Help needed. USPS lost my knives...now what?

G

godogs57

Joined
Apr 16, 2004
Messages
795
Shipped out two knives to New Mexico at the end of August....the USPS computer here in GA says package was delivered to PO Box but never picked up. Called the post office out there and they said "Nope, never got it here". I insured the two knives for $500, but the guy on the phone said I would have to "prove their value" for the USPS to pay on the insured claim.

Now what in the hell do I do? These were two forged beauties...it kills me to think they are sitting in a bin somewhere, lost forever. And I took the extra time to write all labels LEGIBLE, and seal over the labels with clear tape so there could be no way it could get lost or misdirected....I am a fanatic about that. Bet I am out the $500, and two very nice knives are gone. I did take a digital pic of them before I packed them up, but there is no way they will say, "Sure, looks to us like they were worth $500...here's your money."

Any help appreciated.

Hank Hammond
 
I get a bit of pucker going every time I ship! You would think that your receipt would be all the proof you need.. After all, they didn't ask for proof when they took your money. I had the same problem with UPS back in the 70's. It took almost 2 years, and an Attorney to get it paid. The first thin UPS did was contact K-mart to see how much a hunting knife sold for. Haa! I gave them the number to a few collectors, dealers, and the Knife Makers Guild. Would you believe they paid me more that I had them insured for. HeHe!!! If you are going to ship USPS.as I now do, always send them Express. It's a quicker, more guarded trail. Mike
 
I had a couple of BKT knives go missing in the ups system, took two weeks and they paid as insured. I wish I knew how to make your situation better....maybe you should call in again and ask to speak to a supervisor...it might make a difference who you talk to.
 
You just need to show them a invoice, canceled check, paypal, etc. where you sold these or similar knives or you could just write your own invoice. They just want something in writing that shows the value. It's easier getting money out of the USPS than it is from UPS.

Insurance on a package is a red flag that says, "steal me"

I use this company for insurance, http://www.collectinsure.com/ my knives are covered everywhere, checked bag at the airport, in the mail but with sig required, shop, truck, show table etc. $10,000 cost me a liitle over $200 per year. It's cheap, I would spend more than that insuring each box I mail. I know a number of makers and dealers who also have this insurance and have heard they pay quick when you file a claim. They also advertise in Blade and have a booth at the Blade show, so they know the value of custom knives.

Also wanted to add. I ship 99% of my knives USPS Express overnight with no problems. I had trouble with UPS and Fedex in the past.
 
I've yet to read the replies, but if they don't cooperate peacefully (after exhausiting the whole chain of bureacracy) take them to court!!!
 
One suggestion I would make (as I work for the USPS), would be to send the knife registered mail. Anyone in the USPS that touches that package has to sign for it, and when it's sitting in the office, it's locked up. Since the last person who signed for it is responsible for the value of the item out of their own pocket if it goes missing, registered items don't go missing often.
 
First you have to wait 30 days before you can file a lost claim. Then go to the PO and get the form, fill it out, etc. it's a that point you'll need to show some proof of value. Printed out email works, or copy of a check, even an invoice.

Sounds to me like the person out there is jumping the gun on the process.
 
godogs57 said:
Shipped out two knives to New Mexico at the end of August....the USPS computer here in GA says package was delivered to PO Box but never picked up. Called the post office out there and they said "Nope, never got it here". I insured the two knives for $500, but the guy on the phone said I would have to "prove their value" for the USPS to pay on the insured claim.
Hank Hammond
Click to expand...


Maybe I'm missing something, but you say that the USPS computer says that the package was delivered to a PO box. Did you send the package with a delivery confirmation label? (The green one) If you didn't, how do you know the package was delivered to GA? If you have the confirmation of delivery, they had to scan it when it arrived at the GA post office otherwise, it would not show up on the USPS web-site,

If you have a confirmation receipt, take it to your post office and ask the supervisor or post master to run it through the intranet. He can track the package and tell where it is. Also, if the package was insured, someone had to sign for it when they picked it up.

I have had things like this happen when I had a PO box. Sometimes the clerks put my stuff in the box above or below mine and vice-versa.

Go to your post office and ask them to check it out.
 
sunfishman said:
You just need to show them a invoice, canceled check, paypal, etc. where you sold these or similar knives or you could just write your own invoice. They just want something in writing that shows the value. It's easier getting money out of the USPS than it is from UPS.

