When you sign, you're signing that you received the package not that the contents are correct.
If the box is empty it's up to Verizon to figure it out and eat the cost, not the customer.
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iPhone stolen during shipping
- Thread starter LionsDen
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When you sign, you're signing that you received the package not that the contents are correct.
If the box is empty it's up to Verizon to figure it out and eat the cost, not the customer.
I'd carry a small pocket knife and quickly open the box at the door. Not much time.
Didn't the small box seem very light to you when you got it ? I got my box, very small and it did weigh a fair amount. I would have noticed the lightness, but that's me.Surprised at the number of people saying it is not Verizon's responsibility. OP did not choose to use fedex or give them his money, his contract is with Verizon, they have his money and are responsible for ensuring he gets his phone. They chose to use fedex to provide a service to their customers so they are responsible for resolving the problem.
Op you did what most people do. I don't think I've ever opened a package before signing for it. When I got my MacBook Air I just signed for it from fedex and took it inside to open. I have two gold iPhones coming soon. I will definitely open before signing.
Yes you are. You are responsible for inspecting contents. If you choose not to inspect and just sign, you are waiving that right. Yes, you can send back damaged items even after signing for it because of consumer laws protecting you, and you can send it back. Consumers have grace periods on anything they buy, plus manufacturers also have warranties, so Verizon is not out anything if it was damaged, as Apple would cover or FED EX would cover, because there was an actual item returned. Stolen items on the other hand, are crimes and thus are subject to different laws and responsibilities.
Think about it, is it the responsibility of hotel or apartment concierge to inspect the content of packages that get delivered requiring a signature?
They sign to say they're the ones who received the package.
That's not really your business. Why be happier if Verizon does not get your money just because someone at FedEx stole it? Just get your money back from your CC company and move on.
This. Hindsight is 20/20, but now you know. If you can't wait in line at a b&m, then use the in-store pickup option at Apple, whenever it becomes available. There's just way too many things that can go wrong with FedEx and UPS. Too many horror stories out there. And when delivery day comes and you're sitting there staring out the window all day waiting for that FedEx truck to never show up, that's the worst feeling. Having to call around all night to try and locate some package floating around somewhere. Even worse, opening up that package to see some thief stole your property. Ugh, I'll never do that ever again if I can avoid it.
The thing is, OP, I actually feel like it might take longer if you try to do it through Verizon. This is a different case than the usual, which is when the phone goes missing while still with the carrier, not once it's been signed for. They could open a claim from their end, but the thing is, I don't think that's any faster than you doing it through Fed-Ex. The fact that you signed for the box could be affecting it from Verizon's p.o.v, too. They *don't* know what happened after you opened the box, as other people have pointed out.
I also think Verizon needs to do more to help out here.
A scenario would be like like this, I give you money for a new shiny iPhone directly. You pack the phone in a box and have someone else give me that box. I had nothing to do with that person who delivered it. Therefore the issue is between you and I.
Difference is the signature of receipt of goods. He signed that he received the phone.
Verizon pays Fed Ex to deliver, and they pay Fed Ex a fee for delivery that includes insurance. They get a low rate because they ship by the millions, but nonetheless they pay Fed Ex for insurance for loss, theft or damage caused by delivery. By selling the insurance, Fed Ex assumes full responsibility for loss or theft. That is why Verizon is telling the OP to deal with Fed Ex.
Yeah I guess the key point here is the signature. I also wasn't aware that you could crack open the box to inspect before signing. They usually always give you the pad to sign before handing you over the box.
You have it backwards. OP didn't pay for insurance so he has nothing to do with FedEx.
Verizon has the deal with FedEx, which is why Verizon deals with them.
It's Verizon's responsibility to send out what the OP ordered and recover any losses from FedEx themselves.
Thank you. Yea.. what hurts the most is that I was looking forward to playing with a cool new gadget and I get nothing :/ haha
If you sell a $500 item on eBay, box it up and ship it to the buyer, and it is stolen in transit, then are you going to replace the item? Same principle here.
That said, mistakes do happen at the packaging side and items can be left out of a box. If Verizon really wanted to help you out, then they could eat the cost, send you a replacement phone, and file a claim with FEDEX if they determine it was lost/stolen during shipment.
Definitely contact fedex, should be insurance for this kind of thing. You are definitely not the only person that will experience this. Good luck with this...