LBCExpress Theft

[KenM]

I shipped a number of boxes from the U.S. to myself here in the Philippines. Most items arrived ok. But several large boxes were opened, rummaged through, items stolen, and then resealed. Things of nominal value. They took an electric razor out of the case but left the case and attachments. They took prints out of poster boxes. They stole a number of items of clothing and Misc. items. Boxes that were full arrived half empty. The worst part is that LBCExpress drags their feet, doesn't respond, and now have said they won't do anything, despite insurance allegedly on the boxes, because I can't proved the thefts occurred. At times in my communication with them they have demanded photos of the boxes before they were opened, once they were opened, any excuse to avoid responsibility. To be clear, there is an organized theft ring operating out of LBCExpress. I hope to save others this frustration. There have to be better options than this company. Would it do any good to complain to the police or a government agency? The value of the missing items is only 3K at most. 

[Old55]

Ken, I would post this on the LBCExpress Facebook page. It may get some attention.

[Gator]

The few times I’ve used them to send packages to Cebu from Angeles there was never a problem. Each time they had me initial both sides of the box over their security tape.
 

Perhaps it wasn’t the ppl at LBC, but rather the custom’s inspectors who opened the boxes for an “inspection”. 

[Jollygoodfellow]

44 minutes ago, Gator said:

Perhaps it wasn’t the ppl at LBC, but rather the custom’s inspectors who opened the boxes for an “inspection”. 

Yes very hard to put the blame on LBC. Theft could have occurred anywhere from start to finish of delivery. Often subcontractors used along the way as well.

[Gator]

3 hours ago, Jollygoodfellow said:

Yes very hard to put the blame on LBC. Theft could have occurred anywhere from start to finish of delivery. Often subcontractors used along the way as well.

Agree, but isn't that what the insurance is for? Even if LBC is denying culpability then the claim should still be looked into and honored. I'd certainly take Old 55's advice and shame them on wastebook as well as any other social media website they post on.  

[Dave Hounddriver]

7 hours ago, KenM said:

There have to be better options than this company.

You can find cheap, you can find fast, or you can find quality.  Pick one.  LBC is cheap.  Perhaps there was a foreigner's name on the box somewhere?  My wife sent 2 boxes to her family at Christmas.  They arrived a month late but they were in good condition and had not been touched.

One anecdote does not a theft ring make!

[Jollygoodfellow]

8 hours ago, KenM said:

The worst part is that LBCExpress drags their feet, doesn't respond, and now have said they won't do anything, despite insurance allegedly on the boxes, because I can't proved the thefts occurred. At times in my communication with them they have demanded photos of the boxes before they were opened, once they were opened, any excuse to avoid responsibility.

I guess the lesson learnt here is to take photos before opening. 

[Jollygoodfellow]

7 hours ago, Old55 said:

Ken, I would post this on the LBCExpress Facebook page. It may get some attention.

Depends on how long it takes for them to delete it 

[Old55]

Sorry for you loss Ken that's frustrating. 

Last ten years or so we've shipped with Atlas Shippers International. A team member photographs the Balikbayan box when they pick it up and at delivery in Cebu.

 

[KenM]

Thanks for the tip on Atlas. 

Customs is not responsible for these thefts. And LBC would still be responsible for any subcontractors or anything in transit. The boxes that had been taken from were re-sealed with their red security tape. There is supposed to be a record made (according to them) whenever that tape is use. No such record was made or  at least not provided to me. 

Photos wouldn't make any difference. They won't prove you didn't lie on the invoice. There is no way to establish the contents with them. Even if you videotaped everything from they wouldn't look at the evidence. 

Now this has happened I've looked at websites where people can review LBC. It's worse than one would imagine and widespread. Hard to add to a zero point reputation. 

This is the only way I could ship at the time. Fortunately the more valuable items were at the bottom and got here like my suits and some other things. They dumped out personal items of sentimental value.