RECOVERED! **** Stolen luger! ****

[davidkachel]

Gentlemen,

UPDATE 12-10-08... The missing Luger miraculously reappeared today, unharmed. FedEx's story was it "fell" out of the box. Being the guy who packed it, I know that is impossible, but whatever happened will no doubt never be known.

At any rate it has been delivered intact to the owner and this unpleasant adventure is over.

Thank you all for your concern and help.

David Kachel

[davidkachel]

BUMP (for obvious reasons)

Is this the one you just had up for sale?

I will assume you did sell it hence it being in the hands of the dregs of FedEX. That sucks.

Best of luck on it's retrieval. Let us know how FedEX handles the insurance claim. How did you get away with shipping it ground? You did insure it didn't you? I would be curious if they will allow a claim since handguns are supposed to be shipped next day.

[davidkachel]

Originally Posted by Brad

Is this the one you just had up for sale?

I will assume you did sell it hence it being in the hands of the dregs of FedEX. That sucks.

Best of luck on it's retrieval. Let us know how FedEX handles the insurance claim. How did you get away with shipping it ground? You did insure it didn't you? I would be curious if they will allow a claim since handguns are supposed to be shipped next day.

It was being shipped in-state only. Yes it was on its way to a new owner and yes I insured it.

[Tomathvl]

David,
Please let us know how you make out on the insurance. I've been told by Fedex that collectibles are only insured up to $500.00
Thanks, Tom

[davidkachel]

Originally Posted by Tomathvl

David,
Please let us know how you make out on the insurance. I've been told by Fedex that collectibles are only insured up to $500.00
Thanks, Tom

Well, they sold me insurance for $1,150 so if they don't pay up, it's lawyer time!

[Edward Tinker]

I have had things "delayed" and always gotten the item, and I've shippped Fedex, USPS and less often UPS, and always the item has eventually made it.

Although a friend and I had a "lost" priority check for a large amount that was "misplaced" for over 2 weeks.


Ed

[davidkachel]

Ed,

This is definitely stolen. First FedEx said they were going to send the package back because it was damaged. Then when the recipient insisted on physically inspecting the package, suddenly it wasn't damaged, it was empty. Then they said they couldn't show him the package.

[Curly1]

Dave that is really bad news.

I can imagine how dissappointed the new owner must be too.

[davidkachel]

Bump. We gotta find this scumbag.

[alvin]

I tried to send a package a few days ago. Fedex lady simply refused to insure above $100 "You have to find an external insurance if it's above $100."

Although being expansive, "Next Day Air" still makes some sense. At least the package won't stay in a location for long, it keeps moving. The only worry could be what if airplane crashes... extremely rare and covered by insurance.

[bobcam1]

Originally Posted by alvin

I tried to send a package a few days ago. Fedex lady simply refused to insure above $100 "You have to find an external insurance if it's above $100."

With FedEX GROUND, they limit their coverage to 100.00. per item, unless you declare a higher value at the time and pay an additional insurance amount.

With FedEx's regular service, you must declare the value of the item, then specify such on your airbill, and pay additional charges on the item.

I shipped a Bass Guitar last year, via FedEx, from the US to Switzerland, and insured it for 1800.00. The guitar was trashed in an accident en-route, and FedEx was quite prompt in paying the claim. It was only the second time that I've ever had a damage or loss claim with FedEx, and in each case, the claim was paid without any problem.....

I'm surprised that the agent didn't explain this to you.

Bob.

[alvin]

Originally Posted by bobcam1

I'm surprised that the agent didn't explain this to you.

She didn't.

I looked at the "starting point" and did not feel very comfortable. It's a copy center, Kinko or Kindo (?) with FedEx sign. There were bunch of boxes waiting to be sent out stacked on the floor behind the small counter. Usually, no agents stood there, they were busy on helping customers around the copy machines located deeper inside the store.

[davidkachel]

Found... see first post.

[Edward Tinker]

see (tounge in cheek) items always turn up!


amazing and nice pre-Christnmas present


Ed

[Ron Smith]

Dave,

Glad that it worked out...


One point to add here. If you ever ship anything via FedEx or USPS, who now contracts FedEx as an Air Carrier. Never use the term "Antique". FedEx will not insure anything described as "Antique" since they are usually irreplacable, use "Collectable".

[davidkachel]

Ron,

Having now seen first hand just how sloppy and careless FedEx is, I will avoid using them in the future at all costs. They knew, or at least believed, they were dealing with the theft of a firearm yet the evidence, the empty box which they did have at one point, disappeared!

Altogether a VERY unpleasant experience both for me and the buyer. And to top it off... you're not even going to believe this(!)... after they "found" the pistol, they actually had the unmitigated gall to ask me to PAY for shipping again!!!

Needless to say, I refused.

[alanint]

An older collector once gave me valuable advice. He told me to hold off making an insurance claim for several weeks if you really would prefer to get the item back. It seems there is a scam among a small number of courrier service employees that runs like this;
They hide the box of something they have an interest in by burying it deep in some nitch in the courrier's warehouse. They wait for the insurance company to pay off the item at which time the courrier company wipes the item off its books. The employee is then free to retrieve and keep the item with nobody looking for it any further.

I have twice had collector bayonets I have shipped go missing. I have both times refused to submit a claim and insisted the item be located. Both bayonets eventually turned up. One at 4weeks and the other at something like 7 weeks. Both times the courrier gave a lame explanation of how it had just appeared in their warehouse from out of thin air. Granted these were lower value items I could afford to wait on for compensation

Of course this does not always work but its worth a try if you really want the item you shipped or are receiving back

[Ron Smith]

Hi Dave,

They have been trying to privatize the Postal Service for 50+ years. Not because of the service standards, but because there's big profit potential in it for private companies.

They are getting closer. FedEx carries a large part of First Class and Priority mail under contract with USPS. When they first started contracting as an Air Carrier, USPS delivery times slowed considerably. They discovered that FedEx was loading the planes with their articles first. If the plane got full, they left USPS articles sitting on the tarmac. Often for days at a time. USPS threatened them with breech of contract and they started doing things as agreed.

The largest USPS processing facility on the west coast was built a few years ago, right next door to the largest FedEx hub. Long story short. When privataztion does come, FedEx will be the new Postal Service. Higher fees, crappy service and business as usual.

Many FedEx drivers/carriers basically buy or bid their routes on a contractual basis. About a year ago, FedEx cancelled contract renewals on many of the routes. If the drivers refused to pick-up the new contract at a much lower rate, they were let go. So, routes went to the lowest bidders. It's comforting to know that Freddy Fudpucker is being entrusted with your FedEx articles for beer money.

I'm not trying to defame FedEx employees, but the company has some issues. Having been on the inside for over half of my life. USPS ain't all that bad for the money, and has been doing a pretty good job for around 200 years.

Ron

[cma22inc]

That's cool.

A happy ending for a change.