Mailman FOLDED my vinyl record to fit it in the mailbox!
Summary: train_slide_central expressed frustration over a vinyl record that was damaged by a postal carrier who folded it to fit in a mailbox. The record was shipped without insurance via Media Mail, and while the vinyl was unharmed, the sleeve was creased. Multiple participants suggested contacting the seller for a refund or return, but train_slide_central decided not to hold the seller accountable, acknowledging it was the postal worker’s mistake. train_slide_central also reported the incident to the local post office and shared their dissatisfaction with the response from the postal authorities. The discussion included differing opinions on responsibilities and the appropriate shipping methods for such items.
I bought a vinyl record, it was shipped in a record box with extra packing. The post office FOLDED it to get it in my mailbox, and it is ruined. Of course its not insured since it is media mail, what can I do? It's only worth $20 total, but still I am LIVID at the driver who did this. Normally a record box fits fine in my huge rural sized mailbox, but there was another package he put in first, and to shut the lid, he literally had to fold it 90 degrees.
broto_64
·4 days agoContact the seller via opening a return for damaged item, it is the seller's responsibility to get your order to you exactly as described.
marnotom!
·4 hours agoYou do realize this thread is almost a month old?
caracy
·3 weeks agoRE: Fragile Stickers, I once told the counter person at the PO, "A cinder block is fragile if you have a sledge hammer!"
Sometimes you can't fix stupid.
santafelady08
·3 weeks agoYou can of course call your local post office and put in a complaint. I've had to do this once with a good outcome.
yeswayrecords
·3 weeks ago · EditedYour mailman must have an impressive amount of strength to accomplish this, not even sure how this is possible.
pickapaper
·Jul 10, 2026 at 10:56 PMI'm still trying to figure out how a postal person could fold a standard record mailing box with additional cardboard inside, along with the record, 90 degrees. He would have to be really strong and put a huge amount of force behind it to even be able to do that. And even more important, WHY would he do that? It makes absolutely no sense to me.
jdbelt1960
·Jul 10, 2026 at 11:20 PMThat I can agree with. I wonder would he just crush down any other package until it fits the mailbox. Nobody could be that incompetent.
msha3839
·Jul 11, 2026 at 2:18 AMIf I could get one dollar for each incompetent person around, sky is the limit …🧐🥃
grann-4629
·3 weeks agoIf a record breaks in a mailbox, can you hear it?
airsheep
·Jul 10, 2026 at 5:18 PMOur post office is a stickler for only what is laid out in postal regs going Media Mail, and will randomly check. If it's not, they will make you ship GA, or refuse it. Don't know if your post office is that particular.
kibble-net
·Jul 10, 2026 at 11:33 AMFile a complaint with USPS
Show your mailman what happened to the vinyl. As in literally show them what they did. Kinda like when you make your dog smell their "accident". Sometimes a little shame goes a long way.
DON'T SHIP MEDIA MAIL - Ground Advantage is often cheaper, and comes with insurance.
msha3839
·Jul 10, 2026 at 2:02 PM · EditedLittle shame can work with smart people..in this case, only fear..talking to mailman and shaming him/ her can lead to retaliation and expectation of future delivery problems ..on the other hand, going to postmaster and filing official complaint with postal service can clearly indicate that there is not going to be a second chance…sometimes you have to use candy and sometimes baseball bats..😈
mudshark61369
·Jul 10, 2026 at 11:20 AM@train_slide_central ,
Did the package the record was sent in have a DO NOT BEND sticker or written on it? If not while the carrier has some responsibility for the damage, the seller bears some of the responsibility as well, and you should file a return request for Arrived Damaged. I'd be messaging the seller to tell them that they need to place or write do not bend on their record shipments.
msha3839
·Jul 10, 2026 at 11:46 AMRecord box is extremely rigid and not easily bent…needed some force to achieve it…issue is not a sticker but a mailman’s action…
pastimpressions
·Jul 10, 2026 at 3:12 PMdisagree 100% on the sticker.
It may help; it may prove an attractive target.
I am an advocate for amazing packaging,
I may be OCD, but I would never ship a record in a record box.
I would not be happy unless an item such as that was double boxed with commensurate fill in each of the 2 boxes.
Unfortunately, with a 20.00 fragile item, this approach would eat up the margins.
