Unfriggin' Believable:

[Quiet]

Guys, it's 2014. It's time to stop shipping knives in goddamn envelopes. I have watched a ton of other buyers become victims when sellers send knives in an envelope, and it inevitably gets taken by some scumbag USPS employee.

Well, now it's my turn. If you're a knife seller, why would you leave yourself and your customer open to theft like that?? So, not knowing what else to do, I've contacted the seller of the knife (purchased here) to ask for a refund. I can't think of any other course of action. He sent me the knife First Class, in a bubble mailer. Who would do that? Seriously, WTF?

Guys, boxes are cheap. Sellers, if you don't want to spring for a box, start charging for shipping. Don't be like "Hey, free shipping!" and then send your shit First Class with no protection (there was no packing material of any kind in the envelope, just a slit in the side where the knife was removed).

I am livid, and am just venting, but come the eff on. If the seller chooses not to work with me, I will update with that seller's info at that time.

 

[TOMBSTONE]

I got a fixed blade shipped via bubble mailer from a dealer recently.Fortunately no theft or loss from envelope damage occurred. Boxes and plenty of tape are the way to go, anything less is not worth the headache for anyone involved.

 

[jujigatame]

Sorry to hear of getting an empty package. Was it insured?

Guys, boxes are cheap. Sellers, if you don't want to spring for a box, start charging for shipping. Don't be like "Hey, free shipping!" and then send your shit First Class with no protection

If you want to ship Priority Mail the boxes are better than cheap, they're free. Plus that postage comes for $50 built-in insurance. So tack on $6 to whatever you're selling and you've covered the cost of a box, a base level of insurance and 2-3 day service to pretty much anywhere in the US.

 

[Misanthropia]

The seller should certainly refund you, such carelessness cannot be your fault. It amazes me where people try and save their money. Reputation is EVERYTHING here so there is no reason, ever, to skimp on things.

I bid you good luck on your refund. Saving $2 or so to send first class in an envelope instead of in a FREE box Priority mail simply isn't worth it.

 

[Lycosa]

I was guilty of this but... I really wrapped the knife in many layers of plastic wrap.
BUT, from now on, I will use boxes.
Thanks.
rolf

 

[RustyHammer]

... I agree about the boxes, but, for what it's worth .. I've had boxes come that were crushed at look like they were damaged and contents missing. Maybe not as likely, but a thief is a thief. Insurance is the best protection in my book. Good luck!

 

[Quiet]

I am not sure at current whether or not the package was insured. There's no stamp or anything anywhere to suggest that there was. Also, the package was clearly mailed from a post office, as there's no printed out form taped to the envelope like most folks use from Paypal. I am going to give the seller until later tonight to respond before I open a Paypal transaction. The good news is that I never use Gift, so I should be covered. If the seller did not take out insurance (on a $90 knife), well, that's unfortunate. I won't sit here and badmouth the guy (especially as he has not responded), and honestly this post was made earlier when I was still livid. I'm down to a simmering irritation at this point, as it's my expectation that the seller will do the right thing. I guess I just want folks to understand that it's stupid to ship expensive knives in envelopes. The people that work at the post office are human like the rest of us, and some of them are scumbags. So, why make it easy for them? A knife is pretty damn obvious, and when you send it in an envelope, it's ripe for the plucking off the sorting line. So, smart people don't do it.

For the record? Everyone who has ever bought from me on this forum will tell you: I ship knives in boxes, period. I've sold cheap $20 folders with free shipping, and still I mailed it out in a small Priority box. Inside, the knife is bubble-wrapped within in an inch of its life. You could drop one of my packages from orbit, and after you dug it out of the crater, you'd still have your knife, ready to go. Not that hard to do.

 

[craytab]

That sucks Quiet but I am sure you will get your money back one way or another. I will say that I have shipped very inexpensive stuff in an envelope. We are talking <$20 items. I do tape the hell out of the outside though. Further, the item is so inexpensive it would not be worth it for me to even insure. Anything that is not worth insuring I am fully prepared to loose and reimburse the buyer without question.

 

[Quiet]

As an update, I am going to close this thread. The seller responded cordially, and is going to issue a refund. I have no enmity toward the seller, and as I said above, won't badmouth him (or say his name here, no need for a Bladeforums dogpiling*). He's stepping up, so I have no further cause for complaint.

But sellers: BOXES, they're a good idea. :thumbup:



*I do love those LOL