posted on January 20, 2001 11:34:35 AM
I just purchased an item and it arrived cracked and damaged.
Luckily the package was insured. Im just looking/wondering if any user of the board has experience in filing a claim with the postal service. How long does it take? Also is a print out of an Ebay end of auction invoice a sufficient form of proof of value? ANy information will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your time
FYI--I do not forsee any problems with this seller. He has a 300+ feedback and no negs.
posted on January 20, 2001 01:48:20 PM
Depends on your post office, what mood the claims clerk is in and whether the sun is shining the day you submit your claim. Save all the packaging, they will want to inspect it. They won't pay if they consider the reason for breakage is poor packing.
Generally, they will not accept the auction page. You have to prove the item's worth by finding another and showing proof that it is worth the amount you're claiming. If it's an antique or rare item, you have to get something in writing from someone who is qualified to appraise. Sometimes, however, the claims clerk will accept the auction page but don't count on it.
This can work in your favor. If you got a deal on the item and the seller insured it for its replacement value, then this is the amount the p.o. will pay as long as you can prove it, no matter how little you paid. If, however, you overpaid and the seller insured for that amount, the p.o. will still only pay you the actual value that you can prove.
posted on January 20, 2001 02:13:03 PM
I had an item that was lost on its way to me in November. Shipper filed a claim, USPS sent the claim to me to take in to my delivering PO with proof of value. I did this just after Jan 1st. They accepted my cancelled check and the printed auction page as proof of value. I am still waiting for some resolution.
The really distressing thing is that NO ONE at the Post Office seemed to know how to go about filing a claim or how long it would take. I got the sense that they would be more than pleased to keep sending forms around for as long as it takes for you to give up on the claim.
The other thing that always strikes me when I go to the Post Office is how the entire operation always seems geared to make sure that you have the most miserable experience possible.
posted on January 20, 2001 04:54:23 PM
Postal insurance takes FOREVER and a day, especially if the item is worth over $50! I filed a claim back in October, and still haven't received anything. I do periodically hear from the local office, who is "checking on it"; but that's it. It's pretty frustrating, considering that I've spent over $800 on insurance in the last year and this is the only claim I've had!
posted on January 20, 2001 06:35:00 PM
Use U-Pic to insure, you'll have much less trouble when you encounter damage. Claims are paid promptly (paid and received within 2 weeks) and you dont have to jump through the hoops the PO makes you!!
I had a claim with the PO a few months back, the seller used PO insurance, they did pay with invoice from seller and auction Page, it took over 2 mts to actually collect. Not a good turn around for expensive PO insurance.
