A rash of thefts/losses

[empliau]

To compare small things with great (7 carat diamond), I received an eagerly awaited package today. Emphasis on package. I did not receive the contents.

An artist in Japan used to make pen rests (I am a fountain pen enthusiast), but of course I delayed buying one of them and then it was too late. He doesn't make them any more, hasn't for over two years. I've e-mailed from time to time, always to receive the same answer: no, he isn't making them right now.

They e-mailed two weeks ago, to say they'd found one while preparing to go to the San Francisco show (and in my preferred color, too!), but I'd have to have a friend pick it up at the show. I found an online friend who was willing to pick it up for me and post it. He sent it on the 28th of August.

It arrived at my local distribution center, and then wasn't heard of for seven days. Today I got an alert that it was out for delivery. They delivered an open, empty box.

Insurance is no help. There is not another such pen rest in the world, at least not for sale. Stolen? Damaged? Have you ever tried to get a straight answer out of the USPS?

Despair. I keep telling myself it's only a thing, but so far I am not comforted.

 

[LilAlex]

Wow, that is heart-breaking! And weird, too. Any idea what the return address was? I know jewelers take great pains to use an anonymous-sounding origin (or destination for returns) -- some random combo of initials.

 

[empliau]

The friend who posted it is very reliable - although we've never met in person, we've corresponded for a few years, and I actually bought a relatively valuable pen from him about seven years ago. It was his home address, so there was nothing to indicate something of value in the parcel - which, indeed, there was not, unless one happens to fancy this exact item of lacquerware.

 

[Ionysis]

Neve never never is USPS. Every single thing I’ve had delivered via USPS has gone wrong in some way. Hate the service.

So sorry for your loss. It’s not the monetary value but that was so unique and so special to you specifically. I really hope one day you can find another.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

boo hiss USPS
(or maybe poo wees)

this just isnt fare @empliau
time for group hug

 

[SandraLynn]

I hate USPS, I also recently had a package come empty from them. Mine was only a $40 item but still. Sorry this happened to you.

 

[empliau]

In my dealings with them I feel like the straight man in Beyond the Fringe's routine "The Great Train Robbery," when his interlocutor insists that they have not lost a train. "It's what we like to call the contents of the train that have been taken."

The computer keeps assuring me that the system says they delivered the package. I can't deny that they delivered the box with the tracking number, but I don't care about the box. I care about the contents of the train .... that is, box.

For those who enjoy Peter Cook at his best:

 

[Arcadian]

My issue was with FedEx. For the longest time, I would have holes poked though my packages just enough and pushed to see what was in the package.

Not that I cared, it was fabric.

And that continued for a good 4 months. Like every single package from them. Boxes would be opened. not just oh a little rip here or there, but Opened and taped back shut.

Anything that came by other means like UPS or USPS, no issue.

But I guess no body wants to steal fabric.

 

[Lookinagain]

I'm hearing more and more about thefts like these and it really is horrible. I have no idea if this is happening at the distribution centers or if it's the route driver. One way or the other when you contact the carrier you would think that they would keep track of these types of things so they could narrow down the point where the theft occurs and deal with it. That they don't seem to be doing that boggles the mind, since they rely on people using their services to exist. I'm so sorry this happened to you. It is strange considering the contents would probably not be something a thief was looking for, or even if they could figure out what it was.

 

[RunningwithScissors]

I'm sorry this lovely piece of art was stolen. It makes my heart sad too.

 

[Petalouda]

I am so sorry to hear this. I'm hoping some resolution can come out of this.