Please send me some positive gem vibes...

[Autumn in New England]

Thank you for the encouragement, @lilmosun and @voce!

That's crazy, @Arcadian! I'm glad you were home to refuse the package, and the vendor replaced the products. I have a tangentially similar story, though it involves the shipper, as opposed to the carrier. I once had an ebay seller ship something to me in a cereal box. Yep! Of course it arrived flat as a pancake with the item crushed inside. And the most insulting part? He didn't even ship it in something fun, like a Lucky Charms box. He used some generic shredded wheat box. I would like to think I am at least worth a brand name cereal box.

 

[Autumn in New England]

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

Are those "buggies" actually what they use to deliver your mail in NZ? How cute!! This is exactly what Americans would think British colonized countries use for mail delivery. lol

We still have these guys... the ol' LLV, which are a good 28 years young. Almost as old as me. Here's a photo of one no doubt racing to deliver the wrong package.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Are those "buggies" actually what they use to deliver your mail in NZ? How cute!! This is exactly what Americans would think British colonized countries use for mail delivery. lol

We still have these guys... the ol' LLV, which are a good 28 years young. Almost as old as me. Here's a photo of one no doubt racing to deliver the wrong package.

Its funny
But then it's not because you are still waiting

year it looks a bit like a toktok but with 4 wheels and an electric motor

I remember when posties used to walk

i did see the post being delivered today - on a motor cycle

The post office talk a lot of BS
Complaining about lack of letters so they put the price up
complaing about too many parcels because of trade me (nz ebay) and internet shipping durring the pandenic - so they put the price up

laying off posties but making individual runs longer

 

[Autumn in New England]

Its funny
But then it's not because you are still waiting

year it looks a bit like a toktok but with 4 wheels and an electric motor

I remember when posties used to walk

i did see the post being delivered today - on a motor cycle

The post office talk a lot of BS
Complaining about lack of letters so they put the price up
complaing about too many parcels because of trade me (nz ebay) and internet shipping durring the pandenic - so they put the price up

laying off posties but making individual runs longer

We have the same issues here, my friend. It's a shame. But can I say how much I love that you call them "posties?"

 

[chrono]

In the British colony where I'm from, the postman rides a motorcycle with huge doble side compartments for mail.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I think technically we are a dominion and have been since 1907 (if i am remembering correctly from history at school)
I think officially we are nowdays known as the realm of NZ
Doesn't that just sound like an enchanted forest

@Autumn in New England has the postie brought your package today ?

 

[OneKuhlChic]

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!!

That's sweet of you to respond to my stuff when you've got a much larger problem. Thank you...!

 

[PrecisionGem]

Is your package still showing up on Post office updates? I was talking with a jeweler I sell to, and he told me they use a guy in diamond district of NYC, right around the corner from AGL, and have had many packages get stolen in the mail when sending to that zipcode. I think people working in the post office can kind of guess to some extent what's in the box. So the jeweler uses an independent insurer, and they are now refusing to insure parcel sent into the zip code since they have put in so many claims. NYC has declined into Gotham City once again and apparently the corruption is into the post office too.

 

[bright&shiny]

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.

This is such an awful feeling! But take heart, the same thing happened to a stone I sent to DKJ….and it did arrive. Safe and sound. I hope your have the same experience/luck. USPS is so frustrating. I recently learned from my local post office that they have to scan something to ‘check it in’ but it is frequently not related to the real reason or place (at least in my recent experiences with three packages). All arrived eventually. I seriously hope this goes well for you!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

We need to get Pat and Jess on the job

 

[Autumn in New England]

You have no idea how I love toymation and claymation, @Daisys and Diamonds! I wait all year, so I can see my old friends on the classic xmas specials. We didn't get that show stateside... how I wish we did!!

 

[Autumn in New England]

Thank you for the words of encouragement, @bright & shiny!

 

[Autumn in New England]

Is your package still showing up on Post office updates? NYC has declined into Gotham City once again and apparently the corruption is into the post office too.

That is very worrisome indeed, @PrecisionGem. Yes, it is still tracking for now!

I don't suppose we can use the bat signal for lost packages, can we?

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

You have no idea how I love toymation and claymation, @Daisys and Diamonds! I wait all year, so I can see my old friends on the classic xmas specials. We didn't get that show stateside... how I wish we did!!

Thats so sad
Im really too old to know it ...but everyone knows postman pat anf his black and white cat ....
from sick days before streaming services


and NZ post back in the news for all tje wrong reasons today

Stuff

i.stuff.co.nz

 

[lilmosun]

Is your package still showing up on Post office updates? I was talking with a jeweler I sell to, and he told me they use a guy in diamond district of NYC, right around the corner from AGL, and have had many packages get stolen in the mail when sending to that zipcode. I think people working in the post office can kind of guess to some extent what's in the box. So the jeweler uses an independent insurer, and they are now refusing to insure parcel sent into the zip code since they have put in so many claims. NYC has declined into Gotham City once again and apparently the corruption is into the post office too.

Oddly enough, last week I sent a ring to GIA in NYC. I am now glad I insisted on sending it registered mail despite the postal clerk trying to convince me that priority with insurance was just as safe at a lower price. (It arrived safely).

@Autumn in New England I am so sorry this is still happening to you - fingers crossed that the tracking means its till in the hands of the post office.

 

[diamondyes]

I sent a ring to New Zealand using USPS and it took 2.5 months, with a little stop in England… wtf

It got there, though!!!! I have faith in yours but I understand the stress. I had to start doing yoga before bed just so I could sleep!