Insurance on a package is a red flag that says, "steal me"

I use this company for insurance, http://www.collectinsure.com/ my knives are covered everywhere, checked bag at the airport, in the mail but with sig required, shop, truck, show table etc. $10,000 cost me a liitle over $200 per year. It's cheap, I would spend more than that insuring each box I mail. I know a number of makers and dealers who also have this insurance and have heard they pay quick when you file a claim. They also advertise in Blade and have a booth at the Blade show, so they know the value of custom knives.

Also wanted to add. I ship 99% of my knives USPS Express overnight with no problems. I had trouble with UPS and Fedex in the past.
Click to expand...

Great advice!

I just sent a 120 pound package of titanium parts and about 90 pounds of blanked and ground stainless damascus from CA to PA. I'm into it for about $20K. I was very nervous. Crated the thing up and took it to UPS. They said they'd only take it overnight if insured for anything over $10K and they wanted nearly $700.

Before I left (with my crate) they did say something useful: When you send something next-day it's handled maybe eight times rather than 20 times or more with ground. This means a lot less chance of trouble.
Long story short: I sent it UPS next day through wife's work (they get a discount) Ended up costing $108. Yes, that's one heck of a discount! It arrived with "nary a scratch."
 
Well, that's the thing about insurance with USPS. You paid the premium. The package is unaccounted for and you should be paid off by the insurance carrier (USPS). You paid the premium. They did not deliver therefore services not rendered after payment. In the real world, outside government dealings, you would be given consideration. Dealing with the government is a one way erragant street and the man that works for a living is always given last place.

rlinger
------.
 
UPS.

In my day job, I routinely ship stuff worth 10K+. Never had an issue with UPS after many, many shipments. Fedex isn't quite as good, but waaaay better than USPS. I find that carriers that are 100% reliant on revenue tend to be a little more accountable. Not that they're perfect either, but almost any shipping is a gamble...just some ways have better odds than others.

I realize this doesn't help with your current situation, but you have my sympathies. If a carrier lost something I had put a lot of heart into creating, I'd go, well,...........POSTAL.

Cheers,

Pat Riley
 
I have had problems with UPS before. One problem is that they won't deliver into rural areas of this area away from Thunder Bay. The other problems involved items clearing customs, involving over paying and underpaying the duties.

No I will not ship with UPS. Fedex has been excellent and purolator is about the same as UPS.

I have a bad feeling that those knives are probably riding on some delivery persons belt.:mad:
 
sunfishman said:
I use this company for insurance, http://www.collectinsure.com/ my knives are covered everywhere, checked bag at the airport, in the mail but with sig required, shop, truck, show table etc. $10,000 cost me a liitle over $200 per year. It's cheap, I would spend more than that insuring each box I mail. I know a number of makers and dealers who also have this insurance and have heard they pay quick when you file a claim. They also advertise in Blade and have a booth at the Blade show, so they know the value of custom knives.

Hey Sunfishman, Thanks about the tip on collectibles insurance! I've been wondering about picking some up ever since I heard about Ken Onion's unfortunate situation (Still makes me sick just thinkin' about his loss. :mad: ) and I think that it's time to get some coverage on my collected knives. :)

Jaxx:cool:
Click to expand...
 
Turned in my paperwork today. I provided a copy of the bill of sale, computer comfirmation that the package never arrived in New Mexico, pictures of the knives prior to shipping, and all of my original receipts from the USPS. I was ready for whatever BS they might send my way.

So far, so good...they took my paperwork and said the postmaster will look at everything and probably sign off on the claim tomorrow.

fingers crossed,

Hank H.
 
Hank, seems to me that you are crying before getting burned. You are moaning your loss prior to submitting your claim properly. Let us know how things turn out now that you have gone through proper channels.
 
Helmar4578,

Evidently you don't know my luck. Seriously, I do appreciate your positive attitude...thanks.

Got a call from USPS today saying that they could not process my claim because there is no way to "value" my knives. I asked the lady did she bother to read my invoice attached to the paperwork? "Well, yes, but it only says what you are charging for the knives, not what they are worth"....I am serious, that is what I was told. I replied that, well, if an invoice does not indicate value, ie: the price we agreed upon, then what does? She just repeated herself again, saying that does not establish "value". Dang if she just didn't shoot my BS and Master's degree in Economics down the drain with her comments on what establishes value!! I asked her what the value of the "Mona Lisa" was and she could not answer, but then agreed that it would be the price agreed upon by both a buyer and seller...right? She knew she was checkmated then and we had a good laugh.

We were cordial the whole conversation and she said she would send it up for payment and if it bounced back we would just get an apprasial from a "knife and gun shop"...I said Noooo problem.

The story continues. It will all turn out OK....thinking positive.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top