My stolen Tiffany Metro ring - I can't get my claim paid!!

[FrekeChild]

Re: My stolen Tiffany Metro ring - I can't get my claim paid

Seeing as how I buy/sell on that very same site, I'm very interested in knowing more about this. I actually eyed your Metro ring, but I'm very iffy about sending things overseas, and try to avoid it as much as possible. After my incident with Big Blue, I always ALWAYS ALWAYS get a delivery confirmation number and insurance if it is over an amount that I'd be ok with paying, out of pocket. I have never ever ever sent anything to anyone without making them pay for it first, except for my BFF, because I know he's good for it, but someone across the country that I know on PS? Not a chance.
One thing I have learned through my long ordeal with Big Blue, is that you'd need to contact the Postal Inspector. The police will just tell you to go there, but I learned that the Postal Inspectors are DAMN SERIOUS BUSINESS. They are essentially USPS's own personal police force and they take their job VERY seriously. Also, because I know a USPS delivery guy I know that if a registered piece of mail goes missing or the package is tampered with, the delivery person (or other employee, whoever's paper trail it runs out at) will be fired. Opening someone else's mail is a felony here in the US.

Having said all of that, this was international mail. Totally different story, so I don't know what to tell you.

Freke,does that mean you don't trust me?

Well, DF, for YOU, I MIGHT make an exception.

And charge you DOUBLE.

 

[mariel]

Re: My stolen Tiffany Metro ring - I can't get my claim paid

Phoenix that really stinks and I do hope you get this settled soon!!!

 

[AGSHF]

Re: My stolen Tiffany Metro ring - I can't get my claim paid

Phoenix, I'm very sorry to hear about this. I hope that a favorable resolution is imminent.

I will share my experience with a damaged and pilfered package sent through the P.O. This happened earlier in 2010. I purchased a piece of jewelry on Ebay and paid for it via Paypal. It was a domestic transaction. The seller (wisely) insured the package and sent me tracking information. When I picked up the package at the P.O., where it had been held because I was not available to sign for it at home when my mailman tried to deliver it, I was dismayed to see that the padded envelope had clearly been ripped open and badly retaped. By the looks of the package, it was obvious that there was nothing inside the package. The contents had been pilfered.

The saving grace, however, was that my mailman (upon seeing the damaged package when it arrived at my P.O.) had rubber stamped "Package received damaged" or something like that all over the package, indicating clearly that the package had been received in the damaged condition and that the contents had been pilfered enroute. I contacted the seller immediately and described the situation to him. I also emailed him my statement of the facts. He filed a claim for insurance with the P.O. on his end and, for good measure, I sent him back the damaged package in the exact condition in which I received it. He filed a claim on his end and refunded my money promptly. Though I was unhappy about the situation, I was fortunate that I was protected by my mailman and P.O.

Though I don't know that it is required practice, it is very possible that the P.O. personnel at the recipient's P.O. station should have noticed the damaged package and, like my mailman, stamped the box to indicate its condition upon arrival.

Also, it strikes me that because you purchased the insurance, you should be the one to initiate the claim. Wouldn't the statement by the buyer that she received a "damaged" package with no contents suffice to support your claim of loss?

Anyway, I hope that the buyer soon cooperates and that everything works out to your satisfaction. If not, you should consider disclosing the buyer's identity for the benefit of the community here.

 

[Hest88]

Re: My stolen Tiffany Metro ring - I can't get my claim paid

Ugh, I'm so sorry Phoenix. I agree there are really too many variables to pin it definitely on the buyer. Could have been the P.O. in Singapore, it certainly could have happened en route. That's sadly, not uncommon. However, if the buyer has stopped communicating with you, in your shoes I'd also find that awfully suspicious. Granted, the buyer could be on vacation or have some other emergency too, but right now it seems pretty strange that any responsible person wouldn't have jumped to provide as much help as she could.

