USPS LOST my Rolex!!!! What now? NIGHTMARE!!!

[Route 66]

Doesn't the USPS have an overnight service too?

If you're going to be sending something that expensive, why not spend a little more to get it there sooner?

[kenhiraihnl]

FWIW, shipping instructions from my watchmaker:

We recommend you use Priority Registered U.S. Mail when sending in your watch for repair. You should pack the watch in a box with bubble wrap (Do not send original watch box). The post office will use paper tape to seal the seams and then stamp the seams to show the box has not been tampered with during shipping. On the Registered Mail form, there is a box to check to insure the package, and it can be insured for up to $25,000.
Registered Mail is handled separately from the rest of the mail, and is therefore more secure than plain "Insured" Mail (in fact, everyone who handles a Registered package has to sign for it throughout its transit). Insured Mail uses a blue sticker/form, while Registered uses a red sticker.
Insured Mail is adequate for packages valued at less than $500. There is a price break (at about $500) where Registered Mail is actually cheaper than Insured. Additional insurance for Registered packages is relatively inexpensive, so we generally over-insure packages when we return your watch to you. Generally, a package shipped via Registered U.S. Mail and insured for a few thousand dollars will cost about $18 to ship including insurance costs.

[sportsmaven20]

Originally Posted by Stevarn

Doesn't the USPS have an overnight service too?

If you're going to be sending something that expensive, why not spend a little more to get it there sooner?

If I'm not mistaken, the maximum insured value for USPS overnight is 5k, so anything shipped with a value over that amount, you're taking a gamble.

Although it's very stressful, USPS Registered Mail (if you don't use a third party insurer) is the way to go!

[Route 66]

Originally Posted by sportsmaven20

If I'm not mistaken, the maximum insured value for USPS overnight is 5k, so anything shipped with a value over that amount, you're taking a gamble.

Although it's very stressful, USPS Registered Mail (if you don't use a third party insurer) is the way to go!

OK, so there's a 5k insurance limit for overnight and Registered is the way to go.

Can it be sent overnight and be registered too? I just wouldn't like the idea of a watch being in their system for too long.

[sportsmaven20]

Originally Posted by Stevarn

OK, so there's a 5k insurance limit for overnight and Registered is the way to go.

Can it be sent overnight and be registered too? I just wouldn't like the idea of a watch being in their system for too long.

I do not believe you can use both overnight and registered on the same package.

[Route 66]

Originally Posted by sportsmaven20

I do not believe you can use both overnight and registered on the same package.

I wonder if overnight and insured would be a good way to go...

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by widdler1977

Thank for the fast response I believe it was registered, I will check in the morning when I get to office.

A lot of people think they're sending it registered because they send it certified, with signature confirmation. But registered mail is a specific service, and very slow. Registered mail has to be signed off on by every person who handles it, and has to be kept in specific places at distribution centers when not in transit. It doesn't commingle with the rest of the packages. That greatly decreases the chances of it getting lost, and greatly increases the odds they will find it if it does. I haven't ever sent anything registered, because every time I mention it, the postal worker reminds me how slow it is, and recommends certified instead. I'm not saying you didn't send it registered. I'm just pointing out how many people confuse the two services.

At any rate, I'm sorry for your troubles, and I hope it all works out for you. Please keep us posted.

Originally Posted by Stevarn

Can it be sent overnight and be registered too? I just wouldn't like the idea of a watch being in their system for too long.

No. Registered is slow, by design. The out-of-state ADs I've dealt with always ship overnight, but if there ends up being a loss, they're in a much better position to provide a replacement, and deal with the insurance on their end. On balance, sending overnight makes more sense for them because it keeps their customers happy. If you're a private seller, though, and you want to make sure the watch doesn't get lost to begin with, registered would be the safest option.

[daniel7172]

From what I am hearing from you guys it is not uncommon for this happen so I still have faith it will show up.

Luckily, Wes (Widdler1977) has been on top of this helping me out the whole time. Its unfortunate that this happened with USPS but Wes has been true to his word and always reachable throughout the whole process. I would feel comfortable buying a watch from him again and would recommend him to anyone here on TRF.

