lost bows by USPS

[Pat B]

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.

[Dave Lay]

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.

[Hud]

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.

[riverrat 2]

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.

[Mike Burch]

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

[A.S.]

Originally posted by Lefty:
 

Originally 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.

[joe skipp]

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.

[Craig]

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.

[khardrunner]

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.

[canopyboy]

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.

[BowHunterGA]

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.

[BRITTMAN]

About 2 months and they only paid 90% on a used bow

[bowgy]

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.

[TOEJAMMER]

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.