The wait.. or The Tale of the Snail Mail...

[mikepapa1]

Another update.. I know you are all waiting with baited breath (or not) for my next long boring post including photos of the Twins reunited after almost 21 years!! As am I... unfortunately the USPS God's have not been kind to this old solider.. . As you know I was lucky enough to snag the P over a week ago on Friday the 4th of April.. The seller promptly mailed the package containing my new to me Sebenza Saturday Morning the 5th of April. It was mailed USPS PRIORTY 2 DAY with an estimated delivery date of Monday April 7th. I was especially excited because I had that Monday off and knew that I would be able to be home when the Twin arrived. The seller provided me with the tracking number and I of course went to the USPS site and started e-mail alerts which of course began to arrive in my mail box... exciting stuff!!
Electronic Shipping Info Received April 4, 2014
Acceptance DELPHOS, OH 45833 April 5, 2014 11:45 am
Dispatched to Sort Facility DELPHOS, OH 45833 April 5, 2014 5:54 pm
Processed at USPS Origin Sort Facility COLUMBUS, OH 43218 April 6, 2014 12:09 am
Depart USPS Sort Facility COLUMBUS, OH 43218 April 6, 2014
And that was the last known sighting or scanning of the package....
Yesterday, Friday April 11th I was contacted by the seller asking me if I had received notice to pick up the knife or if I had in fact received it.. ah no... later that same day (yesterday) I received another PM from the seller apologizing for the delay in delivery and assuring me that they had contacted the USPS and if the knife did not arrive by Monday April 14th that they would issue a full refund for the knife and initiate a claim with the USPS since the knife was shipped fully insured... and that after I had received the refund that if the knife did show up somewhere in the USPS system that they would contact me so that I could again purchase the knife. Of course I felt reassured that if nothing else I would be able to recoup my finical loss but both I and the seller were understandably distressed to learn that this beautiful piece of Chris Reeve History may have been lost to the ages.. So, to make a long story longer I went to sleep last night not knowing if or when I would ever receive the Large P Sebenza.. but with hope that upon waking that I would have news from the USPS... And now the rest of the story!!
As often happens to men of my advanced age I awoke in the wee hours of the morning to natures call.. (I know TMI). So, I checked my e-mail (after) and there it was sitting in my e-mail folder... Not one but two notifications from the USPS!!

Processed through USPS Sort Facility WEST SACRAMENTO, CA 95799 April 11, 2014 10:15 pm
Processed through USPS Sort Facility WEST SACRAMENTO, CA 95799 April 12, 2014 1:37 am
Needless to say.. I went back to sleep with visions of Large P Sebenza Twins running through my head!!
Again, as is common with men of my advanced age I awoke early (I don't know about you guys but I get up the same time everyday work or no work) After making myself a strong cup of coffee to shake off the cobwebs I again checked my e-mail and what do my aging blood shot eyes behold? Yes.. another e-mail notification from the USPS!!
Arrival at Post Office April 12, 2014 5:37 am :thumbup:
And now the waiting is nearly over... and I have received the next to last notification...
Out for Delivery April 12, 2014 8:39 am
So, I being the impatient sort of person that I am.. I will end this long boring post.. climb into my Ford F 150 Super Cab 4X4 to search out my Postal Delivery Person on her route.. See ya all when I get back!!
All the best, Dave
I am back!! Whoop!! Whoop!! And here it is the last e-mail received today from the USPS!!

Delivered April 12, 2014 10:56 am
A happy ending to a long Journey home!!
Link to original Post..
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...he-movie-A-pair-of-Large-quot-P-quot-Sebenzas

 

[stjames]

I feel your pain, I have a knife somewhere in USPS limbo right now. I checked tracking yesterday to find a claim that a delivery notice was left as no signature was available on Wed. I checked the property and quizzed the family and no notice could be found. I took my tracking number to the local post office and they did not have the package. I trekked to the central branch on Alhambra, same story. I gave my information to the clerk who said she would pass it along to the supervisor and they would call me. Never happened. I am afraid it is time for the shipper to file a claim.

 

[Andre21]

Wow Dave, I thought I was the only one who tracked down the mail carrier on route...

