Please send me some positive gem vibes...

[Bron357]

I’ll send my lucky vibes.
i bought 3, identical, Silver Coins over about 5 months.
Each subsequent purchase being my response to the earlier purchase not having tracking or the tracking not updating. I bought from 3 different countries even!
I was feeling totally defeated as yet more weeks past by.
ah hem……
I now have 3 identical Silver Coins.

 

[Autumn in New England]

OMG !
What is wrong with the universe ?

You are one of the trully good, kind people who should never be felled by such bad luck
Stupid F-ing post office

You are such a sweetheart... thank you, my friend.

 

[Autumn in New England]

I live in Manhattan. Anything I can do to help? Pick it up and send It back to you or to it’s actual destination via FedEx? Go harass the distribution center it keeps getting scanned at?

Sorry this happened I always use fedex for this reason. USPS is horrific and there’s no accountability. If you had sent a piece of junk mail, I’m sure it would have arrived early and in one piece.

You are so very kind to ask, thank you. You know, it's a 3-hour drive from here, and I thought seriously about going myself. I did speak with a supervisor at the distribution center today (a miracle, I know). She was actually very helpful. While she didn't get her hands on my package, she did seem quite confident that it was business as usual, and the package would make it to the AGL eventually. The important thing, apparently, is that the label is intact and still able to be scanned. It remains at the main hub for now. We shall see! But thank you again for your offer!! It feels good to know there are kind folks like you always willing to step up and help. It truly is lifting my spirits.

 

[Autumn in New England]

I have read each and every post, and can't thank you all enough for relating your similar stories and offering support. Clearly, this was all my fault. But no one here has judged me for it, and that is just super cool. Dear gem gods, I have learned my lesson... please deliver the package now!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I’ll send my lucky vibes.
i bought 3, identical, Silver Coins over about 5 months.
Each subsequent purchase being my response to the earlier purchase not having tracking or the tracking not updating. I bought from 3 different countries even!
I was feeling totally defeated as yet more weeks past by.
ah hem……
I now have 3 identical Silver Coins.

That's awsome they all finally arrived

 

[LilAlex]

I always use fedex for this reason

FedEx tossed a high-value signature-guarantee package right onto my front doormat and walked away. It was a PS-type shipment and I had made sure that I was home to sign because I knew the delivery "window" and did not want to miss it and have to chase it all over. I was home a few feet away on the other side of the door -- I heard it land. Then I heard the truck drive away.

I alerted the sender/vendor -- they were appalled.

EDIT: Oops -- did not mean to provoke anxiety -- I missed some intervening posts.

 

[Autumn in New England]

FedEx tossed a high-value signature-guarantee package right onto my front doormat and walked away. It was a PS-type shipment and I had made sure that I was home to sign because I knew the delivery "window" and did not want to miss it and have to chase it all over. I was home a few feet away on the other side of the door -- I heard it land. Then I heard the truck drive away.

I alerted the sender/vendor -- they were appalled.

EDIT: Oops -- did not mean to provoke anxiety -- I missed some intervening posts.

No worries! I agree that it does seem every carrier has its moments. Hey at least you actually received the item. At this point, I wouldn't mind if the USPS put my package in one of those air cannons and shot it right through the AGL's window (an open one, of course) as they drove by.

 

[Avondale]

Is it time for a meme? I think it's time for a meme.



Fingers crossed for you, Autumn! It will get there, eventually, it will find its way. Hopefully sooner rather than later so it doesn't wreck your nerves any more than it has to.

 

[Autumn in New England]

We can't post mail memes without including one from Newman...

 

[airplay355]

No problem! If anything changes, still happy to help. AGL is very close to me. I haven’t gone there but I’ve walked to GIA a few times. If the distribution center is in the Bronx or Staten Island, I could drive there too. But hopefully it shows up at AGL like it was supposed to.

 

[Snowbebe]

Hope you hear good news soon @Autumn in New England !!!

 

[JewelledEscalators]

I too am having problems with my package bouncing around. Apprarently I need 'importer's registration/identification number for clearance' but the recipient doesn't have one, they are not buying the item from me, just working on it, and I don't have an identification no of the kind being requested... I wonder what'll happen now.

@Autumn in New England, apparently there are mini GPS trackers you can put in packages - I think we might all consider doing this if it's something that is practical to do for valuable packages. Hoping your package soon bounces its way to AGL.

