ways to pack items without placing
feet on top of
tables, etc.
It will save lots of future claims & headaches for all concerned.
#10
THE
PERSONAL COMPUTER
Problem:
Even though the standard rule of "no visible
trauma" can render
the damage claim on a computer invalid, it is still upsetting
to many customers.
The shipper knows that this item was working
prior to the move and now
"it won't even boot up."
Solution:
The
good news is that manufacturers have addressed the
potential
damage to internal hard drives with "Auto Parking" features.
Most of the claims should be a thing of the past if this feature is utilized.
The bad news is
there are still plenty of the old systems that can be
damaged with a bump.
What we may not be aware of is that even when
packed in the original packaging,
these items are so fragile that it is
recommended that they not be tipped in
transit or packing!
#9
FILE
CABINETS
Problem:
Crushed sides and bent or misaligned
drawers. When they
were made with
more metal than a tin can, we used to strap them to a dolly
and wheel them
away—no problems.
Experience
should be telling us the $39.00 "Big
Box Store"
Specials
can’t be given the same treatment
as high quality file cabinet furniture.
Flimsy drawers
fully loaded and strapped to a dolly
is a formula for
a certain claim with
no remedy for repairing.
Solution:
Carton the file drawer contents and hand carry the cabinets.
#8
WOODEN
RAIL BED ASSEMBLY
When assembling beds with wooden
rails, the most convenient tool is often what
is at hand, and that might be one
of the bed slats or one's foot.
While this is a functional approach, it
generally leads to damage on top of
the wooden rail that is being
hammered. The result ranges from
dented solid wood to chipped veneer
rails.
Problem: Even though
this area of the bed is usually covered by bedding,
more claims are turning up
with this type of damage claimed.
Solution: Pad
the area that is being hammered, wiggle the headboard
and footboard slightly
when the rail is being snuggled down for easier assembly.
This should save
on some costly claims and salvage goodwill.
Solution #2: An honest
discussion and understanding of this
potential prior to moving. This
should go a long way to ease the
suspicion that there was negligence on the part
of the carrier.
#7
FURNITURE FINIALS
Potential
Problem:
Finials
for tall clocks, secretaries, dresser mirrors
and poster beds
There
seems to be a common complaint about these items in the
"Lost or Missing
Department."
The
bad news is these items are
usually made for a specific application and
replacement requires they be
custom made involving related costs.
The
good news is a common
hiding place often exposes these illusive devils.
Potential
Solution:
Although
a thorough search of the unit's drawers
is always a good idea (because that's
where they're usually placed in
preparation for the move), you may need to
remove the drawers and
search the drawer compartment.
Over the years I have turned up
several finials doing just this.
#6
TV RELOCATION PROBLEMS
"DEGAUSSING"
This is a term that an old-time TV
repairman might recognize.
It was what we used to do on new color TV installations.
It was accomplished with
a coil that produced an electric field that
aligned the color guns to make
Uncle Miltie's lips red and the Texaco service
men's uniforms green.
Today
that service isn't necessary.
The sets are made to address
degaussing automatically the next few times
the on-off switch is activated.
In some cases, it may take more than a few times to accomplish the desired
results.
I
have seen a few claims referring to this problem (often caused by the jostling
of a major movement of the set), and usually by the time a repair firm goes
on-site to inspect the claim, the phenomenon has cured itself and the shipper
is
a little embarrassed and wants some assurance it's not going to reoccur.
It
shouldn't, but I try not to use any absolute assurances, since it's the
quickest
way to run into the rare exception.
#5
KING SIZE MATTRESSES
A KING SIZE MATTRESS can be a large ticket
replacement item,
and much too often, it has been for many moving companies.
Problem: A mattress
develops a crease down the middle that wasn't there
before being
transported. This damage is the direct result of folding to remove
it from
that upstairs bedroom. The mover must be responsible--after all, it was
folded when it was originally brought into the room and there was no damage.
The carrier and the customer often
overlook the explanation for this
common occurrence. When it was placed in
the bedroom originally, it was new
and the internal ties were less apt to slip
or let go. After a few years
(sometimes decades) of use, the ties loosen
and when the mattress is now
folded, the results are quite noticeable.
#4
SILK LAMPSHADES
Costly claims are being made on SILK LAMPSHADES because the lining
becomes damaged (bent, creased, cracked) during transit.
Problem:
Torn, broken, creased, etc. lamp shade liners.
This problem
has become as common as four-wheel drive pickup trucks.
I'm sure it seems economical to pack more than one lampshade to
a carton;
after all, they fit like stackable restaurant chairs. The
problem is
that these
liners have usually become extremely brittle by the heat
produced by the
light bulbs during normal use. Like all petroleum-based
products,
they oxidize and the light bulb heat accelerates the drying out
process.
The shades then become vulnerable to cracking and bending
when
stacked one atop another.
Solution:
Use individual cartons for lampshades. It may seem like
an incredible waste of space, but will save replacement costs later and
is
especially prudent when silk lampshades are involved.
#3
HUTCH / ARMOIRE / CHINA CLOSET
Moving claims have a cumulative effect that grows at an
alarming rate.
This is to say, one or two obvious problems very quickly become an inquiry
sometimes
involving more scrutiny than a Ken Starr investigation.
If we can eliminate the one or two obvious problems,
the stress and costs that naturally follow can be avoided.
Problem: One of those common problems is the hutch, armoire or china
closet
that no longer has properly functioning door latch mechanisms.
A very high percentage of these problems can be quickly cured by
leveling the
case item. With an open front cabinet frame,
the frame will
distort according to the level of the floor.
Solution: A simple shim (or explanation to the shipper) will definitely
reduce
one of these obvious settling-in problems and potential claim.
#2
WOOD FLOORING
It seems most people are now aware that sliding appliances
across soft
vinyl flooring produces damages. What we find seems to be
forgotten
is that sliding sofas, or case goods, across hardwood floors
can also
produce digs and scratches.
Problem: Polyurethane floors are durable and look good.
However,
they are not impervious to being scratched from
various metal protrusions.
The qualities that make
poly finished floors look great also mean that any
damage draws attention (just like construction dust
or hairs in a
high gloss dining room table top).
Remember, the furniture being moved to a new
environment
may come
from a carpeted flooring where a worn furniture
glide that wasn't noticed
before will now cause damage
(sometimes major) to a finished wood floor.
Solution: If you're proud of your new floors,
don't slide case goods or
overstuffs on finished wood floors. Repairs can sometimes be accomplished
on scratched wood floors
and is not as expensive as a complete refinishing job,
but good repairs are not always possible.
#1
PARTICLE BOARD FURNITURE
Veneered particle board furniture has become very popular.
The entertainment center, shelving carts and computer furniture
is not only very functional, it combines features
of low cost and surprising good looks.
Problem: It was designed for withstanding
vertical
pressure only.
These items are very vulnerable
to damage when horizontal stress is applied.
Acceleration, deceleration and turning
while an item is in transit exerts
enough
horizontal pressure to break shelves and,
at times, collapse entire units.
Solution: Prior to moving, take the time to
dismantle these items. They're
usually
easily dismantled through inter-locking hardware.
If circumstances don't allow dismantling,
make sure these items are
secured from shifting
and, if space is a premium, use lightweight filler materials only.
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