That's great my friend, I am very happy that your twin will be home shortly...

How stressful nonetheless.

Take care

 

[Birdhunter1220]

Ahhhh the wait, we have all done it several times and it never gets any easier! Oh amike5757575 I have done that several times. I think I know her route as well as she does, well maybe not but have a pretty good idea of it. I can see Dave right now....umm not down that street, next one....darn no.....next....wow there the truck!! I can see the mail person now......Hi Dave yep sign right here and print here....there you go. Wait for the pics and post Dave. Happy for you!
Bill

 

[clockman]

Dave, this post 1 was a Long One. I still don't know if it was worth my time reading it.
Glad you finally got your fix, I mean knife.

I had a similar senario getting my large Classic. It was shipped priority and insured but it wasn't marked Priority anywhere on the box so if was sent slooow motion...first class
and arrived 4 days late. I can understand you anxiety and frustration.

 

[mikepapa1]

I feel your pain, I have a knife somewhere in USPS limbo right now. I checked tracking yesterday to find a claim that a delivery notice was left as no signature was available on Wed. I checked the property and quizzed the family and no notice could be found. I took my tracking number to the local post office and they did not have the package. I trekked to the central branch on Alhambra, same story. I gave my information to the clerk who said she would pass it along to the supervisor and they would call me. Never happened. I am afraid it is time for the shipper to file a claim.

Man.. that really bites James!! I have been on the sellers end of your situation.. before I "Got it Bad" to use a quote from you my friend I had experimented with other production knives.. I sold a pair of XM-18's to a friend of ours here on the forum.. one and then another (he had it bad for Hinderer's) to make a long story short he only received the second one.. the first knife never showed up.. I of course refunded his money and filed an insurance claim with the USPS.. NOT FUN!! The best of luck to both you and the seller!!
All the best, Dave
WTB FIRST RUN Large Sebenza 25 With Birthdate November 2012 also have neat stuff to trade!!
I know.. shameless.. I couldn't help myself.

 

[Andre21]

ahhhh the wait, we have all done it several times and it never gets any easier! Oh amike5757575 i have done that several times. I think i know her route as well as she does, well maybe not but have a pretty good idea of it. I can see dave right now....umm not down that street, next one....darn no.....next....wow there the truck!! I can see the mail person now......hi dave yep sign right here and print here....there you go. Wait for the pics and post dave. Happy for you!
Bill

baahaahaa

 

[mikepapa1]

Wow Dave, I thought I was the only one who tracked down the mail carrier on route...

That's great my friend, I am very happy that your twin will be home shortly...

How stressful nonetheless.

Take care

Thanks Andre!! Oh she knows me well!! Today I found here very quickly.. as a matter of fact she must have seen my truck coming as she had the package in her hands before I even got out of the truck!! It pays for us knife nuts to get on good terms with the postal carrier!! And by the way I just opened the package.. oh my goodness!! Even better than I had hoped!! The sellers photos did not do justice to this piece of CRK history this thing is LNIB!! And hope beyond hope it even came with the original tissue paper and paperwork!!

 

[mikepapa1]

Ahhhh the wait, we have all done it several times and it never gets any easier! Oh amike5757575 I have done that several times. I think I know her route as well as she does, well maybe not but have a pretty good idea of it. I can see Dave right now....umm not down that street, next one....darn no.....next....wow there the truck!! I can see the mail person now......Hi Dave yep sign right here and print here....there you go. Wait for the pics and post Dave. Happy for you!
Bill

Thanks Bill!! I know most of us have had very similar experience's.. it is not fun!! But after opening the package it is true!! The best things in life are worth waiting for!!
All the best my friend!! And thanks again for the prayer!!:thumbup:

 

[mikepapa1]

Dave, this post 1 was a Long One. I still don't know if it was worth my time reading it.
Glad you finally got your fix, I mean knife.

I had a similar getting my large Classic. It was shipped priority and insured but it wasn't marked Priority anywhere on the box so if was sent slooow motion...first class
and arrived 4 days late. I can understand you anxiety and frustration.

