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The Usps and I are going at it tommorrow..

It takes a lot to Pi** me off, But the Post Office has did just that !
Last week I get a E-mail from a buyer of mine that he has not received a card, So I check the Del Conf. and it still says the same thing as it did when I first printed it out.
So I go to the P.O where I mailed it from to see if it might be there, No Luck, They say just give it a few days and it should turn up at the buyers address.
So, A few days pass and it does show up, Not at the buyers house but mine ! The Bubble Mailer has been ripped or cut open and the Paypal invoice is taped to the outside.
And the icing on the cake is.........There is no friggin card inside ! The mailing label on front of the package is missing, So if they had to open it to get the address then where is my friggin card !
Will they refund me on something like this ??image
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Comments

  • That's crazy. I hope it gets resolved in your favor.
    3000 Hit CLub signed ball - 8/19 Living Members
    image

    Successful Deals: tennesseebanker, jvette,
  • yankeeno7yankeeno7 Posts: 9,248 ✭✭✭
    Ouch! That hurts! Going at it with the post office and federal government are basically the same (since they are the same) and more than likely be out of luck. Sorry to hear about this. It's really disconcerning.
  • Was your package insured?
  • tennesseebankertennesseebanker Posts: 5,433 ✭✭✭
    I dont see how they can say they wernt negligent here, The card never reached it's destination, So someone who works for them has to have the card.
    I didnt get a $20 card insured,but still, If I pay someone to deliver something for me and they Fock it up in the process,or lose it,or it gets stolen they should be responsible.
    image

  • yankeeno7yankeeno7 Posts: 9,248 ✭✭✭
    I can see an arguement....sorry, but that package would never be returned without its content. I know you had DC but was there insurance?
  • jimq112jimq112 Posts: 3,511 ✭✭✭
    If you had insurance you're probably ok and if no insurance you're probably not ok.

    Most likely the bubble mailer got caught in a processing machine and got torn open. I can't see a postal employee taking the card out and keeping it but there's scum working at every business everywhere.

    There is a form you can fill out describing your loss so that if the card shows up without an address that they know where it belongs but the chances are very small.

    file a claim here
    image
  • EagleEyeKidEagleEyeKid Posts: 4,496 ✭✭
    That sucks TB. Looks like someone at your PO collects cards.
  • EagleEyeKidEagleEyeKid Posts: 4,496 ✭✭
    TB, I'll give you $20 to get it on Youtube and raise hell during the process. $40 if you spit on one of the workers. Hell, I'm bored.
  • tennesseebankertennesseebanker Posts: 5,433 ✭✭✭
    I didnt get insurance on a $17 dollar card, Who would ?
    It really pisses me off, I am going to be out the card and the $20 I have to refund the buyer.
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  • I had this happen once, I sent DVD Box set Media Mail. The USPS opened the package to make sure it was legit media mail but failed to tape the package back up again. The DVD set fell out somewhere between New Hampshire and California and the buyer got the empty package, when I contacted my post office abouth this I was told to contact St Louis (I think) with a description of what the item was and when it was sent. I just refunded the $30 and chalked it up as a lose. I hope you have better luck.

    Regards,
    Lenny


  • << <i>That sucks TB. Looks like someone at your PO collects cards. >>



    Or the machine may have destroyed the card beyond rcognition.

    I have only gotten the sorry plastic envelope once. Unfortunately it was on a bill which ended up being late due to the destruction.
  • yankeeno7yankeeno7 Posts: 9,248 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I didnt get insurance on a $17 dollar card, Who would ?
    It really pisses me off, I am going to be out the card and the $20 I have to refund the buyer. >>



    I agree, you wouldnt get insurance unless the buyer paid for it. Yeah, I think you will be out the card and 20 bucks.
  • tennesseebankertennesseebanker Posts: 5,433 ✭✭✭


    << <i>TB, I'll give you $20 to get it on Youtube and raise hell during the process. $40 if you spit on one of the workers. Hell, I'm bored. >>



    I wont spit on anybody, But I will kick someone in the balls for $50.
    image

  • jimq112jimq112 Posts: 3,511 ✭✭✭


    << <i>That sucks TB. Looks like someone at your PO collects cards. >>



    99% chance that it would be somebody at a processing center, not at a PO. That package got torn in a machine, and either

    (1) the card got separated from the package and somebody grabbed it
    (2) the card got separated, destroyed, and somebody made the decision to throw it out
    (3) the card got separated and ended up in an orphan mail center. (mail with no address)

    If somebody at his PO wanted it they would have taken the complete package, there would be no accountability at his office so it would be easier to take the whole package rather than just the card.

