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F R E A K I NG Out About Shipping...

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Scintillating

Scintillating

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Aug 10, 2005
Messages
1,192
Okay - Whitefoot's thread has me totally FREAKING out and confused.
HELP!!!!!
I have to ship my stone from Boston to Leon M in NYC. We have an appointment next week.
Leon suggested/assumed I'd ship UPS - like it was no big deal - just make sure I insure it.
But after reading about Whitefoot's ordeal I have no idea what to do now?

I want it out "there" for the least time possible.
How should I ship my beloved little stone?

UPS with highest level of security, which would be what? Registered? (which requires sig.), Insurance (of course! Does it show on the packaging how much the item is insured for?

OR

Do I go USPS - Registered, Insured, Express, Return Receipt Requested.

Or

Do my BF and I carry it on our persons to NYC when we go visit Leon next week.
I don't want to do this because I'm having nightmares about being mugged/robbed?

Suggestions?
It took us FOREVER to find this stone, if it were lost/stolen I might just have a heart attack and die!
Please help.

Scintillating...
 
Drive it there. Or carry it on you if you are worried.

Depending on where you are staying and how you travel - you won''t be a HUGE TARGET... "hey I have a diamond in my pocket" to potenial thieves. In fact, a lot of places now are much safer than they were 15 years ago in the city.

That being said -if you are traveling with your husband.. or even more people - you probably are less of a target for any type of mugging.

In addition - if you carry the stone on your person (in a front pants pocket) vs..say in a purse.. that might be even more safe.
 
If it were me, I''d carry it on me instead of mailing it. Registered mail seems to be the safest way to send it, but it is notorious for taking quite a long time, and I wouldn''t trust it over being able to take it there myself.

Just be aware - keep it in a front pocket (in some sort of holder or box type thing...it''s too easy otherwise for it to fall out of your pocket) or in your purse held close to you.

I''ve spent plenty of time in NYC and haven''t ever gotten mugged....you probably just feel like everyone knows you''re carrying around a precious diamond but they don''t!!!
 
Id USPS registered insured priority w. signature confirmation OR bring it there yourself.
 
Thanks ladies!
I don''t think I''m comfortable carrying it on my person. If something happens (god forbid*) we have NO recourse.
I also think I''d hyperventilate and have a panic attack.

Scintillating...
 
If you''re intent on mailing it, just be prepared that it might not get there by next week. I''ve had diamond jewelry sent to me USPS registered mail and it has taken 2+ weeks. Sure that''s probably not normal, but they''re not speedy, that''s for sure. UPS might be faster, but I don''t know that it''s as safe.

I still think the hands down best choice is to bring it with you, but if you''re intent on mailing it...I hope it gets there safe and sound by the time you do!
 
What about fedex??? Does anyone use them. I agree no way in heck would I mail it by UPS and USPS is slow but seems to be the safer alternative. But if it doesn''t get there in time for your visit, it''s pointless.
 
I''d ship it UPS via UPS directly with full insurance or USPS with full insurance if you are uncomfortable carrying it with you. In both cases, you are going to be covered if something happens. Both UPS and USPS have their own flaws both in their service and their claims procedures.
 
if you are not comfy carrying it, i would go USPS registered. Thats how i usually ship jewelry and so far so good. i dont know much about ups and their insurance on items like that, but i am scared of UPS at any cost because my diamond pendant was stolen by them last month.
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I don''t know anything about the shipping options in relation to each other, but i do live in NYC and i can tell you this:

NYC is really very safe. The crime levels are at record lows. Keep a low profile, don''t stand out as a "tourist"- ie stand looking confused with a huge map (just ask people for directions.. and remember it''s a grid..). You really shouldn''t worry about getting mugged or robbed.. just keep the diamond secure- maybe one of those thin packs you wear around your neck under your clothing..?

enjoy the city and your leon experience!
 
I think some of the advice in the Whitefoot thread you''re referring to said that overnighting it was the safest option...so maybe that is the way to go if you''re not comfortable carrying the stone? I guess I''d carry it myself, but I can totally understand being nerve-wracked about that too!
 
I would probably just take it with me but I totally understand you being nervous. i would send it USPS registered mail but you would run the risk it might not make it before you do. what about setting it in a cheap temp setting and wearing it? could you get it covered by insurance if it were in a setting?
 
