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Lost Antique Guns in Registered Mail

rhmc24
I sent three flintlock pistols and two short swords by Registered Mail, insured for $7500. Sent Mar 30 with expected two - three day delivery a la Priority mail. Done it many times before to same address. Addressee complains not received. Here Apr 10 all the PO can tell me is they show it received into the system in their computer. Nothing further. They were sympathetic and gave me a claim form that I can process when 15 days have elapsed.

Does anyone have experience with claims against the PO? How much of a hassle should I expect? Thanks

Footnote -- I have had more problems with USPS in the last two years
than I had in the previous 40. Sign of the times I guess.

EDIT I'm told all Registered Mail goes Priority, I saw Prioity sticker being put on it. I have the Registry receipt.
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Comments

12 comments

Date Votes
  • Fatstrat
    I had recent experience. Sent a Buck knife & custom sheath priority/insured ($50.). Package arrived 3 days later opened, contents removed/stolen.
    I emailed the Postmastr General w/a VERY PO'D message. This was on a Friday afternoon.
    To my surprize, I had a reply on Sat. requesting details. (Not from HIM, but his office). Corresponded a couple more times and was told I would be hearing from my local postmaster. And in the meantime to download and fill out the insurance claim paperwork.
    Never did hear from my local PM. But after I completed the forms, went down to post office to turn them in.
    He informed me that he was aware of the matter, having been contacted by the PM gens. office. Paid me on the spot. Time elasped: Fri PM to Tuesday PM.
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  • kimi
    I don't think that you will be hasseled, but if the package does not turn up awfully quick the last person who signed for your package might likely be in deep kimchi for real.
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  • cpermd
    I am a bit confused.
    Was it Priority or Registered?
    Registered takes about 3X as long.

    CP
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  • duckhunter
    Need more info as to type of shipping you used.
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  • rhmc24
    I delivered to the post office a package measuring 10x10x32" and paid the various charges for registry, postage, return receipt, etc -the whole nine yards. Total amount paid was about $60.
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  • PEZHEAD265
    If you had deiiverey conformation the person who signed for it has to answer for it.
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  • Dean Cascio
    Registered Mail
    It's not late yet. Registered Mail is by far the slowest form of mail delivery available. Every bonehead in the system has to sign for it when they touch it.
    Let us know when it arrives.
    Dean
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  • gruntled
    quote:Originally posted by Dean Cascio
    Registered Mail
    It's not late yet. Registered Mail is by far the slowest form of mail delivery available. Every bonehead in the system has to sign for it when they touch it.
    Let us know when it arrives.
    Dean


    That is true. Registered mail is for security not speed. Each person it is passed off to has to sign for it. If it doesn't show up the last person who signed is in real trouble.
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  • rhmc24
    I have moved pieces back and forth with this client for years, me in OK, he in MA. Registered used to take up to a week but in recent months only 2 to 3 days, probably when they started the Priority thing. I know the gun laws and postal regs and consider myself as pure as Caesar's wife.

    Friday I got this from the PO people; Registered mail is not signed for at each change of hands, it is 'scanned', whatever that means. If so, whether by item or by shipment leaves me wondering, too. My 15 days is up Tuesday 4/14. I will see the Postmaster as soon as I can to address issues such as How can this PO entry be the only record? Can it still be here? If it moved out into the 'system' is there not a turnover record? If Registered goes as Priority, why is Priority "Tracking" not available? Could my item be in the hands of the Postal Inspectors? I'm not too confident of getting satisfactory answers but I will rattle the cage.

    I didn't spend 20 years as and inspector/investigator without learning something about turning over the stones. Hopefully my package will be delivered before 4/14. I know this situation can happen to most any one so in any case I will give a summation.

    Was it Shakespeare who said "All's well that ends?"
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  • nmyers
    Unlike UPS & Fedex, USPS does not track all packages. Priority Mail is not tracked, you have to move up to Express Mail if you want tracking. However, Priority Mail usually takes 2-3 days for delivery to most locations.

    Registered Mail IS tracked. When they say "scanned", USPS means the bar code was scanned & entered into their computer system when entering or leaving a postal facility. If you go to the USPS website, select TRACK/CONFIRM, you can enter your Registered Mail number & find your package's last known location. Once you file a report of loss, that's where they start looking.

    The odds are that they will find your package. It's not unusual for a letter or package to lie in a bag or tub in a corner of a post office for a month or two. Relax. Eventually it will turn up.

    Neal
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  • rhmc24
    I guess relax is in order. Actually it's only insured for $7500. Re tracking of Priority, the receipt you get has tracking numbers on it that work, most of the time. But you don't get that number when you send it Registered. Thanks to all.

    EDIT All the above info is consistent and I checked the USPS website. The only info they have entered is my initial sending of the package - nothing more.
    [/quote]
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  • golferboy426
    Hopefully not but you may have an issue if it is truly lost. They might consider the antique pistol handguns which you are prohibited from shipping unless you are a dealer. See Link. http://www.atf.gov/pub/fire-explo_pub/2005/p53004/18usc_sect1715.pdf
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