 

[OneKuhlChic]

Hello all,

I decided recently that I would certify any gems in my collection not yet tested, because I am now beginning to have them all set (which I wanted to share with everyone here, as the projects progressed). I've never set any of my gems before, so I am (was) excited! Anyway, there were 4 not yet certified... a spessartine (The Rare Gemstone Co.), royal purple garnet (AJS Gems), pink tourmaline (Africa Gems), and paraiba (JTV). These are all reliable sellers, but I always certify regardless, because I have trust issues.

I routinely overnight gems via Fedex to GIA or, in this case, AGL. But I was reeeeeally tempted to use USPS this time, because it only costs about 20% of the Fedex charge. And those costs add up, along with the lab fees, as you all know. So, against my better judgment, and to save a buck (smh), I sent the 4 stones to AGL via priority with signature confirmation. The 4 stones together stand me about $17k. I gambled on not fully insuring the package, because I would have needed an independent policy.

What do you think happened the one time I didn't use Fedex? Yep, you guessed it! The USPS has royally bungled this shipment. I'm really kicking myself because I hate, hate, hate the post office. I find them to be completely undependable and blasé about the entire process. And, frankly, that's why they're so cheap. Why... WHY did I send it USPS?! Losing the money would suck, but I'd feel even worse about losing the stones themselves.

The package has been bouncing around to every possible PO in NYC... back and forth, back and forth... it keeps getting "forwarded" around to the same distribution center and then sent out again the next day to, apparently, the wrong destination PO. I opened a case, and they simply said give it time and "it's not lost, because it's still scanning." But something is obviously wrong. And it's next to impossible to get a human on the phone who has any idea what's going on. When the box and label left my possession, they were 100% correct and intact... I have a copy of the label in my account. But the USPS system keeps saying that either the recipient has given them forwarding instructions or the zip code is wrong. Neither is true, so I don't know what to think. In my small state, if you call your local PO, they will physically retrieve a package to redirect it or return it to you. Obviously, that is not going to happen in NYC.

In any event, you can imagine my concern. I realize there are much more important things going on in the world right now, but please send some happy gem energy my way? I'll be pretty sick over it if this package is never "found." I feel like the more hands it goes through, the more it's just begging to be stolen or lost in the shuffle.

Sigh... sorry for the spiel. I'm such an IDIOT. Don't cheap out on shipping your gems, folks. Don't be like Autumn.

Oh my God, I am so sorry this happened to you. I really hope your gems arrive soon at AGL.

I'll say a prayer to St. Anthony for you as well.

 

[VividRed]

this is going to be a long weekend for you, @Autumn in New England - I hope your parcel arrives soon! Love from Switzerland

 

[Autumn in New England]

Again, it is so lovely of you to offer, @airplay355! Thank you for having my back. Hopefully it doesn't come to manual retrieval!!

Thank you, @Snowbebe!

That is a really interesting idea about the mini GPS's, @JewelledEscalators. For high-value packages, it may definitely be worthwhile. Hmm by which method did you send your package? Was it coming to the US from the UK? I'll be crossing my fingers that it arrives at its destination safely and in a timely fashion!

So sweet of you, @OneKuhlChic, many thanks!! Are you Italian? Not that you have to be Italian to pray to St. Anthony, but I was just curious. We are!

And speaking of Europe, I didn't know you are from Svizzera, @VividRed! We are from Italy, but I have family in Lugano. Does that even count as being Swiss? lol

Thanks again everyone for your well wishes and support!!

 

[T L]

Good luck with the package. If it was sent registered, it can bounce around quite a bit.

 

[PrecisionGem]

I have shipped several thousand stones with USPS and have never had one lost. Some have taken a weird twisted way to get there, and at times the tracking is not very helpful.
Did you send the Registered Mail? Registered mail is way slower and tracking on registered mail is pretty useless, but it is supposed to be very secure. The Hope Diamond was mailed registered mail.

But why would you send the garnets and pink tourmaline out for a lab report? The garnets are not heated or treated. I could see the Pariaba to test for copper, but the other two there is really no reason for a report.

Buy yourself a good refractometer instead of spending the money on lab reports.

 

[Autumn in New England]

I have shipped several thousand stones with USPS and have never had one lost. Some have taken a weird twisted way to get there, and at times the tracking is not very helpful.
Did you send the Registered Mail? Registered mail is way slower and tracking on registered mail is pretty useless, but it is supposed to be very secure. The Hope Diamond was mailed registered mail.