[SkyKing31]

Sorry to hear about you're situation .. I had my Rolex AirKing sent back to me using USPS .. The watch never made it to my door .. I tracked the package, and the delivery person swore up and down that he came to my house and got no response .. He says he rang the bell 3 times .. He couldnt have rang the doorbell 3 times because there is a wall and a gate around my house .. He didnt push the call button because my phone never rang telling me that someone was at the gate .. I was home all day waiting for my watch .. I reported my watch missing .. 6 days later is was found and I had to pick it up from the post office .. I will NEVER deal with USPS again when shipping something expensive unless I am sending one of my watches to RSC because I think that is the only way RSC will accept a package

[TurboWatch]

shipped it Express or Registered. Cost about $30 more but both of which allow you to insure for the value of your watch,up to $5K for Express, and $20K for Registered Mail, and both require signatures from the receivers. I have lost items with other carriers, but never with USPS.

[Jagatai]

Any news/updates?

[vitix]

well probablly it will take over 30 days, but next time use FedEx

[jmsrolls]

Originally Posted by vitix

well probablly it will take over 30 days, but next time use FedEx

Never use FedEx. FedEx "loses" packages with similar regularity and there is no insurance.

The absolutely safest way to ship valuables is via USPS Registered with full insurance. It is slow but it is sure.

Fr. John†

[vitix]

Originally Posted by jmsrolls

Never use FedEx. FedEx "loses" packages with similar regularity and there is no insurance.

The absolutely safest way to ship valuables is via USPS Registered with full insurance. It is slow but it is sure.

Fr. John†

sorry, FedEx does have insurance fro packages....

[Joey_V]

I would choose registered... it is best for me.

[jmsrolls]

Originally Posted by vitix

sorry, FedEx does have insurance fro packages....

What about this statement from the FedEx website:

"Declared Value and Limits of Liability (Not Insurance Coverage)

The declared value of any package represents our maximum liability in connection with a shipment of that package, including, but not limited to, any loss, damage, delay, misdelivery, nondelivery, misinformation, any failure to provide information, or misdelivery of information relating to the shipment. It is the shipper's responsibility to prove actual damages. Exposure to and risk of any loss in excess of the declared value is assumed by the shipper. You may transfer this risk to an insurance carrier of your choice through the purchase of an insurance policy. Contact an insurance agent or broker if you desire insurance coverage. WE DO NOT PROVIDE INSURANCE COVERAGE OF ANY KIND.
. . .
Shipments (packages or freight) containing all or part of the following items are limited to a maximum declared value of US$1,000:
. . .
Jewelry, including, but not limited to, costume jewelry, watches and their parts, mount gems or stones (precious or semiprecious), industrial diamonds, and jewelry made of precious metal."

If you ship with FedEx or UPS, third-party insurance is an absolute necessity.

Fr. John†

[ericdube]

Originally Posted by jmsrolls

Never use FedEx. FedEx "loses" packages with similar regularity and there is no insurance.

The absolutely safest way to ship valuables is via USPS Registered with full insurance. It is slow but it is sure.

Fr. John†

I'm not sure what you mean by "no insurance". The last watch I recently sold I sent out overnight with $5k worth of insurance. While it's definitely not cheap, FedEx's air business is very reliable and the tracking is superb from my experience.

I have accounts with all the carriers and use them regularly for my business. Each carrier has their own specific strengths and price advantages, but no service is the best for everything (tracking, price, reliability, ease of use, etc.)

[ericdube]

Originally Posted by jmsrolls

What about this statement from the FedEx website:

"Declared Value and Limits of Liability (Not Insurance Coverage)

The declared value of any package represents our maximum liability in connection with a shipment of that package, including, but not limited to, any loss, damage, delay, misdelivery, nondelivery, misinformation, any failure to provide information, or misdelivery of information relating to the shipment. It is the shipper's responsibility to prove actual damages. Exposure to and risk of any loss in excess of the declared value is assumed by the shipper. You may transfer this risk to an insurance carrier of your choice through the purchase of an insurance policy. Contact an insurance agent or broker if you desire insurance coverage. WE DO NOT PROVIDE INSURANCE COVERAGE OF ANY KIND.
. . .
Shipments (packages or freight) containing all or part of the following items are limited to a maximum declared value of US$1,000:
. . .
Jewelry, including, but not limited to, costume jewelry, watches and their parts, mount gems or stones (precious or semiprecious), industrial diamonds, and jewelry made of precious metal."

