Another USPS horror story and any advice is welcomed (1 Viewer)

[Jers28]

To be clear, I’m in no way, shape or form trying to publicly negotiate for anything from the seller. I believe he will do everything in his power to help resolve the issue and beyond that, thats between us. Each case is unique, to be sure. In the case of the split I referred to, it’s what seemed most fair to me in that particular situation. I offered, he eagerly accepted and we both moved on. My primary motivation for this type of post is always to 1) try to learn something from it and at least not make the same mistake again 2) share with others who maybe can benefit from similar advice. You guys have already given me so much valuable information that I will carry forward for years and I deeply appreciate it.

 

[croatan]

This does look targeted, and that's hard to mitigate against. I've had similar things happen a couple times shipping valuable cigars and collectible cards around the country, and never got insurance to pay for any of it, so now my typical method (and how I just shipped a $4-$5k card to someone on this forum) is to place the valuable contents inside a sealed bubble mailer, with its own shipping label, and put that inside a flat rate box with its own label. That way, if something happens to the outer box (which is always possible), then the inner package still gets sent on to the recipient. Again, it doesn't do much against an employee directly targeting packages, but solves the accidental box getting ripped open by the sorting machine problem.

 

[NickyT]

PM Sent. I've got plenty of experience shipping items as well as family member who was a long time employee at a large USPS distribution center, who I've bounced a lot of questions off of through the years. I have a few ideas what might have happened.

 

[Budha]

I believe the packages are scanned and weighed multiple times throughout the delivery route. Might be worth a try getting a police report and escalating the issue with USPS to see if the weight changed along the way

I can attest that they are. I had the same thing happen to me, the Warneke box fell out of the USPS box (the shipper didn’t tape the ends).

Maybe I got lucky,I was able to get a USPS person on the phone and she sent me pics of my package at the check points with the scan and weight. They narrowed the exact point in the route where it happened.

Downside - I never received the chips.

Lesson & tip: Sellers, always put the address on the contents of the packing (e.g. the Warneke box(es) and tape them shut). In the event they fall out, the usps will still deliver them as long as the box is intact.

 

[Colquhoun]

... is to place the valuable contents inside a sealed bubble mailer, with its own shipping label, and put that inside a flat rate box with its own label. That way, if something happens to the outer box (which is always possible), then the inner package still gets sent on to the recipient.

This is a brilliant idea. Print a copy of the prepaid label and put one on the outside one on the inside.
I'm doing this from now on. Love it!

 

[Highli99]

I live in Phoenix MD if you need someone to go to the post office it’s really close to me

 

[chippitydoodah]

I live in Phoenix MD if you need someone to go to the post office it’s really close to me

You should stay pat
Just kidding. Very generous offer, but of course now given your proximity to the post office you're suspect #1

 

[horseshoez]

There is always another option. Some may refer to it as the USPS anti-theft hack: ship it as ‘Cremated Remains.’

Instant repellent.

Nobody wants to steal Grandma.

 

[MC_CPA]

bubble mailer, with its own shipping label, and put that inside a flat rate box with its own label. That way, if something happens to the outer box (which is always possible), then the inner package still gets sent on to the recipient. Again, it doesn't do much against an employee directly targeting packages, but solves the accidental box getting ripped open by the sorting machine problem.

This is a good system. FYI It should be the return label so if theres something wrong its sent back to you, instead of to the buyer. Or if the buyer refuses it it can be sent back to you hassle free.

 

[dizzyChipper]

Not much else to add other than what someone suggested earlier - if it was a legitimate box issue that got ripped then they would have bagged it.

Last year I got this when receiving a rack of Tigers. Box was basically disintegrating since it got soaked, only the tape on the sides of the paulson box kept the chips in.

But it was clearly recognized as an issue and bagged:

View attachment 1641963
View attachment 1641965
View attachment 1641966

Sorry bud this sucks.

Oh no!!! Everyone knows cats hate water!!

 

[dizzyChipper]

Been doing the duplicate label hack since @sethwanab received this from me:

Package was insured (I started consistently insuring after papergate) and a more than happy-ending prevailed.

@Jers28 sorry buddy. At least seller splitting you. Seems a police report and raising hell are next steps.

 

[Jers28]

@Jers28 sorry buddy. At least seller splitting you. Seems a police report and raising hell are next steps.

Thanks brother. Yeah, tomorrow is going to be interesting. On the positive side (maybe lol), we have more police per capita than anywhere on earth. So, there should be plenty available to take a report. lol

 

[Taghkanic]

There is always another option. Some may refer to it as the USPS anti-theft hack: ship it as ‘Cremated Remains.’

Opposite approach: Years ago a friend sent me a prank gift in a box he labeled on all sides in huge red letters:

HANDLE WITH CARE
MONEY & VALUABLES ENCLOSED

Incredibly, it did arrive at my post office, unopened. They held it, and made me come in to sign forms acknowledging receipt (though he had not paid for anything except normal shipping).

Paradoxically, this tactic might get shippers absolute gold standard delivery…

 

[LeGold]

Thank you. Helpful and appreciated. I am far too trusting, to be sure.

Also important to remember that this forum is completely open for anyone to read (unregistered users, search engines who index the information, etc.).