IMHO, the fewer outer markings the better.
msha3839
·Jul 10, 2026 at 4:09 PM · EditedAs an LP collector, I’m a big fan of LP’s made in Japan due to their high quality..ordering directly from Japan and never had any problem with damage..and all of them were shipped in LP shipping boxes..regarding fragile stickers…most people who deliver packages, could care less about it and sometimes try to be extra hard on packaging..human nature..p.s. double boxing will not help if packages abused during shipping and delivery..
whiteparrot2003
·Jul 11, 2026 at 4:18 AM · EditedYes. IMO, most of those Fragile or Do Not Bend Stickers are more to impress the buyer than actually being a deterrent for anyone that would bend a rigid box to fit in the mailbox instead of taking it to the door.
msha3839
·3 weeks agoIn most cases stickers designed to apply to common sense of individuals who are responsible for delivery…unfortunately it’s not working as intended…
yeswayrecords
·3 weeks ago@whiteparrot2003 @msha3839
While a delivery person may or may not pay attention to package notes, it is our experience that buyers do notice them.
We were contacted a few times by buyers who had damaged their purchase while cutting open their packages.
This led us to put a notice on the outside of the package that reads, "Open Carefully DO NOT CUT"
Since we began to put this notice we have received no additional contacts about damage.
It seems that sometimes people may just need to be reminded to be careful.
marnotom!
·Jul 10, 2026 at 1:58 AMI agree with the others who have said that the seller should be brought into the loop on this, in addition to whatever action you’re taking with or against post office.
jdbelt1960
·Jul 10, 2026 at 3:06 PMA seller has no responsibility for post office actions. What did the seller do wrong?
msha3839
·Jul 10, 2026 at 3:18 PMActually you’re wrong…seller responsible for item to be delivered fully intact, even when it was damaged deliberately or by accident by the third party…this is a common sense and eBay rule…
grann-4629
·3 weeks agoUnless they use eIS to ship out of the country ... whatever happens to the package after in leaves the eBay hub, the seller could not care less about. That's why sellers use it ... no responsibly to ensure a happy buyer.
marnotom!
·Jul 10, 2026 at 10:41 PMThe seller chose the shipping method. The seller is responsible for the actions of their chosen shipping method.
fm2000
·Jul 11, 2026 at 3:39 AMThey didn't use the "wrong" shipping method. The mailman was negligent. Unfortunately, it is not the seller's fault, but it is their responsibility. But it is not their "fault". No reasonable person could have anticipated a mailman folding a box like that.
marnotom!
·3 weeks ago · EditedYup. The word “fault” hasn’t been mentioned at all in this context, and to clarify my earlier post, by “bringing the seller into the loop,” I simply meant communicating with the seller.
stainlessenginecovers
·Jul 10, 2026 at 1:44 AMMailman was dropped on their head as a baby.
Not their fault (sure it's not)
msha3839
·Jul 10, 2026 at 2:03 PMMost likely, genetic…🤧
fm2000
·Jul 10, 2026 at 1:26 AM · EditedOut of curiousity, was it shipped in one of those standard cardboard record mailers? I don't ship many records, and when I do I use a regular 13"x13" box cut down. I was always worried about records being damaged if a heavy box drops on a record in one of those record mailers. If a mailman folded one of those in half, that would be negligence of the highest order on the part of the mailman. A box is not something you can roll up like an electric bill or a magazine to fit in a mailbox.
Since the post office can weasel their way out of something that is clearly their responsibility (since there was no insurance purchased), they will. I would still complain however, folding a record in half, with or without a record mailer, is gross negligence and the mailman should be held accountable for it.
train_slide_central
OPJul 10, 2026 at 1:42 AMIt was a standard record mailer, it had additional cardboard inside to reinforce it. It was very well packed by the seller. I have bought around 100 records, none have ever been damaged when packed well. I agree with you, it was negligence- and stupidity!
msha3839
·Jul 10, 2026 at 3:20 PM · EditedUnfortunately for seller, he/she still responsible for the damage and accountable to compensate buyer..next step for seller to deal with post office…buyer is not responsible to rectify this problem..
mam98031
·Jul 10, 2026 at 12:19 AM@train_slide_central
I'm sorry this happened to you. While I don't ship records, I do use media mail all the time. My packages have please do not bend all over the front and back of the packages and I stiffen up the package too. It isn't fool proof, but it certainly helps.
