Easyjet killed my banjo

[danafish]

Just wondering, does anyone know what I can do about this?

I flew out to Amsterdam last night because I have a gig here on Sunday. I took my guitar as hand luggage but my banjo had to go in the hold. It was in a hard shell flight case with FRAGILE stickers all over it. I picked it up fine at the airport, took it back to my brother's place, went to sleep (after some minor partying, obviously). I got up this morning and took the banjo out of the case -- and the neck was snapped. It's major, major damage. I don't know if it's going to possible to fix, and I'm afeared of how much it'll cost even if it can be mended.

I went back to the airport to speak to the baggage handlers, and they told me I couldn't make a claim against Easyjet as I would have to have made it before I left the airport last night. The person I'd spoken to on the phone at Easyjet said that that only applied to damage to the outside of the baggage, and there was no damage to the case, just the banjo inside. Eventually I got a bit of paper from them saying that I'd reported the damage, which they said I could show to my travel insurance company. I have travel insurance and it's meant to cover personal belongings up to £1500, but it seems they have a £200 single item limit, which won't come near covering the damage. The banjo is worth about £1000 (or was) and it was obviously broken by Easyjet. However, the people at the airport refused to admit liability.

Don't suppose anyone can tell me if I can claim against Easyjet? And if so, how? Would be most grateful for any advice.

[tikay]

That's awful Dana, I'm sorry.

But I'm afraid you have no proof, & no proof = no claim.

[Indestructable]

Bad news. 

Nothing to lose by writing a letter of complaint to their head office though. I must admit I am never sure whether it is easyjet at fault or the baggage handlers?

[roverthtaeh]

Had a similar experience (though not with a banjo).
Easyjet will admit liability but probably deny they caused the damage.
They will tell you that as you didn't fill out the relevant form at the airport they cannot accept responsibility.
Sorry, I know that's not helping.

[pokerfan]

I snapped my Banjo once,very bloody and painfull!

[WYSINWYG]

They must have put hell of a force on a decent case to snap the neck, or stood on it. It would be hard for just a drop to break the neck?
Sorry for your loss, I had a banjo once, you can grow very attached to an instrument ٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶

If it's any consolation, extremely good instruments can be bought at a substantial discount on Ebay for a small fraction of retail prices, if you find a seller you can trust and know what to look for.

[gatso]

their conditions are here, articles 16 and 17

http://www.easyjet.com/EN/book/conditions.html

unless I'm reading it wrong it looks like you have to make a claim as soon as you discover the damage and within 7 days so you might have a chance

did you tell them the banjo's value when you checked it in? if not their liability is limited to £820

gl

[WYSINWYG]

16.3. The following conditions apply to all carriage of Baggage by us:

(a) in respect of Checked Baggage, we shall be liable to you for its destruction, loss or damage during the time it was in our charge and to the extent that damage did not result from the inherent defect, quality or vice of the Baggage;

[byronkincaid]

i used to know a delivery driver who used to play football with anything with a Fragile sticker on it. seems as though wankers like that work as baggage handlers too

[bobAlike]

Could it be covered by your home insurance?

[pokerfan]

Maybe it happened at your brothers,drunken hijinx gone wrong and a guilty person that dare not admit it.Surely there must have been visible damage to the case if it was done at the airport.
I mean it must have been out of its case to get snapped.

[snoopy1239]

their conditions are here, articles 16 and 17

http://www.easyjet.com/EN/book/conditions.html

unless I'm reading it wrong it looks like you have to make a claim as soon as you discover the damage and within 7 days so you might have a chance

did you tell them the banjo's value when you checked it in? if not their liability is limited to £820

gl

Does she require proof though that it happened at the airport at not in the taxi or something?

[RED-DOG]

Try Googling "Snapped banjo"

I've lead such a sheltered life...

[tikay]

their conditions are here, articles 16 and 17

http://www.easyjet.com/EN/book/conditions.html

unless I'm reading it wrong it looks like you have to make a claim as soon as you discover the damage and within 7 days so you might have a chance

did you tell them the banjo's value when you checked it in? if not their liability is limited to £820

gl

Does she require proof though that it happened at the airport at not in the taxi or something?

Well yes, I'm afraid she does.

In the circumstances, sad as they are for Dana, if you were EasyJet, would YOU pay up? I don't think so!

[tikay]

Try Googling "Snapped banjo"

I've lead such a sheltered life...

Oh my goodness! Me too!