Charles Lester -- Beware

JustinWatts

JustinWatts

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Well, I'm having a pretty bad day. Thursday morning, I bought my first high end knife -- a Strider SnG. I've never spent more than $200 on any knife in my collection, and I got an awesome deal on this particular knife for $325. Well, I knew the knife would be here today, and I woke up excited. Once I received a knock at the door I sprang up to be presented with an empty package. Just my luck.

I had purchased the knife on an alternate forum, but like myself; many people sell knives among different communities. This particular seller, marinemp4 (alternate forum account), poorly packaged my knife and as a result; I am now out $325 and a Strider. I made the mistake of paying for my knife using Gift/Family, and I will not be making that mistake in the future. The only thing I could do was ask kindly for a refund; which I did, and Charles refused. He is supposedly a police officer in Syracuse, however it makes me wonder considering his values. Please don't spam/guilt him constantly, but his email is: marinemp4@aol.com. I only want this information to be passed around so that if it comes up you guys may avoid the seller.

I pointed him out to proper USPS shipping, and he completely ignored my information. That angered me, so now I will make sure he does not screw anyone else. I assured him that should he keep shipping knives with this poor quality; this predicament will happen again. Learn from my negative experience to make sure you do not have one.

Here is a picture of the packaging of the knife. It was placed in the envelope in a plastic bag, so no wonder it was not recovered at the post office.

nLde6Rr.jpg
 
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No fun at all. I feel for you. I hope you can get reimbursed or find the knife.

You mentioned filling out the customs form at the post office. Maybe you already know this, but you can do it online. Then the only thing that needs to be done is have the postal clerk sign the form. Your box can be sealed up before you get to the post office. For in-the-US postage, if you print your label out at home you can drop your package, with attached label, off at the PO without waiting in line. You need a scale if you're not using flat rate. Lately, I've been finding it less expensive if I weigh my packages and don't us flat rate.

I, in no way ever falsify customs documents but sometimes using terms like cutlery instead of knife makes things go a bit more smoothly. I apologize if this is all old news to you. Mike
 
Sorry this happened to you but the seller should have packed the knife in a USPS box and not a thin cardboard envelope. I don't doubt the glued end came loose because of the knife pulling on it but it would certainly be easy for a USPS employee to feel thru the envelope to determine there was a knife in it.
 
Only a fool would ship an expensive knife in an envelope instead of securely packaged in a box. The box is free from the USPS. Also, the seller should have purchased the insurance and now should file the claim. If he didn't purchase insurance that's his problem but he owes you a refund in any case. Pursue a chargeback and hopefully you paid with a credit card.
 
Well, I think the envelope should be able to hold a 5 oz knife. I'll take it to the post office Monday to see what the deal is.
 
Post office is closed on Monday. It is the sellers responsibility to get the knife to you safely. He owes you a refund. Envelopes should never be used to ship anything but paper. If your knife had been properly packaged in a box this probably wouldn't have happened.
 
Dropping a strider in an envelope and dropping it in the mail just seems like a bad idea all the way around. I am sorry that this happened to you, but it shouldnt be any skin off your back. I recieved a watch from a forum member with good feedback a few months ago, and was shocked to see it in a manila envelope wrapped in one papertowel (especially when it was listed as in box, which he had to send after I remineded him that it came with the box). I was suprised it arrived still intact. I would just be embarassed to have another member recived a package from me like that.
 
No way I'd ship an expensive knife in that envelope. That envelope is for documents. For knives and whatnot I don't ever use anything less than a proper padded envelope. I just sent a $20 package in a priority box today. Treated it like every other one and entombed it in packing tape. This way it would have to be cut to get in. That keeps the postal employee thieves out because they know better. And they know more easy pickings will come along.
I don't get why sellers go cheap on shipping and poorly pack anything, especially an expensive knife. Don't make excuses for the seller and don't follow their example.
If you're going to use USPS you have to protect the contents from their sorting machines and sticky fingers. Hope you get your money back.
 
I can't believe that anyone would ship a nice knife in an envelope.


Course, I got an axe (bearded spiked and sharp), shipped in an even softer envelope. The Beard, Spike, and Tang had punched through the packing in several places. When my mail lady handed it across the counter to me, 2 inches of razor sharp hook/beard was actually sticking out.



for mailing knives, folders, axes.............boxes and a bunch of tape. I have never relied on the self adhesive......ever. I have the wide packing tape, and a lot of it on every side.
 
JustinWatts said:
Well, I'm having a pretty bad day. Thursday morning, I bought my first high end knife -- a Strider SnG. I've never spent more than $200 on any knife in my collection, and I got an awesome deal on this particular knife for $325. Well, I knew the knife would be here today, and I woke up excited. Once I received a knock at the door I sprang up to be presented with an empty package. Just my luck.

I've had a very good experience with USPS in my previous exchanges, but the last few times I've had to deal with them; it's been a struggle. I've recently started selling knives internationally, and they continue to give me a hard time about shipping knives as "weapons." Last time I went to the post office, it took me an hour to fill out a customs form and send my package out, but that's another story. I've never had a knife lost in transit, so I'm not sure how much of a chance I have at finding it.

