What would you do in this instance please

[DICKTOWLE]

delilvery confirmation is the best always. Peter is correct, in fact we no longer insure- because you have to fight the US mail and prove value.

[slantycouch]

Originally Posted by DICKTOWLE

delilvery confirmation is the best always. Peter is correct, in fact we no longer insure- because you have to fight the US mail and prove value.

I've filed 3 insurance claims in the last 5 years and never had to fight. I provided detailed information and was compensated quickly in all 3 occasions.

I send everything with at least DC and insurance, and anything over 200 with insurance and signature confirmation.

[Tsaiko]

Originally Posted by slantycouch

I've filed 3 insurance claims in the last 5 years and never had to fight. I provided detailed information and was compensated quickly in all 3 occasions.

I send everything with at least DC and insurance, and anything over 200 with insurance and signature confirmation.

Wow three claims in 5 years. I assume that this represents a small percentage of your overall packages? Like maybe 3%? Knock on wood, I've never lost a package, but only have mailed about 100 packages in the last six years.
All I ask for is a tracking number & DC, which I believe is no more than an illusion that I have some protection. Like one up from nothing.

I used to insure all packages of value, but my philosophy has changed since the recession. Rightly or wrongly, I believe that insurance alerts those who would steal, to a target of interest. The USPS in my area now have clerks walking the line to recommend insurance, which I find annoying.

Could you reveal what "detailed information" you had to provide to be compensated? Scans of what was in the package? I mean, how can you prove what was in the package? This has always bothered me about postal insurance, they can always say "prove it" and how can you do that unless you have a clerk sign off on what was in the package? And make a video of him doing it, lol. I also assume that these were packages that weren't delivered, right? Lost?
What about a recipient's allegation that there wasn't anything in the package? Surely there isn't insurance for that, or is there?

Since 9/11 clerks now ask what is in the package and sometimes ask why I don't want insurance and, when it's cards, I always say it's just some art work copies with no value.

I'd really like to be convinced that postal insurance is anything more than another uncle sam scam, then I would buy it. Up until your story, I've only heard how difficult/impossible it is to collect on an insurance claim from the USPS.

[slantycouch]

The 3 claims were not baseball card related but limited edition art prints shipped in tubes. Each claim was in the $200-300 range, and was paid within a week by the USPS.

I ship probably 100-150 such items each year, and of the 3 claims I filed, two were for damage, and one was for a lost package. I shipped them all via PayPal click-n-ship, so the records were already online. Just had to go to the form here: http://www.usps.com/insuranceclaims/domestic.htm and completed the necessary information.

All I had to do was describe what was in the package. For the lost package, no photos were necessary. They never asked for further proof beyond the info I provided. For the two that were damaged, I provided a single photo for each showing the damage.

For value, there's a site a lot like VCP for art. I just pulled the 6-mo average price off that site and used it for replacement value.

[Tsaiko]

Originally Posted by slantycouch

The 3 claims were not baseball card related but limited edition art prints shipped in tubes. Each claim was in the $200-300 range, and was paid within a week by the USPS.

I ship probably 100-150 such items each year, and of the 3 claims I filed, two were for damage, and one was for a lost package. I shipped them all via PayPal click-n-ship, so the records were already online. Just had to go to the form here: http://www.usps.com/insuranceclaims/domestic.htm and completed the necessary information.

All I had to do was describe what was in the package. For the lost package, no photos were necessary. They never asked for further proof beyond the info I provided. For the two that were damaged, I provided a single photo for each showing the damage.

For value, there's a site a lot like VCP for art. I just pulled the 6-mo average price off that site and used it for replacement value.

Thanks for providing the details of your claims, I appreciate it. Perhaps I'll be a little less cynical in the future, but these successful claim outcomes are still the minority in my experience. I guess it's a little easier to prove damage than value of loss, but I'm happy to hear that you had your claims settled to your satisfaction.

[barrysloate]

I've made a few claims with the post office over the years and never had a problem. Some were slow, others were resolved more quickly, and once I had my shipping costs reimbursed even though I didn't request it. But they always came through. I would never send anything of value without insurance.

[smtjoy]

I have also had 4 sucessful claims with the USPS over the last 5 years and all were paid to me within 90 days.

[slantycouch]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

I've made a few claims with the post office over the years and never had a problem. Some were slow, others were resolved more quickly, and once I had my shipping costs reimbursed even though I didn't request it. But they always came through. I would never send anything of value without insurance.

Couldn't agree with you more.

[slantycouch]

Originally Posted by Tsaiko

Thanks for providing the details of your claims, I appreciate it. Perhaps I'll be a little less cynical in the future, but these successful claim outcomes are still the minority in my experience. I guess it's a little easier to prove damage than value of loss, but I'm happy to hear that you had your claims settled to your satisfaction.

Sure thing!

Don't get me wrong... I was thoroughly surprised each time when the claims were paid swiftly. But I'm not going to complain!

[Clutch-Hitter]

Where I'm from, that's theft and law enforcement should be involved. It's not a civil dispute if it happened the way it seems. Call your local enforcement for a report and then his also. Follow up with his local enforcement by sending them a copy of the police report.........

With all due respect Max, I don't see how it could be a crime as the scenario is now.

• tracking indicates it was delivered, then it was stolen from:
• the mailbox
• from the seller by the buyer via deception, etc

Also in reference to my jurisdiction, there is theft of lost property. If you're walking down the street, find a t206 and take it home, you will be charged with theft of lost property if you're caught with it because it's not your card. It should have been turned in. And believe me, it happens with other merchandise and people get caught.

I am selling some t206's now so please provide the buyer's user ID when you get a chance.

Also, if this happens again, force them to initiate a Paypal dispute. You should be covered because it showed delivered per USPS. It sound like the buyer was aware of this.

-Greg