Can anyone offer me any reassurance on USPS shipping? I just searched the posts and saw a horror story which was based on a shipment to VI (assume that was overseas).

I recently sold a family heirloom on Ebay. It was my brother's Gibson F-5G mandolin. I sold my mandolin for over $3,000 and the buyer requested USPS vice UPS or FedEx. I shipped it insured for $3600 via USPS parcel post and the shipping time was 7 days. It's now 11 days and it has not been delivered. Needless to say, the guy that bought this thing is not happy, nor am I. And the USPS doesn't offer tracking on parcel post. When I use "track and confirm", I just get the original shipping date/time and it won't be updated until delivery. I would have sent it Priority but I was paying the shipping and it was $60 more.

So, does anyone have any "good news" w/respect to on-time deliveries w/USPS?

Also, a warning to any of you who may do what I just did: In the "fine print" on my insurance paperwork, the USPS states "For claims, you must have proof of value". Fortunately, I had the mandolin appraised at Gruhn's in Nashville. Unfortunately, I put the appraisal in the mandolin case! I have a scanned image of it which I am hoping will work if the thing doesn't show up.

Looks like I may need to hold on buying my S900 for a few more weeks. Any insights you can offer (positive or negative) would be appreciated. Thanks much in advance.

Randy

[This message has been edited by saxxman (edited 09-15-2007).]

For the reasons stated .....I always use Fedex insured plus you can track it all the way & have it signed for at the door.

I don't know what the situation is like at your local post office, but in my town I would simply ask to see the postmaster and explain the predicament. He/she may be able to do a little digging for you. Go back to the PO you shipped from, as they would have the best starting access. If you didn't ship it priority, a big package like that could be moved from truck to truck until it gets to its destination, adding days to the trip. Personally, I use USPS for smaller boxes only; that's their specialty. Good luck.

Thanks guys. I work on an Air Force base and shipped it via their post office. The only status I can get over the web is that the package was accepted for shipment on the 4th of September. I'll check w/the people where it was mailed on Monday.

I'm really hoping that it shows soon. The mandolin was in its hard case, which was then wrapped in 5 layers of bubble wrap. I double-boxed the mandolin case with spacers and newspapers in between the two boxes.

I don't know which of us (me or the buyer) is more nervous at this point. I think we both need a drink.

Thanks again.

If it was accepted on 9/4 thats really only 8 "business days". I recently shipped an item I sold on ebay and like you everyone was anxious but when I counted the days minus weekends and holidays it did get there in 10 days just like they said it would.
If they said 7 days I would give it until mid week.
I also only use fed ex insured with a signature required, unless I absolutely positively have to, at the buyers request, use something else.
Let us know how you make out.



[This message has been edited by mikeathome1 (edited 09-15-2007).]

Hi Mike - thanks for the encouraging words. I will let you know how it turns out. This is the most expensive thing I've shipped and I will be glad to see it received in one piece on the other end.

Randy

I shipped PSR 3000 in January to Canada via USPS, both the buyer and myself got worried when it still hadn't arrived after 14 days. Somewhere around 18 days it arrived in perfect condition.

Thanks Stephen! I needed to hear that! We are hoping that all the "extra care" of the USPS is just causing it to be a few days late.

Randy

By the way, I sold a humongous framed art piece on Ebay (it was a gigantic German Phantom-of-the-Opera theatrical poster). It was too big for any of the shipping services. I sent it via Greyhound to New York City. It made the trip in 2 days and not even a crack in the glass.

Hope my Mandolin is that lucky.

Randy

Did you ship this to Europe ?

Hi DanO -Great to hear from you again! Actually, I acquired the poster in Germany (was bought as a gift by someone we knew and was too big for their house!). I got it for $40 or so. It was professionally framed and in German. It was a very attractive piece, but too big for my house too. And in FL, the theme didn't go too well w/our sand dune paintings and shell collections (oh, and the fish pictures!).

I put it on Ebay and an art dealer in NY City bought it (think I got $180 for it). Shipping was a challenge, but I cut up a bunch of boxes and Greyhound got it there.

Hope all is well w/you and your family DanO. My (and the wife's family) are in the Cumberland (MD) area. We miss the weather!
Randy

Where did you ship the mandolin to?

I once purchased something from Russia that was sent parcel post. It came, after three months. Most of the time, I have good luck with USPS. I wouldn't worry. Parcel post always takes a long time, but I think three months is unusual.

Beakybird

Hi Mike and Beaky - I shipped the mandolin to California from FL. Hopefully, it'll get there soon. The guy is justifiably concerned and I want the sale to go off OK... my S900 is in the balance..

Thanks!

Randy

Hooray! My mandolin made it the trip to the west coast AOK and the buyer said my packing was "bulletproof". I'm so relieved.

Thanks again to all...
Randy