Picked up 2 Gems...Should be arriving today!!! (I hope!)

I often face the same dilemma Rod - putting the full value on the package is an invitation to theft. I don't use the postal services anymore. Been burned twice and that is plenty. I pay the extra dough for express courier shipment. It's no guarantee, but with tracking every step of the way I can "follow" the package right to my door.

I've been where you are and know exactly how you feel. It sucks. I do hope you get your funds back, though I know it's only partial compensation. Chris is a real good guy and will do everything he can to help I am sure.

Best of luck,

Roger
 
Ron,

You are right, it is as you said, my baby too. It really pissed me off to think of some thief walking around with one of MY KNIVES!!!!!! If there is any justice he will loose the knife after it cuts the crap out of him!!
 
I am at a loss for words. I am going to find about filing a claim with the post office now. I will not ship anything through the mail overseas any more. Rod I am truly sorry this happened. I will do my best to make things as right as I can.
 
Thanks Chris. I really appreciate your help.

I don't think that the problem is with shipping overseas generally, but rather:
  1. Using the normal postal service
  2. Stating a high value on the packet
That applies to internal as well as overseas shipping.
Services such as DHL (www.dhl.com) are much more reliable, and the tracking is better.

And I appreciate that stating a low value (less than $50) and "gift" on the customs slip is being dishonest, but goods of an obvious high value, are too tempting to the wrong type of people, (especially "cutlery" which will make the eyes light up of precisely the wrong sort of person).

The problem then, of course, is one of insurance. A system is needed that is separate to the postal service where the insured value has to be written on the outside of the packet. (That system is pretty self-defeating!). For example, with my own business, where I am involved in shipping extremely rare or unique old books and documents, I have a separate insurance policy that covers goods that I send up to a value of £5,000 (approx $9,200) per parcel, and that is pretty inexpensive to set up. The policy costs something like $100 per year. All that is required is that the parcel/packet is sent recorded, and is signed for at the other end. Obviously, that sort of policy is not practical for the private individual who ships just one or two packets per year.

Having said all that..... if the item is custom made and one of a kind?

So Bailey, (I see that you are following this) when mine is ready..... I'll come and collect it!! (Hint: have a look at my profile, my next birthday is an important one ;) )

Cheers
Rod
 
Rod,

I empathize with your dilema, but you have a clear view of the problem and one of the solutions.

In my trade, I send out expensive knives weekly. The cost of insuring them individually through the carriers would kill me. It doesn't matter who: USPS, UPS, FedEx ALL need to charge exorbitant rates per parcel. That said, I found 'Collectibles Insurance Co.' (collectinsure.com) who is a separate insurance carrier.

I have $10,000 worth of coverage for any shipment. I have to get signatures and use various levels of shipping depending on the amount I would like to cover, but the bottom line is that this only costs me $120 PER YEAR. All my shipments would be ten times that cost if I paid the carrier for the insurance, and as was mentioned there are red flags that get raised when the package has a BIG dollar figure attached.

Hope this helps someone in the future.

Coop
 
Are you sure it wasn't ceased by customs for a reason or another? What makes me say that is that they did leave one of the 2 knives. I don't understand that.
 
Sure sounds like a customs agent took the Bradshaw, I ship expensive collectables internationally, many knives too, have been for many years, often insured for thousands, never had one stolen, but, I have had LOTS of packages opened by customs in various countries and twice, they damaged the items, put them back, resealed the box, and sent it to the customer without any disclosure of their clumsiness, it wouldn't surprise me at all if a customs agent took it.

I feel your pain, I'd be livid.

Ari
 
Joss said:
Are you sure it wasn't ceased by customs for a reason or another? What makes me say that is that they did leave one of the 2 knives. I don't understand that.
Click to expand...

I know that the practice with Canada Customs is that if they even open a package to inspect it, they put a sticker on the box that says so. If they seize something, they inform the intended recipient of that fact in writing. I don't and can't know for sure, but this looks like a straight theft to me.

Roger
 
I also wondered about Customs seizure. That was a pretty large folder,,did it break any laws regarding blade/oal length?
 
RogerP said:
I know that the practice with Canada Customs is that if they even open a package to inspect it, they put a sticker on the box that says so. If they seize something, they inform the intended recipient of that fact in writing. I don't and can't know for sure, but this looks like a straight theft to me.

Roger
Click to expand...
Yes Roger. The customs in England do exactly the same thing. The packet was not opened by customs. There was no customs sticker re-sealing it.

It was sliced open. The inner box containing the knives was sliced open. Customs have confirmed to me today that they did not open the package.

In answer to others.... whoever stole the knife, didn't want the less expensive Whitewing folder. And yes... it is illegal for a knife over 3" and/or with a locking blade "to be carried in public" in England. But it is not illegal to own one as part of a collection.

And now the interesting part..... another knife arrived for me today. A $50 knife. And that packet had been sliced open too! (The knife was still inside though). And the very interesting part.... THREE packets arrived at the same post office in Gloucester today sliced open..... all off the same truck from the same place. The same depot where the customs office is.

The culprit is being narrowed down. Considerably.

We'll see what tomorrow brings. Post office security department are on to it, and also the police. They are taking it very seriously indeed.

Rod
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top