Complaint Review: ABF Freight Systems

I purchased a Williams Wall furnace for high elevation homes from Alpine Heating and Air at 1655 Spinaker Ln, Hanover Park, Il near Chicago.  Furnace was shipped from manufacturer in southern California to Alpine, then shipped to SLC Utah and finally shipped to Richfield UT and then from Richfield to my home by another local delivery company.

Upon delivery I opened the carton in my carport.  The manufacturer did not put an extra cardboard piece at top of package to protect the furnace as it had in other package places.  Package needed cardboard above the top grate for furnace blower.  The only damage on entire package was at the top at  this grate area.  Package had damage holes at top, inside the grate for the furnace blower was damaged and bent so that it would inhibit air flow. 

Last two shippers were smaller and local shipping companies, I do not know what shipping company damaged my purchased furnace.  I do know I was promised by seller Alpine that shipper would cover any shipping damage  and would take care of any loss or damage with replacement or payment for damage.  Furnace arrived at end of August.  I did not know ABF was the major carrier, so when lying on my carport floor I took many photos of this damaged vent grate for the blower fan.  I did not refuse the furnace because in a high elevation area of over 6,800 ft. msl I would soon need this furnace installed and operating. 

After the delivery truck left I immediadelely sent the photos to Alpine, and continued to send these photos with my damand for a new upper furnace grate for days and days.  I was ignored for over a week.  Then I received a mailing from alpine telling me to contact ABF.  I contacted ABF and they told me that they settle 90% of claims, next a Sandy Prieta at ABF Freight tells me I waited too long.   I did not know name of original shipper, I told Prieta that fact but she kept turning me down as I did not contact ABF within 5 days of receipt of shipment.  

The principals involved in this transaction appeared to use any excuse they could think up to avoid a claim payment.   How strange I could get through and get a return phone call right away from Alpine very quickly to part with my money and purchase a furnace.  I believe both companies acted in concert to avoid paying my small claim figuring this one woman in a rural Utah mountain community would give up and go away.