I know this really isn't a Diesel topic but considering our "Honorable Forum Monitor" is in the trucking business I figured he'd see it here first (and sooner). So here goes.....

Bill
I had a week long class in Bakersfield the beginning of November, so I took a set of stock alloy wheels for my 80 300 CD along and dropped them off to be polished. The gal that took them told me that it would take a couple of days to do them. Well two days in the stripping vat didn't even touch the original coating. They claim that the new chemicals that the EPA requires them to use takes longer and it was the first time they used it. So she said she would have to FedEx or UPS them to me, but on second thought, they would arrive in better shape if they shipped them by freight (only a couple of bucks more). So after two weeks in the vat and a week of polishing, she calls to say I should get them on Monday. Monday afternoon the freight company calls and says they had three vans broken into over the weekend and my wheels were stolen.

The freight company is sending me the claim forms. The gent I talked to said I should make the price of the wheels high enough to cover my time for shopping for wheels and the running around for packing materials and what ever else is involved. What do you think they are going to pay for? Are they going to allow for the price of used wheels that could range from $15 to $75 or will they go for new ones that MB quotes at $575?

Anyway I realize there may be a difference in how companies handle this but you may have some idea of what I may be in for and can give me a tip or two.

Thanks Bill

Ernie