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Amtrak - Express Shipping

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Vu of Chicago writes (1/27/03):
I had shipped some packages using Amtrak express shipping service from Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA on May of 2002. There were a total of 20 boxes of clothing and household items that I was shipping home because I was moving. I had insured the shipment for $1000 just in case I might incur some damage to items that were in the shipment.

The boxes were shrink-wrapped onto a pallet and shipped. I was told that it should be in San Diego in approximately 3-5 days. I waited over a week without getting a call from Amtrak to notify me of the shipment arriving in SD, so I decided to call them and I was told that it has not gotten there yet. I called again at the 2 week mark and 2 1/2 week mark with the same outcome.

Finally someone contacted me back at about 3 weeks and told me that they have just located some boxes in the storage area. Sure enought they were mine, but someone had torn off the shrink wrap and separated the boxes in search for my contact number which was located on the waybill that someone at Amtrak had lost. So finally I came out there to pick up the shipment which were scattered around only to find a total of 18 boxes. I was missing two boxes of winter clothing and some of my clinic attire.

The manager there was notified of the situation and she presigned a lost baggage claim form knowing that Amtrak has made a mistake and she was willing to help me find the missing boxes or receive adequate compensation for it. So then I filed the claim with the Customer Relations Department and sent them the necessary forms and information required of me including the oringnal customer copy of the waybill. I then receive a reply letter stating that they did receive my claim but I must send in the original waybill. I then written the several times explaining to them that I did send the original form and now only have a copy of it. I also sent that along with my letters only to be denied.

I then contacted them via e-mail and got in touch with Mrs. Carolyn Gilmore. I told me that they needed the original form in order to do proceed any further. However, I explained my situation and she was only willing to compensate my with $105 for the two missing boxes worth close to $1900.

I am left without any other options except perhaps taking the case to small claims court but I am too busy with school and clinic to deal with this situation too much longer.

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