As always thanks Craig!! I am happy your Large Classic arrived safely!! I know it is frustrating waiting for something to come in the mail.. especially when it is delayed. Strangely enough or maybe not I told my postal carrier the story and she said that because it was not mailed in a PRIORITY MAIL BOX that it probably was put on a truck instead of a plane as it should have been! I always try to use the Priority Mail Flat rate boxes that the USPS Provides free of charge, and they always seem to arrive within two to three days to the intended recipient. A lesson for any of us who uses the mail.
All the best my Friend!!
Dave

 

[mikepapa1]

baahaahaa

Note sure of the intention of your remark...

 

[stjames]

Glad you got your new baby safe and sound. Shipping it always stressful for me, about fifteen years ago a took a loss when I sent a knife overseas and it never showed up. USPS said that the local post refused the claim because I could not prove the package HADN'T been delivered, so tough luck. Been wary ever since and on the few occasions I have sold a knife across borders I have done so with the caveat that I would take no responsibility if it was lost.

 

[stjames]

On a side note, if I ever decide to sell that 25 I will be able to hand it to you in person

 

[Andre21]

Note sure of the intention of your remark...

Below is the intention of my remark. It was very funny to me. Quoted from Bill.

"I can see dave right now....umm not down that street, next one....darn no.....next....wow there the truck!! I can see the mail person now......hi dave yep sign right here and print here....there you go."

Dave I am very happy that it has surpassed your expectations. That is an amazing piece of CRK history as you said.

Congrats brother...:thumbup:

 

[johnny_boy02]

I'm glad you got your knife!! Funny I bought my first CRK knife this week and it shipped out of OH as well. It also hit the W. Sacramento sorting facility the same time as yours and the local post office as well. It is "out for delivery" now and I have checked the mail about 10 times already today.

I'm pretty much bouncing off the walls.

 

[mikepapa1]

On a side note, if I ever decide to sell that 25 I will be able to hand it to you in person

More than looking forward to the in person part than the knife James!! It will be a pleasure to meet you in person 25 or no!!:thumbup:
All the best, your neighbor!!

 

[mikepapa1]

Glad you got your new baby safe and sound. Shipping it always stressful for me, about fifteen years ago a took a loss when I sent a knife overseas and it never showed up. USPS said that the local post refused the claim because I could not prove the package HADN'T been delivered, so tough luck. Been wary ever since and on the few occasions I have sold a knife across borders I have done so with the caveat that I would take no responsibility if it was lost.

Thanks James!! Yea I have shipped three knives out of the US.. on pins and needles the entire time!! (not counting the ones to my good friend's who have U.S. address and have them forwarded) I have unfortunately stopped doing so.. it is just to much of a pain it the buttocks..

 

[mikepapa1]

Below is the intention of my remark. It was very funny to me. Quoted from Bill.

"I can see dave right now....umm not down that street, next one....darn no.....next....wow there the truck!! I can see the mail person now......hi dave yep sign right here and print here....there you go."

Dave I am very happy that it has surpassed your expectations. That is an amazing piece of CRK history as you said.

Congrats brother...:thumbup:

lol lol lol!! okay now I get it!! Remember Andre I'm old.. and Bill was not wrong.. that's exactly how it was. I know her route from beginning to end.. so I kind of guess where she is on the route and start there! I only missed it by two blocks today!!
All the best, Dave

 

[Andre21]

lol lol lol!! okay now I get it!! Remember Andre I'm old.. and Bill was not wrong.. that's exactly how it was. I know her route from beginning to end.. so I kind of guess where she is on the route and start there! I only missed it by two blocks today!!
All the best, Dave

Old might not be the right word Dave; seasoned with a keen eye for the good stuff might be a better description...

Awaiting pics, can you hurry with the pics, did I mention we want to see some pics.

Sorry, it got away from me there for a second, pics please...

 

[mikepapa1]

I'm glad you got your knife!! Funny I bought my first CRK knife this week and it shipped out of OH as well. It also hit the W. Sacramento sorting facility the same time as yours and the local post office as well. It is "out for delivery" now and I have checked the mail about 10 times already today.

I'm pretty much bouncing off the walls.

Very Cool Johnny!! Welcome to "This Thing of Ours"!! Checked the mail box?? Get out there and hunt it down!!
All the best, Dave