What happens when camera is lost during shipment?

[Mario Gonsalves]

Just saw this post on the Scarlet-W facebook group, was curious what happens in this situation?

From: Austin

MISSING: Scarlet-W #000368
This post is precautionary, as it is not yet clear what has happened to the camera.
The camera seems to have disappeared while in the FedEx system (mid-route, not yet delivered). I'm posting here in case there's a possibility it walked away from the FedEx hub in Memphis, which was its last known location. It is possible that they have simply misplaced it, and will discover it and send it along on its way.

 

[Michael J Brennan]

There are hundreds of stories online about the large carriers that will give you concern that you will not be reunited or compensated, even if you had paid extra insurance.
I had a truely shocking experience with one of the large companies who refused to pay, even though the kit was insured with them!
My item was found in the Athens office 6 months later, having been pilfered between France and U.K. and then used at the Greek Olympics. Not found or returned despite having the details of the rental company plastered all over it.
Asking the company who would be responsible for causing the theft damage or disappearance to also insure it is fundementalky, a ludicrous idea.
Their claims and complaint departments are not proactive, to say the least!

Moral of the story, is to photograph each box (airwaybill clearly visible) before shipping, insure with your own insurance company.
Make a claim as soon as it goes missing.
If you are shipping multiple boxes do not let any boxes depart unless they have an airway bill attached.
Do not trust driver to attach airwaybills back at base. The person shipping my kit made that mistake, multiple box shipment the driver did not have enough airway bills. 8 boxes went missing! 7 delivered to a distant production company who were honest enough to call me!
Luckily the shipper took photos of the boxes in the back of the truck before it left.
After months of being put on hold, ignored and stalled, a threat of a international criminal investigation, made to the corporate HQ, resolved the issue within a few days.

Mike Brennan