Lost USPS package—what to do? Anyone ever actually get their money back from USPS insurance claim?

[Seastheday]

Hi all,

So…I mailed on 4/12 my pair of jade earrings to Mason Kay in CO for them to take a look, and since the item was scanned in by the origin post office, it has failed to track for the last 10 days. There’s no tracking info available. I opened a help claim and a nice man from the destination USPS in CO called me yesterday and let me know they are unable to locate the package there, and he suggested I file a missing package report or file an insurance claim.

I shipped the package via USPS Priority and insured fully for $2000. I kept the original purchase invoice from Dupuis Auctions as well noting the $2000 recent purchase price as well as the USPS mailing receipt; hope that’s enough? I didn’t take any photos of the package. I’m assuming it would not be hard to file for and get my money back from USPS? Anyone successfully file for insurance claim and actually got their fully insured amount back with USPS? How long did it take?

I’m so bummed. Sad they lost my earrings and now having to deal with USPS bureaucracy as well. Have never had a lost package before so looking for advice!

 

[pearlsngems]

That is a bummer, but you seem to have the proofs you need (but I don't think you can claim more than you paid for them, regardless of what they are selling for now.)

USPS will make you wait 30 days before they will pay out a claim, just because packages can show up.

Edited to add: you should add the shipping cost to the claim, since they were not delivered.

 

[Seastheday]

That is a bummer, but you seem to have the proofs you need (but I don't think you can claim more than you paid for them, regardless of what they are selling for now.)

USPS will make you wait 30 days before they will pay out a claim, just because packages can show up.

Edited to add: you should add the shipping cost to the claim, since they were not delivered.

Thank you, this is really helpful!

 

[Autumn in New England]

Oh I'm just so very sorry to hear this! Been there, done that. When you file the claim, be sure to have all of your documentation ready to submit. You'll want a photo of the earrings, your purchase invoice, a copy of the label, USPS receipt, tracking #, etc. They do like to see a photo of the package, but I don't think that should preclude you from a payout. This isn't about a damaged item; the entire package is lost. Remember, if you're denied at first, immediately file an appeal. They often deny claims initially regardless of how legitimate they are (lazy buggers), and it can require your persistence. Good luck!

 

[Seastheday]

Oh I'm just so very sorry to hear this! Been there, done that. When you file the claim, be sure to have all of your documentation ready to submit. You'll want a photo of the earrings, your purchase invoice, a copy of the label, USPS receipt, tracking #, etc. They do like to see a photo of the package, but I don't think that should preclude you from a payout. This isn't about a damaged item; the entire package is lost. Remember, if you're denied at first, immediately file an appeal. They often deny claims initially regardless of how legitimate they are (lazy buggers), and it can require your persistence. Good luck!

Thank you!

Wow, I didn’t know they will try to deny claims, even if it’s kind of obvious, like in this case where the package has gone missing in its entirety. Good to know to keep trying. Hate to sink more time into this project, but don’t wanna be out $2000 either!

Checklist:
-I have photos of the earrings
-I have the purchase invoice
-I have the tracking number
-I have the USPS mailing receipt
-I don’t have a photo of the package or a photo/copy of the mailing label, since they only gave me a single USPS mailing receipt that day. Hopefully this is not a problem! They used to give I remember an insurance receipt, but for some reason in the last year whenever I asked for one, they would look at me like I have two heads.

This experience has been a big letdown, from all the time and money spent hunting down these earrings, only for them to go missing. But maybe it was just my turn to have a missing USPS package since I have never had one go missing before and I’m pretty old!

I feel like in the future, I should really not be mailing anything that is irreplaceable! Should probably hand over jewelry personally myself if able, even if it involves taking a flight to do so!

 

[Autumn in New England]

Thank you!

Wow, I didn’t know they will try to deny claims, even if it’s kind of obvious, like in this case where the package has gone missing in its entirety. Good to know to keep trying. Hate to sink more time into this project, but don’t wanna be out $2000 either!

Checklist:
-I have photos of the earrings
-I have the purchase invoice
-I have the tracking number
-I have the USPS mailing receipt
-I don’t have a photo of the package or a photo/copy of the mailing label, since they only gave me a single USPS mailing receipt that day. Hopefully this is not a problem! They used to give I remember an insurance receipt, but for some reason in the last year whenever I asked for one, they would look at me like I have two heads.

This experience has been a big letdown, from all the time and money spent hunting down these earrings, only for them to go missing. But maybe it was just my turn to have a missing USPS package since I have never had one go missing before and I’m pretty old!

I feel like in the future, I should really not be mailing anything that is irreplaceable! Should probably hand over jewelry personally myself if able, even if it involves taking a flight to do so!

Ah, I see. So you didn't print the label... they printed it for you at the USPS location and just gave you a receipt? Got it. The tracking number should suffice. The main things you need to prove are the item value, that you purchased insurance, and that the package is missing. And you have all of that info.

I know the disappointment and I'm so sorry this happened! But it's early, so they may still turn up. The only thing (fingers crossed) I ever had go missing was a large peach tourmaline I'd sent in to AGL via FedEx. It was on the truck for delivery on a Saturday, and that was it... never made it and never turned up. I was told never to ship over the weekend, because they have temps on duty and they're less reliable. I don't know if the same goes for the PO. Now I only ship on Mondays. Anyway, good luck and keep us posted!

 

[Seastheday]

Ah, I see. So you didn't print the label... they printed it for you at the USPS location and just gave you a receipt? Got it. The tracking number should suffice. The main things you need to prove are the item value, that you purchased insurance, and that the package is missing. And you have all of that info.

I know the disappointment and I'm so sorry this happened! But it's early, so they may still turn up. The only thing (fingers crossed) I ever had go missing was a large peach tourmaline I'd sent in to AGL via FedEx. It was on the truck for delivery on a Saturday, and that was it... never made it and never turned up. I was told never to ship over the weekend, because they have temps on duty and they're less reliable. I don't know if the same goes for the PO. Now I only ship on Mondays. Anyway, good luck and keep us posted!

Sorry for your loss—I’m sure it was a gut punch to find out it went missing! Yeah, I mailed it on a Saturday…

I’m actually kicking myself that I underinsured, given I dropped another $250 or so to convert the screw back to platinum posts. I only insured for the original purchase of the earrings before the conversion. Ugh.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Sorry for your loss—I’m sure it was a gut punch to find out it went missing! Yeah, I mailed it on a Saturday…

I’m actually kicking myself that I underinsured, given I dropped another $250 or so to convert the screw back to platinum posts. I only insured for the original purchase of the earrings before the conversion. Ugh.

I'm really proud of you for insuring at all! My stone wasn't insured (I'm an idiot). All they gave me was $100. But it's value was definitely under $1k. I hope you receive a quick payout and find another pair of jade earrings you love! And then please share them.