Well, the mailman explained to me that they had a few boxes opened with the contents coming out... Not sure how that works, but fair enough. I gave her my number and she didn't give me a window in which I would receive a call. He left before I could even describe the item other than just the fact that it was a knife. Well, I got tired of waiting, so I headed down to the post office. I arrived 12 minutes after closing time, and was waved off from employees on the other side of the glass. Thanks guys, great effort.

So, I inspected the box. The portion that comes glued -- not the sealable top -- was torn apart. I highly doubt this knife fell out on it's own, not to mention from the side of the envelope. USPS has had past issues with thieves stealing package contents, so I believe that's what happened to me. I doubt I'm going to get a refund from the seller, and I know USPS won't give me jack. Moral of the story, insure your knives. I've always done so with the ones I've sent out, but in a lapse of judgement, I forgot to remind the seller for this one.

nLde6Rr.jpg
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First & foremost: I'm really sorry to read, that you are experiencing this situation. Losing a knife is one thing...this border's on gross negligence. I can't imagine how disappointed you must have felt, once you realized that the most expensive knife that you have ever purchased was not inside the very thin envelope, once it arrived. I hope that the USPS will be able to locate your Strider.

Shipping any knife in an envelope (let alone an expensive Strider), is inexcusable! For $5 & change, the seller could (SHOULD) have packed your knife up in a small flat rate box, with $50 insurance & tracking included.

If we're taking a poll here, this guy owes you a full refund in thee event the USPS isn't able to locate your knife.

Best of luck!
 
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This is really bush-league stuff! I would not have the nerve to ship like this. Jeeze, the post office will send you Priority mail boxes and $5 for some packing tape and you can do a professional job of sending. I always buy the insurance (usually $200). I do it for me, so I never have to deal with this. I would name the person that did this for obvious reasons.

I hope they find your strider

Best

P
 
Sorry. That is no fun. To me that is seller negligence and just being lazy. If USPS can't find it and seller won't make good I would do a charge back as well. Good luck. Hope they can just find it.
 
As most of the posters have said already , I totally agree the seller has the responsibility 1) to get your item to you in a safe manner. 2) The seller should have bought proper insurance to cover their own a$$. You are owed a full refund!!!
 
Not USPS's fault. It's the sellers fault that the item was so poorly packaged that the item came out.
He either owes you a full refund or replacement. Then he must deal with USPS if he even bothered to put insurance on the package.
If he didn't insure the package, then it is his loss.

I mean, gee.... it's not like we don't have threads concerning this in this very forum for all to read:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...**-How-Should-You-Package-Knives-for-Shipping
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/744662-***-Mailing-Security
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/993398-Registered-Insured-Mail
 
alex said:
Only a fool would ship an expensive knife in an envelope instead of securely packaged in a box. The box is free from the USPS. Also, the seller should have purchased the insurance and now should file the claim. If he didn't purchase insurance that's his problem but he owes you a refund in any case. Pursue a chargeback and hopefully you paid with a credit card.
Click to expand...


Agreed. It still amazes me when I see a knife listed for sale in the exchange, and the sellers states, " Insurance is available at the buyers expense"...
This is ridiculous. Insurance is to cover THEIR butt, not the buyers. The deal isn't done until the buyer receives the knife. I guess if the seller is willing to take a chance, and eat a 3-400 dollar knife that gets stolen, or lost, that is their choice. It's certainly not the buyers fault.

Shipping a reasonably expensive knife in an envelope, uninsured, is crazy...
 
It appears to me that the shipper should have used a card board USPS box or heavily re-inforced a USPS envelope with tape. I always tape my boxes regardless of the adhesive whether it be the USPS, UPS, or FedEx.
 
It all comes down to insurance. It gets lost or stolen. The seller refunds you and then can wait for his reimbursement. He owes you. I sold a knife for over 200. I insured for over 200. Why cause I know its my responsibility. I assume sellers who don't pay for insurance are knowingly taking the risk. NOT THE BUYER

That said I would be down there as soon as they open. Postal workers IMHO aren't out looking for goodies. They may not seem to like their jobs at times. But hey they are dealing with us on a daily bases who would.

I was ticked last week the Saturday delivery person didn't deliver my package. I got it Monday with a no # on mailbox. I looked on the outside of my box. She was right. NO #s . OH today she left me a note. Please put # on the box. Now in my defense , who am I kidding. I don't have one.


James
 
The seller did not insure the package, so I'm wondering whether USPS will give me/him the $50 that was included. I'll keep you guys posted after I go in Tuesday.
 
Ouch.....common sense is not that common anymore.

Here is a thought: is it possible seller did that on purpose? I mean he purposely put 'something' (ANYTHING) in that envelope and made sure the seal won't hold in transit. Now he can't be hold responsible for the loss and the blame falls on USPS. Or so he thinks....

Far-fetched thought, I know....I have no other explanation for using such an improper method of packaging an expensive knife....except for negligence/ border line stupidity.

Either way, seller owes you a replacement or a refund.
 
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