USPS ruins a gem/ Davidssportscards

[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.

[kcohen]

Originally Posted by danmckee

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.

Hey Dan - Why would that method lessen the employee's temptation for mischief?

BTW - I owe you a ball game. Time to start checking the schedule.

Ken

[danmckee]

Hi Kenny!

You don't owe me a thing but it would be my pleasure to attend another game with you this year.

A registered package or even insured clues the employee in that something expensive is inside.

A priority package with just signature confirmation does not necessarily hold a valuable item.

Dan

[gnaz01]

Originally Posted by danmckee

and a 3rd party insurance

How does one go about getting this??

[bobbyw8469]

Registered is the safest way to mail. If you sent it Registered, the USPS KNOWS who stole your item, and that person is fired. The package is accounted for every step of the way.

[glchen]

Originally Posted by gnaz01

How does one go about getting this??

Maybe Dan is talking about Shipcover insurance through ebay?

One sad thing is I actually owned that card for a while once upon a time. not sure if others have ever felt bad if things like this happened to cards they once had.

[ooo-ribay]

I have heard trying to collect on insurance with the USPS is a nightmare. Good luck with this.

On the flip side, I once mailed an antique diamond brooch for like 88 cents in a small bubble mailer. It got there just fine. For the most part, I have a high regard for the USPS although I can't understand how they are bankrupt with the prices they charge.

[The Nasty Nati]

Sorry to hear about the Lou. Such a beautiful card.

Have to wonder if that damage would have happened had it been in an SGC case. In my opinion SGC is the closest thing to graded card kevlar. As seen in this youtube clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W41b2pyLKh4

But who knows, terrible handling from USPS. I hope you get refunded for your loss.

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

Originally Posted by The Nasty Nati

Sorry to hear about the Lou. Such a beautiful card.



Have to wonder if that damage would have happened had it been in an SGC case. In my opinion SGC is the closest thing to graded card kevlar. As seen in this youtube clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W41b2pyLKh4



But who knows, terrible handling from USPS. I hope you get refunded for your loss.

Ridiculous video

[prestigecollectibles]

I use these boxes for shipping cards by first class mail. They are strong and secure and they fit well in the Priority Mail flat rate envelopes too.

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by ooo-ribay

I have heard trying to collect on insurance with the USPS is a nightmare. Good luck with this.

On the flip side, I once mailed an antique diamond brooch for like 88 cents in a small bubble mailer. It got there just fine. For the most part, I have a high regard for the USPS although I can't understand how they are bankrupt with the prices they charge.

They're forced to contribute to their pension fund something like 75 years in advance...no one else is forced to do this, but one of our political parties hates the post office even though it's in our constitution.

And the post office prices still beat the heck out of UPS, DHL or FedEX. Try sending a letter for 44 cents with one of those companies.

[tschock]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

Try sending a letter for 44 cents with one of those companies.

I wouldn't try that for "44" cents with the USPS either.

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by tschock

I wouldn't try that for "44" cents with the USPS either.

Heh...49 cents. I had to look it up...all of my first class stamps are forever stamps that I bought years ago.

[samosa4u]

This thread got me thinking about one thing: what if the card had been in a Beckett holder, would it still have gotten damaged? I think you need a jackhammer to break it.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Wow, Dan. That's unsettling to hear about your experience with Registered Mail. While this method has been slow, sometimes costly and in one instance had a package go undelivered for a month, I always thought of it as being the height of safety.

Insofar as shipping slabs is concerned, I have had success in placing the slab between sheets of foam followed by either cardboard or lightweight wood on either side. Then, simply tape up on all sides and then place in the bubble mailer (and cover every square inch of the bubble mailer in shipping tape if you're using a Kraft mailer as opposed to poly).