noverguy
Finally riding a big boys bike
My experience during November 2024 with ordering a rivet squeezer, dies and rivets over the phone with Hanson Rivet.
I spoke with an expert customer service person named TJ who was extremely helpful and got my order placed. They shipped the package out immediately and I received it within three days. When the package was received it had a small hole punched in it. When I opened the Priority Mail Flat Rate box it had some paper, the squeezer dies and a bag of rivets. There was no rivet squeezer in the box. I had a sense right away that there was going to be a problem.
I took some photos of the box and contents and then called Hanson. They requested the photos. I e-mailed the photos to to TJ. He noted that the box had a small hole punched in it but no way could the rivet squeezer fall out through that hole. He also noted that one side of the box had clear tape on it. He said clear tape was not Hanson Rivet tape. He said that perhaps the post office had taped it up after it had opened during shipping and the rivet squeezer fell out. TJ also commented that "this kind of thing happens all the time". I did not argue. He assured me they would take care of it and would ship me out a squeezer right away.
I received the squeezer a few days later, this time in a big heavy box taped securely on both ends.
I noticed that I had been billed for the second squeezer and repeat shipping so I called Hanson and spoke to TJ about this. He told me I had to wait twenty two days before they could file a claim with the USPS in order for me to receive a refund for the "lost squeezer". That did not make any sense to me, but I let it go and prepared to wait the twenty two days. The next day I brought all of the packaging to my local post office and explained to the guy there the situation. He informed me Hanson rivet was completely wrong. For a "loss" the shipper must file a claim immediately. I took everything back home and sent TJ an e-mail about this.
I received an e-mail back a day later from TJ's superior Fabi Medina explaining to me that Hanson had $100 worth of insurance on the package (full value of the contents and shipping was $174.54) and (if and when) the Post Office reimburses Hanson for the loss, at that point I would receive a refund.
In the end, I received a package that was a partial shipment. The missing rivet squeezer had nothing to do with me, and either (1) it was never in the box, or (2) the box end opened during shipment and the squeezer fell out, then, the opened box was discovered by the USPS and the box was taped shut, leaving behind the remainder of the shipment that I received.
In late December I received the $100 refund from Hanson Rivet. So, in the end we find that I paid a total of $220.67 for what I initially intended to pay $174.54.
My main reason for writing all of this out here on an antique bicycle fender rolling thread is many of you guys are probably considering fender rollers and rivet tools. So, if any of you guys order anything from Hanson Rivet - make sure and tell the sales agent that you want the package fully covered for loss or damage with insurance.
Lastly, TJ is who to ask for if you call. TJ is a wizard when it comes to rivets. The Hanson Rivet squeezer and the dies and the rivets are supreme. Its a very very nice tool and the plain rivets fit the old original paint fenders perfectly. The Hanson Rivet products are highly recommended.
Thanks for reading! Perry in NH USA