 

[Autumn in New England]

Thank you for relating all of your stories, friends! Gives me hope!!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I sent a ring to New Zealand using USPS and it took 2.5 months, with a little stop in England… wtf

It got there, though!!!! I have faith in yours but I understand the stress. I had to start doing yoga before bed just so I could sleep!

Right now Its like the old days with surface mail and a ship that took 3 months to get here
It should be cheaper to condensate

 

[thirdrock]

I’m sorry you are going through this. USPS has been terrible lately. I ordered a gem that bounced back and forth to the same distribution center. It did eventually get to me. I also ordered a bracelet that wasn’t scanned at any stop. It arrived a couple of days late. I’m hoping that your gems arrive safely and soon. It seems that most of the problems are with delays and not losses. I think it’s a good sign that your package is scanning.

 

[Austina]

Not in the same league at all @Autumn in New England, but I broke my night time aligners and got in touch with my UK dentist. They ordered me a replacement, and sent it Royal Mail signed for International. I signed up for tracking, it arrived in Chicago the day after it was sent, and sat there for well over a week. Finally got delivered to TX on Sunday, and I got it today. No update from them saying it was delivered to the mailbox

Everything crossed your parcel turns up soon.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Borris likes to go out first thing (she does not like shearing dirt boxes with Fluffa)
Amyway i looked out the front door to see if she wanted to come back in for breakfast - she was waiting on the door mat
and so was a wee parecl
Ive ordered a few things from etsy latelly ive kind of lost track so i thought it would be citrene beads or the larimar octopuse

anyway it was a wee present from my friend in the UK
Its a wee souvinar of the Queen's platinum jubilee because she knows i collect
She only sent it last week

Anyway

It rattles like its in 100s of pieces
rather than just 2 or 3 glueable pieces

I feel sad because postage is so exspensive and my friend is older and just on the pension

After i get up the courage to open it ill look for it on line and buy it - maybe a NZ supplier will have it

Right now Its like the old days with surface mail and a ship that took 3 months to get here
It should be cheaper to condensate

That should say compensate
Stupid phone

 

[Autumn in New England]

Thank you @Austina and @thirdrock for the well wishes! I agree... it seems the issue is more delays than losses. Phew.

The sprinkling of everyone's fairy gem dust must have worked, because the package was finally delivered to AGL! It was signed for, and I even received a message from Leslie that all of the stones were present and accounted for. What a relief! Ultimately, it was 2 weeks late. I'm just so pleased it wasn't lost or stolen, that I didn't even mind when they told me I was being charged double to test for copper in the paraiba. (Why isn't that included in the original price?) Whatever!

 

[Autumn in New England]

It rattles like its in 100s of pieces
rather than just 2 or 3 glueable pieces

I feel sad because postage is so exspensive and my friend is older and just on the pension

After i get up the courage to open it ill look for it on line and buy it - maybe a NZ supplier will have it

Aww that is such a shame!! I hope it is repairable!! How sweet of your friend to think of you. I wish the post thought as much of our packages as we do.

 

[lilmosun]

Thank you @Austina and @thirdrock for the well wishes! I agree... it seems the issue is more delays than losses. Phew.

The sprinkling of everyone's fairy gem dust must have worked, because the package was finally delivered to AGL! It was signed for, and I even received a message from Leslie that all of the stones were present and accounted for. What a relief! Ultimately, it was 2 weeks late. I'm just so pleased it wasn't lost or stolen, that I didn't even mind when they told me I was being charged double to test for copper in the paraiba. (Why isn't that included in the original price?) Whatever!

phew...so glad it arrived!!

Surprised at the upcharge to test that it is copper bearing. Did you order a gem brief or prestige report? I didn't get charged double but was told that in order to for them to confirm in writing that it was a cuprian tourmaline, I had to upgrade to the Prestige report (and if you want the prized Brazil origin, you then had to upgrade to a Prestige Origin report).

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Aww that is such a shame!! I hope it is repairable!! How sweet of your friend to think of you. I wish the post thought as much of our packages as we do.

Phew
im so happy your package finally arrived safe and sound- too bad they cant talk to tell us their travel (mis)adventures

I don't like to think ill of people but ive seen 60 min etc and can't help but wonder if some handling staff fool around or laugh when something is broken

 

[Autumn in New England]

Thanks so much, everyone! Big weight off my shoulders (until the stones have to go back in the mail to me).

@Daisys and Diamonds Look what I found on my cable?! Thought it wouldn't hurt to search. Some people binge Game of Thrones... I'm going to binge Postman Pat, like the child I am.

 

[dk168]

I sent a package to the bench I use in China on 14 April 2022 using Royal Mail International Tracked and signed for, and it still has not reached them, I am chill about it as this is not atypical.

DK

 

[sydneyatl]

Woohoo! So glad the package is safe!!

I agree that these days we just have to sort of shrug and have faith USPS will get it there eventually… which is stressful to say the least. One of my packages a few weeks ago was marked as unscanned for days even though the seller swore she dropped it off, and then suddenly one day it crossed half the US in a matter of hours (with scans in four states!) and appeared in my mailbox that afternoon ‍

I will say that these days I no longer order plants by mail, after a particularly unfortunate experience where the package went on two or three merry go rounds around the entire state over the course of a month. But that’s nothing compared to the stress of some acquaintances who have to order baby chicks by mail (apparently USPS is the only carrier in the country who will ship them). So many stories of opening up a late package and… yeah.

 

[Avondale]

But that’s nothing compared to the stress of some acquaintances who have to order baby chicks by mail (apparently USPS is the only carrier in the country who will ship them). So many stories of opening up a late package and… yeah.

Erm... doesn't that classify as animal cruelty on behalf of the carrier or something?

 

[dk168]

Forgot to mention, glad to hear the gems had arrived safe and sound.

DK