 

[OUpearlgirl]

Re: My stolen Tiffany Metro ring - I can't get my claim paid

There are two sides to every story. I'd like to hear both sides, because I think this is becoming a lynch mob situation and there are a LOT of hands a package has to go through in getting from Singapore to the USA. It is entirely possible that the "buyer" didn't steal your ring, yet you are crucifying her for a crime you have no proof that she committed. Which is also called defamation.

I'm not taking sides here, I just think this is getting a little out of hand. I hope that the matter gets resolved soon, best of luck to both Phoenix and the buyer.

 

[Karl_K]

Re: My stolen Tiffany Metro ring - I can't get my claim paid

calm down everyone please.
There is no evidence that it didn't disappear in transit.

1: that the post office would say that the sender had to file is 100% correct.
2: what is needed is the US post office case number then the recipient can go to the post office and they can do what they need to do with the package after looking up the case number.
3: that the seller already went to the post office twice which is likely more than I would do. It is the sellers responsibility to deliver the goods and take care of the non-delivery issue. Anything the recipient would do is a favor. The most I would do is send the package as-is back to the seller.
4: threats are going to get you no where. There is no case legal or civil here yet.
5: getting payment in advance would not have helped. pay-pal or credit card will both reverse for non-delivery. It is the sellers responsibility to make delivery.

I would recommend being nice and asking them to go to the post office one last time with the needed information.
What is needed here is calm.
I would recommend having this thread deleted and take it back into being in private.
Releasing anyone's private information without solid proof is the last thing you want to do.

 

[zhuzhu]

Re: My stolen Tiffany Metro ring - I can't get my claim paid

calm down everyone please.
There is no evidence that it didn't disappear in transit.

1: that the post office would say that the sender had to file is 100% correct.
2: what is needed is the US post office case number then the recipient can go to the post office and they can do what they need to do with the package after looking up the case number.
3: that the seller already went to the post office twice which is likely more than I would do. It is the sellers responsibility to deliver the goods and take care of the non-delivery issue. Anything the recipient would do is a favor. The most I would do is send the package as-is back to the seller.
4: threats are going to get you no where. There is no case legal or civil here yet.
5: getting payment in advance would not have helped. pay-pal or credit card will both reverse for non-delivery. It is the sellers responsibility to make delivery.

I would recommend being nice and asking them to go to the post office one last time with the needed information.
What is needed here is calm.
I would recommend having this thread deleted and take it back into being in private.
Releasing anyone's private information without solid proof is the last thing you want to do.

Karl, You are very wise!

 

[Phoenix]

Re: My stolen Tiffany Metro ring - I can't get my claim paid

Thank you, everyone, for posting.

Ella, that is indeed very wise advice. It should def be heeded.

Karl, I appreciate the information given. With all due respect though, I don't agree that this thread should be deleted. I started the thread to get help because I don't live in the US and have never had anything like this happen to me, so didn't really know how else to proceed (after not having heard from the recipient for one whole month and several emails and also calls, and the SG PO having told me repeatedly that I needed something from the recipient for the claim to be processed). This thread should also serve as a reminder to other PS'ers and anyone else reading it not to trust anyone they "get to know" on the internet, regardless of whether or not the recipient of my package is innocent. I do agree that I don't have conclusive proof either way but I needed more infor in order for the claim to proceed further. It was basicaly stuck.

Anyway, to answer some of the Q's here and also an update:

- I DID already make a claim with the SG PO. I did so promptly, as soon as I was informed by the recipient.
- The package was insured for (for far less than what I'd paid for it, as I didn't think something like this would happen), just roughly abt the same as what she was supposed to pay me for, for the ring.
- A signature WAS required upon delivery. This did not happen, according to the recipient. I confirmed and double confirmed with the SG PO that a signature was actually required.
- What the SG PO needs is a Missing Contents Report. Maybe I used the wrong terminology when I said she needed to file a claim.
- The SG PO person told me today that the US PO people require the recipient to complete this Missing Contents Reprt form. Apparently, they'd been in touch with her and asked her to do that (I also received from the SG PO some communication from the US PO to this effect). This is new information to me as of today.
- The SG PO person also told me today that the package was likely opened up by US Customs for inspection, and they're perfectly within their rights to do so. That there was some plastic wrapping around the package was unlikely an indication that their staff or US PO staff had tampered with it and stolen the contents, but we don't know that for sure, hence the US PO needed co-operation from the recipient in order to investigate the matter further. This is also new infor to me as of today.
- I received an email from the recipient today. She did go to the PO again yesterday and filled out some form. Unfortunately, I don't know what that form is, as she didn't forward me a copy (which I had asked for). I don't know why she couldn't ask them to make a photocopy of the form she filled out.

