Filing a claim with USPS for a damaged Priority Mail item.

[inhawaii]

A customer received a damaged item from me that was shipped Priority Mail.

What's the procedure for filing a claim?  Is it a hassle?

I've never filed a claim before.

[lisa5768]

If the buyer sent you good pictures showing damage to the box and the item you can file online and upload the pictures. It is important that the buyer keep the box, packaging and the item and is willing to take it to the PO for inspection. More and more USPS is requiring the package and contents be brought in.

My recent experience as a buyer was that my seller filed on-line with my pictures and USPS required me to take the box in for inspection. I received a letter in the mail from USPS with instructions to bring the complete package and the letter in.  They took the package and gave me a receipt. The process played out and the claim was denied, seller appealed, denied again.  Seller sent me a copy of the denial so I could pick up the box. Since the claim was denied USPS will return the item. Whole thing took 3 months. Seller packed fragile items with newspaper, that is why it was denied.

As only one of a pair of antique items was damaged I wanted the item back. I will have it restored. Seller and I negotiated a refund of half for the broken one before filing the claim.

[orangehound]

There are instructions and links on this page for filing a USPS claim on-line:

https://www.usps.com/help/claims.htm

The information provided above by lisa5768 is correct.  You need pictures of the what is broken, and the condition of the box.   And, the buyer needs to keep the package in case the USPS wants it brought in for inspection.

Generally, USPS insurance covers negligence in the handling of your package. 

• Your item and its packaging is supposed to be packed in such a way as to handle normal stresses introduced by automated handling machines ... it needs to be able to survive, for example, multiple 4-6 foot drops. 
• The USPS claim is approved if the USPS crushed the box or pierced the box.    If the box was not packed well and/or the enclosed item was damaged due to G-forces introduced by handling machines, then the claim will likely be denied.  
• Breakage of glass and ceramic items are often denied.
• Even if the claim is approved, the cost of shipping is not refundable unless your claim is that the package is lost.

[inhawaii]

 lisa5768 and orangehound,

I think you both answered my question. 

For a $20 item ... it's not worth it.

Thank you!

[frodobagginskennedy]

Prior to this year it used to be really easy to file anything under $50.00.  I would upload the pictures and receipt of purchase.  WIthin a week I would have it approved and a check by the following week.  I had the bad luck of having two items damaged in a week this past June.  

Both claims wanted the packaging to be taken into the post office.  I was not going to bother my buyer with this hassle and just refunded.