USPS Insurance claim
I sold a set of 4 color laser printer toners on March 12. I packed it that night and shipped it the next morning. I took a photo of the box before I took it to the PO. I bought extra liability coverage insurance.
The buyer – a reputable appearing business with 1800+ positive eBay reviews – was in Puerto Rico. The box took a very long route to get there and when it arrived the bottom was partly gone and one toner – the magenta which is the most expensive – was missing. The customer sent me 5 photos of the damage.
I didn’t want the customer sending the remaining 3 toners back so over the course of a couple days I worked out a refund ($400) with the customer and sent it through eBay.
In the meantime, before I knew what the customer was going to want, I started the USPS claim process. I had to put a price of the partial loss. I didn’t know what the customer was going to request at the time so I used the current price from Amazon as the base. I didn’t realize the USPS has no way to adjust or amend any claim after it has been submitted.
My claim has been rejected or will be rejected if I or the customer doesn’t take the “item(s) and mailing container including the wrapping, packaging and any other contents received to a Post Office for inspection within 20 days.”
The customer is in Puerto Rico and I’m in Missouri. All I have as proof are the photos. The customer still had the package as of last week. I’ve asked them nicely about taking it to their Post Office, but have not heard anything. Not surprising I guess. They have their money.
I am going to mail color copies of the photos, and anything else pertaining to the sale to the USPS Claim Dispute address for what that is worth.
Any advice or am I SOL?
