Diamond lost in the mail!

[spike13]

Everything was going so well...until I sent my Diamond to Leon. I sent it before I knew he was going to be on vacation. Naturally it missed him by 1 day. ARGH! Then we did an online redelivery that should have worked -- but it never was redelivered. The online tracking says it''s still being held when I call the 800 number they simply recite the policy of returning to sender after 15 days but can''t tell me if it was in fact returned. I called the actual post office and finally got someone who said to call back tomorrow at 7 am (4 am PST).

I am trying not to freak out. I sent it registered/insured etc. The thing is next week I''ll be on vacation so I won''t be here to accept the return!

Has anyone dealt with this? Any tips and tricks to getting info out of USPS? I can''t believe how behind the times they are. Even though registered is more decure I can''t believe they have such terrible tracking.

thanks for letting me vent.

 

[vita*dolce]

Oh, my god! this sounds like a nightmare -- i''m so sorry this happened!! i don''t have any experience with this, so i don''t have any good advice, just wanted you to know i''ll be thinking of you and hoping everything turns out!! good luck!

 

[spike13]

Thank you! I''m not a crier but I can feel the tears welling up. And of course I can''t expect Leon to actually go to the Post Office in NYC and of course all they''ll say on the 800 number is to go to the post office.

Support is much appreciated!!!!

 

[tradergirl]

I''d have a courier service go pick it up for you and deliver it to Leon. I know that sucks and will probably cost you $200 in NYC but isn''t it worth it to avoid stressing out?

 

[marchswallowbird]

USPS does not track registered mail like Fed Ex tracks its packages. They only log it in when it''s "received" at the sending post office, and then when it is signed for. You might check to see if it will be held at the post office if you are not there to receive the package. Not the best option, I agree. This really is a nightmare! Good luck to you.

 

[Haywood74]

If it was indeed sent "registered", then you''ll more than likely find it in time. Registered Mail has to be signed for at every step of the way in the PO, so someone will be hung out to dry if it gets lost. Agreed, USPS tracking is horrible to the public, but their internal tracking, especially on RM, is much better. At least it was 3 years ago when I worked there.

 

[pixley]

spike - I don''t have any advice except to say don''t give up. Hound the USPS as much as you can, take names, speak to senior managers and hopefully someone will be able to track it down for you soon. I''ll send some fairy dust your way!

Pixley

 

[swingirl]

I think you can trust USPS with their registered mail. Anyone who touches it has to record it. It is probably being held somewhere safe until it can be delivered. It sounds like you weren''t in contact with Leon before you mailed it. Otherwise I would expect them to tell you when they were going to be closed weeks in advance.

Hope it gets delivered back to before you leave on your vacation.

 

[han001]

Date: 7/16/2008 5:55:21 PM
Author: tradergirl
I''d have a courier service go pick it up for you and deliver it to Leon. I know that sucks and will probably cost you $200 in NYC but isn''t it worth it to avoid stressing out?

Ditto tradergirl. If USPS will let a courier pick-up your package, I''d have them hand-deliver it to Leon. Make sure it''s a reliable service though.

 

[spike13]

The thing is I did talk to Leon, but I don''t think he nor I factored in the long time registered mail takes to get to NYC. He didn''t mention the vacation when we spoke -- sigh. Only after I sent it. But there you have it, can''t go back in time.

Courier is a good idea. I will look into this tomorrow.

I finally got through to the actual post office as opposed to the national 800 number. The woman who helped me was so great! She couldn''t give me any location info, but did give the names of key supervisors to speak with. Now I just have to get up at 4 am to call them before they leave on their routes.

Thanks everyone for your support. It helps ease the stress!! It''s insured, so worse case it''s covered and it was definitely registered.

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 7/16/2008 11:13:16 PM
Author: spike13
The thing is I did talk to Leon, but I don''t think he nor I factored in the long time registered mail takes to get to NYC. He didn''t mention the vacation when we spoke -- sigh. Only after I sent it. But there you have it, can''t go back in time.

Courier is a good idea. I will look into this tomorrow.

I finally got through to the actual post office as opposed to the national 800 number. The woman who helped me was so great! She couldn''t give me any location info, but did give the names of key supervisors to speak with. Now I just have to get up at 4 am to call them before they leave on their routes.

Thanks everyone for your support. It helps ease the stress!! It''s insured, so worse case it''s covered and it was definitely registered.

Spike, I''m sorry if this is a silly question, but how come it matters that Leon is on vacation? Can''t someone else from the business accept your diamond ?
We know he isn''t running a one-man operation, right?

I am sorry you are having these troubles, I really hope the USPS supervisors can give you some peace of mind.

 

[spike13]

Apparently the whole shop was on vacation for 2 weeks.

You would think they would have had their mail held, but sadly they did not.

 

[arjunajane]

Oh ok, thankyou for explaining, now it makes more sense.

I''m sorry, but this would have me kinda peeved that nobody thought to warn me they would all be on vacation?
I know alot of people on PS don''t like when comments are made on Leon''s manners, but kinda bad form imho..

Anyway, that will not help you to stew on it, so good for you on taking action with USPS. I''m sure it will be safe and just awaiting re delivery.

 

[spike13]

GOOD NEWS!!!

And something to keep in mind if this happens to you.

I called the 1-800 number again yesterday, just in case. This time when she was saying it was returned, the way she said it I realized they were just telling me what the policy was. They did not in fact have any real information that it was actually on it''s way back.

I tracked down the NYC post office number (not easy to get because they direct you to the 1-800). After letting it ring for 30 minutes someone finally answered. She was a complete angel! She gave me the list of supervisors to speak with.

So, I woke up at 4 am this morning to catch them before the carriers left. The supervisor was able to locate the package and get it on the truck. Leon confirmed it has arrived!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lesson learned - don''t trust the 1-800 number!

 

[MissGotRocks]

I''m glad it all worked out for you and the stone is safe and sound!

 

[kcoursolle]

Woohoo, I am so glad it worked out and your headache is over!! What a PITA...so sorry you had to deal with all of it!

 

[girlie-girl]

Great news! Now you''ll switch to anxiously awaiting its return. LOL

 

[pixley]

HURRAY! I''m so happy to hear that your stone is in good hands!