    The way it came back says positively that the bubble mailer was damaged in a machine.
    image
  • yankeeno7yankeeno7 Posts: 9,248 ✭✭✭
    Will it be on YouTube? Hmm...who would I like to see kicked in the balls? How about anyone who says they want to make a bar out of 75 mini wrappers? You put that on youtube and I'll PP you the 50!
  • yankeeno7yankeeno7 Posts: 9,248 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>That sucks TB. Looks like someone at your PO collects cards. >>



    99% chance that it would be somebody at a processing center, not at a PO. That package got torn in a machine, and either

    (1) the card got separated from the package and somebody grabbed it
    (2) the card got separated, destroyed, and somebody made the decision to throw it out
    (3) the card got separated and ended up in an orphan mail center. (mail with no address)

    If somebody at his PO wanted it they would have taken the complete package, there would be no accountability at his office so it would be easier to take the whole package rather than just the card.

    The way it came back says positively that the bubble mailer was damaged in a machine. >>



    Absolutely not a dig on you Jim but if this crap happens a lot, maybe they need to get better machines. People pay good money and soon to be more. I hope there are things in place to make processing better.
  • tennesseebankertennesseebanker Posts: 5,433 ✭✭✭
    Jim, I have always appreciated your input on these matters. Could you Please tell me what to do next ? I plan on going to my local P.O. tomorrow and asking to talk to a supervisor. Is there any chance I can contact the processing center and inquire about it ? The card was in a Psa holder wrapped in between two pieces of corrugated cardboard, It would have taken a heck of shot to completely destroy the card like this.
    image

  • Can you call PSA with the cert # and tell them the card is missing. This way if it ever turns up you would know it.

    Lenny
  • tennesseebankertennesseebanker Posts: 5,433 ✭✭✭
    I forgot to mention there is something stamped on the invoice, It looks like it says returned for postage, But that doesnt make sense could it say something else?
    image

  • Sorry to hear that.

    But remember, any crime commited against the post office or their employees is a federal offense.

    Be verbal,, not physical (that includes spitting) image

    Lee
  • Yeah man, that sucks!

    Actualy for the first time ever I won a card about a month to a month and a half ago and still haven't received it yet. I filled out that thing on ebay were you get the sellers info like phone number so I can call him, but never really got the chance. I did try to call him about a week ago on the weekend and got his voice mail, and it sounded like some kind of business, so I knew he wouldn't be there all weekend so I didn't try again.

    I definetl gotta give him a call maybe tommorow or Friday, but I don't really go crazy or anything, because I know how careless the PO can be, so theres no need to take it out on the seller, he has good feedback and so on, so lets see what he says, maybe he used tracking, don't know. I really don't want the money back, just want the card image

    Good luck and hope it all works out.

    Giovanni
  • stownstown Posts: 11,321 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>TB, I'll give you $20 to get it on Youtube and raise hell during the process. $40 if you spit on one of the workers. Hell, I'm bored. >>



    I wont spit on anybody, But I will kick someone in the balls for $50. >>



    I'll paypal $50 if you post it on youtube.




















    This post does not condone kicking USPS workers' balls.
    So basically my kid won't be able to go to college, but at least I'll have a set where the three most expensive cards are of a player I despise ~ CDsNuts
  • They are going to tell you you are SOL. Be thankful it was just a 20 dollar card.
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    Worse things can happen.

    Steve
    Good for you.
  • 69Cubs69Cubs Posts: 150 ✭✭
    Most of the parcels for the post office are sorted on a relatively new machine called the APPS(Automated Package Processing System). It doesn't happen often but parcels do get torn up from time to time, if the item is separated from the package it's pretty tough to match up the two again since this machine is almost the length of a football field.

    Its very unlikely an employee would take the card even if it is loose because it would result in immediate termination. We send all loose mail to the nixie unit but that is outside our plant so I'm not sure where that is located.

    Sorry about the card.

    Mike
  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭

    Spilt Milk.

    If you have mailed a dozen uninsured items without this happening,
    your loss has already been amortized. Think of it as "self-insurance."

    I would NOT waste my time visiting the PO. There is NOTHING they
    can do.
    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
  • kingraider75kingraider75 Posts: 1,500 ✭✭
    yeah, no point in getting all upset. Just move on.

    I have two people emailing me about items I sent out right now. One I put DC on, the other I did not. However, I don't know where the heck the receipt is. If they keep saying they didn't get it, then I will have to dig it up.
    Running an Ebay store sure takes a lot more time than a person would think!
  • Jim,
    on some bubble mailers i have them stamp fragile/ do not bend.

    I was under the impression, perhaps falsely that they DO NOT go through the machines, but are hand sorted?

    my post office clerks are big sportsfans and we talk shop; cards etc.
    they always ask about certain packages to avoid bending and stuff. even on some priority envelopes.

    any info would be appreciated.
  • jimq112jimq112 Posts: 3,511 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Jim,
    on some bubble mailers i have them stamp fragile/ do not bend.

