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

[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)

[packs]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

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?

Uhhh, yeah, if it means getting my pay out when the item is lost. You're suggesting paying for insurance that doesn't really exist is more practical?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by packs

Uhhh, yeah, if it means getting my pay out when the item is lost. You're suggesting paying for insurance that doesn't really exist is more practical?

Lines can be long enough. Imagine if every person who sent an item insured had to show proof of value and the clerk had to go through an approval process while people stood there. Come on.

[packs]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Lines can be long enough. Imagine if every person who sent an item insured had to show proof of value and the clerk had to go through an approval process while people stood there. Come on.

Imagine losing a $5,000 card you insured because that service wasn't offered....

Solution seems pretty simple to me: honor your insurance or go through the steps you force people to go through after the fact before you sell it.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Lines can be long enough. Imagine if every person who sent an item insured had to show proof of value and the clerk had to go through an approval process while people stood there. Come on.

I had that years ago at UPS.

Two heavy items I figured would be cheaper that way.
One an old computer. old enough to be collectible, even in the horrible trash picked condition it was in. Missing drive, and a bit of hay where the drive should be.
The other a Victrola stand up model that had the base and record cabinet cut off. But it still worked.

I didn't want insurance.
Had to say what was in them.
Then open them up.
They rejected the computer since it wasn't in the original packaging.
Rejected the Victrola because "we don't accept antiques"
WT.... Neither had sold for more than their basic $100 coverage for loss. Which I don't believe they would have paid anyway.
Both were very well packed.

Took them to the post office, shipped no problem, and for less than UPS.

[Bicem]

Terrible. This is a big reason that I have a private insurance policy on my collection, covers in transit through the mail, no need to ever purchase USPS insurance.

[CTDean]

I have made two insurance claims in the last few years and was paid within a week both times. For proof of current value I downloaded a recent auction result or sale price of an item like my damaged piece. For ungraded cards it
might be a little tougher. Try to find sold cards that match your cards condition and for each cards value on the submission form.

Since your package was scanned at the Post Office and then went missing I
would also file a form with the USPS Postal Inspectors in D.C. The forms are
available on their website. Postal Inspectors will forward your complaint to
the Postmaster at the site of the lost package and he will have some paperwork to do. This has worked for me three times when carriers failed to
scan an insured package upon delivery.

[C-mack]

Originally Posted by CTDean

I have made two insurance claims in the last few years and was paid within a week both times. For proof of current value I downloaded a recent auction result or sale price of an item like my damaged piece. For ungraded cards it
might be a little tougher. Try to find sold cards that match your cards condition and for each cards value on the submission form.

Since your package was scanned at the Post Office and then went missing I
would also file a form with the USPS Postal Inspectors in D.C. The forms are
available on their website. Postal Inspectors will forward your complaint to
the Postmaster at the site of the lost package and he will have some paperwork to do. This has worked for me three times when carriers failed to
scan an insured package upon delivery.

I talked to the internal affairs office in Miami who opened a case since a clerk scanned the package who then got in touch with the person in charge , he searched the building and told me "sorry but I have no clue where it went" and to just check my mail daily incase its returned / file the claim. I also filed a lost mail case since they said that could help

[AGuinness]

Originally Posted by Bicem

Terrible. This is a big reason that I have a private insurance policy on my collection, covers in transit through the mail, no need to ever purchase USPS insurance.

My collection is small, the total value is very modest and I only sell a few cards a year. However, I got an insurance policy, which covers mailing items (as long as I get the signature with it) and the cost for the policy is basically equal to adding insurance on a decent value card through the USPS once. Plus I get the coverage if I take cards to a show/shop, buy cards at a show/shop and while they are stored at home.

[Jobu]

I would also think that one of the many dealers/auction houses on Net54 would be able to write you an official letter giving appraised values for your cards, graded or not. That might be enough. I don't like using the purchase price unless you have to - what if you got a good deal or bought something before it appreciated?

[Exhibitman]

I am really sorry you are experiencing this. FWIW, the next time you send something expensive, go with Registered Mail rather than insurance. It covers $50K in value. The postal inspector will go absolutely ape-shit when a Registered Mail piece goes missing because it is supposed to be signed for in all transitions and checked in and stored under lock and key when not out for delivery. When a Registered Mail piece is lost whoever signed for it last is likely to get fired for losing it.

