What is the best way to ship a $5000+ custom knife?

One craftsman I know...who does a lot of expensive sales and mailings...advised me that he always uses UPS and FED EX...and NEVER USPS.
I just screwed up and dropped a USPS package into a FED EX drop-box...(a month ago) and the tracking number keeps saying that USPS can expect it to arrive there "soon" for shipping. But, is doesn't seem to have arrived. FED EX told me "T.S." and they don't have it, and their drop-boxes are checked every day. Obviously, USPS doesn't have it either.
So, I guess I'm out the cost of the knife (about $200) even though I have a tracking number on the package... It was a pre-paid USPS return shipping label.
Yeah, I know it was my fault...stupid error and all that...
Both USPS and FED EX say I should put a claim on the other guy...whatever good that would do.
And...if you do submit a claim...in my case won't do any good...you must have proof of what the item cost originally, such as a sales receipt...which I do have...
 
I'm most comfortable with USPS Registered, I've shipped a lot of knives over $1000, up to $5,000 that way. I did have one shipment that the buyer wanted overnight and was willing to pay, I think it was about $125.00 with $20,000 insurance, worked out fine, thank goodness!!
 
Another vote for Registered with insurance. That is the way a lot of the dealers in the antique knife trade go, and you seldom hear of problems other than it being a bit slow. It is by far the most formal and serious I've seen postal workers be when delivering packages.
 
Yes -

"Registered Mail
Get maximum security for your valuable items. Registered Mail items can be insured for up to $50,000 at your Post Office."

www.usps.com/ship/insurance-extra-services.htm .

You don't hear about it as much because of the extra cost and handling requirements on both the sender and the USPS. For instance, a postal worker must inspect the box, it should be a plain heavy brown box, and it has to be sealed with a special wide, brown reenforced tape like -

www.walmart.com/ip/Duck-Reinforced-Gummed-Paper-Tape-2-75-in-x-375-ft-Tan-1-Count/34764004 .

That type of tape shows signs of tampering easily, so I guess that's why they use it.
 
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Win Heger said:
I'm most comfortable with USPS Registered, I've shipped a lot of knives over $1000, up to $5,000 that way. I did have one shipment that the buyer wanted overnight and was willing to pay, I think it was about $125.00 with $20,000 insurance, worked out fine, thank goodness!!
Click to expand...

^ Thanks for sharing this. It's nice seeing further evidence that the USPS Registered mail option, works so well. :thumbsup:

tltt said:
Yes -

"Registered Mail
Get maximum security for your valuable items. Registered Mail items can be insured for up to $50,000 at your Post Office."

www.usps.com/ship/insurance-extra-services.htm .

You don't hear about it as much because of the extra cost and handling requirements on both the sender and the USPS. For instance, a postal worker must inspect the box, it should be a plain heavy brown box, and it has to be sealed with a special wide, brown reenforced tape like -

www.walmart.com/ip/Duck-Reinforced-Gummed-Paper-Tape-2-75-in-x-375-ft-Tan-1-Count/34764004 .

That type of tape shows signs of tampering easily, so I guess that's why they use it.
Click to expand...

^ Thanks for the heads up regarding the, "Duck reinforced tape." That's a excellent suggestion, when shipping any high dollar item! :thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
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