Missing Package from USPS

[SirPeale]

I sent a package with a coin door via USPS over a week ago, and the recipient hasn't gotten it.  I DID send it insured (at least, I'm pretty sure I did, I send most stuff insured).  I've asked him to check around the area, and with the post office to make sure it wasn't lost in the shuffle.

Anyone ever have to deal with something like this?  This is a first for me.

[Hoagie_one]

With insured items, the sender usually has to go through the hassle.  they should of given you a tracking number or insurance slip.  Should be a phone number on it.

if it was USPS, you can go to there website for instructions

[ntjedi]

I usually have pretty good luck with the USPS (well my family also works for them  ).  Other than that if you did insure it you should have a green slip or the receipt and then you can go to the PO that you sent it out of and they will begin a tracking process on the package to see if they can find it.

[SirPeale]

Yeah, I insured it.  Now I have to find the slip.  THAT will be the hard part.  I'm not sure where I put it.

[Mike]

If you sent it insured tell the guy to check the post office. If it's insured they won't leave it at the the door. They put a little piece of paper on the door and you have to either pick it up or sign the little piece of paper so they can leave it on your door. Little piece of paper probably blew away.

[TheGatesofBill]

I've already checked the post office. And there was no paper on the door. I'll try back tomorrow I guess, just to make sure.

[AlanS17]

What method did you send it?

First Class/Priority Mail/Express Mail

I send everything Priority Mail. I've never had a problem. You can even order the packing supplies online for free and they'll deliver them to your house. (I like that part.)

[SirPeale]

What method did you send it?

First Class/Priority Mail/Express Mail

I send everything Priority Mail. I've never had a problem. You can even order the packing supplies online for free and they'll deliver them to your house. (I like that part.)

I shipped Parcel Post.  Since he's < 100 miles from me, I figured it'd be three days - tops - and shouldn't bother with Priority.  I should have just driven it down there!!!!

[AlanS17]

Probably fell off the back of the truck or maybe the neighbor stole it or something...

I get everything delivered to my mom's house. She lives in a gated community. Something could probably sit on her front step for a week and nobody would bother it. (At least I hope not. Bob Roberts is delivering a package scheduled for Friday and nobody will be there to pick it up til Sunday night.)

[SirPeale]

Probably fell off the back of the truck or maybe the neighbor stole it or something...

Bill sez he lives in a good neighborhood, and judging where he lives (from what I know of the place, it's been a while since I've been there) it's a nice place, very low crime, kinda upperclass.

I get everything delivered to my mom's house. She lives in a gated community. Something could probably sit on her front step for a week and nobody would bother it. (At least I hope not. Bob Roberts is delivering a package scheduled for Friday and nobody will be there to pick it up til Sunday night.)

I spoke to the USPS Postmaster, and he says what probably happened is the machine read the ZIP code incorrectly.  '96001' instead of '06001' or some such.  They have a policy of waiting 30 days before starting a formal investigation, as aparently this happens a lot.

[TheGatesofBill]

'96001' instead of '06001' or some such.

Which means that it ended up in California instead of Connecticut. Lucky me.  

[SirPeale]

I just wanted to update on this.

The package was delivered!  Bill got home today and said that the package was sitting on the porch, wet and mangled.  It's only...hm...five months late.

[Ken Layton]

Wow! You're lucky it finally showed. Be glad it did.

[SirPeale]

Wow! You're lucky it finally showed. Be glad it did.

Oh, I am.  I was going to go thru the rigamarole of insurance.  Bah.  Now I just gotta get the door back somehow.  I sent him a replacement after this mishap.

[eightbit]

Consider using UPS next time, if you want insurance and tracking its often cheaper than priority mail. The package can always be tracked and much easier to deal with them if its damaged or lost. If you use paypal you can set up a linked UPS account, you get discounted shipping, it comes out of your paypal account, and you print your own shipping labels automatically addressed to the buyer then you can drop your package at any UPS pickup. I leave mine for the UPS guy at work. Plus it can optionally automatically send the buyer a confirmation with tracking number.

[paigeoliver]

Consider using UPS next time, if you want insurance and tracking its often cheaper than priority mail. The package can always be tracked and much easier to deal with them if its damaged or lost. If you use paypal you can set up a linked UPS account, you get discounted shipping, it comes out of your paypal account, and you print your own shipping labels automatically addressed to the buyer then you can drop your package at any UPS pickup. I leave mine for the UPS guy at work. Plus it can optionally automatically send the buyer a confirmation with tracking number.

Bah, I have never had anything but problems with UPS.

Here is how my the last thing that was sent to me via ups went.

Item was shipped to my work, it came to the ups terminal near my house, and then magically went to a different hotel in my chain all the way across the country, and then back to the seller.

Seller demanded a different address. Told me the item was shipped, I never received it. I don't know if it was UPS screwing up, or Todd from TNT Amusements screwing up, but it has been 3 months now and I still don't have my Willis Defender and Q*Bert overlays.

[APFelon]

My uncle shipped a few things to me via USPS. It showed up two months after it was sent, and it looked as though a team of gorrillas had moshed all over it.

[RandyT]

If you send something via USPS, use Priority and insure it!  It costs more, but makes a big difference in the attention your package receives.

Free boxes, tape, stickers, etc. are also a very cool perk.  They even deliver the stuff free of charge!

RandyT