I mention this because I had a T206 Young portrait go missing in transit last year. The seller sent it via Registered Mail due to value. I went to get it at the post office listed on the notice (the one that stores Registered Mail for the area) and there was no card. I chased down the carrier who swore that he had turned it into the post office on the notice when I was not there to sign for it. I then went to the main branch post office here in Burbank, where the mail carrier was assigned, and filed a claim. The postmaster in Burbank called me immediately and jumped on the investigation quicker than I have ever seen the post office move on anything else that got lost. Turned out this moron probie mail carrier left me a notice to pick up my card at the Registered Mail post office but left it at the Burbank main post office instead. I got my card in the end because it was Registered Mail.

[Directly]

Originally Posted by Bicem

Terrible. This is a big reason that I have a private insurance policy on my collection, covers in transit through the mail, no need to ever purchase USPS insurance.

I also purchased a private insurance policy to cover some items I took to the National--since homeowners will only cover x amount!

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by 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".

I’m in complete agreement. Now if I was a postal employee looking for a box to make vanish (so to speak), would I choose a small flat rate priority box or would I choose a small flat rate box with an insurance sticker on it. Since I share your opinion of USPS insurance, I tend to send some higher end cards without insurance of any kind and no insured sticker therefore and have never had a problem. If the value on the contents represented a loss that I couldn’t absorb, then I would go the registered mail route. Am I crazy to think that an insured package is not an invitation to “Take Me”?

[samosa4u]

Originally Posted by C-mack

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)

Was there any label on the package that said "sports cards?" Also, was the value stated on the label?

[C-mack]

Originally Posted by samosa4u

Was there any label on the package that said "sports cards?" Also, was the value stated on the label?

Nope used a Priority flat rate box...with only addresses marked with no mention of value

[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

[BruceinGa]

I would send it USPS Registered with insurance. You must use gummed brown paper tape on all seams of the box.
You could send it Priority but for me Registered is just a little "safer".

[cardsagain74]

I don't get any of these POVs saying "use a purchase receipt" to prove the value of cards. Not only does the purchase price have nothing to do with what something's worth now, but naturally some people have had their cards for many, many years (or even since childhood), and would never have such a receipt.

I'm not sure what the best answer is for these insurance claims spots, but needing the proof of purchase is one of the worst. If the post office can't use info like VCP as a good enough indication of something's value, then they shouldn't offer insurance at all

[CobbSpikedMe]

Originally Posted by cardsagain74

I don't get any of these POVs saying "use a purchase receipt" to prove the value of cards. Not only does the purchase price have nothing to do with what something's worth now, but naturally some people have had their cards for many, many years (or even since childhood), and would never have such a receipt.

I'm not sure what the best answer is for these insurance claims spots, but needing the proof of purchase is one of the worst. If the post office can't use info like VCP as a good enough indication of something's value, then they shouldn't offer insurance at all

I agree here. I have exactly zero receipts for any of my cards. Of course I don't have any really large value cards for which I may have asked for a receipt but still. If the PO sells you insurance for a certain amount and they lose the damn package then they should suck it up and pay out. Whoa, I got a little heated there for a second. Sorry.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by BruceinGa

I would send it USPS Registered with insurance. You must use gummed brown paper tape on all seams of the box.
You could send it Priority but for me Registered is just a little "safer".

For those who may not have used "gummed brown paper tape" before, here is a link to Staples.com where it can be bought:

https://www.staples.com/Staples-Stan...product_468231

If you're in the store, ask (or look) for "water-activated" tape.

Lastly, be sure to cover all seams. To make it easy, think of taping the corners and edge of the box like you are wrapping a gift.

[chalupacollects]

Originally Posted by Wid_Conroy

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

I've always sent via Overnight Express via USPS insured with no problem, so like to PSA it goes to a PO Box or SGC to their office so not so many hands touch it. Though these days, might revert to Registered Mail as its seems "lost package" threads seem to be rising...

Also would be interested in hearing what company people are using for privat insurance? Chubb? I remember another that also does sportscards but can't remember name...