Although I doubt my Congressman will be of much help, I did do an online request for assistance this morning, and actually got an email reply from one of his aides saying they want to help with the USPS issues. So they had me fill out a 2nd online form giving a release so they could contact USPS on my behalf to figure out why they're jerking me around.
So we'll see how this goes forward, and whether they can get USPS to pay up, or locate my package.

I recently sent an original BP 'roller to TX from NJ via Priority Mail, insured for $1500, asking for full tracking, etc. Dropped off at the PO and got an e-mail that they had received the package. Next day another e-mail that the package had made it to their distribution center and was put in the hands of their "delivery agent". Tracking online give zero additional info. Not another peep until I heard from the person it was sent to about two weeks later.

We are getting the PO we voted for. Trump put in DeJoy as Post Master General and his express mission was/is (he's still there) to destroy the USPS (and he is doing a pretty good job of it) and turn everything over to private industry (where you will have no choice but UPS or Fedex). DeJoy has trashed $$millions of automated sorting machines to slow things down. That "delivery agent" may well be one of the freight companies in which DeJoy has $$millions personally invested in. Congress is good with all of this as the USPS can't give them any money like private corporations. Remember, we have the best Congress money can buy. You are getting what you voted for. Medicare and Social Security are next.

George Babits wrote on Oct 7^th, 2022 at 9:17am:

From the ATF website

26 U.S.C. § 5845(G)

For the purposes of the National Firearms Act, the term “Antique Firearms” means any firearm not intended or redesigned for using rim fire or conventional center fire ignition with fixed ammunition and manufactured in or before 1898 (including any matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap or similar type of ignition system or replica thereof, whether actually manufactured before or after the year 1898) and also any firearm using fixed ammunition manufactured in or before 1898, for which ammunition is no longer manufactured in the United States and is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade.

Haven’t shipped many guns, but a letter mailed to me from NY, not the city, took 10 days to arrive.
Mike 

So after 3 weeks since USPS told me they sent me a letter of explanation as to why the claim was denied, it finally arrived today.
Letter says my proof of purchase price wasn't adequate. Supposedly they want either a receipt, credit card slip, or picture of both sides of a cancelled check. They could care less about our emails back and forth discussing price, and acknowledging receipt of payment, or price of the item. And they also don't care what any references state the value is, or that it was sold and insured for much less than it's true value.
So have to bother my buddy to get a copy of his check from his bank, and then send in an appeal with copies of his canceled check. Then we'll see if they pay up?

RDBallard wrote on Oct 7^th, 2022 at 5:44pm:


Since nobody at USPS will answer a phone, or even list a phone number for most departments, the answer is, no they wont explain how a box that's 34" long, and 6"x6" gets lost. I remove buttstocks to avoid damage, and keep packages a bit shorter. Guess that wont stop them from being lost or stolen.

But my congressman's aide just sent me an email stating he'd contacted their contact within USPS, and basically got the same reply; I need to send more proof of sale before they'll pay up. So my friend is sending me copies of the canceled check, which they say they'll accept as proof. 

I doubt I'll ever send another item worth anything via USPS again. I've had trouble with UPS and FedEx also, but never had this kind of issue collecting on insurance.

Cbashooter wrote on Oct 7^th, 2022 at 6:48pm:


I doubt I'll ever do a gun sale, or purchase that involves shipping again. If it's valuable I'll only buy or sell face to face. I trust none of them, and at my age I'll just forget about it and take guns for sale off to my local auction house an hour away at Ward's Auctions. And only buy at gun shows locally or whatever big shows I attend.

After the claim, and two appeal denials, and contacting my congressman's office, USPS finally notified me they are settling my claim. Not fully, as for whatever reason they're withholding $23. from the total for insurance, shipping, and the value of my claim? That amount happens to be the cost of insurance, and the extra paid for an "over length" package. I guess I could understand not being paid back for insurance, but the over length charge should have been paid. Oh well, I should be happy they even paid the claim I guess.
I don't think my congressman's "help" did much, as they simply contacted USPS and was told the same thing they told me. And when my appeal was denied after giving proof of value, they asked me to show them what I sent USPS, and replied that it should have been enough for USPS?
I got two letters stating my claim was denied, and appeal was denied, but after getting the denial letter on my 2nd appeal it still showed at their web site that the appeal was under consideration. Then this morning it said the claim was approved for the lesser amount.
I wont use USPS again, unless it's something of small value. And as for guns, I'll sell them locally, and no longer ship any guns via any of the various carriers. I've had my fill of poor service, or no service.