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I sent a USPS money order to buy a rifle. After 2+ weeks of the MO not arriving I filed a claim and cancelled the order. The seller re-sold the rifle. The MO got to him 19 days after it was sent. He sent it back and I cashed it. Still waiting on the USPS insurance so I can cancel the claim and return the funds. It was $700.

We have the rural PO Boxes Like theses. They are all together....


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The exact same thing happened with a scope and rifle I sold to a member that has a solid reputation here. Shipped them separately and the rifle made it but the scope, although showing delivered, never did. Just so happened I had another of the exact same make and model sitting in the safe so I sent him that one and went to the post office. I called his local PO and an employee (who obviously wasn't in fear of losing her job) told me that during the holiday season they often scan the packages delivered before they are loaded on the truck to save time and there was no way of knowing whether it was actually delivered. When I got the post master on the phone, that explanation was denied. I insured it but since it showed delivered they claimed they didn't owe me anything. So I ate it.. I would like to say I learned a lesson at least but other than the USPS sucks, I got nuthin'.

A friend of mine has a small gunsmith/sales shop in his house. He was waiting on a rifle to be delivered by UPS for a customer. The rifle made it to the UPS location that delivers to our village and disappeared. He wasn't getting any cooperation from UPS so he notified the ATF of a stolen gun at that facility. THAT got their attention! I haven't heard if the rifle was ever found but he did say that UPS really snaps to attention when you mention the ATF.

I've had to go through claims with the postal service a few times selling syrup. Don't know if I had to or not but felt somewhat responsible, not for the damage but wanting them to get what they paid for even if I lost a bit of money by not buying extra insurance over what flat rate gives.

Typically if a product is sold FOB shipping point the buyer is responsible to retrieve any damages incurred. If a product is sold FOB Delivered the shipper is responsible. The cost of shipping merely (who pays shipping) is part of the conditions of sale.. I made my living selling and shipping metals. In most cases the shipper and receiver work together to help one another claim loss. Freight companies put up a hell of a fight, that starts with (insufficient packing) and ends after a 100 more excuses.

Agree that generally the onus is on the seller. Also agree on the comment above "insurance is on the buyer" ... I just pass on those opportunities because if anything goes wrong, it is going to be a mess that I don't want.

I also agree that as a seller I avoid USPS for anything more than $100 value because I am never going to get paid by USPS insurance in most realities.

Bought ruger 44 carbine from dealer. I paid shipping plus insurance cost gun was broke in half upon delivery .I made claim since I had insurable interest. It took awhile for USPS to pay but they did . I kept the damaged gun and they paid the full price of what I paid for gun as that was the stated amount of the insurance. I eventually found another stock

The safest way to ship a package is registered mail with signature on delivery. Registered mail require special handling and if its not in transit it is signed for and locked up at the facility until it is in transit. Adult signature well worth it since someone of adult age must sign that it was delivered, if not a second delivery would be attempted and then receiver has to pick up at the post office, Plus the insurance can go up to $50K that why it is much more secure. I have used it a couple times and the extra cost is reasonable. That is why I share the shipping it makes me more comfortable

Registered Mail Basics

As with Certified Mail, you can purchase Registered Mail service for First-Class Mail, First-Class Package Service or Priority Mail, and you receive a mail receipt at the time you send your mail. The recipient must sign to receive your mail, and if you need proof of delivery, you can purchase Return Receipt service or Return Receipt After Mailing. Unlike Certified Mail, Registered Mail offers additional security and protection including transport via locked cages, safes or sealed containers, and a chain of custody with electronic or physical signatures at USPS facilities at each stage of the delivery. As of this publication, you can purchase insurance coverage up to $50,000 based on the value of the item you mail.

To me, it's pretty simple: does the seller have his money? Does the buyer have his purchase as advertised?

I always specify how it’ll be shipped, and if shipping is on the buyer, they get to choose insurance if they want to pay for it.

In my opinion, the safe delivery is on the seller. There is nothing the buyer can do to improve his chances at recieving the item. The seller should package appropriately and ship insured. The buyer doesnt have any resonsibility other than making good payment.

Think I’ve had to file claims 3 times with usps. All under $300.
Were all adjudicated and paid fairly quickly. I’ve heard that low dollar items go through easily and stuff over ~$300 starts to get harder

Both times Ive needed USPS to pay out on a claim, it was for my asking price, and had the check within 2 weeks. I ship A LOT of packages through USPS every year and they have never lost a single one....although one did take 6 months to get back.

This^^^

USPS has never made good on a claim for a broken gun that I personally know of.

So what about the tracking number showing it was delivered and the buyer saying he never received it?
How does usps handle that situation? Is it the sellers responsibility to file the claim or the buyer’s?
And what kind of investigation would usps do before reimbursing?
This has never happened to me but what’s to stop people from claiming they never received they’re package when really they did?
I’ve only had two occasions happen to me.
The first was with usps, sold some bullets to a guy years ago and he said the box was busted open and bullets were missing. Before I could even respond back he responded back and said he filed a claim with usps and all was good. I never had to show any kind of proof of the sale or any information to usps at all. No idea what ever became of the situation.
The other was a package from Midway delivered UPS. It arrived like it was drug behind the truck the whole way here. Busted open missing and broken stuff. Contacted midway, sent pictures to them. They replaced everything at no charge.

After the rifle shipping fiascos I had this summer, I am trying to swear off shipping rifles!

I did ship a handgun to Alaska. UPS air freight was fine.

Our dear leaders in D.C. will make this discussion a moot point at their earliest convenience.

Why would this be any different than buying something from a company? If I place an online order it is the selling company's responsibility to get the product to me. I don't know of any company that, once they receive payment, say "Well, it's up to the customer to make sure they get the item they ordered'.

I'm glad your experience has been different than mine. The only time I've had issues is this last year with USPS. Both times I filed claims for lost packages and one was insured for the actual price I sold it for, the other was for the basic $50. I went to USPS web site and followed their instructions to the letter for filing a claim. Both times I got a letter stating I had failed to provide proof of actual value of items and my claim was denied.