USPS lost my card submission to SGC and denied my insurance claim

[C-mack]

They said they needed more proof of value ...I gave them pics of the cards in PSA holders ( was crossing them over) and VCP screen shots...

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by C-mack

They said they needed more proof of value ...I gave them pics of the cards in PSA holders ( was crossing them over) and VCP screen shots...

Why not submit records of your purchases? That's what they probably need.

[packs]

I'll never understand their stance on this crap. If they have questions about value, they should be asked at the time the insurance is purchased, not when there's a problem after the fact.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by packs

I'll never understand their stance on this crap. If they have questions about value, they should be asked at the time the insurance is purchased, not when there's a problem after the fact.

Not practical. Are you going to bring in your documentation to the post office every time you mail something, or have a review process every time you fill out a mail form online?

[C-mack]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Why not submit records of your purchases? That's what they probably need.

I did that this go around but didnt think it was necessary since they sold me insurance without me proving any of that amount and they were the ones who lost it

[jhs5120]

It’s absurd that USPS will sell you any amount of insurance, but only pays out on the purchase price. Send them receipts of the purchase price and hopefully they process. Good luck!

[D. Bergin]

So, if I understand this right, when you send in submissions to any grading company, because you are not actually selling or buying from them, if you don't have a previous purchase record, you are essentially out of luck if the package gets lost?

What about stuff that has been in your collection a long time, stuff from big group lots or collection purchases. Stuff you might have originally bought 20 years ago and didn't think there was a reason to keep the receipt on record?

Could you submit your submission form with estimated values?

[samosa4u]

What do you mean that your parcel was "lost in the building?" Was this inside a sorting place? What did it say on the USPS tracking?

[C-mack]

Originally Posted by samosa4u

What do you mean that your parcel was "lost in the building?" Was this inside a sorting place? What did it say on the USPS tracking?

The package made pass sorting and to the actual post office and scanned and marked ready to pick up but when SGC went they could not find the package ..there was a signature require but the clerk doesnt know where she put it or what happen after the scan ( her exact words)

[benjulmag]

I don't understand how the USPS can legally refuse to pay you for your declared value when they lost the item. The price you paid for the coverage was based on the declared value, so the cost you paid to buy the item(s) I would think would be irrelevant. Do they understand the item was lost, as opposed to damaged? The two are very different circumstances with the latter being the target of scam artists who insure junk for high amounts, then claim they were damaged in transit.

Is there any fine print to the coverage, and if so what does it say?

[PolarBear]

Originally Posted by benjulmag

The price you paid for the coverage was based on the declared value, so the cost you paid to buy the item(s) I would think would be irrelevant.

Bingo. In a just system, you buy x amount of insurance, and they lose it, then they pay x amount of insurance. The actual value of the item is irrelevant.

The whole "prove it" rigamarole is a dishonest tactic designed to avoid paying a good faith claim.

[Oscar_Stanage]

I am going to send in a stack of raw cards to SGC for grading. The total value will likely be between $2-$3k.

Should I send via USPS registered mail?
Do I need to take pictures of the cards I send as 'evidence' in case I need to file a claim? For cards purchased here and on FB groups via Paypal F&F, I don't think those transactions have receipts.

This will be my first submission, want to make sure I do this the right way.

Thank you

[frankbmd]

When shipping some old German china (older than most prewar baseball cards) I inquired about purchasing USPS insurance and about heaven forbid how to value the amount of insurance needed.

I was told at the post office that if I needed to file a claim for loss or breakage that an expert third party appraisal would be necessary to settle the claim. I was in northern Wisconsin at the time in a rural area that was not teeming with antique German china experts. Nor did I have any purchase record for the china which was my mother's and she had been dead for at least 5 years. Getting an appraisal in Chicago or Minneapolis was not a viable option so I shipped the well packed china and sent it without insurance in three separate lots. Once the first lot arrived safely, I shipped the second and then the third when the second arrived. This incident reinforced my opinions about the value of USPS insurance. It seems to be more of a feel good product for the sender, but watch out if there is a problem.

In your case the documentation on the cards in the PSA holders with your records of purchase prices, one would think, should suffice.

I wonder, if in light of the current scandal involving PSA, whether USPS no longer considers PSA a valid source to render a an expert third party appraisal.

Rick (buymycards on the forum), a retired postmaster, usually chimes in on this type of thread, but if I were you, I would reach out to him via PM on how to proceed at this point.

Good luck.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Why not submit records of your purchases? That's what they probably need.

That's not practical either.

Most of the cards I've sent in for grading were bought in the 1980's, and the more recent ones were either bargains, or given to me for having done some work.

So if they lost this one


I'd only get the $3 I probably spent on it and then only if I saved a receipt from 1983?

That's nonsense!

Graded cards have been around long enough that it's probably common for someone to have bought a card 10 years ago, and prices haven't stayed the same.

[BabyRuth]

I had a similar experience mailing to Boca. My package was listed as undeliverable even though SGC was a block from the Post Office. The Post Office said they were unable to find the package. I contacted SGC, and they found it at their facility after I gave them the tracking number. I think that too much sun in the Boca area is having a frying effect on people's brains.
Jim

[GaryPassamonte]

Steve- You would get the fair market value of the card based on recent sales, not the 40 year old purchase price. You would just have show this information to the Post Office and, of course, you would have to have insured it for that fair market value amount.

[C-mack]

Originally Posted by GaryPassamonte

Steve- You would get the fair market value of the card based on recent sales, not the 40 year old purchase price. You would just have show this information to the Post Office and, of course, you would have to have insured it for that fair market value amount.

VCP wasnt enough for them ...had to show the PayPal movement hoping that works

[Popcorn]

My 2 cents:

When using usps ONLY use REGISTERED MAIL on anything insured over 1k. Only the high end employees touch it and it’s always under lock and key.

I’ve never had a problem and have sent hundreds of packages this way (knock on wood)

The few times I’ve had to file a insurance claim with usps was using insured priority mail and they FOUGHT me every time.

Im 2 for 3 that way so keep at it and use Registered Mail only.

Good Luck!

Edit: the two times they approved my claim I had to go through appeals. They never approve the first time with a claim.

[Promethius88]

USPS insurance is horrible. I filed a claim and was denied because I couldn't verify the value. It was only $700 and it was for cards that I had for years and the value was actually much higher. The hoops they make you jump thru are asinine. Worst part....they know the package was lost but not only did they deny my insurance claim, they refused to refund the actual cost of the shipping for a package that didn't arrive. I was getting e-mails for months that they were still looking for the package. Now, the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow was that there was a packing slip inside the box so apparently it was opened and the package FINALLY got to it's intended location after a couple months. To this day, the tracking number still shows that it is "In Transit".

[jcmtiger]

Originally Posted by BabyRuth

I had a similar experience mailing to Boca. My package was listed as undeliverable even though SGC was a block from the Post Office. The Post Office said they were unable to find the package. I contacted SGC, and they found it at their facility after I gave them the tracking number. I think that too much sun in the Boca area is having a frying effect on people's brains.
Jim

I sent some cards to sgc last month. They said they could not deliver because no one was there, held for pickup. Luckily the next day they were received.

[RedsFan1941]

Originally Posted by steve B

That's not practical either.

Most of the cards I've sent in for grading were bought in the 1980's, and the more recent ones were either bargains, or given to me for having done some work.

So if they lost this one


I'd only get the $3 I probably spent on it and then only if I saved a receipt from 1983?

That's nonsense!

Graded cards have been around long enough that it's probably common for someone to have bought a card 10 years ago, and prices haven't stayed the same.

exactly what I was thinking