Post Office offers less than 1/2% of what was in my insured regristered package

I mailed a package with 78 coins into ICG. I filed my claim showing that I had under insured the package never thinking it would go missing. I insured it for $3994.00 should have been closer to $4465. My bad so I would have to settle for the $3994.00. It was mailed insured, regristered priorty mail was accepted by the US post Office and then it was gone! How should I go about trying to make the Post Office do the right thing and at least pay my claim in full for the full amount of insurance of $3994.00?
I sent them sales of current coins by dealers, auctions prices,coin price guide listings pages and pages of info to "make it easier" for them to justify the payment But $31.64 was less than just the face value plus mailing. Should I contact my Congressman? Post Master General? Help! Anyone!

 

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I would say call everyone that you can get to pick up and just tell them your story and demand help or else you'll tell a news station or something like that.

 

I live in the San Francsco Bay Area, so I already have called my congressman and he is sending a form to start a formal complaint. I will call 7 on your side a ABC major TV station with Micheal Finney and I will get on the air with attorney Len Tilham on the radio to see if anyone knows what to do. Without a safe and secure way to ship coins to get graded this will hurt all the coin grading firms big time. DC

 

It probably wont do you any good , but say I paid for $3994 worth of insurance. I expect a $3994 or my lawyer will be making the next phone call then,I ask the court for you to pay his fee's too.

 

I have worked with my congressman many times in the past when I lived in Riverside. A simple privacy release form and it's amazing how much can be accomplished.

I would urge you to also file complaints with the FTC and the Postal Inspectors. Nothing may come of the initial complaint, but as people file more and more complaints, the USPS may get the idea that they are not indemnified from consumer action.

Talking to a lawyer is the best option overall, regardless if you are retaining them for services or simply getting a professional opinion. If filed complaints fail, you always have the ability to bring this action before a judge.

 

That's a sick joke...you paid insurance on $3994 and they offered you a little over $30? Seriously? Wow, I'm mad and this didn't even happen to me...make sure to tell them that they forgot a couple zeros

 

Sent info to local ABC TV station and the Lawyer on KGO radio Len Tillem, Just got form e-mailed from Congressman to fill out. Let me tell you all on Coin You all are Great. You all gave me some great ideas. Keep them coming!

I was getting the coins slabbed to protect them rather than to sell.

Again Thanks DC

 

Why did the post office say they were only paying $31 and not the full amount of your claim? I'd be dealing with them first to figure out their reasoning. Could just be a simple misunderstanding? Registered mail almost never gets lost... I think dealing with the post office is your best bet for recovery at this point, especially if you haven't really worked your way up the food chain within that organization to get an answer.

Just make sure you're telling them you shipped and insured collectibles and just don't say coins... some of the guys at the post office hear coins and will automatically say they don't insure cash... but they definitely will insure collectibles (including collectible coins).

 

I have been trying this afternoon to talk to a person. In fact the office branch which issued the check back in the Mid west was closed by the time I started calling.

I tried to call our two local Post Offices and not one real person I spoke to was able to give me:

1. Anyone who could let me know who I could speak to about why they only paid $31.64

2. No one could give a local number for any supervisor who could get me an answer tomorrow? Or a address to file a request for a review of claim?

3. I will call check processing center tomorrow...I bet they will not be able to give me any info.

4. I will keep everyone on Coin Talk up to date on this as it moves along.

 

Man...I am so sorry dude...thats too bad.......call the police...jk...DONT

 

My friend who mailed a $5000 coin to a buyer by registered mail had it disappear also. It takes months for the governement to go through the claim and generally deny it, and ask for sale slips, proof of possession, etc. to reconsider. Then if it is a casual proof, they deny it again, and you have to hire a lawyer for Federal court cases he found, and the process occurs in federal court. He added up the cost of the legal fees, time , and such and decided to start the process, but the case could not be schedules this year, so he is considering dropping it.

Now you know why most auction houses, major dealers, etc. deal with private insurance companies when shipping. Odd, they still recommend us to buy USPS insurance for registered mail.

Good Luck

Jim

 

Not good news. I still am going to make as much noise as possiable.

 

It sounds like they offered you the face value of the coins. If so, I wonder how they would respond if the item "lost" was a single 1796 half cent. I'd like to see the check for the exact amount:yes:

 

What ever you do, DO NOT cash that check. Once you cash that check you basically accepted their offer

 

Your problem is not the USPS. They are not the insurer. There is a private firm that actually provides this service for the government. I believe they are located in St.Louis, Missouri. If you speak to your postmaster at your local post office, he should be able to give you their exact address. I had a delivery situation 2 years ago and found this to be the problem. They will do their best not to settle for the insured amount. It comes out of their pocket, not the governments. It was for missing contents in an envelop delivered by the USPS.

 

Call Obama, afterall, Change We Can't Believe In!

 

Will not! Thanks

 

All the paperwork was mailed to St Louis. Did you ever get what you thought was fair? DC

 

I don't think that's true but we should wait for a lawyer to reply.

As for the claim. Good luck and hope it works out for you.

 

I will keep everyone posted. Thanks Darrow