USPS Claims

[valsun_28]

Once again, a claim has been denied by USPS.  Since I have had claims denied by the USPS in the past, I have taken extra care in packing and shipping my items.  Since I ship mostly breakable vintage items, I wrap, double box, and add air pillows (if that's what they are called).  For the most part this has been successful but here is the scenario of this last sale.

Sold a vintage cookie jar to a customer.

She notified me the item was shipped and broken when she received it.  She took pictures and sent them to me, and I issued the buyer a full refund

I asked her to keep the box, packing materials, and the cookie jar so I could submit a claim.  In the meantime, I filed a claim online which requires a ton of information including proof of when the item was purchased and price paid, all of the information including date sold, amount, tracking number and the buyer's address, telephone number and non-e-bay e-mail address (which I "think" is against E-bay policy).  I provided all of this information (with permission from the buyer) on the online form and submitted the claim.  I received a letter about 10 days later requesting the item, box, and packing materials be taken to the nearest post office.  I e-mailed a copy of the USPS letter to my buyer, and she graciously took everything to her local post office.   I just received notification from the USPS that my claim was denied!  Why? Because they said the damage was not caused by the USPS!  REALLY?  Who was the damaged caused by, then? Gremlins?  USPS $100 coverage for Priority shipments is a joke if they deny your claim after you provide them with everything to legitimize the claim.  Oh, and not to mention a vintage 1940's Cookie Jar is not something that be re-ordered online.    This is my third claim with USPS and will be the last time I ship using the USPS.  I would be interested in others weighing in and if they had a similar situation and what the resolution was.   Thank you for allowing me to vent!  That and a glass of wine!

[genv]

It's all for naught if the Recipient is under no obligation to present pkg 'for inspection'.

Also, IMHO...

I suspect Claims are denied to protect Carriers' workers who regularly treat parcels roughly.

[gotta-have-it-collectables]

I Never once received a penny from USPS, FedEx or UPS for a lost or damaged package and always got the answer that there was NO Guarantee of Service.

Love Your County...Fear Your Government!

✌️🇺🇲

[sextons-sweet-deals]

the O.P. seems to be packing well, but if there is no sign to the USPS handlers that the item is fragile or glass, they will treat it as a regular package. It will be tossed and maybe have bigger / heavier packages stacked on top. 

USPS employees are trained, and the majority take their job seriously. 

[krazzykats]

I would have been canned if I was seen throwing parcels around like in that picture above.  I don't know who makes up this stuff. 

I'd like to know if the cookie jar had any crazing?

A few hard knocks, and you know the rest.

[mam98031]

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@gotta-have-it-collectables wrote:

I Never once received a penny from USPS, FedEx or UPS for a lost or damaged package and always got the answer that there was NO Guarantee of Service.

Love Your County...Fear Your Government!

✌️🇺🇲

---

Without insurance on the package, no you wouldn't.  When you pay for insurance, it should be different.

[mam98031]

Except that the OP has been asked several times, but has chosen not to answer, what was the condition of the outer box.  Did the buyer give them a Pic?  If the outer box is not showing any damage, it is likely that is the reason the insurance isn't payout out.  But again the OP hasn't addressed this point at all.

[skatefool]

OP has indeed addressed the point.  Read post #25

[mam98031]

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@skatefool wrote:

OP has indeed addressed the point.  Read post #25

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You are right except they still did not mention if there was any exterior damage which is key to most insurance claims.

[krazzykats]

And I saw some crazing and cracks in the item itself.   It was even mentioned in the description.  If you read up on crazing, it's like a mold that keeps growing under the glaze.  There are ways to slow it down, but it depends on deep it goes to stop it.   Repainting over an object that has crazing is one method.

[vsbelgians]

Tote was buyer request since they wanted it shipped together and not separated (over 30 set of fragile crystal) and at the time it made sense because USPS would have a hard time crushing it. Lid was VERY securely taped from every direction. 

[kh-vince]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.