USPS Shipping Rant

[lptools]

Hello, All. My brother-in-law was visiting from Florida a couple weeks ago, and found a nice Gerstner 11 drawer box full of tools for $190.00. We took out all of the steel, and packed it into 2 Flat Rate Boxes. I wrapped the Gerstner box in 2 layers of 1/8" foam, then set the box into a heavy shipping box with 4 layers of bubble wrap,at top, at bottom, and at sides . Any voids were filled with foam peanuts. I felt that all of this was overkill, but I was wrong.We placed another box over the first box, so we had double layers of cardboard all the way around. The shipping box was damaged, as well as the Gerstner box. After seeing the photos,it looked like it was either dropped, or thrown from a truck to the ground. We did not buy additional insurance, but we had the automatic $100.00 coverage with Priority Mail. We figured that was fair, the money would cover the cost of repairs.What we did not know, is that you have to surrender the item to collect the insurance. So, the item was kept, and repaired, with zero satisfaction from the Post Office.I have probably shipped a couple thousand items with the Post Office, with no damage. Up until now, I did not understand the terms of a claim on an insured item.Regards, Lou

[Papaw]

I can't relate, because I have never had a shipment damaged, coming or going.

[amecks]

Is it $100 coverage for Priority Mail?  I thought it was $50, unless you paid for more.  That's a shame about the damage and the "surrender" terms.  I also was unaware of that condition.
Al

[lptools]

Hello, Al. I am pretty sure the current coverage for Priority is the $100.00. Papaw, as I said, I have shipped thousands of packages without incident. Sadly, the first damage claim was with a package shipped to a family member. I believe my previous success rate was due to my diligence in proper packaging.The amount of damage this time was uncalled for, and the co-operation from the Post Office was unacceptable. There were also FRAGILE GLASS stickers on all 4 sides of the box, and the top. I also wanted others to be aware of how the Post Office insurance claims system works. Respectfully, Lou

[Spartan-C]

I can understand if it passed thru Houston, Texas postal center.   I think they have gorillas throwing that stuff around.  Maybe during football season, guys seeing how far a box can be thrown.
But if you see the conveyor/handling equipment that does the sorting, I can understand how packages get damaged. Packages pass thru on this conveyor equipment at supersonic speeds. When it hits a certain scanner that picks up the bar code, a flapper flips out to divert the box onto another conveyor at supersonic speeds.  The side rails on these conveyors are only about 10-12" tall. A much taller box, that its center of gravity, is higher than the side rail, over the side it goes.  And depending on where this happens, the conveyor can be as high as 10 foot above the floor, maybe even higher!
So far, I've been lucky on receiving the two Gerstner boxes I've received over the years. Boxes looked like they were in a crash derby on the way to my house.  I always make sure the contents is insured for the full amount.
Ken

[Lostmind]

Every time I mail a priority package , usually 4 times a week , they tell me it comes with $50 insurance and ask if I want more.
Doesn't matter which of the two I use , it's every time.
Someone at your post office isn't doing their job.
thousands of packages , none lost or damaged-----Yet

[international3414]

had one usps go missing,filed claim ,recouped $$$

[lptools]

Maybe I am eligible for the $100.00 coverage because it is through ebay, and I pay online, and print my labels from home.

Package DetailsPrint a packing slip
Carrier:
USPS selected as a carrier option.Press enter and then tab to change selection.
Service:
[ Compare delivery services ]
Priority Mail® (1-3 days) - Small Flat Rate Box
Up to 70 pounds in USPS-supplied small box: 8-5/8 x 5-3/8 x 1-5/8 inches
Additional Options
Add Signature Confirmation™ (US $2.55) Help
Add insurance (Cost varies based on package value)
More infoWith Priority Mail® you get USPS Insurance up to $100 free.
Package contains mailable hazardous materials. Learn more.
Print SKU/order number on label
Mailing date

[Lostmind]

Maybe I am eligible for the $100.00 coverage because it is through ebay, and I pay online, and print my labels from home.

Package DetailsPrint a packing slip
Carrier:
USPS selected as a carrier option.Press enter and then tab to change selection.
Service:
[ Compare delivery services ]
Priority Mail® (1-3 days) - Small Flat Rate Box
Up to 70 pounds in USPS-supplied small box: 8-5/8 x 5-3/8 x 1-5/8 inches
Additional Options
Add Signature Confirmation™ (US $2.55) Help
Add insurance (Cost varies based on package value)
More infoWith Priority Mail® you get USPS Insurance up to $100 free.
Package contains mailable hazardous materials. Learn more.
Print SKU/order number on label
Mailing date

That's new to me , I don't use ebay. I guess that's a perk.

[Ken W.]

I ship 98% thru the USPS. I feel when you put all the fragile and glass stickers on the package , it means throw them around and drop them to the workers.  I sell trapping supplies and I shipped out a 1 oz  bottle of skunk essence . It was in a wax sealed bottle , zip locked , vacuum sealed , wrapped in bubble wrap and covered in newspaper with packing tape. Then put into a Priority box. I've shipped these hundreds of these. It supposedly broke open and stunk up the truck. They wanted me to pay clean up cost. I drove to the main PO hub to look at my package. It had fork lift tire tracks on the box and squashed flat. I took some pics and went to management with my pics. I got them to pay for my product and they had to cover clean up. It had a hazmat sticker on the box. I also brought with me another box I packaged up and asked them to brake it in front of me. They declined. It was carelessness and I think it's a chronic thing there. 

[Spartan-C]

I could have a field day with a 1 oz bottle of skunk essences!

[J.A.F.E.]

It's not just USPS. UPS does stuff like that too. A friend of mine had a large framed picture (about 60 x 40) shipped from New Mexico to LA. He goes to his porch one day and the box along with a large hole, apparently made by a forklift tine, is leaning against his door. He calls UPS to cmplain and they claim he had accepted it. Someone had forged his signature on the little device they use.

Because someone "signed" for it UPS didn't want to accept liability saying he did the damage after he received the box. It's only because he had a very good lawyer he was able to recover the damage and it was an expensive piece of art with a very expensive frame.

Needless to say his UPS driver did not get a Christmas gift that year.

[lptools]

Hello, Guys. Thanks for all of the replies/stories. Sadly, I am not the only one whose packages have taken a hit along the way. Regards, Lou

[turnnut]

 Hi Lou,  a few years back, I sold a vintage Briggs & Stratton round thermometer on  e-bay, I had stated that I would only ship it by priority mail with insurance,
 
after it was shipped, I could not rest until I heard from the buyer, he had sent me an e-mail that it arrived safely and thanked me for the great packing.

 I had packed it with bubble wrap and plastic peanuts, then I found the right size outer box, I had saved a pile of egg cartons and only used the bottom half, lining the bottom ,sides  and top. they act as bumpers.

 Frank

[p_toad]

at least they don't kick around my ammo boxes....