 

[lyra]

Re: My stolen Tiffany Metro ring - I can't get my claim paid

Phoenix, I don't blame you at all for posting here, and don't think you were unreasonable in doing so. It's a heads up for all of us. I hope there is a fair resolution for you. I know that it can be hard to get the post office to pay out a claim, and it can be a lengthy process (obviously it has been already for you). Good luck with this! Take care.

 

[steph72276]

Re: My stolen Tiffany Metro ring - I can't get my claim paid

Phoenix, I'm really sorry and I hope it gets resolved soon.

 

[CNOS128]

Re: My stolen Tiffany Metro ring - I can't get my claim paid

Phoenix, I do hope everything gets resolved! I'm so sorry this happened.

The way your buyer seems to be acting certainly does appear suspicious, but I don't think it's completely damning evidence. When I was a teenager (maybe 12 - 15 yrs ago?), a family friend sent me some gold earring via the US postal service. She didn't bother to insure them because they were just worth a couple hundred dollars. When the padded envelope arrived at my home, it was wrapped in a plastic "Oops! Your package has been damaged!" bag that the post office puts damaged mail in. The envelope had very cleanly been sliced open -- just a single cut from a knife or box cutter, clearly NOT accidental -- and inside was a velvet box. The box was closed, and contained an inner velvet bag, but all that was in the velvet bag was a single gold bead from the earrings that had mysteriously vanished.

At that time, my local post office was notorious for its postal workers stealing cash from birthday/holiday cards (it's a bad idea to send cash in the mail, BTW), so it wasn't a huge leap to think they had stolen jewelry. I thought it was pretty obnoxious / brazen for them to then claim the package had been "damaged," but I had no recourse. The powers that be at my local PO didn't care; they told me I had no proof that a postal worker had stolen anything, and there was nothing that could be done. To this day, when my mother goes to the main PO in our area, she checks the ears of the postal workers for my long lost earrings.

Anyway, the point of this long story is that I never send anything remotely valuable through the post office when I can help it (I'd much rather rely on UPS, DHL, FedEx, or whatever), because I simply don't trust them. These things DO happen. But that said, if I were a buyer who hadn't paid a for and item, and if I were disputing its arrival at my house, I wouldn't cut off contact with said seller. That's just odd, and it's just not really fair to leave the burden entirely on you.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Re: My stolen Tiffany Metro ring - I can't get my claim paid

Phoenix,
Is there any chance the item was removed for inspection at Customs and held pending an investigation into the proper paperwork being filled out and charges paid? I really have no idea how customs works for valuable property but I know sometimes there are taxes, etc that must be paid. it seems strange that they wouldn't communicate this issue with you or the buyers, but perhaps it fell through the cracks so to speak.

 

[Circe]

Re: My stolen Tiffany Metro ring - I can't get my claim paid

First off, I'm really sorry that you're having to deal with this, and I genuinely hope it's resolved soon.

That said ... I don't think you can dismiss the possibility that the PO screwed up, and your buyer *is* having a hard time right now. Your proof that she isn't is that she's posting to PS? C'mon, Phoenix, almost all of us use this as our place to vent or pretend everything is okay once in a while. I don't think that's damning evidence that she isn't taking things seriously. She's been to the PO twice, she's filed paperwork (and, I don't know what your PO is like, but if I asked mine for a photocopy of something, they'd laugh hysterically). Definitely, stay on top of things, but for the sake of your own state of mind, maybe don't assume the worst straight off.

 

[Imdanny]

Re: My stolen Tiffany Metro ring - I can't get my claim paid

I'm sorry Phoenix this is happening! I hope it's resolved soon!

