For those of you who have had to file claims with the USPS, how long did it take before they either found your bow or paid up?
I sent a bow back to Craig of HH archery about 2 weeks ago via priority mail (2-3 day) and he has yet to see it. We've talked to the postmaster from where I sent it and as of yet he cannot find it either. So, we are filing a claim today. Wish us luck!
I have only had 1 claim with USPS and they settled it pretty quick. It was for damage though.
Can you file a claim before 30 days is up?
I've sent several back to Craig over the years and never had a problem. But there is always the first time. Hope they find it......stabow
The only claim I fled was for a guy who Stiffed me on a Browning recurve that I paid with US POSTAL MONEY ORDER . It took a long time but he was charged with mail fraud . Good luck .
If the package was insured and hasn't been received, then as long as you have your proof of value and insurance receipt, the process will be fairly quick. A couple weeks for reimbursement. You can file a claim online to speed the process up some. Best way to find the article is to call the delivery office first to make sure it isn't there awaiting a signature for delivery. If it was valued at more than $200 at the time of mailing, then it will require a signature upon delivery. Your Postmaster can also look up the item online with the insurance number. It doesn't track every location, but does pick up scans as it moves through the processing plants and when it arrives at the delivery unit. If it really is lost then ask you Postmaster to do a MRC inquiry. This is an e-mail they send to the Mail Recovery Center with a description of the item. If packages are damaged or items loose in the mail, this is where they eventually end up when it cannot be determined where they were going or coming from. That's why it is always good to include your information inside the package as well. You will also want to go on the USPS.com website, go to the Postal Inspector link and file a mail fraud report. You will be able to complete the form online and attach pictures or documents as well.
Great info Chris!
What do you need to show proof of value?
I've had to file only one claim with USPS due to them damaging the bow in transit in all my dealings. Luckily the item was insured, but they required a bill of sale from the bowyer as to what it would cost to replace the item even though it was not a new bow. Took me almost 6 months to get my money, but they did pay the full insured amount.
Yikes! Should I email Craig and have him write up a bill of sale for my used bow? I have an image of the signed check they guy cashed.
I had one take 19 days to go from Missouri to Kentucky.(even I could have walked it there)
I will absolutely not ship anything without a tracking number.
If it has any real value($100 or more)I make sure to have it insured as well.
I hope yours shows up and soon!
God bless,Mudd
I had one that was sent Priority Mail and was received approximately two weeks after it was sent. I also had one that was destroyed. We had to provide a bill of sale to determine the insured value and it took about 6 weeks to receive the money from the USPS. If it is lost, I think you have to wait so long before you can file a claim. Your Post Office should be able to advise you of the correct procedure. I think it will show up within the next week or two. Good luck!
You guys are lucky. I've had one bow vanish in transit. They delivered the label off the package and refused to honor the claim as the system showed delivered even tho no one signed for anything!
I have had 2 claims filed with the USPS, both non bows, but expensive items. Took them about 2 weeks to remit payment, but that was AFTER the 30 day cycle you have to wait to actually file the claim.
I didnt have to show any proof of value, other then my insured value, but this was around 10 years ago, things may have changed.
I filed a claim against UPS 2 years ago, and it was just short of me taking legal action to get my claim paid.
Thats why I add Delivery Confirmation(less than $2). With it the package can be tracked to it's last location. There is no tracking for Priority Mail but I use a combo of Priority and Delivery Confirmation.
The best shipping service I ever had was with an International shipment. An independent shipping company kept me in the loop throughout the entire shipment, and it only took 4 days to get to me from across the pond.
There is confirmation on it, as well as insurance. The USPS tracking system is significantly lacking as compared to other carriers. We'll see what happens.
I believe if you send something Express Mail that it is tracked every step of the way, however it costs considerably more than Priority Mail. Delivery Confirmation only tells you when the item is delivered. At least that has been my experience with USPS.
I had a postal money order take 7 days to get to Va. from Louisana. The bow got there in 3 days. Both had tracking number.Never did find where the money order had it's layover. It just keeps life from getting boring.Good luck, Roy
"Murphy's law".... has got it's claws in everything !! May be sooner than later, just never know.
QuoteOriginally posted by A.S.:
Great info Chris!
What do you need to show proof of value?
What is evidence of value?
If the item is worth $100 or less, you can provide a statement that includes the purchase date, location, and price, as well as whether the item was new or used.
For more expensive items, evidence of value can include...
•a sales receipt.
•an invoice or bill of sale.
•a copy of the cancelled check or money order.
•a credit card billing statement.
•a final and complete transaction sheet indicating the amount deducted from an Internet account.
