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USPS Has failed me (buyer) word of caution to all sellers! LONG (sorry).
- Thread starter jealous57
- Start date
Right? Come to think of it I did just receive a WC Umnumzaan ... and I am fairly certain that was in a padded mailer as well!
To everyone else, I thank you for the understanding, and tbh, $55 is nothing really.... it is the principle behind it that bothers me more than anything else.
This is just.... I don't even know what to say here honestly. As I stated, the flap was cleanly ripped off there was no other damage and the box inside containing the knife was opened. It was a carbon fiber scaled knife, with a limited edition numbered printing. If nothing else it LOOKED valuable. The actual value has nothing to do with the issue.
Going thru the same thing. Bought a two pound knife and it was shipped in a bubble mailer. Got the empty envelope with a plastic bag saying, " sorry, we tried our best" logo. It's been three weeks now and no word from the PO on whether its been found.
Paid via PayPal G&S, so I'm pretty sure that if I start the process, the seller refunds my money and then files with PayPal and they'll refund his money, not the USPS. I'll find out next week I guess.
Paid via PayPal G&S, so I'm pretty sure that if I start the process, the seller refunds my money and then files with PayPal and they'll refund his money, not the USPS. I'll find out next week I guess.
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- Jun 16, 2003
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- 20,207
PayPal makes the seller good when his item is lost in delivery?
Peter Hartwig
Gold Member
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- Feb 29, 2008
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- 5,799
It's exactly why I don't ever mail in a bubble mailer. I'm stunned when I buy knives from here or from a dealer and they send them in a mailer. There is no protection in those either from damage to the box (which is important as a collector) or from the USPS apparently
A most unfortunate set of circumstances. I am sorry for your loss.
All I would like to say is that you are a gentleman for not holding the seller liable and accepting the loss yourself.
It is members like you who make this forum such a great place.
Well done Sir. 😎
All I would like to say is that you are a gentleman for not holding the seller liable and accepting the loss yourself.
It is members like you who make this forum such a great place.
Well done Sir. 😎
Monofletch
Gold Member
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- Jan 14, 2010
- Messages
- 10,482
Why not just put it in a plain white envelope with a stamp and hope for the best!
I will share a tip I got from a former Postal Employee who has had lots of problems/experience working/shipping items via USPS:
"If It Fits It Ships" Flat Rate Box (when possible) with full regulation packing tape. If possible securing the item inside to a inside wall with tape. So nothing moves/rattles around. Click & Ship not insured, with email notifications. He claims insurance can lead to a scam. I am not sure about that, but I see the thought.
Use a cross cut shredder to fill interior. <---You can actually skip this step along as you utilize the next step.
Make sure you keep some scraps of shredded paper to throw under the tape you use to seal the outside & have some scraps hanging on through the creases of the box/package. "Inspectors who see are less likely to open it due to it likely making a mess on their work area".
If you are shipping from a small business or custom product, IF possible, use a Generic Name or Friend or Spouse name. Some Postal Workers may actually know or Google who "Butch Ball Custom Knives" is. Imagine the OP scenario with some sorta of high end custom! Easy as that, everyone has a problem.
"If It Fits It Ships" Flat Rate Box (when possible) with full regulation packing tape. If possible securing the item inside to a inside wall with tape. So nothing moves/rattles around. Click & Ship not insured, with email notifications. He claims insurance can lead to a scam. I am not sure about that, but I see the thought.
Use a cross cut shredder to fill interior. <---You can actually skip this step along as you utilize the next step.
Make sure you keep some scraps of shredded paper to throw under the tape you use to seal the outside & have some scraps hanging on through the creases of the box/package. "Inspectors who see are less likely to open it due to it likely making a mess on their work area".
If you are shipping from a small business or custom product, IF possible, use a Generic Name or Friend or Spouse name. Some Postal Workers may actually know or Google who "Butch Ball Custom Knives" is. Imagine the OP scenario with some sorta of high end custom! Easy as that, everyone has a problem.
Gastonknife
Gold Member
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- Dec 15, 2008
- Messages
- 2,016
Would be interesting to see a picture of the said envelope in question.
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- Jun 16, 2003
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I had a seller in Finland send me a knife that way. The sheath alone arrived. He proposed to return 25% of my payment.
Peter Hartwig
Gold Member
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- Feb 29, 2008
- Messages
- 5,799
Some more thoughts:
There are 2 types of bubble wrap envelopes. The paper wrap seem rather flimsy while the plastic wrap seem strong. In this case it would seem the item was stolen rather than the envelope failed. The method of shipment just gave USPS the loophole to get out of payment. I still would use boxes for all my items sold in the secondary market. I don't care to take the loss on the small volume of business I do, if I can avoid it. Dealers on the other hand have high volume and the savings by sending in bubble wrap envelopes vs priority box could be substantial. They usually don't insure either.
