posted on August 4, 2001 10:38:40 AM
I just received an insured package. It was a glass item and insured. Parts of the item were broken . However, in my opinion, it was poorly packaged to be shipped. How will this work when I file a claim with the PO? Thanks in advance.
posted on August 4, 2001 04:05:14 PM
If you haven't tried taking it to the post office, do that first, and see what they say.
If they tell you it wasn't packaged well enough, contact the seller, tell him what the post office told you and see what he will do.
If the post office says they'd pay on the claim, get ahold of the seller, tell them what happened and decide on who will start the claim process. Either one of you can do this, but if you initiate the claim, you'll need the seller to send you the insurance receipt.
The seller can either refund you right away and receive the refund, or have you receive the refund- you'll have to work that out with the seller.
posted on August 4, 2001 04:44:23 PM
Oh, just put some peanuts in the box to fill it up if it only has a couple of sheets of newpaper. Do this BEFORE you take it to the Post Office to file your claim. There's also a good chance it was broken BEFORE it was thrown into the box. I don't see why you should be screwed out of your money though. After you are refunded be sure to make a note on the sellers feedback file about the poor packaging. When I bid on glass and pottery items, I check feedback for notes about good packaging.
posted on August 4, 2001 05:18:30 PM
Why advise someone to "lie" by altering the condition of the box? No reason to add packaging materials that weren't there in the first place.
If the post office determines it was poorly packaged and denies insurance (why should they subsidize a seller who can't package?) it is up to the seller to make good -- entire cost plus shipping (both ways).
posted on August 4, 2001 05:26:34 PMit is up to the seller to make good -- entire cost plus shipping (both ways).
Oh yeah, like we know THAT's gonna happen. If the seller cared in the first place, he/she would have packaged it properly to begin with. Betch the seller charged a good ol "handling" fee too! Lol!
posted on August 4, 2001 05:34:25 PM
Well, to start with I would contact the seller and let them know the item was broken and to send you a copy of the insurance receipt or ask them if they will start the claim for you. Then you take the package down to the PO and let them to their "thing".
You paid for insurance to cover the price of the purchase in the event the item was lost, stolen or damaged. So, you should get your money back since the item was broken. If the PO doesn't pay, then the seller should. I don't see how they could baulk at this. That is what insurance if for after all.
If the PO refuses to pay due to inadequate packing, then it's between the PO and the seller.
The PO should not have allowed insurance on an improperly packaged item. Especially if they marked it fragil. The fact that they did insure it seems to imply they thought it was good to go.
posted on August 4, 2001 05:40:42 PM
If the representative of the U.S. Postal Service (i.e., the postal clerk) accepts the parcel and collects for insurance in good faith, then a claim will be paid. The clerk has sold the shipper insurance and marked the package accordingly assuming all sorts of things but, unless the shipper is called on any irregularity at that point, the insurance will be honored in the event of damage.
Also, as others have stated, the seller really IS liable but good luck there!
posted on August 4, 2001 06:02:16 PM
If you have paid for insurance the Post office will pay. That's what it's for. Not your fault it was badly packed. I am speaking from personal experience. post master didn't even hardly glance at contents. Just asked me if I wanted anything out of box. Obviously a terrible pack job. I told her I had already removed unbroken contents. That was fine with her. 14 out of 38 pieces of pottery dishes survived. Just had to show copy of cancelled check for proof of value. Took 4 months but I got paid. You buy the insurance with good faith.
As far as I'm concerned, they do pay. You don't have to mention you thought it was badly packed. Another postmistress told me, "how do they know if it's packed right or not....."
posted on August 4, 2001 07:09:51 PM
Well, it has an insurance scan bar on it; I had to sign for the package. I think all I have to do is take it to the PO and they can scan the barcode. I did e mail the seller already but did not want to tell her I thought it was packaged badly, figured if the PO tells me that, it will be easier to pass it on that way. I hope it pays, becuase although in the large scheme of things, it was not that expensive, to me, it was a large purchase, and I would hate to think I could not get my money back
posted on August 5, 2001 12:19:12 AM
Do what KatyD said. The post office has no right to sell insurance if their not going to make good on it. They should tell the shipper it's not packed right before taking the money for insurance if they want the right to deny a claim. How about when they loose an uninsured package, who pays then, they sure don't. They deserve to be treated as they treat others. You paid for insurance, you should be reimbursed.
posted on August 5, 2001 12:23:04 AM
That is how I see it. Think of all the times I paid for it and never used it! You bring the balls and I'll bring the bat!!
posted on August 5, 2001 10:57:01 AM
Good, The way to win with the PO is to play their game with the rules they unfairly set.
Now go & collect your money.
. However, in my opinion, it was poorly packaged to be shipped. How will this work when I file a claim with the PO? Thanks in advance.