•or other documentation indicating the amount paid.
For damaged items, you'll also need to provide an estimate of the repair costs from a reputable dealer.
I've shipped lots of stuff, bows included by way of USPS with Priority Mail and delivery Confirmation and never lost a package. I've had a few run late and the Delivery Confirmation showed their last postal point.
I was told by a USPS agent that shipping Priority Mail insures fewer postal employees touch your package. That was good enough for me.
Chris (lefty) is the best source of this info. he helped me a while back on a bow that came up missing, and turned out was stolen by a usps employee. It showed up in a local archery shop for sale.. I guess the LH 60lb longbow kinda didnt fit what they wanted..
but USPS did pay the claim in good order after a few weeks.
It is a good idea to take PICTURES of the item,
before shipping, then make out TWO SHIPPING LABELS and put one inside the box. If the box gets sent to the Recovery or Dead mail center, it will get opened and they will find your name and the destination inside. If you will do these two things you increase the chance of recovery.
The pictures will help them identify the contents, when you ask them to locate the package. Many times the address is not legible, or something has happened to the box, and they cannot or will not delivery the package.
If you have pictures, go or call the post office manager, and email the pictures and ask them to file a report.
Man....Good luck. I had a deal on a Widow take a sour turn. I sent a $500 money order,waited a week,daily contact with seller,he said "not here yet" after a week of this,I was certain that I was being taken for a ride. He felt the same,sold the bow.....I filed a claim for the money order,waited I think 30 days. He emailed me and said " your a man of your word,that money order showed up today" he sent it back to me,the money order I originally sent,and my re-embursment check arrived in my mailbox the same day! what a sick feeling it is though,having anything like this happen.
Takes a while sometimes...red tape I guess.
Not sure what the deal is with USPS here lately...used to never have problems with Priority Mail...but in the last couple of months, it's taken longer to get delivery...sometimes... and I've had damaged packages arrive here lately from them...mybe it's just me. :confused:
I've had better luck with UPS and FedEx as of late.
Mike
QuoteOriginally posted by Lefty:
QuoteOriginally posted by A.S.:
Great info Chris!
What do you need to show proof of value?
What is evidence of value?
If the item is worth $100 or less, you can provide a statement that includes the purchase date, location, and price, as well as whether the item was new or used.
For more expensive items, evidence of value can include...
•a sales receipt.
•an invoice or bill of sale.
•a copy of the cancelled check or money order.
•a credit card billing statement.
•a final and complete transaction sheet indicating the amount deducted from an Internet account.
•or other documentation indicating the amount paid.
For damaged items, you'll also need to provide an estimate of the repair costs from a reputable dealer. [/b]
Thanks for the info Chris. I'm sure I am like a bunch of others on here, I mail expensive bows, insured, but never gave it much thought as to what would happen if the bow is lost or broken.
I'm not a big fan of shipping UPS. I have sent quite a few bows over the years and arrows, USPS Priority Mail. I make sure they are insured, obtain the tracking # and Confirmation on the receiving end.
No damage or lost items so far...the last being the longbow I sent to Texas. Now...I just received my new Fedora last Tuesday from UPS. The bottom of the box was ripped and damaged. Thank God Mike/Jason had triple bubble wrapped the bow, especially where the limb tips were.
If you send it Priority. Remember FedEx transports all Priority Packages for the USPS. That is from airport to airport. Who knows what happens when it gets to them.
It seems as though they may have found the bow. Apparently it was on the wrong truck. It left SC supposedly on it's way to Craig's in MT. However, instead it went to Harrisburg, Pa then over to Jersey Shore NJ. Go figure.
Kyle, good to hear! Especially with mine in a tube headed for Craig's as well. Wonder if they'll arrive the same time now?
Anyhow, congrats on having it show up.
Still waiting on a bow that was shipped on 1/24/2012. Can't file a claim for 30 days really stinks. Thing is if it shows up now I will always wonder where the bow was and why it took so long to reach GA from MI. Was shipped with Insurance and Delivery Confirmation.
About 2 months and they only paid 90% on a used bow
I sent a package ( not a bow ) once and when it didn't arrive after months I tried to file a claim but they told me I had to wait longer. After many months I don't remember exactly how long they allowed me to file a claim. They never paid anything but it was returned to my address in ten months and I was out the $35 that I paid to send it. It was sent to a valid address and that address was still on the box. I have shipped lots of things though with no problems.
I suspect the only sure fire (I say that with tongue in cheek) way would be sending it registered. Cost would be significantly more but it would ease the mind and if a treasured bow etc., worth it.