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Title: Grab Bag: A New Hilt Post by: Hake Felflame on May 25, 2012, 04:41:33 AM A long long time... nah I'm kidding, this was only a couple weeks ago.
I had only received my first US (CG Dominix v3LE) and was already getting the itch to get it another one. Since I'm terribly indecisive sometimes (and also having to budget on a monthly salary means I was... not swimming in spare cash), I decided to go with a grab bag saber, since I had seen a few forum threads about recent grab bag trends and liked what I saw. I placed my order for a grab bag with a midgrade on a Friday. Now since I only live about half an hour drive from US HQ (East Bay what up :D), I figured I'd have it delivered to me at work and it would only take a day to get there via UPS. This may have been partially to blame for what happened next... The Courier Strikes Back Since my saber shipment only needed to go about 20 miles but get delivered on Monday to my office, the package ended up sitting in a UPS terminal for two days. Come Monday just before lunch, UPS pulls up at my office with my package, but all was not what it appeared to be. (http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/479/img0001tij.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/824/img0001tij.jpg/) The box has been damaged! This could be disastrous! I quickly pop open the end of the box to see the hilt. (http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/6596/2012050712082838.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/826/2012050712082838.jpg/) Aha! A blue anodized SI with vertical grooves, with a guardian blue LED.. and it does not appear to be damaged! This will do nicely, but further in... (http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/4666/img0002efq.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/6/img0002efq.jpg/) Tragedy strikes! The blade has been crushed pretty thoroughly. My guess is that something heavy landed on the box and sat there for some time over the weekend. I took these pictures and immediately contacted US to report what happened. Emory was very helpful and quick to get a resolution rolling. A replacement blade was shipped out and the pictures forwarded to UPS for the damage claim. Return of the Midgrade Within a few hours, UPS had resolved the damage claim (likely because the pictures were pretty obvious). Two days later, UPS returns to my office with another long box. I held my breath for a moment while opening it, as this box too had been damaged in transit. Yet victory over the courier had been achieved! The replacement blade had arrived unscathed. and my SI was whole once again! (http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/5321/20120509125012645.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/33/20120509125012645.jpg/) I really like how light the hilt is, and it's pretty nicely balanced compared to the bit heavier Dominix hilt. Now I'm considering requesting a second grab bag to match this one and turning it into a staff... ;D And one last shot side-by-side with my Dominix. (http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/1561/20120521225820942.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/26/20120521225820942.jpg/) Let it be said that great customer service goes a long way. Title: Re: Grab Bag: A New Hilt Post by: digitalsithlord on May 25, 2012, 10:24:10 AM WOW! That is so cool you finally got your saber intact and can enjoy it. What the heck could they have let fall on this blade, I mean these blades can take abuse. Judging by your photos it was something pretty heavy. I use to work for UPS years back and shudder every time I have to deal with them. Your saber looks great! About a week ago I got my first US saber, a grab bag, that turned out to be a red anodized Liberator v2. Love the Dominix! I was thinking on that for my possible next one or a Dark Initiate v3 not sure still trying to decide, I have large hands so unsure. Congrats on the saber!!! Looks awesome! Got to love Emory and Deep, they go all out for their customers!
Title: Re: Grab Bag: A New Hilt Post by: Stephen Strange on May 25, 2012, 10:35:59 AM a short distance and two heavy damaged boxes!!!! WTF is UPS doing with those things!!!
I had a perfect condition box half a world away for four different shipments... Title: Re: Grab Bag: A New Hilt Post by: Luna on May 25, 2012, 11:54:03 AM Great review! :D Glad you finally got your blade intact, but UPS must've had a fun time throwing boulders on those boxes....
Title: Re: Grab Bag: A New Hilt Post by: batty53 on May 25, 2012, 02:44:12 PM Just more proof of how much I don't deal with UPS and how much better United States Postal Service is so much better!! I live in Canada and had mine shipped USPS and it arrived in a few days (4 I think) and the box was totally pristine!! I love my Dark war Glave and can't wait to order a grab bag next.
May the Force be with you batty53 Title: Re: Grab Bag: A New Hilt Post by: Aus_Jedi_Killer on May 25, 2012, 03:51:09 PM Kudos on a very well written post mate :) I feel like i just lived through the OT again ;D
Title: Re: Grab Bag: A New Hilt Post by: Hake Felflame on May 27, 2012, 02:24:28 AM The condition of both boxes certainly surprised me, since when I got my Dominix a few weeks prior, the box was in great shape. Not sure if it was a particular depot or a handler that handled it on it's way to my office but doesn't touch it when it gets delivered to my home.
Title: Re: Grab Bag: A New Hilt Post by: KashiAtaru on May 28, 2012, 03:49:34 AM Congrats on ur new saber! Which side you prefer? Dark or light?
Title: Re: Grab Bag: A New Hilt Post by: CZ3RO on May 30, 2012, 05:46:50 PM Wow, they really murdered that box. I get that a bazillion packages go through their system, but seriously, have a little care with a big long box - if the contents were bendy, they would have been shipped in a square box... o_O
Title: Re: Grab Bag: A New Hilt Post by: JediShadow on May 31, 2012, 05:14:03 AM Loved the play by play. I seriously thought I was the poor saber in the box ;) Point to you!
Title: Re: Grab Bag: A New Hilt Post by: Spidey088 on June 05, 2012, 05:51:42 AM Just got my dominix v2 le. And amazingly ups didnt jack it up. It was in perfect condition.
Title: Re: Grab Bag: A New Hilt Post by: digitalsithlord on June 05, 2012, 11:30:43 PM The Force was with you Spidey :)
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