Shipping Diamond

[Iamme]

Hello,

I've seen a few posts about shipping diamonds (ME shipping a diamond, not a jeweler) and all the recommendations seem to be using USPS Registered mail... however I know registered mail is painfully slow.

Anyone have any idea how long it would take to ship from San Francisco to Los Angeles?

Thanks!

 

[recordaras]

I think it's hard to predict. Just a couple of weeks ago I shipped USPS registered insured from MA to TX, and it arrived incredibly fast - shipped it out Friday and arrived Tuesday (so just four days in transit), even though I was expecting it to take the full three weeks.

 

[bcavitt]

No experience specifically with your route, but the pace of USPS 1st Class Registered Mail has improved over the years. I would expect your particular shipment would take maybe 3-4 business days at the most, but I wouldn't bet the house on it.

 

[kenny]

You can file a claim after 15 days so I always expect it to take 15 days, and am pleasantly surprised when it takes less.

BTW, don't fall for their scam.
The USPS clerks always offer to bump me up to Express or Priority for an extra fee.

You can pay more but it does not move any faster.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Exactly. Priority is not one second faster than First Class when sending Registered. And just know in advance that tracking only shows the receipt of the item when sent and when it is delivered. It does not show where it travels in between the origin and destination. I would expect 2 days to 2 weeks. I wouldn't worry until two weeks has past. Ignore any estimated arrival date!

 

[ibdrinken]

When I shipped my diamond back to my jeweler to,be set he said to use Usps. I paid for second day register mail with tracking and it took 7 days to get there and the tracking number didn't update except that it was shipped out. I called to complain to the post office and they more or less told me to piss off because I was asking for a refund, so I called my bank and disputed the changes and the bank credited me back the money. I prefer using Ups but that is me

 

[Iamme]

Thanks for all the replies. Couldn't I just insure the diamond say with JM and ship priority mail?

 

[MollyMalone]

Jewelers Mutual itself recommends using USPS Registered Mail whenever possible, because losses with it "are so infrequent":
http://www.diamondcouncil.org/Documents/ReadingRoom/TheSAFEWaytoShipJewelry.pdf

FWIW, the transit time for Registered Mail delivery of the ring I most recently purchased was 4 days between Boston & NYC (sent out Monday AM, I received it on Friday).