If you ship with FedEx or UPS, third-party insurance is an absolute necessity.

Fr. John†

Interesting. I never noticed the limited liability clause for watches. FedEx lists that they can insure packages for up to $50,000 in section D (for air shipments), but then in the section you quoted (Section F) they reduce the liability.

I'll have to keep that in mind the next time I ship something. Thanks for pointing that out.

[B. Doggy]

Man, USPS is normally solid as a rock. I wish you the best of luck.

[Rolex-Girl]

It should turn up, usps sometimes has these strange delays where the package just gets caught up somewhere. It has happened to me with an insured high value item and although it was very delayed and stress for it did eventually show up.

[jms_w]

Alot of good advice here that I've seen before for these kind of UPS/FedEx/USPS "lost my package" posts. Maybe there should be a sticky on the for sale forum on how to ship items safely and reliably and the pro's and con's so that sellers don't run into these kind of issues and buyers know what to expect and can rest assured they get their stuff.

[meckert]

I just purchased my LV from DavidSW and he uses FedEx. He predicted exactly when it would arrive, and it did so. His careful packing methods are also excellent. I loved being able to track exactly when it was picked up at his compound, following it from location to location, and ultimately the delivery of it. I've never had a problem with FedEx.

[Andad]

Sounds like it all worked out for you.

Was it described as a Rolex LV on the paperwork and was it insured for full value?

In the event of a problem were you covered?

[dooder202]

Originally Posted by vitix

sorry, FedEx does have insurance fro packages....

They only cover jewelry (watches) up to $500. See, when you go to ship something pricey, they'll let you buy insurance for whatever amount, but they don't actually cover the full amount if it is jewelry (watches). If you search this is a post on here about a guy who used FedEx to ship his watch and he insured it for 6 or 7 thousand. FedEx lost it, never found it, and they were only able to give him $500 because it's clearly outlined in the terms and conditions. Eventually, he got them to give him $1000 just to make him stop calling. So that's a $6000 or $5000 loss. Awful.

USPS Registered Mail is definitely the way to go. Slow, but it will get there, and if it doesn't, they cut you a check. Better to be slow, than lose it.

[dooder202]

Originally Posted by meckert

I just purchased my LV from DavidSW and he uses FedEx. He predicted exactly when it would arrive, and it did so. His careful packing methods are also excellent. I loved being able to track exactly when it was picked up at his compound, following it from location to location, and ultimately the delivery of it. I've never had a problem with FedEx.

Yes, he uses FedEx, but it is insured by a 3rd party. NOT Fedex.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by dooder202

Eventually, he got them to give him $1000 just to make him stop calling. So that's a $6000 or $5000 loss. Awful.

If they allowed him to list its value at $6000 - $7000, but they only charged him the premium for $500 coverage, and the limitation on coverage was clearly spelled out in the insurance contract, then it may be slimy, but it seems legal. If they actually charged him the premium for $6000 - $7000 coverage, and they knew it was an item that was only covered up to $500, then they were collecting fees for a service they had no intention of offering. That is a potentially fraudulent sales tactic, and possibly illegal. I have to think FedEx is smart enough not to subject themselves to legal action, but you never know. If every company were that smart, class action lawsuits wouldn't be as common as they are. It might be worth looking into more.

[buke45]

Originally Posted by Grissom

And this you are proud of? And what do you think will happen when the "lost" one ends up in for service one day???? Certainly the serial number will show up as stolen. And what if someone was accused of theft and lost their job over that? Definitely not good, and nothing to be posting on a public forum.

X2, not cool

[isampark]

To OP, I hope it turns out unharmed and safe!
Please give us update!!

[Runnin' Rebel]

I shipped both my watches FEDEX over nite, 10:30am guaranteed next day delivery. Took a video of me packing it and also filmed it as they were filling out the paper work at the FEDEX office, took pictures of all the paper work as well. Less time in transit the better. Cost was 60.00 to ship it that way. My insurance company, USAA covers shipping for full value, no deductible, as long as it's registered, signed and traceable in case it gets lost or stolen on the way to where it was going.

[Ben12]

Sorry OP! I hope your watch arrives soon.