Noooooooooo!!!!!!!!!

Just recieved my Nexstar 11 GPS which I sent to myself and its destroyed. The secondary screws all came loose in shipping and the secondary mirror was smashing around inside the tube - the optics are completely trashed. Has anyone had this happen? I declared a balue of $3000 and used Fed Ex ground - I am currently filing a claim as it was fine when I shipped it. Has anyone had any experience with a similar situation and what is likely to happen/ what should I do to insure I get compensated. The delivery man was rolling the box end over end - I thought Fed Ex was a much better company than UPS or USPS but they never destroyed a scope... Also does anyone know how long it could take untill I am observing again?

Any suggestions/ advice would be greatly appreciated.

THanks,

Brooks

Sorry to hear of this tragic incident. I belong to the AOS astronomy club here in NY and a fellow member just told me a similar story. He had sent his Nexstar 11 back to Celestron because of motor failure. When it arrived, the front corrector plate was smashed, and the mirror was damaged from the pieces of the corrector plate. Celestron at first suggested that they "touch up" or recoat the mirror (whatever that means), but he objected and wanted everything replaced. He is filing a claim to UPS. At first UPS denied responsibility, claiming that it wasn't packed properly. However, my friend used the original boxes that the scope came in. I will post a follow-up as soon as I hear a resolution. But I can only image total frustration. Seems like everyone wants to deny responsibility, from UPS thru Celestron. I'm beginning to think maybe the Nexstar 11, because of it's size, is too fragile to ship or Celestron is not using adequate packing materials.

I shipped an APO last summer via FedX ground.
At first the lady at FedX refused to accept it
for ground shipment because the value was too high.
But after she checked with her super, she came
back and said they would take it, but they were
advising customers against shipping valuables
via ground service because "it is alot rougher
on packages." Well, they did their best to
destroy the outer box, but the inner box and
scope were fine. The evidence suggests that
FedX ground is no better than UPS. Apparently if
you want premium handling you need to use the pricy
air service.

For reference, Purolator is the most careful courier I have ever dealt with. Their insurance is extremely expensive, but I have to wonder whether it's because they actually pay you when they break stuff. Never had to file a claim.

I hope everything gets sorted out to your liking.

I just shipped a brand new C11 back to the Vendor (Starizona) because there was a chip on the corrector plate, 7 of the 8 screws were loose on the corrector plate collar (one was almost out of it's hole) and the plastic spreader that goes under the tripod was broken in two places. The vendor refunded me 90% of my purchase, I guess he thinks these aren't serious problems...he didn't say. The lesson learned here is to always insist that the vendor examine the scope before it's shipped, and if they won't, go elsewhere.

Years ago I got a C11 from Roger Tuthill that arrived with a cracked corrector plate. After that was replaced, I sent to scope to a company in Arkansas in exchange for a 16" F/16 Classical Cass OTA. Before they could ship it...they went bankrupt. I THINK I have learned my lesson with C11's....LOL!!

Good luck on your claim.

Paul