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Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: EaglesCC on September 05, 2014, 06:17:46 PM

Title: HS Core 5 vs. UK Boarder Control
Post by: EaglesCC on September 05, 2014, 06:17:46 PM
I'm not the first person this has happened to but that fact doesn't make it any less frustrating. I recently received this bat from a relative in Pakistan and like most very excitedly opened the packaging only to find this  >:( :o :(

(http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn370/jaanse/imagejpg1_zpsfdfc4554.jpg)

(http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn370/jaanse/imagejpg2_zpsb2185f82.jpg)

The grip was ripped off and the handle snapped. The packaging has "UK Boarder Control" tape all over the area it was opened - which is basically straight down the middle with a knife completely destroying another bat cover too. Surely there must be a better way than to 'treat everyone as a drug trafficker'...? They even had the audacity to stick a fibre scuff sheet which was in the parcel over the handle to cover it up.

I'm guess there is no recourse for this at all?

What makes it even more heart breaking is the fact it was a beautiful bat...

(http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn370/jaanse/imagejpg7_zps14804d05.jpg)

(http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn370/jaanse/imagejpg8_zps5bb6ec3b.jpg)
Title: Re: HS Core 5 vs. UK Boarder Control
Post by: InternalTraining on September 05, 2014, 06:33:06 PM
Beautiful bat ruined!!
Title: Re: HS Core 5 vs. UK Boarder Control
Post by: Manormanic on September 05, 2014, 06:34:46 PM
It is, and I'm gutted for you, but there are good solid reasons behind it unfortunately.
Title: Re: HS Core 5 vs. UK Boarder Control
Post by: i12breakfree on September 05, 2014, 06:40:59 PM
Atleast they did not drill holes through the blade this time. You should be able to get it rehandled.
Why cannot it just be scanned for security ? lack of infrastructure or technical limitation?
Title: Re: HS Core 5 vs. UK Boarder Control
Post by: Manormanic on September 05, 2014, 06:43:38 PM
Got to be honest, I've not seen one broken at the handle before.
Title: Re: HS Core 5 vs. UK Boarder Control
Post by: Sam on September 05, 2014, 06:48:33 PM
Can't believe that there's no form of any kind of reimbursement from border control in cases like these, I mean what if they'd torn a more common item such as a sofa for example to shreds because they suspected drugs to be hidden inside it, would they just send it on still?
Title: Re: HS Core 5 vs. UK Boarder Control
Post by: EaglesCC on September 05, 2014, 06:54:40 PM
I'm not questioning the reason behind the checks. But this is like being stopped on the street and having a leg broken incase I'm hiding something inside it.

Guilty until proven innocent, and then out of pocket despite being innocent?

The way it's been broken looks almost malicious. Granted it's a better position to be in than having it drilled as this is salvageable but feels grossly unfair... :(
Title: Re: HS Core 5 vs. UK Boarder Control
Post by: mini998 on September 05, 2014, 06:57:01 PM
At least you can get it re handled , guess moral of the story is if you want a Pakistani made bad then buy it from a retailer here.

Title: Re: HS Core 5 vs. UK Boarder Control
Post by: smilley792 on September 05, 2014, 06:59:23 PM
Innocent until proven guilty??

Not here they presume you guilty.  And destroy your stuff.


Checks are understandable. But the way they do them is not.

Merely rolling the grip off and removing the binding would leave it usable/ repairable.

Hacking at it with machete is just disrespectful.  And even worse  that when they've realised they've just ruined someone's bat, they show even more disrespect by then using there scuff sheet to attempt a bodge repair.

Absolute disgrace.
Title: Re: HS Core 5 vs. UK Boarder Control
Post by: InternalTraining on September 05, 2014, 07:02:59 PM
If this was insured, would this be covered by insurance?
Title: Re: HS Core 5 vs. UK Boarder Control
Post by: Blazer on September 05, 2014, 07:04:25 PM
They probably picked up the white filling material used in some handles and decided to find out what that was. It's heartbreaking for any forum member to experience or see. I feel sorry for you pal.
Title: Re: HS Core 5 vs. UK Boarder Control
Post by: Cowcorner on September 05, 2014, 07:14:09 PM
Atleast they did not drill holes through the blade this time. You should be able to get it rehandled.
Why cannot it just be scanned for security ? lack of infrastructure or technical limitation?

You don't even need to scan it - just let a drug dog have a sniff......As for compensation you may be able to act if you can locate the depot responsible and lodge a complaint with them - you should be able to request the paperwork that details the opening/destruction of your package which will add weight to your claim. If the courier is somebody reputable like DHL then they may be able to assist as they have responsibilities since the package is basically under their care from the point of origin to the destination. They will have insurance that covers this sort of thing.
Title: Re: HS Core 5 vs. UK Boarder Control
Post by: EaglesCC on September 05, 2014, 09:51:54 PM
I have no idea if this would be covered by courier insurance or not. I suspect not as they have no control over this either.

