Ordered one from RA because they had the best price hands down.
Copper core, brass tanks, made by Spectra w/a two year warranty.
Now, let me preface this by saying that EVERYTHING I have ordered from RA in the past has been the correct part and packaged well.
I have read the stories about things being mis-packaged or "damaged-before-being-repackaged", but nothing I received was like that...till now.
Radiator arrived today, took like a day to ship (awesome).
When I moved it to bring it inside it was clunking around in the box (never good). Box looked like someone had played basket ball with it. Corners of the box were rounded, 6 inch split up one side, but it was taped-over (?). So either the box was split when packed, or either FEDEX or the driver put tape over it. I'd go with the later rather than the former.
Open the box and there are 4 air bags on one side of the radiator, and nothing on the other. No way TO put anything on the "box" side because there was no room (wrong/different box?).
Sorry for the phone photo's
The radiator core itself has two dents in it like someone poked it with a dowel rod. Also in one section the fins are bent and have Styrofoam jambed into them.
Biggest dent
Smaller dent
Both dents w/Styrofoam in fins at top of photo
Bent fins w/Styrofoam in them
No damage to the box on the side where the "dowel" dents are, and nothing in the box to do the damage either. Looks like it was damaged before it was packed into the wrong box.
Box w/ no holes for the above damage
There was Styrofoam shavings at the bottom of the box, but no Styrofoam packing in the box at all. Another thing that makes me think it was repackaged at some point.
I have had many radiators shipped to me, and they arrive with form fitted Styrofoam around them, much like electronics. From the Styrofoam shavings in the box, I'm guessin' this was originally packed correctly, but had to be repackaged for whatever reason.
The rest of the radiator was against the walls of the box as it bounced around inside it. Surprisingly the rest of the radiator was not damaged from sitting against the box walls. A little paint was worn off from moving around in the box, but it's really a big, solid piece, and if not for the "dowel dents" it would have been just fine I think.
Now, I have no idea who re-packaged this. It *was* in a radiator box, just didn't seem like the right one.
I am NOT saying it was RA. Actually, I don't think it was...
Even after reading some of the previous stories on the forum, I'd have to say from MY past experiences, I would shocked to find out they (RA) had packed it like that.
So I *called* RA right away. Talked to Julia. She took the report, asked me if I wanted another one or a refund, then immediately sent me a return shipping label.
Since they have another in stock, I choose to have another shipped to me.
Received the email immediately. Had instructions and her direct extension number in case I had any questions.
She then tells me they will ship another one as soon as FEDEX scans the return shipping label.
Took multiple pictures of the carnage, taped it back into the box, and dropped it at FEDEX.
I then called RA to make sure they were aware it had been dropped at FEDEX, which they were, and was told it might not ship tomorrow because of the holiday. It will definitely ship on Monday.
Although it presents itself as an inconvenience for me, as it would have been nice to have installed it and been done, I find their customer service to have been right on the ball, and very helpful.
I'm hoping the second radiator arrives in good condition, and I'll be sure to let everybody know.
CG
Reply With Quote
Should be boxed better though I agree.
