Anyone lose a package through PSA?

[jezzeaepi]

"I thought PSA directed that Fed Ex packages be sent to a Fed Ex location to be held for pickup, not directly to their offices."

This is true if you send it via Air shipping, but if you send it ground it goes to a different address. Since I live on the west coast, I just sent it ground since it would get there in 3 days anyways.

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by jezzeaepi

"I thought PSA directed that Fed Ex packages be sent to a Fed Ex location to be held for pickup, not directly to their offices."

This is true if you send it via Air shipping, but if you send it ground it goes to a different address. Since I live on the west coast, I just sent it ground since it would get there in 3 days anyways.

You should know that FedEx and FedEx Ground are two distinct divisions, albeit, owned by the same company. They have different drivers, and different rules for those drivers. FedEx drivers are employees of FedEx and are required to follow specific company rules, especially concerning drop-offs. FedEx Ground was a corporate acquisition a few years back. (Used to be RPS.) Their drivers are NOT FedEx employees. They are independent contractors. They are NOT required to follow all of the same rules. (They also do not receive the same compensation!) They are paid by the package and hence, tend to "drop and run" a lot more.

This arrangement saves FedEx money, but causes you problems. It has been the cause of several lawsuits.

[jezzeaepi]

Thanks for the information Jim. I had hoped that I could send the package through UPS, because they have a whole special system for packages with declared values over $1000. Every driver is personally responsible for these high value packages, and consequently they never get lost(I used to work at a place that shipped hundereds of UPS packages a day). I was pretty shocked to find that Fedex doesn't do something similar. As JohnnyHarmonica posted though, if its not insured, then you dont get the special treatment.

[shaunsteig]

Interesting story, thanks for sharing. I've always been a long-time fan of FedEx over UPS, mostly for convenience reasons (FedEx more willing to pick-up, easier to find drop-off FedEx service centers), service (much much better support with delivering packages requiring signatures when I'm not home during weekdays -- which for me is alway), and cost (FedEx has discount with my Amex card).

I recently sent my first submission to PSA and used FedEx. But I discovered that they won't insure collectibles such as baseball cards for more than $1000. The explanation that the service center offered was that they can't be certain of the box's contents and value, especially for such condition-sensitive items. There are many other types of items, besides collectibles, for which they also limit the insurance. Can't say that I found the explanation satisfying, but anyway it's worth keeping that limitation in mind. Next time I submitted, I sent it USPS so that I could insure it for the full amount.

[egbeachley]

Originally Posted by shaunsteig

. The explanation that the service center offered was that they can't be certain of the box's contents and value, especially for such condition-sensitive items. .

That sounds ridiculous. While the statement may be true, if you pay for $5K of insurance you should get $5k back if lost.

[buymycards]

This is from the Fed Ex website.
Shipments (packages or freight) containing all or part of the following items are limited to a maximum declared value of US$1,000:
Artwork, including any work created or developed by the application of skill, taste or creative talent for sale, display or collection. This includes, but is not limited to, items (and their parts) such as paintings, drawings, vases, tapestries, limited-edition prints, fine art, statuary, sculpture and collector's items.
Film, photographic images (including photographic negatives), photographic chromes and photographic slides.
Any commodity that by its inherent nature is particularly susceptible to damage or the market value of which is particularly variable or difficult to ascertain.
Antiques, or any commodity that exhibits the style or fashion of a past era and whose history, age or rarity contributes to its value. These items include, but are not limited to, furniture, tableware and glassware.
Glassware, including, but not limited to, signs, mirrors, ceramics, porcelains, china, crystal, glass, framed glass, and any other commodity with similarly fragile qualities.
Plasma screens.
Jewelry, including, but not limited to, costume jewelry, watches and their parts, mount gems or stones (precious or semiprecious), industrial diamonds, and jewelry made of precious metal.
Furs, including, but not limited to, fur clothing, fur-trimmed clothing and fur pelts.
Precious metals, including, but not limited to, gold and silver bullion or dust, precipitates, or platinum (except as an integral part of electronic machinery).
Stocks, bonds, cash letters or cash equivalents, including, but not limited to, food stamps, postage stamps (not collectible), traveler's checks, lottery tickets, money orders, gift cards and gift certificates, prepaid calling cards (excluding those that require a code for activation), bond coupons, and bearer bonds.
Collector's items such as coins, stamps, sports cards, souvenirs and memorabilia.

[jezzeaepi]

So what of value is there to ship that isn’t on that list? No art, no jewelry, nothing with "fragile qualities," no gems, no precious metals, no antiques, no collectibles, and no papers that have value associated with them. That leaves clothing, and durable electronics? I guess I’ll just go with USPS next time.

I think it’s silly that certain items are excluded. If they sell you the insurance, then they should be on the hook for the value of the insurance that they sold you. I find it especially irritating in my case because I told them exactly what was in my package, and exactly how much I wanted to insure it for. I can understand that they don’t want to be on the hook for fragile items that are packed incorrectly, but just about anything can be packaged safely for shipment if you know what you’re doing.