Coin lost, privacy invaded

Curious if anyone else has had a similar experience...

I ordered a coin off Ebay from Canada. I received delivery today in a bubble mailer envelope. I was feeling the package to see where the coin was before I cut into it... but I couldn't find where the coin was. Then I went to open the envelope where there was some tape, and I find the tape has come undone and there is a slice in the envelope underneath the tape. I looked inside and there wasn't a coin... it must have fell out during shipping. I wasn't paying much attention to the details of the package as I had other coins to look through as well, so I messaged the seller on Ebay to tell them that the coin fell out.

Several hours later, no response from the seller yet, I looked at the package again. I see that the tape over the slice is green and reads "U.S. Department of Homeland Security"/"U.S. Customs Border Pro..." (cut off)

Apparently there is a law which allows random inspection (opening) of private mail by the government. I have personally never felt my privacy so invaded.

I probably don't really have a case with the seller, nor am I really sure I want to charge them for something that was not their fault.

It's shameful that this even happened imo.

P.S. it was only a $10 purchase of an 1897 Swiss 10 Rappen. However, I did like the coin. But the price and coin is beside the point.

 

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I'd say, take it up with Customs. You have proof of what was inside the package, they should be obligated at this point for their sloppiness.

As for the privacy, this isn't anything new, not much you can do about it. If you really don't want to feel violated, don't even dare go read about the internet and what companies do with your information.

 

Don't know if it applies to packages but it couldn't hurt to file a claim with the Postal Service as it is a federal crime to open other peoples mail..just something to consider in addition to contacting ebay under any buyer protection and going after customs and homeland security.

 

Sorry about the coin loss. I think I'd call Customs and complain.

 

My Canadian silver proof set came in from Canada and it didn't get hacked into. I'd be pretty upset. Hope it wasn't an expensive item. You'd think an x-ray scanner would have been sufficient for that envelope. Sadly, there's our tax dollars at work.

 

File a complaint and let us know the outcome.

 

welcome to the land of the free. NOT!!! sorry to hear about the loss of your coin. luckily it wasnt something very expensive.

 

That is terrible. I would file a complaint with Customs.
I think the seller may have to deal with similar problems shipping coins international.

 

I don't want to get political here,but you (like everyone else) have become a victim of the "Patriot Act".The only way to fix the problem is to vote for the right people. They have the right to open anything now,and whoever opened your package was a thief within the system. You can try filing a complaint with them,but I warn you that you will probably spend another $10 on advil to deal with the headaches. Good luck!

 

I would contact your local Border Patrol and inquire to their inspecting the contents of your package, which I believe they can do under the Patriot Act, and inform them the contents are missing and take a copy of the eBay listing with you as evidence of what you purchased that was contained in the envelope.

 

That federal crime does not apply to U.S. Customs when packages are crossing the border. USPS didn't make this slip up, Customs did. If he takes this complaint to USPS they're just gonna redirect him to Customs, so I wouldn't even bother with USPS, they're not at fault here.

 

Inspection of packages by Customs precedes the Patriot Act.

 

I would inspect that package several more times before I did anything. Considering that you 'overlooked' that green seal, is it not possible that you also overlooked the coin itself? Perhaps the coin is taped to the inside of the envelop or something like that? It's pretty hard to believe that a customs employee would stoop to filching a $10 coin.
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If you do not find it, I would suggest that you politely inquire.

 

Then why did you?

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I've had numerous RC airplane parts/packages/etc opened by Customs at various times. In 2 cases, damage or loss as occurred.

Perhaps surprisingly, I've actually found them remarkably easy to work with. Like most things in life, it pays to be informed.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&...3Ihr6Y&sig=AHIEtbTfxyOqx-KQqbHmCDD52sm0JKmaaA is a Google cache of the US Customs/BC document on mailing international packages, and would have told you and the seller that any package shipped as yours was is indeed subject to inspection as it crosses the border. (Sorry for the long link, the document is a Word doc that I couldn't link to otherwise)

You can file a complaint about the loss here:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/forms/complaint

Just select that you require a review and response, and you'll get contacted back fairly reliably. In my 2 cases, I received a response once within 1 business day, the other time within 4. The response will provide you with further steps to take, which will depend on numerous variables too lengthy to discuss here.

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For a $10 coin, admittedly, you may find it to be a fairly lengthy and tedious process. That, of course, is up to you.

Just wanted to throw out some actual experience and information though, in the (almost certainly vain) hopes of sweeping aside the impending wharrgarbl.

 

I stand corrected. By the way I like your profile pic. we may have another hobby in common?

 

Good information gboulton!

 

Customs does have a right to slice open and expect it, but was it illegal? was it a foreign animal fur that is illegal? was it a weapon? was it drugs? nope. They were just sloppy and have no respect for other's property, makes you feel like your in prison.

 

Nah, looking through bars 24/7/365 in a 8x6 foot cell and eating prison food would make me feel like I'm in prison...

 

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses!

@RGJohn777 - Nope, I wish, but the coin is definitely not in there.

@gboulton - Wow, thank you for the excellent information. I wasn't sure where to go really to file a complaint if I wanted to. I will think more about what I want to do. I might at least do the anonymous feedback to tell them about what happened.

Overall, I am not surprised that this has happened. I know my privacy is invaded all the time, especially on the internet. However, this event really drove it home on a personal level. I'm just really glad it wasn't something more expensive... it easily could have been.