 

[waterlilly]

Re: My stolen Tiffany Metro ring - I can't get my claim paid

what I find so incredibly frustrating about this is how difficult it is to get ANY results from the pathetic postal system. you have all of these "systems" in place (delivery confirmation, insurance, tracking, etc.) and for what?

this is the 21st century - how can it be so difficult to get prompt answers/restitution if all this information is available?

 

[RhubarbPie]

Re: My stolen Tiffany Metro ring - I can't get my claim paid

Phoenix, I do hope everything gets resolved! I'm so sorry this happened.

The way your buyer seems to be acting certainly does appear suspicious, but I don't think it's completely damning evidence. When I was a teenager (maybe 12 - 15 yrs ago?), a family friend sent me some gold earring via the US postal service. She didn't bother to insure them because they were just worth a couple hundred dollars. When the padded envelope arrived at my home, it was wrapped in a plastic "Oops! Your package has been damaged!" bag that the post office puts damaged mail in. The envelope had very cleanly been sliced open -- just a single cut from a knife or box cutter, clearly NOT accidental -- and inside was a velvet box. The box was closed, and contained an inner velvet bag, but all that was in the velvet bag was a single gold bead from the earrings that had mysteriously vanished.

At that time, my local post office was notorious for its postal workers stealing cash from birthday/holiday cards (it's a bad idea to send cash in the mail, BTW), so it wasn't a huge leap to think they had stolen jewelry. I thought it was pretty obnoxious / brazen for them to then claim the package had been "damaged," but I had no recourse. The powers that be at my local PO didn't care; they told me I had no proof that a postal worker had stolen anything, and there was nothing that could be done. To this day, when my mother goes to the main PO in our area, she checks the ears of the postal workers for my long lost earrings.

Anyway, the point of this long story is that I never send anything remotely valuable through the post office when I can help it (I'd much rather rely on UPS, DHL, FedEx, or whatever), because I simply don't trust them. These things DO happen. But that said, if I were a buyer who hadn't paid a for and item, and if I were disputing its arrival at my house, I wouldn't cut off contact with said seller. That's just odd, and it's just not really fair to leave the burden entirely on you.

I was just going to say, I never send anything of value through the post office. Always through fedex or dhl. I hope this situation gets resolved but I have as much faith in the post office to get things delivered as I would a carrier pigeon.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Re: My stolen Tiffany Metro ring - I can't get my claim paid

- The SG PO person also told me today that the package was likely opened up by US Customs for inspection, and they're perfectly within their rights to do so. That there was some plastic wrapping around the package was unlikely an indication that their staff or US PO staff had tampered with it and stolen the contents, but we don't know that for sure, hence the US PO needed co-operation from the recipient in order to investigate the matter further. This is also new infor to me as of today.
- I received an email from the recipient today. She did go to the PO again yesterday and filled out some form. Unfortunately, I don't know what that form is, as she didn't forward me a copy (which I had asked for). I don't know why she couldn't ask them to make a photocopy of the form she filled out.

true,packages i received from HK (these were Rolex watches) had always been opened up by U.S. Customs for inspection then rewrapped.

 

[Maisie]

Re: My stolen Tiffany Metro ring - I can't get my claim paid

I wonder if the buyer is reading this thread. You said you hadn't heard from her for a month, then all of a sudden an email

 

[missydebby]

Re: My stolen Tiffany Metro ring - I can't get my claim paid

DON'T Delete this thread!

This is extremely important. It covers so many issues important to all of us. And it's important it stays up while it gets resolved. I totally get wise Kenny's point, but one thing that's awesome about a forum is it gives a person a voice and maybe a little more power to get something resolved. It's not only for pats on the back.