Definitely carry it with you. I would hands down prefer that over any sort of mailing or shipping. No one will know you have a diamond on you unless it''s slapped on your forehead, it should be in that little white paper they come in right? Just put that into a plastic baggie and into a pocket of your purse or if you are freaked out in your bra or something. But I carried ours with us around to the jewelers a few times and was not worried nor did we have a problem. Good luck!
 
Hi Scintillating

I don''t want to be unsympathetic or insensitive....BUT, isn''t carrying it on you like being engaged and wearing it on your finger?

What are you ging to do after "The Question" has been popped? Put it in a safe and never wear it?

Anyway, I would carry it with me to NYC, it will be less obvious than when you wear it on your finger
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or when you send a small package with a high insured value. But I would suggest you have the stone appraised and insured before you go on the trip...you will need it anyway if you mail it.

I used USPS on two occasions from Seattle to NYC and to Houston, and both times the stone where at the destination within 4 days. (Mailed both on the Saturday and it arrived on the Tuesday) But I had the stone fully appraised and insured the package at USPS for the full amount.

Good luck
Maya
 
well I would NOT Ship is UPS.... USPS Express Mail Maybe? I dont know what their insurance limits are
 
Is the stone itself insured?
 
You can't insure a loose stone.

There seem to be a lot of votes to take it with us.
I'll have to give it some thought, and talk to my honey.
We don't know NYC well so I know we'll look like tourists.
He's a BIG guy (6'4' and about 290)it's true - I think I'd be pretty safe with him.
It's weird though - you'd think he'd repel trouble - but just the opposite happens - guys seem to want to prove how tough they are around him. (Truth is he's a teddy bear, and the good Samaritan type.)

I'll give it some more thought, and we'll see what we're comfortable with.
I'm most concerned with peace of mind.
Thanks folks.

Scintillating...
 
Allright I was under the impression that not every shipper wanted to take Jewlery items. Have you looked at DHL?
 
Im sorry I cannot see any practical reason NOT to have it on you in your front pocket. I simply think that you will suffer issues with ANY shipping service.
 
Date: 10/26/2005 9:19:45 AM
Author: ame
Im sorry I cannot see any practical reason NOT to have it on you in your front pocket. I simply think that you will suffer issues with ANY shipping service.
Click to expand...

I agree,
Put it in the paper wrapper (if you have it) or a nice eyeglass rag and put it in your front pocket. I wouldn''t worry too much about carrying it. If you get mugged (God forbid) they will take what you give them, mainy your purse and wallet and watches but they won''t look for a rag in the front pocket. Also, I kow it is expensive but by the same token but you do intend on wearing the ring on your hand right?

If you absolutely feel you have to ship it, USPS registered Express Mail. Make sure you next day it. All registered mail is insured for the value and you can insure up to 25k. I''ve read too many horror stories on this site to not trust UPS.

Myself is I would rather have it on me.
 
I gotta say I''m a really surprised, I thought you''d all say not to travel/ship without SOME form of insurance.
Especially from Ame!
2.gif

Yes, I intend to wear it, once it''s insured.
After Laney and Shay''s stories how could I not be overly cautious?
I''m taken-a-back by the suggestion to wap up my 10K rock in an eyeglass cleaning rag and stick it in my pocket.
38.gif


Scintillating...
 
Date: 10/27/2005 6:25:45 PM
Author: Scintillating
I gotta say I''m a really surprised, I thought you''d all say not to travel/ship without SOME form of insurance.
Especially from Ame!
2.gif

Yes, I intend to wear it, once it''s insured.
After Laney and Shay''s stories how could I not be overly cautious?
I''m taken-a-back by the suggestion to wap up my 10K rock in an eyeglass cleaning rag and stick it in my pocket.
38.gif


Scintillating...
Click to expand...
Scintillanting,
I mentioned doing that only if your comfortable and obviously your not. Me personally, I would rather have it on me if I were going in person regardless of it being insured or not, I trust myself more than UPS that''s for sure!

So you obviously are choosig to ship it. I would ship it USPS like I said above, as a matter of fact, I JUST sent a diamond to be set and sent it USPS registered mail with 10K insurance. It is MUCH cheaper than UPS and FedEx.
 
Okay, I tried to ship my stone out today after procrastinating about it.
Tried to send it USPS - Registered, Insured, Express, Return Receipt Requested.
The woman told me that that registered mail doesn''t offer express or priority service.
Is this true - or does she not know what she''s talking about?

