USPS ruins a gem/ Davidssportscards

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by phikappapsi

so... just got off the phone with Dave, sounds like he wants to talk to USPS and open a case with them. Asked me to wait 2 days to let him get that process started.

If it were you and you were sitting on a $2500 damage, would you wait the two days, or would you open a case right away if he doesn't issue an immediate refund?

How would you all handle? This is the first time I've actually had this happen so I'm a noob in the world of getting my money back

Since he got back to you and is only asking for a couple days I would give it to him.

[MyGuyTy]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Since he got back to you and is only asking for a couple days I would give it to him.

This^

Give him the benefit of the doubt to try and make it right with you. Then take it from there when he gets back to you.

[phikappapsi]

Originally Posted by MyGuyTy

This^

Give him the benefit of the doubt to try and make it right with you. Then take it from there when he gets back to you.

that's what I was thinking... I already sent photos through ebay messaging of the damage, and the guy has 10,000 positive feedback. I have to assume he's an upstanding guy and will get the refund issued.

[gregr2]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Since he got back to you and is only asking for a couple days I would give it to him.

I've never been in this situation, but this advice seems the most reasonable.

[Sean1125]

If he has done all he can to help you until a few days have passed, then accept the answer and wait a few days.

[quinnsryche]

That SUCKS! I can't believe a guy sent a $2500 card unprotected in a bubble mailer though. That's not a very intelligent way to ship a card like that. I ALWAYS put cardboard around ANY card I ship. Why risk it?

[sycks22]

I can echo what everyone is saying about using a small flat rate box. They're free and with some bubble wrap give some stability to the cards inside. I've had cards valued at more than the Gehrig shipped in a lot less and it's scary to open the package and see how many pieces the case is in.

[bobbyw8469]

That SUCKS! I can't believe a guy sent a $2500 card unprotected in a bubble mailer though. That's not a very intelligent way to ship a card like that. I ALWAYS put cardboard around ANY card I ship. Why risk it?

Agreed!! A card that expensive should have been sent in a small 8x6x4 box and sent Registered Mail. No if's, and's, or but's.

[Runscott]

...

[slidekellyslide]

That sucks...Who sends a $2500 card in a bubble mailer? That's sheer stupidity.

[Big Ben]

That is a shame. Hope everything works out for you.

[buymycards]

Hey guys, you need to remember everything is automated. These packages are handled by machines, sent down long chutes into hampers that are loaded with dozens and dozens of small packages. The machines are processing 1000's of packages per hour. The only time a human touches these packages is when they are handed to a clerk at the counter and when they are delivered by your carrier. The same goes for UPS and Fed Ex. In the last couple of days our PO has received items from both of those companies that were totally mangled because the packaging was cheap and flimsy.

If you have a slabbed card, which doesn't have any flexibility, you need to protect it. Plan on having this card sitting at the bottom of a hamper with 200 other small parcels sitting on top of it. Plan on having this card fall from a conveyor belt into a chute and landing at the bottom of a plastic hamper. Plan on having this package ferried in the belly of an airplane where the temp is well below zero. Plan on having this package riding in the back of a transport truck where the temp is 10 below zero and the roads are rough. Plan on having this parcel in the bottom of a mail carriers satchel with catalogs on top of it while he is walking his route. Don't be lazy. Don't be cheap. Package it correctly and it will get to it's destination every time.

Rick

[npa589]

Originally Posted by quinnsryche

That SUCKS! I can't believe a guy sent a $2500 card unprotected in a bubble mailer though. That's not a very intelligent way to ship a card like that. I ALWAYS put cardboard around ANY card I ship. Why risk it?

Seriously, I was shocked when this was stated. IF you choose to send an item valued this high in a bubble mailer, it takes 15 extra seconds to put between two cardboard pieces, and it is free as well. I put 10$ graded cards between 2 cardboard pieces. Over $250, I think that you simply have to put it in a box...

[Blitzu]

Looks like it got caught in one of the rollers, which if that was the case no piece of cardboard or anything short of steel would have protected it. I've worked around enough mail sorting facilities to see stuff like that happen from time to time. Anything caught in those gets instantly chewed up. A box is always a good way to go but I have seen those get flattened like a pancake too. Registered mail takes a lot longer and is handled completely separate from the general mail. Complete accountability along the way and a guarantee of arrival with insurance. It costs a pretty penny but if it's important that's how it should be sent.

[Steve D]

Originally Posted by Blitzu

Looks like it got caught in one of the rollers, which if that was the case no piece of cardboard or anything short of steel would have protected it. I've worked around enough mail sorting facilities to see stuff like that happen from time to time. Anything caught in those gets instantly chewed up. A box is always a good way to go but I have seen those get flattened like a pancake too.

+1

A few years ago, I won a 1933 Sport Kings Red Grange on ebay. When I got it in Texas (from Alaska), the package (one of the padded yellow bubble mailers) was mangled. I opened it up, and the card had been put between cardboard, and wrapped in bubblewrap. Even with that, the PSA holder was broken right across the card. Luckily, the card was undamaged, and PSA later regraded it at the same grade.

Just sayin' that with valuable cards, if you want it to get there undamaged, you have to start at the minimum with a box and plenty of bubblewrap, and if possible, plenty of styrofoam peanuts also.

Steve

[rjackson44]

Omg poor lou

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Blitzu

Registered mail takes a lot longer and is handled completely separate from the general mail. Complete accountability along the way and a guarantee of arrival with insurance. It costs a pretty penny but if it's important that's how it should be sent.

For high-value insured items, registered mail is actually the least expensive USPS alternative - for me, anything over $2K gets shipped registered.

As far as other thoughts regarding bubble-mailers, boxes, cardboard, etc., it's like anything else in business - cost vs risk. Business owners have to make these informed decisions. I can tell you for certain - if ten uninsured $50 slabbed cards in bubble mailers got eaten up by the rollers today, my decision to ship cheap slabbed cards that way would still have been a good financial one. But I don't sell such items anymore.

[danmckee]

Originally Posted by Runscott

For high-value insured items, registered mail is actually the least expensive USPS alternative - for me, anything over $2K gets shipped registered.

As far as other thoughts regarding bubble-mailers, boxes, cardboard, etc., it's like anything else in business - cost vs risk. Business owners have to make these informed decisions. I can tell you for certain - if ten uninsured $50 slabbed cards in bubble mailers got eaten up by the rollers today, my decision to ship cheap slabbed cards that way would still have been a good financial one. But I don't sell such items anymore.

I used to use registered USPS for expensive items then I had a box delivered empty and you could see the finger holes where the postal employee ripped it open. He knew something expensive was inside. Collectibles lost though insurance was paid. No investigation at all even though registered needs to be signed for by everyone that touches it.

Now it is priority with signature confirmation and a 3rd party insurance so that an employee is not tempted to steal it.

[autograf]

No question.....should have been in a box. Period. A $2.00 box with bubble wrap or cardboard around it may have spared this card.

[FrankWakefield]

x

[perezfan]

How could you NOT use a box for a card like that???

At a bare minimum it should be sandwiched between rigid cardboard within a bubble mailer. But even that's not worth the risk. I never understand how these sellers have such faith in minimal packaging.

Best of luck with your compensation!

[brianp-beme]

I mentioned previously that this was a 3 year old thread, but actually it is a 7 year old thread. My mistake.

Brian