Phoenix has been very discreet about letting us know it is a PS'er but not giving away the identity. She has not placed blame but laid out facts. People have chimed in with great information. Yes, some of it jumps to conclusions, but this is not a court with lawyers, but a place to hash out reactions/ideas, without being hemmed in by lawyerly boundaries. Phoenix, IMHO, has stayed well within good forum protocols.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Re: My stolen Tiffany Metro ring - I can't get my claim paid

There are two sides to every story. I'd like to hear both sides, because I think this is becoming a lynch mob situation and there are a LOT of hands a package has to go through in getting from Singapore to the USA. It is entirely possible that the "buyer" didn't steal your ring, yet you are crucifying her for a crime you have no proof that she committed. Which is also called defamation.

I'm not taking sides here, I just think this is getting a little out of hand. I hope that the matter gets resolved soon, best of luck to both Phoenix and the buyer.

Agreed!

 

[Tuckins1]

Re: My stolen Tiffany Metro ring - I can't get my claim paid

Wow, this is a sad story. People these days are so shady....

 

[Steel]

Re: My stolen Tiffany Metro ring - I can't get my claim paid

Good grief!

I'm not one for dramatics but I think this thread is a-ok. Nothing wrong with anything that has been said. If the PS'er in question is all above board then; make with the prompt and non ambiguous contact. Either that, or make with the mooohla.

I have seen a number of items for sale from Ps'ers and have been too scared to buy. Who knows who we are? One or two years of +1's and crappy advice and anybody can gain our confidences. Fish in a barrel.

I don't mean that as any insult to you Phoenix; I am very sorry for the stress you are going through. I really hope it is going to work out.

 

[jgny]

Re: My stolen Tiffany Metro ring - I can't get my claim paid

Phoenix - so sorry that you are going through this, I can understand how frustrating it must be to deal with all the paperwork needed. Since the buyer has not paid you anything, it is likely not on her priority list to get this resolved ASAP. Unfortunately, you are just in a very "sticky" situation and relying on the goodwill of the buyer to get this taken care of. I'm sure it will all work out. I agree with the other comment about being careful that this does not turn into a lynch mob situation. It may take more time than you would like but the fact that you are communicating again with the buyer is good. Best wishes for all of this working out!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Re: My stolen Tiffany Metro ring - I can't get my claim paid

Oh gosh, you sent the ring without getting paid? That pretty much sets the foundation for major issues/scams, etc. Kind of goes along the lines of Craigslists scam warnings.

Sorry for what you're going through.

Good luck.

 

[Steel]

Any updates to this Phoenix?

I did a search but didn't find anything...

 

[Phoenix]

Re:

Any updates to this Phoenix?

I did a search but didn't find anything...

I'm sorry, Steal. I've been extremely busy (am having my Chinese lessons everyday now plus I *seem* to be having some further health issues and am having them tested..am really proud that I now know enough Chinese to talk to doctors and nurses here in Shanghai about my medical condition...kind of perverse if you ask me ....Anyway, I digress...). I was hoping for some update on the ring situation as well before I post, but so far I don't really have much of an update.

Well, I do have some information though. After my several emails urging the recipient to go and file a reprt at her local PO, she finally went and filled our a PS Form 3831. I don't know if it's the correct form, but at least it is something. The US PO had apparently also called her and required her to file a report. I've also heard back from the SG PO who provided me with a signed delivery slip (recipient claims the package was left in her mail box outside her home, unsigned for).

I also filed a fraud theft claim online with the US Postal Inspection Service and followed up with a telephone call again last night.

So far, I still don't have a resolution but am not going to give up. Y' know, it's not just about the money, I'm just p..d off that this happened. I'm upset with myself obviously but am also upset that there's a thief out there. I hope the US Postal Inspection Service will get to the bottom of this. It's been almost 3 months now [sigh].

 

[Cehrabehra]

Re: My stolen Tiffany Metro ring - I can't get my claim paid

I think without real proof I would hesitate to imply that there may be intentional wrong doing.... however.... she's being very unkind and thoughtless to not try to help you out of this predicament when you bent over backward in her favor. Maybe she's not doing anything illegal, but she's definitely mean spirited.

eta - okay I'm late late late on this lol Now I remember reading it before but I thought this WAS the update! Hey, at least she got off her ass and did *something*. Is she still MIA from PS?

