News Summary
A Bluffton man, Thomas Simms, is suing UPS and a local franchise after his $10,000 Rolex disappeared during shipping. Simms alleges unfair trade practices after receiving an empty box instead of his watch, seeking $15,000 in damages. This case highlights rising concerns over package delivery reliability in the Hilton Head area, with previous incidents of theft reported among local postal workers. The lawsuit emphasizes the importance for customers to understand shipping insurance and the associated risks.
Bluffton – A Bluffton man, Thomas Simms, has initiated legal action against United Parcel Service (UPS) and a local franchise after his $10,000 Rolex watch reportedly vanished during shipping. The lawsuit, which accuses both defendants of “unfair and deceptive trade practices,” was filed on Friday in Beaufort County civil court, escalating concerns over mail delivery issues in the Hilton Head Island area.
Simms, who is 68 years old, shipped the luxury watch in early April from the UPS franchise located at 7 Venture Drive. He invested about $250 in shipping insurance, which valued the watch at $15,000 for the insurance policy. However, upon its arrival at a Florida jewelry store for repairs, the package contained only an “empty shipping box” with no evidence of tampering.
In an incident report submitted to the Bluffton police, Simms estimated the watch’s value at $9,500. Following the disappearance of the item, he filed an insurance claim believing it had been stolen. However, UPS denied the claim, indicating they would not take responsibility for the missing watch or its replacement value. This denial has led Simms to pursue legal recourse to recover his losses.
The lawsuit suggests a violation of South Carolina’s Unfair Trade Practices Act, with Simms asserting that he was misled regarding the specifics of UPS’ shipping insurance coverage. Together with his attorney, Jannine M. Mutterer, Simms is seeking $15,000 in actual damages for the lost watch, plus “treble damages,” which would amount to three times that amount.
Mutterer emphasized that the case is primarily designed to safeguard Simms’ interests and to recover the lost value of a significant item he purchased for his wife. The case highlights a troubling trend in the Hilton Head Island area regarding mail deliveries, as it is not an isolated incident. There have been several recent occurrences, including a UPS service issue on Daufuskie Island and a noticeable surge in stolen checks from postal deliveries.
Last year, local law enforcement dealt with cases of a UPS assembly line worker and a U.S. Postal Service carrier who were convicted of theft from packages and letters in Hilton Head. These incidents have fueled growing concerns among residents about the safety and reliability of their mail deliveries.
In response to the lawsuit, UPS declined to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings but reaffirmed that the “vast majority” of their packages are delivered safely and reliably. The company also highlighted its zero-tolerance policy for theft and criminal activities, aiming to assure customers of their commitment to secure shipping practices.
Simms’ case is expected to draw attention as it unfolds in the courts, reflecting broader issues in the package delivery service industry and how companies handle high-value items. It underscores the necessity for customers to understand the implications of shipping insurance and the potential risks involved when sending valuable goods through delivery services.
This legal battle may also serve as a cautionary tale for other customers looking to ship valuable items, prompting them to consider more secure methods or additional measures to protect their possessions during transit.
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Additional Resources
- Island Packet: News Article
- Wikipedia: Shipping Insurance
- Island Packet: Untamed Lowcountry
- Google Search: Package Delivery Issues
- Island Packet: Local Education News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Delivery Service
- News Break: Prized 10K Rolex Vanishes
- Google News: UPS
- Island Packet: High School Sports
- Google Scholar: Package Theft Lawsuit
