[Comments on Offset Against Carrier for Damage to Navy Member's Table]

B-249459 September 23,1992

PROCUREMENT Payment/Discharge Shipment Damages Repairs An owner of household goods damaged by a carrier is not required to use the repair firm or method selected by the carrier.

Aalmode Transportation Corp. 1225 Gardner Road Broadview, IL 60153

Attn: Kevin Spealman, Claims Manager

Gentlemen:

This responds to your appeal of our Claims Group's settlement (no. Z-2865092-11) denying Aalmode a refund of $85 from the $150 the Navy set off against the carrier for damage to a Navy member's dining room table.

The amount of the set-off represents the cost of refinishing the table top. Aalmode, however, has claimed that refinishing was unnecessary, and has provided a statement by a furniture refinishing company that the table could have been touched up for $65. Our Claims Group rejected that argument, which you reiterate in requesting further review.

We affirm the settlement. The record includes a repair estimate to support the need for refinishing, as well as a Navy inspection report stating that "just to touch-up is not appropriate." A shipper has no obligation to use the repair firm or method chosen by the carrier. See Paul Arpin Van Lines Inc., B-213841, Sept. 18, 1984; Allied Van Lines, Inc., B-182696, May 20, 1977.

Date: To: Director, Claims Group/GGD - Sharon Green From: Associate General Counsel - Robert H. Hunter

Subject: Aalmode Transportation Corp. (Z-2865092-11) (B-249459)

Returned is the subject Claims file and a copy of our letter affirming your settlement.