I'm sure many have good/bad experiences to share.
I'm looking to vent about a bad experience I am going through.
I moved back to New York about 8 months ago, and gave just 2 (large) boxes to a local frum shipping company in Jerusalem to ship back for me.
I did this because I used all my allowed suitcases, and this was cheaper than buying 2 additional ones and I thought would be easier on us travel wise.
They informed me that it usually can take around a month to get there, but as I wasn't taking an a ride crate will take longer - this was before Pesach and he said can take till about Shavuos (around 3 months).
I filled them up with about $1000 worth of odd and ends, most of which was not that important to get to me quickly.
Now, 8 months later, I still don't have my boxes.
He started out with small excuses- like our warehouse manager mistakenly didn't ship on the first crate out. But them just kept getting weirder. "We lost 6 cartons and our warehouse staff is USA is on vacation so can't find now"... and kept shlepping us for months.
We didn't make the biggest deal at that point, hoping that we'll get them eventually.
Finally I got an email last week that they pretty much gave up hope on finding it.
I asked about "compensation" for our lost stuff, and he replied that he will reimburse me the shipping cost.
I mentioned that I had about $1000 worth of stuff there, much of which I had/have to replace and expect more than that. I also mentioned that I spoke to a Rav, who said that he should be heals responsible for them.
He said that his Rav said he is not responsible- as he is just a Shaliach to get the stuff from one place to another.
I said we can escalate this and go to a beis din, but it's not really worth it. I'll just make a "peshara" and take around $500 if he was willing to offer that. (And no- I didn't pay $140 for just 500 worth of used stuff).
He says he doesn't want to pay any money out of pocket, But out of the "goodness of his heart" he will try to help us get something from his insurance- if I send him receipts of things I needed to replace.
I said that is not easy, as I've been replacing stuff for the past few months here and there, I didn't really keep receipts. Also, I don't feel that I should have to, as I am asking for replacement of lost items- it is up to me if I want to replace them or not.
(As with an earline - the receipts is only needed for delayed luggage, not lost luggage).
He then accused me of just trying to take advantage of another Jew, and I would never do this to a non Jew.
When I replied I that I would/have hold airlines accountable as well- he replied "oh, so this is just something you always do then"...
I am totally frustrated with this.
Am I wrong?
Anything I can do at this point?
Anyone with similar experinaces.