 

[ef28]

Curious if police would even take a report. Isn’t mail theft a federal issue? I only ask because I had some chips I sold and mailed out go missing and never arrive to the next facility. I filed a search claim right away and it still shows as searching for missing mail (since December). It never occurred to me to file a police report.

 

[Jers28]

Curious if police would even take a report. Isn’t mail theft a federal issue? I only ask because I had some chips I sold and mailed out go missing and never arrive to the next facility. I filed a search claim right away and it still shows as searching for missing mail (since December). It never occurred to me to file a police report.

I wouldn’t have thought to file a police report either, using the same logic. But, if it’s theft inside a federal building, maybe that’s the local jurisdiction/federal crossover.

 

[ef28]

Sucks that it happened. Good luck with everything. It was a good move not opening the box. Maybe that will have them take more accountability than just paying out the minimum $100 insurance.

 

[Bacon Dad]

What about including a tracker with a high priced delivery? Unless I am mistaken, you can track your package anywhere and at anytime. With these, you put one in the middle of the chip stack or in every rack of chips. If the box is open and contents taken, the tracking chip is taken along with the chips. Could be useful evidence if you want to go down that road. If the delivery is successful, the buyer can mail the tracker back to the seller. Thoughts?

 

[merkong]

Are we onto something or on something?

https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2019/pb22529/html/info_009.htm

I know I feel sick every time I ship so maybe we’re onto something.

 

[acezag]

Not blaming anyone, but the idea of trusting just a single layer box to the USPS machine gives me hives. If they're going to steal, a single cardboard box with a bit of tape is perfect.

I ship a taped box, inside a sealed padded envelope, nested inside two more of those each also sealed, and then tape the last one up.
There are no real "accidents" possible, and even a processing machine that might eat an outside layer or two isn't getting through all of them.

We really got to up our shipping game here. The materials are all free anyway!

 

[horseshoez]

Are we onto something or on something?

https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2019/pb22529/html/info_009.htm

I know I feel sick every time I ship so maybe we’re onto something.

I was only half kidding when I made that post. Like I said, nobody wants to steal grandma. Nobody wants to deal with that kind of karma from the angel of death.

 

[dizzyChipper]

Not blaming anyone, but the idea of trusting just a single layer box to the USPS machine gives me hives. If they're going to steal, a single cardboard box with a bit of tape is perfect.

I ship a taped box, inside a sealed padded envelope, nested inside two more of those each also sealed, and then tape the last one up.
There are no real "accidents" possible, and even a processing machine that might eat an outside layer or two isn't getting through all of them.

We really got to up our shipping game here. The materials are all free anyway!

I often do the same.
Chips
In bubble
In sfrb
In bubble
In usps priority small box (non fr) with backup label.
In padded fl envelope

—-

That said it feels like overkill and a waste of time, plastic and cardboard more often than not.

 

[bruh]

Sucks this has happened to you man... I remember the headache with UPS fuck-up we had to deal with last year. Luckily it was only china clays but still a nightmare

I was going to suggest something like this, but it seems someone has already done it

What about including a tracker with a high priced delivery? Unless I am mistaken, you can track your package anywhere and at anytime. With these, you put one in the middle of the chip stack or in every rack of chips. If the box is open and contents taken, the tracking chip is taken along with the chips. Could be useful evidence if you want to go down that road. If the delivery is successful, the buyer can mail the tracker back to the seller. Thoughts?

View attachment 1642124

 

[merkong]

I was only half kidding when I made that post. Like I said, nobody wants to steal grandma. Nobody wants to deal with that kind of karma from the angel of death.

I don’t know man… The horror stories are becoming a lot more common and USPS doesn’t do anything to help even when it’s on them.

Take a half strip of bacon from breakfast, double bag it and slip it in the box. Covers animal remains as well.

 

[horseshoez]

Sucks this has happened to you man... I remember the headache with UPS fuck-up we had to deal with last year. Luckily it was only china clays but still a nightmare

I was going to suggest something like this, but it seems someone has already done it

In case there’s a thermal label printer at home, maybe you’d like to use this to label the package with the tracker in it. You’re welcome lol

 

[Huskerchipper]

So sorry to hear my friend. I have no doubt that I know how much that rack meant to ya. I wish I could offer something more than my sympathy and hope for a positive outcome.

 

[dennis63]

Whether the police take a report or not, I would ask if they have a direct contact phone number for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

I understand that when packages break open and the contents spills out onto the floor of a sorting facility, things of apparent value get ship to a central warehouse in the Midwest and held After some time they are auctioned to the public.

I'd want to make sure the Postal Inspectors were looking into this internal theft. They take it seriously. (My cousin was a Postal Inspection Service agent.)

 

[Emitsu]

Not sure if anyone has stated this yet or not but I would create a report on here:

https://www.uspsoig.gov/about-us/office-investigations

 

[ekricket]

Are we onto something or on something?

https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2019/pb22529/html/info_009.htm

I know I feel sick every time I ship so maybe we’re onto something.

From above

============
* Return Receipt, or

* Additional Insurance

=============




WTF? I mean how much standard insurance comes with mailing cremated remains? How much additional insurance would ever be needed?

 

[sleepypiggly]

I was only half kidding when I made that post. Like I said, nobody wants to steal grandma. Nobody wants to deal with that kind of karma from the angel of death.

Postal Clerk: Cremated remains again?! How many grandmas do you have?