You don't even need to scan it - just let a drug dog have a sniff......As for compensation you may be able to act if you can locate the depot responsible and lodge a complaint with them - you should be able to request the paperwork that details the opening/destruction of your package which will add weight to your claim. If the courier is somebody reputable like DHL then they may be able to assist as they have responsibilities since the package is basically under their care from the point of origin to the destination. They will have insurance that covers this sort of thing.

The courier was in fact DHL so I will contact them and if that bears no fruit I will write to the homeoffice. I can't see how DHL would insure this though as they have no say in the matter if the boarder agency want to conduct checks in this way...?

Assuming this hasn't happened to anyone on the forum before?  :(

Title: Re: HS Core 5 vs. UK Boarder Control
Post by: KettonJake on September 06, 2014, 12:21:35 AM
The ever looming spectre when importing bats from that part of the world unfortunately.

Handles and splices full of filler are more than enough reason for an 'inspection' for drugs - which can be drilling, breaking/ripping things open, basically whatever they want to do to satisfy themselves that there is nothing amiss.

Little to no recourse I am afraid, unless you can prove that they did not have proper grounds to inspect. Better to cut your losses.
Title: Re: HS Core 5 vs. UK Boarder Control
Post by: EaglesCC on September 06, 2014, 09:24:53 AM
The ever looming spectre when importing bats from that part of the world unfortunately.

Handles and splices full of filler are more than enough reason for an 'inspection' for drugs - which can be drilling, breaking/ripping things open, basically whatever they want to do to satisfy themselves that there is nothing amiss.

Little to no recourse I am afraid, unless you can prove that they did not have proper grounds to inspect. Better to cut your losses.


I suspect you're right but I will peruse it all the same just incase. I'm not sure it's actually just to do with filler etc because I remember something similar happening to Lendl Simmons: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/28711774 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/28711774)

I can't imagine his bat have any filler?! Fairly certain they can carry out random searches. Which is fine but it feels like a law that penalises innocent people.
Title: Re: HS Core 5 vs. UK Boarder Control
Post by: KettonJake on September 07, 2014, 11:29:26 PM
I suspect you're right but I will peruse it all the same just incase. I'm not sure it's actually just to do with filler etc because I remember something similar happening to Lendl Simmons: [url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/28711774[/url] ([url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/28711774[/url])

I can't imagine his bat have any filler?! Fairly certain they can carry out random searches. Which is fine but it feels like a law that penalises innocent people.


Indeed, filler is more than enough of a reason for them to 'have a look inside' but it isn't the only one. I suspect a random element comes into it. Background searches on individuals flagging up potential risks can lead to a search. A tip off or other info about certain regions leads to heightened security status, unannounced and often for short periods of time. Ie there is 'info' about higher than normal levels of drugs leaving the region so anything originating there will be under further scrutiny and increased levels of random searches.
Title: Re: HS Core 5 vs. UK Boarder Control
Post by: shax12 on November 14, 2014, 05:24:30 AM
So did you sort this bat out and what did DHL say. Did they offer you any money back.
Title: Re: HS Core 5 vs. UK Boarder Control
Post by: kal_m on November 14, 2014, 04:31:04 PM
They should reimburse the owners when ever they destroy bats (or anything else for that matter) trying to search for something and nothing is found.

This will never happen ofcourse. But there should be some sort of accountability.
Title: Re: HS Core 5 vs. UK Boarder Control
Post by: i12breakfree on November 14, 2014, 04:32:04 PM
Still don't understand why not use a better technology to scan stuff
Title: Re: HS Core 5 vs. UK Boarder Control
Post by: kal_m on November 14, 2014, 04:38:56 PM
Still don't understand why not use a better technology to scan stuff

May be they don't want to invest the time and money into it. They are not liable for the stuff they break anyways!
Title: Re: HS Core 5 vs. UK Boarder Control
Post by: EaglesCC on November 14, 2014, 07:28:16 PM
No insurance with the courier was taken out so no recourse
Title: Re: HS Core 5 vs. UK Boarder Control
Post by: FattusCattus on November 14, 2014, 07:47:45 PM
Did you get it re-handled in the end?
Title: Re: HS Core 5 vs. UK Boarder Control
Post by: EaglesCC on November 15, 2014, 10:21:14 PM
Did you get it re-handled in the end?

Have only just got round to taking it to my regular bat maker the other day. Will return the coming week.
Title: Re: HS Core 5 vs. UK Boarder Control
Post by: abdulwq on November 17, 2014, 12:06:36 AM
They probably picked up the white filling material used in some handles and decided to find out what that was. It's heartbreaking for any forum member to experience or see. I feel sorry for you pal.
Thats what i thought that the white filler material might be suspicious in scan OR may be the bat maker was weed smoker and there were some particles stuck with glue.
Title: Re: HS Core 5 vs. UK Boarder Control
Post by: abdulwq on November 17, 2014, 12:09:24 AM
But anyway the willow looks awesome and the investment in rehandling will ensure better performace.I have seen many of handles of Pakistan made bats have uneven cane splices stuck together resulting in broken handle. Atleast happened with me twice.