With the cost of shipping these days, most sellers would use Media Mail, like you stated, on a $20 sale.
It does sound like the seller did a good job of packaging the item, it was your carrier that decided to he-man it into the mail box.
If this were a package I received, I would contact my local PO and talk to the manager/postmaster of that office and explain what happened. If you choose not to do this, it is highly likely your carrier will do this again on some future package.
I've had great luck talking directly with my local PO on issues as they come up. Just be respectful and factual and it will usually work out. IDK if they will do anything, but they may let your carrier know they should not handle a package like they did for you. I hope everything works out for you.
train_slide_central
OPJul 10, 2026 at 12:24 AMThanks for the reply, it was very thoughtful and helpful. I am going there in the morning.
mam98031
·Jul 10, 2026 at 12:42 AMPlease let us know what they tell you. I'll be rooting for you !!!!
train_slide_central
OPJul 10, 2026 at 11:45 PMOK, i talked to the person in charge at my local post office. He was genuinely apologetic, which was nice. He told me it was a substitute carrier on that route yesterday, and said the guy wasn't too bright. He stated he was going to talk to him about the proper handling of packages. He gave me the number to the Postmaster in the town controlling the rural offices. I called him, and told him the carrier folded the record mailer. His response was "did you see him fold it?" That annoyed me. I told him, NO, but when I opened my mailbox and looked inside I saw it was folded, so it's painfully obvious, and I have photos. Then he put me on hold a long time and called the carrier who did it, and when he asked him about the package, the carrier stated, "I don't remember delivering that package" If it's one thing I hate is someone who lies. I complained and complained, but to no avail. He said the sender needs to open a case. I said, the mailman was 100% at fault, same as if he jumped up and down on the box before giving it to me, and it has nothing to do the the sender. SOOOOO, anyhow in the end, the vinyl somehow wasn't damaged, only the record sleeve was creased and wrinkled, and since it is only an inexpensive record, so I'm going to let it go, I've already let it consume too much of my time LOL. If this was a $50+ record which I really prized, I would be doing something more about it.
mam98031
·3 weeks agoThank you for telling us what happened. Your experience with the first person you talked to is usually my experience with my local PO. I've had problems over the years and they always have taken good care of me.
I'm sorry you experienced what you did with the second person you talked to. That was completely out of line. If you want to take this a step further, and I've had to do this myself with good outcomes. Go to www.usps.com and file a complaint against how you were spoken to with that second person. It doesn't take long and honestly I've used it with good success. Fortunately only once or twice was it needed, but I did have good outcomes. Or at least outcomes that made me feel better.
This is a direct link to the spot to file a complaint about USPS personnel. I hope you will do it as no one should be spoken to like you were. That was way out of line.
https://emailus.usps.com/s/personnel-inquiry
fm2000
·Jul 10, 2026 at 1:17 AMRight, Media Mail for a $20 record not only saves money, it is a virtual necessity if one wants to sell a record for $20. Ground Advantage will be twice as much, maybe more, and would just never sell at today's GA rates. A $100 record, sure, but not a $20 record.
train_slide_central
OPJul 10, 2026 at 1:17 AM100%
bonanza125
·Jul 9, 2026 at 11:07 PMIt's on the seller to have the proper insurance. If they were to have gone ground advantage they would've had the proper insurance to have you covered. So you will need to file a case and return the item. Even though the mail carrier folded it there is insurance to protect the seller from that and they elected to have the record shipped Media Mail.
train_slide_central
OPJul 9, 2026 at 11:36 PMLiterally everyone ships books and records via Media Mail unless they are higher value. I'm not putting this on the seller.
powell-collectibles
·Jul 9, 2026 at 11:44 PMNot necessarily – I just printed off a label for a three record set. It was cheaper to send ground advantage. The heavier the set and the closer the zone you can get plenty of times when grounded advantage is cheaper than media mail.
train_slide_central
OPJul 10, 2026 at 12:17 AMI think you know what I meant. When someone mails a single $15 record, the standard postage most people charge is the Media Mail rate. This is what people want to pay. IDK why I'm even saying this, but of course if it's cheaper to mail Ground Advantage most people would also choose that because it's cheaper. But also, literally nobody expects the postman will FOLD a record marked FRAGILE to fit it in the mailbox. Why are you even comparing a 3 record set to this situation? It's not even the same.