I don't know how people can live with themselves... one time I eyed this kid's sweater in the lost and found at the kid's old school for 3 months... I thought it was cute, no name, no idea who it was... it was the last day of school before christmas and it was after hours and we were bagging it up to take to the good will and I thought what the hell, no one is going to claim this, I'll take this sweater.

But then I could never put it on my child. The guilt of taking something long forgotten and that would never be missed weighed so heavily on my soul that I imagined if I ever let my child wear it something bad would happen... Both of my boys have long since outgrown any opportunity to wear it (this was years ago) but I still have it and brought it to china thinking if I could just find some little boy here to give it to that somehow cosmic balance would be restored... but I fear that I may be passing something negative to him and yet there's NO WAY to make amends to whomever that belonged to originally - it sat there for months and was never claimed...

My point is - I cannot *imagine* living with the guilt of intentionally stealing something from someone... and I'm so sorry for you that you're dealing with this. I know it's not really about the money, it's about trust and feeling betrayed... I totally get it.

 

[diva rose]

Re: Re:

Any updates to this Phoenix?

I did a search but didn't find anything...

I'm sorry, Steal. I've been extremely busy (am having my Chinese lessons everyday now plus I *seem* to be having some further health issues and am having them tested..am really proud that I now know enough Chinese to talk to doctors and nurses here in Shanghai about my medical condition...kind of perverse if you ask me ....Anyway, I digress...). I was hoping for some update on the ring situation as well before I post, but so far I don't really have much of an update.

Well, I do have some information though. After my several emails urging the recipient to go and file a reprt at her local PO, she finally went and filled our a PS Form 3831. I don't know if it's the correct form, but at least it is something. The US PO had apparently also called her and required her to file a report. I've also heard back from the SG PO who provided me with a signed delivery slip (recipient claims the package was left in her mail box outside her home, unsigned for).

I also filed a fraud theft claim online with the US Postal Inspection Service and followed up with a telephone call again last night.

So far, I still don't have a resolution but am not going to give up. Y' know, it's not just about the money, I'm just p..d off that this happened. I'm upset with myself obviously but am also upset that there's a thief out there. I hope the US Postal Inspection Service will get to the bottom of this. It's been almost 3 months now [sigh].

If it was signed, that means it was delivered and received. I think the signiture is proof enough.
Besides, how does the recipient know what happened to the package if she didn't see it?

Plus any innocent and decent person would address this straight away - not prolong it for over 3 months.

Sorry to hear something like this has happened to you. It's terrible.

 

[iheartscience]

Re: My stolen Tiffany Metro ring - I can't get my claim paid

I find it hard to understand why everyone is maligning this unnamed PSer. If I received a package with no ring I wouldn't pay for it either. It sounds like the buyer has done what they can do.

And it's interesting that you've been too busy to even post, but when the buyer hadn't had a chance to go to the post office yet, that meant they were a thief.

As for a signed confirmation, that means nothing. Any mail carrier, postal worker or stranger walking by could sign a confirmation.

Anyway, I do hope you can get your claim paid.

 

[kama_s]

Re: My stolen Tiffany Metro ring - I can't get my claim paid

I find it hard to understand why everyone is maligning this unnamed PSer. If I received a package with no ring I wouldn't pay for it either. It sounds like the buyer has done what they can do.

And it's interesting that you've been too busy to even post, but when the buyer hadn't had a chance to go to the post office yet, that meant they were a thief.

As for a signed confirmation, that means nothing. Any mail carrier, postal worker or stranger walking by could sign a confirmation.

Anyway, I do hope you can get your claim paid.

I can't believe I'm about to do this - Thing2, I am going to have to diagree with you (who would've thought this day would ever come?!)

It sounds to me as though the receiver did not return the damaged/opened package back to her PO - despite repeated correspondance from Phoenix. She also ignored all e-mails and phone calls. I'm certainly not saying she had a hand with the ring going missing - but that said, I definitely think she is being highly inconsiderate and has a serious lack of regard for someone else's time and patience. Phnoenix gave her over a month to write back. That's plenty of time in my opinion.