Frank Kiska writes:
I recently went out to do a transit claim inspection on a
Teak Dining table that was moved over from South Africa.
Made out of old Teak railroad ties, it was actually quite beautiful.
As you can see in the photos, the wood is cracking in several
locations going with the grain. The shipper is claiming that this
is ligitimate transit damage. I sent my report to my client,
recommending a denial of liability for this table because the
damage is being caused by atmospheric conditions.
The old Teak is showing its age (these Ties have been exposed
to the elements in South Africa for God knows how long).
I also mentioned on my report that these individual boards cannot be
glued back together and filling them would not be an option either
(they probably will continue to expand.)
The adjuster that I am dealing with is taking a lot of heat from the
shipper (he's a VIP with a major Drug Company) and she wants to
send out another service to do a 2nd inspection to either verify or
dispute my findings ... but the shipper will not allow this.
He wants a new table
and he feels that the movers are responsible for paying for it.
I told the adjuster that I would be posting the photos of the table to
the "Groop" for the 2nd. opinion that she would like to have.
Does this guy deserve a new table free of charge ?
And even if he does get his way, will the new one be any better?
Frank Kiska
Quakertown, PA
