In conclusion to my problems with the hard top, the AAA Cooper inspector came out to my house last week and wrote his report. He was very understanding in the fact that this was a part for a restoration and that by repairing the top, I would loose considerable value. I filed the claim for the amount I paid for the top along with the freight cost. This week I received a letter from AAA Cooper stating that they have denied my claim due to the fact that they delivered the top on a pallet to Theresa's business, I then moved the top to my house, and it was not until I got the top home that I found the damage. Okay, I agree with you, they have a weak argument.
Here is the real kicker. The claims lady was nice enough and said that she would be willing to listen to my argument however she prefaced the conversation to tell me that they would only be liable for $54 should they agree to the total claim. She told me that in the tariff (the legal exclusions) that were printed on the back of the bill of lading it states that they would only be liable for "used products" for a maximum of fifty cents per pound. It didn't matter if they ran it over by a forklift, lost it, or it fell off the back of their truck. They would only be liable for $54 - period. I have been told that this is true with most all freight carriers and very few will offer insurance.
My suggestion for those of you shipping parts like this. Don not tell them that it is a used part! How would they know the difference? If it was a new part, they would insure for the amount claimed on the bill of lading.
So what should I do now? I considered trying to sell this again on eBay in it's current condition and then find another. Only draw back to this is I paid $750 for this one and the last one I saw sold for $1200 and then another at $3500. I think I'll keep it for now as it might be repairable. That wouldn't be all that bad for a driver as opposed to a show car.