    I was under the impression, perhaps falsely that they DO NOT go through the machines, but are hand sorted?

    my post office clerks are big sportsfans and we talk shop; cards etc.
    they always ask about certain packages to avoid bending and stuff. even on some priority envelopes.

    any info would be appreciated. >>



    Mike 69cubs can tell you much better than I can about what happens in the plant. I would guess it makes no difference because I get them mixed in with others of the same type, whether it's flats or bubble mailers.

    Big writing or stickers saying "fragile" and "do not bend" make a difference for the clerks and most of the carriers in the offices I work at, but they still need lots of protection. Machines handle almost everything and sometimes you catch the idiot or lazy clerk or carrier.

    Cardboard on both sides, bigger than the item you're shipping, is great protection.

    When you put "do not bend" then I treat it as a parcel, I don't put it in my mail case and if it doesn't fit flat in your mailbox it goes to the door. Most carriers do the same so "do not bend" is a good idea. But you still need the cardboard.



    image
  • MeteoriteGuyMeteoriteGuy Posts: 7,140 ✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>That sucks TB. Looks like someone at your PO collects cards. >>



    99% chance that it would be somebody at a processing center, not at a PO. That package got torn in a machine, and either

    (1) the card got separated from the package and somebody grabbed it
    (2) the card got separated, destroyed, and somebody made the decision to throw it out
    (3) the card got separated and ended up in an orphan mail center. (mail with no address)

    If somebody at his PO wanted it they would have taken the complete package, there would be no accountability at his office so it would be easier to take the whole package rather than just the card.

    The way it came back says positively that the bubble mailer was damaged in a machine. >>




    I just wanted to echo Tennessee's thoughts that I appreciate your comments on USPS matters.

    I mail about 2-3 times a week, and have for 10 years or so, so I have the routine done pretty well and understand the system pretty good.

    Jim, you have given more consistent answers then I have ever seen anyone do at any PO and are really good at keeping your cool and being helpful. I say that with the thinking that the USPS gives amazingly great and cheap service (and if you don't believe that...travel the world a little).

    This is not to say I haven't had my share of USPS problems. I could likely right a book about them. But I also understand that 99% or more of the problems is lack of understanding by shippers on how to package, address or basic shipping common sense and have seen plenty on the other side of the fence as well.

    So anyway....here you go Jim......a digital beer!


    image
    Collecting PSA graded Steve Young, Marcus Allen, Bret Saberhagen and 1980s Topps Cards.
    Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.
  • julen23julen23 Posts: 4,558 ✭✭
    image

    now that's a true cardboard nightmare.

    j
    image
    RIP GURU
  • RonBurgundyRonBurgundy Posts: 5,491 ✭✭✭
    Report it to your local newspaper or TV station. I know that sounds odd, but it might trigger an investigation or at least a phone call to determine if theft is rampant at your local post office. One of our local post offices had employees ripping open birthday cards and stealing gift cards and cash out of them; once it was publicized the people were nabbed and prosecuted. There's a reasonable chance that what happened to you was just part of a larger problem.



    Ron
    Ron Burgundy

    Buying Vintage, all sports.
    Buying Woody Hayes, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz, and Jesse Owens autographed items
  • I will say I don't think theft by the USPS is that common in the processing plants all the major cases have been with the carriers as was the birthday card situation if I remember right he had been doing it for several years.

    I once had a buyer send me 36.00 cash for an item that got ripped in a sorting machine. It came to me in a body bag with all the cash there in plain view sitting in my mailbox. I imagine more than likely the card is in a lost and found type bin somewhere.
  • 69Cubs69Cubs Posts: 150 ✭✭
    Jim is right, try to protect your card or anything else as much as possible. At the plant, parcels usually come to us in containers measuring approximately 4' by 4' and waist high. The container gets placed and secured in a dumper that will lift and tilt about 10 ft above the floor, hundreds of parcels will come out on to the belt to be automatically sorted by the machine.

    The employee is suppose to tilt the dumper gradually but if he or she is impatient then you have hundreds of parcels dropping to the belt all at the same time which is not ideal.
    Keep in mind, some parcels can weigh up to the maximum (for this machine)25 pounds and can land on our bubble mailers at a couple points on the machine. Thats why you need to protect your item as best as you can.

    Sending cards in a box would be a better choice but it's not as cost effective or convenient as a bubble mailer.

    Mike

  • Carew29Carew29 Posts: 4,025 ✭✭

    Take em' to small claims court for the heck of it if you have a few extra bucks just to make a point. Typically runs about $35 to file and around $50 to have them served. Then give the results to the local media. Believe me, it will cost them more than this than it will you.

    Not to mention the bad PR.

    I used to have slumps that lasted through the winter!!----- Bob Uecker
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