FedEx SNAFU with turntable

I need some advice related to an insurance claim, a turntable, and FedEx. This is going to be long, detailed and boring so fair warning.

1. 6 months ago, I shipped a deck at a FedEx Authorized Shipcenter in NJ.
2. The deck (51lb) was packed in original packaging, and the arm (3lb) was packed and shipped by the Shipcenter.
3. Unbeknowst to me, the labels were swapped, and the 3lb package received the 51lb label, and the 51lb package received the 3 lb label. The 3lb package was insured to about $700, and the 51lb to $1,300.
4. A few weeks later, I was informed by the buyer that the arm arrived, but not the table. It disappeared into the Midwest (think Fargo).
5. I contacted the store and asked them to file a claim with FedEx for loss.
6. I'm asked by FedEx to provide proof of value, so I forward that information along with photos from the recipient proving the swapping of labels.
7. After not hearing anything for weeks, I followed up with the store and was told to contact FedEx, when I contacted FedEx, they said they could not speak to me, as I was not the shipper, and could not share information related to the claim
8. Fast forward two months of no one telling me anything and me following up and them passing me off between them. Finally, the store contacts me and says FedEx denied the loss claim, and the package has been located and sent back to the store.
9. I bring the package home and decide it looks too beat up to take ownership of, so I give it back to the store and recommend they file a damage claim, they do so after weeks of follow up.
10. Fast forward 3 months of no news, and when I reach out, being passed around.
11. During one of my follow ups with FedEx, their rigidity lapses and they share that they sent a check to the store in November. I try to ask about the amount, to make sure it's $1.3K, but their alertness resumes and they tell me they cannot speak to me. I inform the store they should be receiving the check. FedEx wouldn't tell me whether they would ship the turntable back for repair either. Only that they "typically" do.
12. Weeks pass, and I follow up with the store to see if they received the package or the check. They tell me they have not. I follow up with FedEx and they, lapsing again, tell me the check has been delivered and cashed. I call the store and they say they'll look into it, but from that point on don't call me nor pick up my calls.
13. I called another store owned by the same proprietor and demand a call back and threaten small claims court action. I finally receive a call back telling me I can pick up a check and the package at the store the next morning (today). Magically, both must have appeared in front of their eyes.
14. Because FedEx issues the check to the store/shipper, the store has to cut me a separate check. I ask for proof that the amounts match, via a bank statement or a copy of the original check or letter received from FedEx, the day before I head to the store.
15. I went to the store today, and sure enough the check is for $700 dollars, not the correct amount of $1.3K. There clerks can't provide me with any proof of value for the check issued by FedEx. The package, which I thought I would never see again, is there as well. Since I have zero leverage on the package, I brought it home with me. I ask the store to contact FedEx and file/reopen the claim since the pay out was on the wrong package, they refuse and tell me I should pack things better and that I can call FedEx if I want, but they would no longer be involved. They wash their hands of the situation.
16. FedEx contacts me and tells me they would need a waiver to deal directly with me (how I got them to contact me comes later*), so, while at the store, I convince them to prepare a waiver letter and send it to FedEx. In the meantime, FedEx then contacts me again and says the waiver is not allowed in this case, since it's a FASC (FedEx authorized shipcenter). So they wash their hands of this as well.

*I got FedEx to contact me by opening a twitter account yesterday and tweeting at them, they responded to me within 240 seconds, LOL. (all of 4 minutes).

What should I do now? FedEx and the small business entity (the FASCs) have clearly shrouded themselves in clear, protective legal mechanisms. FedEx is in the clear liability wise, but they are also evidently concerned about their brand and image, so I have some leverage there via channels like Twitter. The FASC in NJ is probably directly liable (...right?), and I could take them to small claims court, but I'm not sure I have "enough" for a judge to take action on, or whether one would even entertain this "case." Also, I have no idea whether I should cash this $700 check, on the one hand, I should because I'll take what I have, and pursue what I don't. On the other hand, I don't want to appear like I am "accepting" this outcome by cashing the check.

Thanks to anyone who took the time to read all that.

 

I guess I should say that I'm not posting this to "air the dirty laundry." I could give a shit what people think of FedEx, and I think they're too big to care as well. I'm more doing this because I'm confused about my options at this point, and figure a couple of you are familiar with small claims court or legal things in general, and will let me know whether I should cut my losses and just stop pursuing it, or take it a few steps further.

 

I'd cash the check. But also take them to small claims. The court won't turn down a $600 claim. Some go to small claims for less. What it comes down to is time. Will the extra time and headache be worth the $600?

Name both the store and FedEx. The store screwed up on packing and the labels. FedEx lost the package. The judge will be SUPER PISSED at FedEx and the store playing musical chairs with responsibility. Trust me on this. Judges are almost always super good people. Stern to asswipes on their third drunken driving conviction, but good people.

Sometimes, the case will get settled before the court date.

 

Thanks, Marv. That's good advice and well taken.

 

I'm sorry you've had to deal with this BS.

Also I cringe for that poor Nottingham turntable...

 

That's one good takeaway from this. My experiences with UPS / Fedex packing jobs have been similarly horribad.

The big posters illustrating that they are capable of packing large fragile objects like bicycles, Chinese Terracotta statues, and chairs from the palace of Louis XVI are just marketing material.

The folks working there are often too busy and not trained in packing anything other than boxes of chocolates or toys. Packing delicate material is not their primary business.

There a science behind packing these kinds of things. Hahaha. I can't begin to tell you about the discussions I've had with Craig on boxes and foam cutouts. Yes, we design them in CAD apps.

I only wish I had mentioned this earlier.

DO NOT TRUST FEDEX OR UPS TO DO YOUR PACKING FOR AUDIO GEAR.