Hi every one! I am in a pickle and need some direction!! I got a NOS F14 PF that was shipped by UPS from the US. and arrived damaged looks like it was tossed around like a Frisbee judging by the shape of the box(lots of padding in the box seller did a good job) so sent I pictures of the PF to the person I bought it from and he gave me a few options 1/ full refund 2/price adjustment also keeping in mind I have paid $109 in taxes and broker fees. A/ can this play field be fix to the point you will not be able to tell? B/if so who can do this? C/the cost? D/not worth fixing and send it back? E/can I get my taxes and broker fees back from UPS if I send it back? F/ what is this PF worth $ in this shape?
Also the red arrows plastics seem to have cracks in them but only the tops,can this be corrected with clear coat?
I will post a link for the photos and will appreciate any help and feed back I can get
Thanks to all

(Link) http://www.flickr.com/photos/40235038@N06/

I would have it fixed. I can do it. Poolman also does amazing clearcoats in your area. As for the inserts, a clear will diminish the cracking effect, but it will remain. 20 years of temperature changes does that. Look at the inserts around the edges... the black is chipped. That's due to wood constriction and expansion. Easily touched up.

As for the wood damage, personally I would straighten it and out in a steel brace under to solidify it. I would have to get a pic of a fully assembled playfield in order to see if there would be any interference with a brace.

NOS F14 PF

paid $109 in taxes and broker fees

Tossed around like a Frisbee

Shipped by ups,

Priceless




never *EVER* use UPS !!

I have the same experience with Pachinko machines shipped by UPS, with the exhorbitant Brokerage Fees they charge arbitrarily on non Overnight shipments, even though we have an account and discounts - I avoid them like the plague.

I will _not_ buy an item from a seller if UPS is the only offered shipper.

...I was burned twice with criminal brokerage fees and poor handling by UPS.
Plus getting an item if you are not at home when they try to deliver is a pain.
Their depot in Ottawa is clear across town for me.

I honestly have *no idea* why and how UPS can still be in business after burning
so many people with these poor and ridiculous customer practices.

Maybe we need to do a video on YouTube like this group did!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo

Cheers,
- Sylvain.

UPS, DHL or FEDEX.  All the same for personal deliveries.  I avoid them all.

Quoted from Monkeybug

UPS, DHL or FEDEX.  All the same for personal deliveries.  I avoid them all.

Oddly enough, the service I have used with the LEAST problems are... the postal system! USPS and CanadaPost have never let me down so far. They are way cheaper, and the package always got to me or to destination in good condition and on time.

Same goes for all packages here at work. Dicom and all big transport services are a bloody nightmare. Our company hired a local guy to take care of all deliveries in Quebec, and no more problems. Because the shipping comany knows that if they screw up, it can cost them their business. All the big companies don't worry about it... they have money and they know how to give people the runaround with their customer services departments.

Quoted from Sparky

Oddly enough, the service I have used with the LEAST problems are... the postal system! USPS and CanadaPost

I'm with you on that one, I try to use it for all my pin and ePay purchases.  $7 brokerage fee, reasonal rates on expedited delivery and timely service makes it worth it alone.

You live and learn!! the person I got the playfield included the shipping and used UPS my BIG PROPLEM IS WHAT TO DO???? can I easily find a NOS PF if I send this back? or repair the one I have and at what cost??

That is wierd, why is there a crack in all those inserts in exactly the same place? Looks like that goes beyond crazing to me??  

You can try to use a capilliary plastic adhesive to repair, something like thin cyanoacrylate can be pippetted in the crack and capilliary action will draw it down into the crack where (the theory goes), if you don't use an accelertor, it will dry clear and possibly help reduce the defraction that the crack is causing.

I guess you'd have to see if you can get another NOS playfield first and just how much UPS is going to compensate the shipper (and whether that would include any of your receiving costs).  I am doubting that you can get the brokerage back (since it is a service charge for services that were rendered), unless somehow the damage return policy allows for this.  And the taxes?? I expect that if UPS doesn't have a solution (you can call them to find out), then you can likely apply for a refund if you have proof of return of the item.

I personally would tend to take the discount offered, try to maximize it, hang on to the playfield, look around for another one, and if all else fails, repair this one.  The damage doesn't look that extensive to me at first glance.

Someone with tools and experience can repair this playfield. It need glue and jaws to fix it. After sanding and clearcoat. In my opinion a varathane clearcoat will match very nice. I clearcoat with varathane over a small part of my CPR Centaur playfield with nice result, absolutely not visible)

For the inserts, cracks can be filled but imo not possible to make them invisible.

It is a deception but it can be repair and still make a very nice playfield after touch up and clearcoat !  

PS: Never buy from a seller who ship via ups $$$$$

The funny thing on the cracks they are only visible on the top of the PF not the bottom I don't think this happened during shipping just old age! sounds like I might be stuck with this PF and try to get it fixed as for the vendor who sold me this tells me trying to get a claim from UPS is like pulling teeth and rather give me a refund or a price adjustment on his own accord.