powell-collectibles
·Jul 10, 2026 at 12:35 AMI don't disagree that folding a record to fit into a mailbox is a huge stinker. Just that I wouldn't think a lock that the item was sent MM. If you are close to the seller, it wouldn't be odd to send GA. And, some sellers just use GA exclusively - some have an aversion to MM.
mam98031
·3 weeks agoThat is only due to some recent silly rate changes made by USPS where some heavier weights ship cheaper than lighter weight packages. With that said, I don't think there are any Ground Advantage rates that are lower than a 1 pound or less package via Media Mail. I could be wrong. I think there are some locations where a 2lb package via GA can be little less than 2 lbs via MM. But of course not in all areas, just some. So it keeps us on our toes when we are shipping stuff for sure.
bonanza125
·Jul 10, 2026 at 12:20 AM · EditedWell you specifically asked "What can I do?" That is what you can do. If you don't want to that's fine. You will be taking a loss.
ryry-jj
·Jul 9, 2026 at 10:31 PMYou could return it as INAD. However, in this case id take it down to my local post office and start the pie fight right there!! Id then let the seller know what happened and what im doing about it with the post office. You have time to file.
I will also say, to follow up on @kathiec thought, for a $20 item and knowing the carrier f'd it up, im not holding the seller responsible...but i am going to get $20 worth of public complaining to the postmaster...maybe private...$20 loss is a pie fight, but not the mountain i went to die on
train_slide_central
OPJul 9, 2026 at 11:35 PMWe have a small rural post office here, there are literally 4-5 employees. I am going to talk to the postmaster tomorrow morning. I feel the carrier who folded it owes me $20, or at least I am going to voice that opinion to him. He's done some dumb things in the past, but this is the top of the heap.
grann-4629
·3 weeks agoI thought he was a substitute mailman. Does he substitute in your area enough to do 'some dumb things in the past'?
train_slide_central
OPJul 11, 2026 at 12:06 AMI got my $20 of complaining in today!! LOL There's not much I can do, unless I ask the sender to go out of his way to file a claim, which I'm not going to do, so it's fine. Amazingly the vinyl did not break, and it plays fine, so I'm just letting this go, and I have a good story to tell. HAHAHA
gurlcat
·3 weeks agoWait, before you said he folded it 90 degrees. Why exaggerate for a post?
iamalwaysright
·2 weeks ago · EditedMaybe OP doesn’t know what 90 degrees really is. Some people aren’t good with numbers. I found out my wife thought 1/3 is more than 1/2 🤦
pickapaper
·3 weeks agoI am confused. You said the carrier folded the box 90 degrees to get it in your mailbox. How could the box have been folded and the record not get damaged? I figured if a box was folded, it would break the record but you said the record is just fine. So basically it was just the shipping box that was damaged?
kathiec
·Jul 9, 2026 at 10:12 PM@train_slide_central
On eBay it's the seller's responsibility to get the item to you in the exact condition as was advertised. So you can open a Money Back Guarantee return, stating the item was damaged. That will net you a full refund.
Were this me, however, I would first contact the seller. While it was their choice to ship Media Mail with no insurance, it's certainly not their fault USPS mishandled it. And as the sender I think they're the only party that can complain. If they respond and seem willing to reach a compromise I might settle for a partial refund. I know how hard selling on eBay can be, so I personally would be willing to cut them some slack.
train_slide_central
OPJul 9, 2026 at 11:32 PMLiterally everyone ships books and record Media Mail unless they are higher value. I'm not putting this on the seller.
nut4barbie001
·Jul 10, 2026 at 12:32 AMYou are one stand up guy! Thank goodness there are still, what appears to be a few, left of you. :o) Your postman needs to leave his post in the stupid box. I'd definitely have a chat with him.
fm2000
·Jul 10, 2026 at 11:55 PMRight, there is nothing wrong with media mail, it doesn't have insurance included (but it can be added for a fee), but how often do media mail items get damaged? I haven't had a media mail item damaged in 20 years.
This was a freak accident, no one could have seen it coming, and no items at any class of mail are allowed to be intentionally damaged like that. Spending more money (depending on weight and zip code now, potentially significantly more money) to ship $20 or less media items doesn't make economic sense. The math will work out in a seller's favor, by a long shot.