But why would you send the garnets and pink tourmaline out for a lab report? The garnets are not heated or treated. I could see the Pariaba to test for copper, but the other two there is really no reason for a report.

Buy yourself a good refractometer instead of spending the money on lab reports.

That's good to know! I hope you're right and it's just a matter of time before delivery. I did once have a package lost into the ether by USPS, never to be heard from again. In that case, I was told the label likely ripped off, as it stopped scanning shortly after mailing. I used priority for this one.

I actually do own a refractometer! I have determined their composition, but I always send out for lab reports anyway, even if certain gems are never treated. It's not for confirmation, but just in case I ever decide to sell a piece after setting. I'm beginning to have all of my gems set now.

 

[VividRed]

Again, it is so lovely of you to offer, @airplay355! Thank you for having my back. Hopefully it doesn't come to manual retrieval!!

Thank you, @Snowbebe!

That is a really interesting idea about the mini GPS's, @JewelledEscalators. For high-value packages, it may definitely be worthwhile. Hmm by which method did you send your package? Was it coming to the US from the UK? I'll be crossing my fingers that it arrives at its destination safely and in a timely fashion!

So sweet of you, @OneKuhlChic, many thanks!! Are you Italian? Not that you have to be Italian to pray to St. Anthony, but I was just curious. We are!

And speaking of Europe, I didn't know you are from Svizzera, @VividRed! We are from Italy, but I have family in Lugano. Does that even count as being Swiss? lol

Thanks again everyone for your well wishes and support!!

Lol I al from Lugano small world!

 

[Autumn in New England]

Lol I al from Lugano small world!

How funny is that?! Maybe we're related.

 

[VividRed]

How funny is that?! Maybe we're related.

Hehe well that’s always possible, up the tree we all are i spent my first 24 years in Lugano, until I got my Masters degree and moved to Zurich to work. that was 10 years ago and I’ve been living here ever since. That makes me 34 years old. What about you?

 

[OneKuhlChic]

Hello all,

I decided recently that I would certify any gems in my collection not yet tested, because I am now beginning to have them all set (which I wanted to share with everyone here, as the projects progressed). I've never set any of my gems before, so I am (was) excited! Anyway, there were 4 not yet certified... a spessartine (The Rare Gemstone Co.), royal purple garnet (AJS Gems), pink tourmaline (Africa Gems), and paraiba (JTV). These are all reliable sellers, but I always certify regardless, because I have trust issues.

I routinely overnight gems via Fedex to GIA or, in this case, AGL. But I was reeeeeally tempted to use USPS this time, because it only costs about 20% of the Fedex charge. And those costs add up, along with the lab fees, as you all know. So, against my better judgment, and to save a buck (smh), I sent the 4 stones to AGL via priority with signature confirmation. The 4 stones together stand me about $17k. I gambled on not fully insuring the package, because I would have needed an independent policy.

What do you think happened the one time I didn't use Fedex? Yep, you guessed it! The USPS has royally bungled this shipment. I'm really kicking myself because I hate, hate, hate the post office. I find them to be completely undependable and blasé about the entire process. And, frankly, that's why they're so cheap. Why... WHY did I send it USPS?! Losing the money would suck, but I'd feel even worse about losing the stones themselves.

The package has been bouncing around to every possible PO in NYC... back and forth, back and forth... it keeps getting "forwarded" around to the same distribution center and then sent out again the next day to, apparently, the wrong destination PO. I opened a case, and they simply said give it time and "it's not lost, because it's still scanning." But something is obviously wrong. And it's next to impossible to get a human on the phone who has any idea what's going on. When the box and label left my possession, they were 100% correct and intact... I have a copy of the label in my account. But the USPS system keeps saying that either the recipient has given them forwarding instructions or the zip code is wrong. Neither is true, so I don't know what to think. In my small state, if you call your local PO, they will physically retrieve a package to redirect it or return it to you. Obviously, that is not going to happen in NYC.

In any event, you can imagine my concern. I realize there are much more important things going on in the world right now, but please send some happy gem energy my way? I'll be pretty sick over it if this package is never "found." I feel like the more hands it goes through, the more it's just begging to be stolen or lost in the shuffle.

