Warning re: Mailing Parts

[sheepherder]

I mailed a holster today, in a Flat Rate box, w/insurance for $50. I sealed it in a Zip-Loc bag, with a cardboard tag tied in the holster with my name/address/phone on it. The bag was wedged in with newspaper so it wouldn't move around. Sealed with fiber-impregnated tape. Hopefully it will get to its destination intact.

But I got to thinking about that box that was sent to me with the barrel blank in it. That box went through, at a minimum, six Postal facilities and two airline freight terminals. Most likely more as it crossed the country and probably went through more than one airline/flight. It had the opportunity to be whacked around at all those stops. By clerks, carriers, mail handlers, airport cargo handlers, and possibly others I don't even know about (airport security personnel). Automated postal machinery and human sorters; they all have the chance of accidentally damaging a parcel. Airport cargo handlers are a different proposition; they're tasked to move that cargo. If a 747 freighter comes in with three slots open and they have four pods to go out, they don't put one aside for a later flight. They split one pod up and stuff the cargo into the other three pods and send it on its way. Contractually, they're not allowed to delay mail unless it's an actual emergency/act of nature. And they're not gentle about cramming those pods full.

I'm as guilty as anyone about not tagging the items for identification & return if separated from their box. But from now on I will. Some of what I mail out is valued close to a thousand dollars. I'm sure that the stuff you guys send out is worth more.

I've learned my lesson. I'll gladly pay 'postage due' to get a machined carbine barrel back. I'm lucky this time that I had not done any work on the barrel blank being sent to me. And I hope the sender gets his money back. Flat Rate parcels are insured for $50 for free and for more if you pay extra. Well worth it, considering the alternative.

/rant