I wimped out, when they told me it would take 4-5 days from Boston to NYC.
That would mean it wouldn''t get there for our meeting on Friday.
(Ugh! I wish I hadn''t procrastinated so long.)
Then I started to reconsider UPS overnight, insured, receipt confirm.
Then wimped out again to have my honey, an attorney, read their insurance coverage policy.
I am officially a SPAZ!
39.gif



Scintillating...
 
Date: 10/27/2005 6:25:45 PM
Author: Scintillating
I gotta say I'm a really surprised, I thought you'd all say not to travel/ship without SOME form of insurance.
Especially from Ame!
2.gif

Yes, I intend to wear it, once it's insured.
After Laney and Shay's stories how could I not be overly cautious?
I'm taken-a-back by the suggestion to wap up my 10K rock in an eyeglass cleaning rag and stick it in my pocket.
38.gif


Scintillating...
Click to expand...
Why? Your 10k rock comes wrapped in a piece of jewelers paper to begin with, wrapping it in something else to protect it or mask it to a thief doesn't seem that far fetched to me. It's not as though it would hurt it at all. I carried mine around in my purse a few times. Sure it was scary but people do it all the time...since you can't insure loose stones. Gotta get from point A to B in some way!!

Re: Express Registered Insured. There is Express and there is Priority or so we have heard on here. But apparently it actually DOESN'T get there any faster. You can do some archive searches to read up on it, it was discussed previously, around March or April of this year pretty extensively in a thread I started I believe. What people said was sure you can pay for Priority (and maybe even Express) but the R/I stuff is treated all the same from point A to point B. So it apparently doesn't travel any faster. That's why I decided to go with UPS and just send it overnight Priority and at least I had a tracking I could religiously watch and if it didn't arrive by 10am the next AM then I knew I could officially freak out instead of waiting 4-6 days freaking out the whole time.

I felt much more comfortable carrying it on my person than shipping it any time I have had to do so...that's for sure!
 
Girl, put it in a small box or container or something and put it in your front pocket! For the love of God!!!
2.gif


I mention a container because you want something big enough to not just fall out of your pocket. Even in your purse is fine. You woulda been lucky if you sent it USPS last week and it got there this week. No way that sucker is getting there on time with you mailing it just a few days beforehand. I also wouldn't trust UPS after some of the stories on here.

Stop freaking and just bring it with you!!!!!!!
 
Whew! Ok I''m glad my suggestion of carrying it with here didn''t seem that crazy to all of you, I was beginning to think. But gald to see others think the same way. Seriously, carry it with you it is a 3hr drive and get dropped off at the front door and let him go park the car. That way you only need to walk a few feet.
 
It''s a 4.5 hour drive - but we aren''t driving all of it.
We''re leaving my car with a friend in Stamford CT, and then taking the train.
We''ll be getting in late thursday night and staying with a friend.
We''re going to be taking public transit - that''s just about my only cause for concern.

It''s starting to sink in folks. Thanks.

Scintillating...
 
Are you taking Amtrak from Stamford CT to Penn Station? If so, I''ve done that many times it I would say that it is pretty safe and there is no need to feel uncomfortable, they are mostly business travlers going into the city. I would suggest taking a cab outside Penn Station to your destination.

Of course, this is all predicated on whether you are goin ginto Penn Station.
 
Scintillating,

I''m sorry that you are stressed about shipping. I didn''t enjoy that part either. We got it insured (privately) and shipped it to Leon UPS (next day delivery) with the appropriate declared value in the same wrapping that Whiteflash sent it to us in. Incidently, John (from WF) told us that they don''t ship in jewelery boxes (or with identifying marks) because thieves tend to target those boxes more.

In any case, once it''s insured, it''s insured. That''s what insureance is for...so that you can sleep for the next two months while your ring is being made. My ring has made 6 trips to and from NY via UPS without any problems. I''m a big worrier, but I didn''t think about it again once the insurance kicked in. Good luck!
 
Scintillating,

You poor thing, you''ve got yourself all worked up! Really, it will be fine. Post-Guiliani NYC is *incredibly* safe. I was just there this past weekend. Was by myself for much of the time, and also alone at night. Kept my guard up (as a woman, you have to) but felt very safe. Seriously, it is not the town it was years ago. The chances of you getting held up or mugged in broad daylight in Manhattan are so so slim...especially in midtown--I assume that''s where you''re headed? That said, it''s a mental thing. Keep the stone on your person at all times. You can even get one of those pouch things that strap around your waist that you wear under your clothing...I bought one when I went backpacking through Europe years ago and it was nice to have my passport and other papers on me but very securely.

And have fun! New York is a great town and it will be fun to be there.
 
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