Sigh... sorry for the spiel. I'm such an IDIOT. Don't cheap out on shipping your gems, folks. Don't be like Autumn.

Hello Autumn in New England... Your not going to believe it, but my new ring was shipped from NYC on Friday via FedEx Overnight, it was supposed to arrive yesterday by 12-noon. Instead, it ended up in Memphis Tennessee!!!

I paid $50+ to get my ring right away and FedEx screwed up... So, even FedEx isn't infallible!!

Sending positive vibes that your gems turn up!!

 

[lilmosun]

I feel your angst...I always hold my breath a bit between sending and delivery confirmation. Like others, I believe it is not lost as long as it is being tracked.

The problem with the postal service is not enough permanent staffing. I haven't had a regular carrier since ours took another route just before the pandemic. Same with my mom's house. There are days when no one bothers to deliver the mail. While we haven't had anything lost - it is just not as reliable.

Fingers crossed that this resolves itself sooner rather than later.

 

[voce]

Sending positive vibes your way. You need to believe your package will get delivered eventually, even if the process is gut wrenching.

 

[Arcadian]

Lots and lots of dust for your package to get to its final destination! I won't go into details of the things I've had happen, but its ALL the services, not just one! My last weird one involved a box of that had puncture marks all over it, covered in white powder and leaking fish oil. I mean dude tried to actually deliver it and I was like, No, I'm not accepting that type of crazy. I'm thankful Chewy just replaced it all.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Lots and lots of dust for your package to get to its final destination! I won't go into details of the things I've had happen, but its ALL the services, not just one! My last weird one involved a box of that had puncture marks all over it, covered in white powder and leaking fish oil. I mean dude tried to actually deliver it and I was like, No, I'm not accepting that type of crazy. I'm thankful Chewy just replaced it all.

Yuck
i had a meat box on overnight courier not turn up on a friday after being sent Thursday night
By Monday i was praying it wouldn't turn up !
It was in February which is our hottest month
(Took 3 weeks to get my money back)

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

While we are waiting for Autumn's delivery to arrive ....
Ill fill in 5 minutes

our mail has been relayed - as it is we only get deliveries 3 days a week now days

NZ Post warns of delivery delays after electric buggies pulled from service

The 'precuationary measure' is being taken after an issue was found with some of the vehicles.

i.stuff.co.nz

 

[JewelledEscalators]

Hello Autumn in New England... Your not going to believe it, but my new ring was shipped from NYC on Friday via FedEx Overnight, it was supposed to arrive yesterday by 12-noon. Instead, it ended up in Memphis Tennessee!!!

I paid $50+ to get my ring right away and FedEx screwed up... So, even FedEx isn't infallible!!

Sending positive vibes that your gems turn up!!

My item is stuck at customs in Memphis Tennessee, having gone there and back from Texas...

 

[Autumn in New England]

Hehe well that’s always possible, up the tree we all are i spent my first 24 years in Lugano, until I got my Masters degree and moved to Zurich to work. that was 10 years ago and I’ve been living here ever since. That makes me 34 years old. What about you?

I've noticed that the average age here is younger than I'd initially assumed. I think that's a misconception about PS... that we're predominantly an older crowd (not that there's anything wrong with that). Anyway! It seems you and I are both in our 30's and have ties to Lugano! Isn't it crazy that we would run across each other here with a mutual love of gems? It really is a small world. As my username implies, I live in New England these days, which is also where I went to university. I try to visit Italy every couple of years!! My Swiss family usually travels down to see us while we're there. But I'd love to go back to Switzerland some day too.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Hello Autumn in New England... Your not going to believe it, but my new ring was shipped from NYC on Friday via FedEx Overnight, it was supposed to arrive yesterday by 12-noon. Instead, it ended up in Memphis Tennessee!!!

I paid $50+ to get my ring right away and FedEx screwed up... So, even FedEx isn't infallible!!

Sending positive vibes that your gems turn up!!

It's so very frustrating (especially when you're paying a premium)! But don't worry about your package as far as it being mis-routed or lost. Regardless as to where they're going in the country (or world), FedEx will often run packages through their main hub in TN. So even though it seems counterintuitive at times, it's routine for them. The worst part is though, since covid, they no longer guarantee delivery times. So you can't even request a credit for the late delivery. As I said, frustrating! In any event, I hope you receive your ring soon, my friend!!