I don't know how many shipments I've sent via USPS over the years but its been a bunch. Until this week I've been fortunate to have avoided any package/shipment mishaps. Earlier in the week I shipped 300 projectiles to a buyer in CA. We agreed on a price that included shipping. However, I never purchase additional insurance for the packages I ship unless the buyer and I have discussed it. So these go out in a small flat rate box, packaged in three plastic bags with 100 ct in each. Yesterday, the buyer calls and texts me saying he got the package, its empty, and appears to have broken open and the contents are gone. He also said that the post office put it in some sort of bag with a "sorry" note. I found it strange that the entire contents would be missing since they were in three separate plastic bags inside the box. I also used packing tape all over the box to reinforce it as I never trust those boxes with their single adhesive strip. I looked on the USPS site last night and confirmed that the person receiving the shipment would be the one to file the claim. Also, it appears that you can make a claim for a value even if its not insured, apparently you just have to prove its value by some means like a payment receipt. I called the buyer and told him what I found out, how I felt it was unfortunate, and wished him luck.

Thought I'd share the experience with you all.

Jared

Obviously it wasn't packaged good enough. If it were me I would refund his money. He paid you and he never got his merchandise. You're on my never do business with list.

SFRB includes $50.00 insurance. Better than nothing....

+1

Get the buyer $50 (out of your pocket) and make the USPS claim reimbursable to you.

After that $50... proceed as your conscience directs you.

Had a very similar experience- package was going from California to Alaska. Package, a flat rate small package, was ripped open by the corner and contents missing.price was less than $50, but the buyer got the $50 insurance money.

So for your poor shipping and packaging the buyer is SOL?

The only thing you shared with me is that I will for sure NEVER deal with you. I've had a package lost in the mail. I sent the buyer a FULL refund. You are the reason it's hard to trust people to do the right thing anymore.

Reno

If it were me, I'd reimburse the buyer, get what I could get from USPS and move on. I consider an item mine until it reaches the buyer.

Yup! Refund his $$ and you file claim for $50. Had this happen with some brass. I refunded buyers money and got the $50 from USPS.

I had the same thing happen when I bought some bullets from a fellow campfire member from Florida. Most of you know who I'm talking about.Just received the empty box. I contacted him just to let him know how brutal usps handlers can be. He sent me out another pack of bullets at no charge. I would not hesitate to buy from him again.

No reply from OP. He must not of expected that response....................................C'MON MAN, do the right thing.

Contact your office and have them file an MRC search. They'll know what that means and will likely find the contents.

I had a similar situation; USPS flat rate box was damaged upon delivery with a portion of the contents missing. The buyer received replacement product, cash refund for the damaged goods, and an apology with no questions. For me integrity is everything. As for filing a claim with USPS, the bureaucracy outweighed the benefit. At the end of the day the buyer was satisfied and I could hold my head high.

WTF is a projectile? BB's, pellets, peas, boolits? I think the shipper files the claim since he is the one with the shipping receipts. Anytime I ship small stuff including bullets I use a vacuum sealed food saver bag and include a card with my return address in the bag before I seal it, 100% no issues even if the bags fall out of the box. And no, I wouldn't do business with you either if that's the way you handle an issue.

I had the exact same thing happen to me with several hundred bullets. Had to go to the post office to pick it up, they had put the mess in a basket with a sorry note, and was told it was hazmat and supposed to ship accordingly. I lost quite a few but was happy there were any at all. The problem is with the packaging. The bullets act as a heavy liquid and must be divided up in smaller boxes if you expect them to make it to their destination. A bunch of tape isn't going to help. I'd give the guy his money back also.

Also, there aren't very many substances with a mass similar to lead, can't help but wonder if the "handlers" don't give certain heavy little boxes special treatment just to see what trickles out...

Ok. So I guess my line of thinking is wrong with this. I assumed the post office would be responsible for the handling of the package and that was why they have insurance and a route to file a claim. After looking into the claim process it appears that the individual receiving the package files the claim. I don't want to screw anyone just doing what I thought was how it should be handled by him filing a claim. And then you throw in the possibility of scams and even more reason it seemed that it would be handled by him with usps. But it appears I have totally missed the boat on this.

When I ship bullets or heavy stuff in a flat rate box I also use those tyvek type bags that are usually with the flat rate stuff at the post office and address them as well, more than once I've had stuff arrive with remnants of the original box and contents still contained in the bag...

USPS will not pay. They will claim "insufficient packaging."

They did the same with me when a padded envelope, tapped up, inside a box, tapped with heavy duty packing tape and reinforced strapping tape...all voids inside the box filled with newspaper arrived empty, opened. One end was open...all layers of tape cut at the same point, and contents gone. But it was insufficient packaging on my part, so said USPS.


