Motorcycle part stolen during shipment. What to do next?
 

Hi,

I planned to spend a year overseas in Canada (Working Holiday).
Therefore I wanted to take the bike with me.

On 26th of March, I shipped my bike via Ferry (RoRo) to Halifax, Canada.
I rode the bike myself to the port of Bremerhaven, Germany early in the morning (the ride is appr. 130 km).

I placed my bike in the shipping companys warehouse (shed?), got a receipt and left.
The next tuesday, I got an email from my shipping agent who told me that the oil filler cap was missing (the oil-filler cap is a special one which has a gauge to show the oil-temperature. It costs about 80-90 $).

I now believe that the cap was stolen, because I would have noticed if my right leg was oil dripping during the 2-hour trainride back home.

The problem is now, that the company which I hired is only an agent who establishes the connection between me an the logistics company (the one with the two 'W's).
The problem is as following: I have to make a claim against the big logistics company. The claims department is located in New Jersey, U. S. A.

The told me that the do not admint anything and that I have to wait until the shipping process is over (approx. around 13th of april).

I already send them all the documents an claimed a sum of more than 300,00 € for all services that need to be performed at the port of destination (oil change, engine check, pickup of the bike).

I fly myself to Canada on the very date and do not want to deal with any legal work during my tour, especially not with US-lawyers.
(I am an architect myself, not a lawyer or anything comparable).

Does anyone have an idea what to do next?
I still haven't payed the shipping agent, because I am afraid that he stops do work for me as soon as he receives payment.

Yeah, why not try to calm down!?

It sucks to have stuff stolen and all, but it sometimes happens, and looks like you weren´t hurt a lot financially afterall. Not saying you should just accept it as it is, probably wouldnt do so myself.. but also good to keep things in perspective.

You´ll need to be able to prove, that the part was attached to the bike, when you left it at the shipper, to have any chance of any compensation from them.

I once shipped my bike from Australia to Finland by sea, and on arrival I noticed, that it´s original (Suzuki) brake lever had changed into a Honda item - still have no clue about the story behind this... OR if it had stayed longer at sea, would the whole bike slowly have become a Honda :rofl:

Not very experienced in making claims against shipping companies but I would've thought that either your agent or insurance (if you have one) would be able to advise on the appropriate course of action.

Failing that I see 3 options:
1) Do nothing, so basically cut your losses, ie. pay up and ride away (with a new oil filler cap of course).
2) Follow official procedure which is long and drawn out and probably the most expensive in time and money. Plus you would need proof, which it sounds like you don't have.
3) Pay the shippment cost minus the replacement value (old for new) of the missing oil filler cap.

Problem with #3 is that you may not have your bike released to you until full payment is received or dispute is resolved (see #2 above).

Not sure if that helps. Good luck!

There might be a third option, as this was a case of theft you could report it to the police, explain that you need the part back to carry on your trip and as they are a large logistics company they would probably rather replace the part than deal with the cops. Depends on the cops though, they might just tell you to p*&s off!

Personally I'd opt to change the oil, get a new cap and ride on after sending a claim form/angry letter to the shipping agent. This shouldn't hold you up too much and you might get compensated.

Me thinks you mean 4th... :innocent:

I have a 5th, you could go to the press, or the next best thing the HUBB!!! beer and have a bitch. :rofl:

Shit happens. Not much you can do, I'm afraid. Is it worth your time to deal with German Cops, insurance, shipping agents for $90? For me it wouldn't be. The cops would just laugh or roll their eyes.

Buy a new cap and move on. Do you really think you need an oil change? Can you send somebody to the shipping agent with a generic cap w/o the gauge, which can probably be had from Polo/Louis for < EUR20?

Cheers

I'd want to flush out any crap that might have got in with the oil....

And yes, my maths sucks, even when it's just counting past three!

Marius,

Sorry to hear that - but seriously, it's really no big deal. This kind of things happen all the time, especially when you are traveling. I wouldn't spend any more time/energy/effort on it, just start enjoying your ride!!!!

Christian
Panama Passage | Overlander Resource Center in Panama City

Ride on.. It's not worth the hassel for $90 !

I doubt you will get anywhere with it. Theres no proof !

An angry letter to the shipping company with an invoice for the part might get your noticed..... Or it might not.

Spam their MD with email complaints. He might get sick of you and send you some cash.

Hi,

Dont destroy your holliday with worrying about things like that. Be happy you dit not have an accedent and its not raining right now. Go to the next Louis store and get another one for onely 29 Euro or cheaper at ebay.

I payed 180 US$ to the embassy of angola and still did not get my visa. Its not good to feal cheatet but sometimes you have to accept it. It realy could be wors...

Greetings from germany, Tobi

MD-OELTEMPERATURANZEIGER - Louis - Motorrad & Freizeit