As for nobody would bother to steal a $55 item- They didn't know it was a $55 when in the envelope. Not sure it mattered anyway. I have had a qt. of oil stolen from my truck. Thieves steal.
I have to say the shreds of paper showing from the box(mentioned earlier) is a unique idea that I had never heard of-that could really work.
There are 2 types of bubble wrap envelopes. The paper wrap seem rather flimsy while the plastic wrap seem strong. In this case it would seem the item was stolen rather than the envelope failed. The method of shipment just gave USPS the loophole to get out of payment. I still would use boxes for all my items sold in the secondary market. I don't care to take the loss on the small volume of business I do, if I can avoid it. Dealers on the other hand have high volume and the savings by sending in bubble wrap envelopes vs priority box could be substantial. They usually don't insure either.
As for nobody would bother to steal a $55 item- They didn't know it was a $55 when in the envelope. Not sure it mattered anyway. I have had a qt. of oil stolen from my truck. Thieves steal.
I have to say the shreds of paper showing from the box(mentioned earlier) is a unique idea that I had never heard of-that could really work.
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Esav Benyamin
MidniteSuperMod
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- Apr 6, 2000
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- 90,915
Thieves steal. My first postal service supervisor was caught stealing by the Postal Inspectors. He had slipped ordinary letters from the mail stream into his pocket, dumped them in his locker, and periodically went through them and took anything valuable. The Inspectors watched him and filmed all this from the galleries overhead.
Monofletch
Gold Member
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- Jan 14, 2010
- Messages
- 10,482
Move on to my mail route - I will take care of you! I have a lot of pride in what I do and my customers are happy........I hope!
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2003
- Messages
- 20,207
Office of the Inspector General, USPS
"During the reporting period from October 2014 through September 2015, OIG special agents conducted 1,607 internal mail theft investigations, resulting in 493 arrests, 1,220 administrative actions, and approximately $478,000 in monetary benefit for the Postal Service."
"During the reporting period from October 2014 through September 2015, OIG special agents conducted 1,607 internal mail theft investigations, resulting in 493 arrests, 1,220 administrative actions, and approximately $478,000 in monetary benefit for the Postal Service."
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2014
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- 5,878
Totally agree...and I've seen priority boxes cut open as well with the hole just big enough for the item, I.e. blade, to "fall out". Some people will steal anything of value given the right circumstances.
exactly what I was thinking.I received a letter today from the Albany District Consumer & Industry Contact Manager, who funny, I have known forever (husband of my childhood babysitter, lol). He wouldn't know me though. Doesn't change the outcome at all, but it says the clueless people I have dealt with were spoken to.
Gastonknife - It was a pretty thick mailer. The pictures I took of it aren't very good. They are still rubberbanded in the "sorry" baggie. The second pic, it appears the box is too big for the package, this was not the case. I pushed it up to show the contents were missing from the box. I didn't want to open it just in case "they" tried to claim I was lying. I wanted it to be as I received it.
I wasn't going to mention this, but a couple people have mentioned that the seller should have refunded me and then he should have been the one to fight the P.O.. The seller did in fact offer a refund as soon as I told him and sent him pictures. Seeing the shipping weight on the receipt he emailed me when he sent it and looking at the weight of the knife. I confirmed he did in fact ship the knife. This wasn't my fault nor his. I wouldn't have felt right taking a refund. I have maintained contact with him throughout the whole process. Upon telling him the final decision and prior to posting the OP he sent me $25 through PayPal. I felt this was an awesome move on his part.
Steven65 I thank thank you for the praise and without naming the seller wanted him to know that he is one of the members that makes this an awesome place as well!
I received a knife today (Opinel No. 7 children's knife for my daughter) from Blade HQ.... bubble mailer, may have even been a plastic bag lol.
Gastonknife - It was a pretty thick mailer. The pictures I took of it aren't very good. They are still rubberbanded in the "sorry" baggie. The second pic, it appears the box is too big for the package, this was not the case. I pushed it up to show the contents were missing from the box. I didn't want to open it just in case "they" tried to claim I was lying. I wanted it to be as I received it.
I wasn't going to mention this, but a couple people have mentioned that the seller should have refunded me and then he should have been the one to fight the P.O.. The seller did in fact offer a refund as soon as I told him and sent him pictures. Seeing the shipping weight on the receipt he emailed me when he sent it and looking at the weight of the knife. I confirmed he did in fact ship the knife. This wasn't my fault nor his. I wouldn't have felt right taking a refund. I have maintained contact with him throughout the whole process. Upon telling him the final decision and prior to posting the OP he sent me $25 through PayPal. I felt this was an awesome move on his part.
Steven65 I thank thank you for the praise and without naming the seller wanted him to know that he is one of the members that makes this an awesome place as well!
I received a knife today (Opinel No. 7 children's knife for my daughter) from Blade HQ.... bubble mailer, may have even been a plastic bag lol.