BTW, I refunded the sellers money as soon as they informed me of the empty box. That is just how one does business.

I sold some bullets and the package came open, contents lost. At the time I sold the bullets I was broke and needed the money BAD. Sale was just over $200, and I had $240 to my name. I sent the buyer his $204, leaving me with less than $40. I felt it was the right thing to do, regardless of my financial situation. I made it just fine.

Another tip that I use is to double package the item and I tape it to the inside of the flat rate box very well. Helps even if the box does get a hole in it.

Another dip [bleep] on ignore

Says the clerk who doesn't know the difference between a loaded cartridge and a bullet.

Bruce

Well I appreciate ALL of the replies. After reading through this its easy to see what the best option is. I've contacted the buyer and he hasn't done anything yet so I told him not to and I would deal with USPS. I will ship him replacements Monday in vacuum sealed bags with return address inside (thanks RJL53). Interesting enough the buyer thought it was strange to send him replacements and for me to file the claim with USPS. Regardless my views on this situation have been moved to the majority and you can bet that everything I ship from now on will be insured for full value.

Furthermore, I have conducted transactions on here and a couple other sites for quite some time and have tried to build a reputation as an honest, trustworthy member, the last thing I want is to jeopardize that. Unfortunately my point of view was in the minority and now I see the other side of it, it makes more sense to square it with the buyer, and deal with the shipper myself and learn how to avoid the mishap for the future.

Even if I don't come out square with the shipper, it won't matter 'cause I already feel better about this ordeal now.

Thanks to all of you who opened my eyes a little wider on this,

Jared Cramer

^good job. All's well that ends well

I'm really new here and don't have a dog in this fight but it seems to me some are a little quick to pass judgement. To the OP sounds like you did the right thing.

damm lots of hang the people on here.i have had several [bleep] packages from shipping.had 1 box that was ripped in half .someone taped it alittle.i made good on it and postal ofiice paid claim and they keep bad package..i dont think anyone is trying to get over on people.even sometimes i get in hurry.anyways my 2 cents.i just received a package from jared.fast ship n all.

Good job Jared, I think you did the right thing...

Good for you Jared, I believe that's the correct way to handle it. I hope you can recoup your losses from the USPS but if not at least you have the satisfaction of being square with the buyer.

That's what I was thinking. The buyer bought something delivered. It was not delivered.

Anyone that buys stuff from individuals will sooner or later have a shipment that gets lost, broken or goes missing. It is the responsibility of the sender to file the claim - not the receiver. Been there and done that. I have even helped my mailman pick up bullets that were rolling around in his truck from a busted package sent to me... the 40x 2 ounce trigger that was in the box was never located. Seller need to pack well, insure and suck it up if they don't.

Wow! When I think about how great America is, I think of the Statue of Liberty and Furball2!

Me too

You guys learned something today. Is that your first time?

Interesting post....
I am also in CA and a few months back I was on the receiving end of a similar same empty package of ammo components. My post master said it was the shippers responsibility to file a claim, as the receiver (buyer/me) had received nothing but an empty package, was not involved in the packaging, nor the knew the real condition/value of the contents. The seller immediately refunded my money and started the paperwork - my part was to take the received packaging to my post master for verification, etc.

I have read of other having issues with ammo components shipping. I don't believe it would be too large of a stretch to say that ammo component contents (and guns) are fairly easy to ID by weight, shifting weight, and sound if not packed to prevent same. Thus an improperly packed package encourages anti-gunners and others to have an "Oops moment".

I have always pack/package so that the contents cannot move or be heard; plus, so that the package can take a reasonable "lick" (toss/bounce) without splitting open or damaging the contents. Now, I mention the same method of packaging to a seller when I purchase something, as this method of packing does not seem to be common knowledge.
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Tip of the hat to the OP / WL205 for switching sides mid-stream with the additional input... lots of folks don't... your on my GOOD GUY list.

Happened to me! I took a pic of the package...Flat rate small box. sent it to seller. Notified USPS and tracked back to origin. sending a pick of ( a cast bullet mold) and what it should look like. Nothing came about for all mt troubles. The shipping party said he would insure it...he did not. so he refunded me the $$$$. Moral of story...tape the piss out of the package to be shipped !!!!!

Tape the hell out of the box with good packaging tape, tape the contents to the inside of the box if possible, put contents in bag in box when possible, insure package and cross fingers.....

Excellent decision Jared.

USPS is not how I will send or receive guns in the future, insured or not they are terrible in CA with guns ammo or similar, twice they lost then found rifles for me once after denying an insurance claim the rifle showed up. My office is the actual source of "going postal" and they have been terrible in every respect to deal with constantly losing and the finding packages since they won't deliver down our rural road.

My experience isn't unique the USPS isn't what it used to be.