I agree with every word you say. But for putting in a claim, in my opinion, you need a college education, something I lack. Just reading the procedures in putting in a claim makes me want to pull my hair out. Dale.

Ah yes... Good Point

In addition supporting documentation in the way of an "Invoice" is required so be prepared to support the "Value" of your item made from "Unobtainium" 


DWT1885 wrote on Oct 7^th, 2025 at 1:51pm:

Over insuring a USPS package is simply wasting your money. It wont ensure it gets to you, and you'll need to prove the value if you make a claim. If they determine by your proof you over insured it they'll deny the whole claim. They don't simply pay you the proven value. They call that "insurance fraud" and will threaten to press charges if you don't drop your claim.
Never ship in round packages or tubes as the USPS charges extra for anything round! Best to buy a long square box to slip the tube in as USPS knows the packages roll and charges extra due to handling and packing round items.
If you do everything right, it still wont guarantee your package will make it on time, and undamaged. It's a crap shoot all the time, so all you can do is hope and pray once you turn it over to USPS.
If you have a claim it's going to be a battle to collect. I will say that if your claim gets denied, don't reapply again, as you only get three tries and then there's no appeal! Contact your congressman's office and file a complaint against USPS and one of their aides will contact USPS about your claim. Give them all the details so when they investigate they'll know all. When a congressman's office gets involved they snap to attention quickly and pay off. You only have 45 days to file and finish a claim, and the USPS will delay you by at least 3 weeks before you get a letter telling you why you were denied the first time. That leaves you with even less time to appeal! 
I was at my wit's end after USPS stole a nice Ballard rifle, and denied my claim twice. An email to my congressman's office and the next day things began to be resolved. I didn't tell my liberal congressman it was a firearm, just that my package went missing, and USPS denied my claim. Got paid quickly after USPS got the call asking why.

I just won an Mva gift certificate, so decided to by an new rear sight. Sent it with check for balance usps, it’s been 2 1/2 weeks
Mva still does not have it . It’s a fricken letter. They can’t even deliver a letter . Told Mva when ready to ship and still don’t have it
I’ll cancel check and pay by credit card. 2nd time in a couple month been screwed by them. This is what happens with DEI hires.

Val,

Excellent information thanks, sounds like you have had your trials with shipping.

RE: "You only have 45 days to file and finish a claim"
Now that is some sage advice. What constitutes "Finishing a Claim" 
is a question I'll have to ask them about or read up.

I wanted to give them about three weeks to find it so if they did find it after I filed a claim I would still have an avenue to get it rather having  them junk it due to a claim having been paid. I want the barrel not the money., If I have to pay double to get the same item made that they lost shouldn't the insurance pay the stated value?

If a Item is no longer available (unobtainium) how does one establish a value other than a cancelled check.?

If an invoice is sent for the dollar value to the customer, i'e. A original Low Wall single digit serial number in pristine condition , then that's the value. NO..-?..?

Over the years I've sent numerous items to people for inspection without payment with the proviso that if they didn't find it acceptable they could send it back. But I did insure it for replacement value. 

Seems to me that if you buy insurance for a 'Stated Value' that's the amount insurance should cover the item for. 
[quote author]

I suspect if one threatens to get the ATF involved the Post Office might be more responsive. 

Although getting a congressman involved obviously helped you. 

I should start a antique rifle shipping service.
I'll fly to the sender, pick it up and bring it to the buyer. 

A few years back I bought a pristine 1885 Low Wall from a seller on this forum.. Flew to Michigan from Florida, inspected and paid for it and brought it home. Now in full disclosure I used to work for the Airline so there there were no airfare charges just my time to get there, rent a car and get back to the airport for my return trip home. 

I brought the hard shell case and the box I put it in with me.
So my exposure was to the minimum number of easily identifiable ground pounders at the 2 airports. 
All airport baggage facilities are video recorded continuously.

Stealing baggage from the airlines is a Federal Offense. 





marlinguy wrote on Oct 7^th, 2025 at 2:57pm:

fc60 wrote on Oct 7^th, 2025 at 7:45pm:


Good point with regard to registered mail. However it is not fast as most post offices and centers only have a single person or two that can log the package.
It took over 8 weeks to ship registered from Alaska to Mississippi. In the end, I had to call the post office that last logged the package and threaten to get the ATF involved. The package was delivered quickly after that.