post office recourse?

[Serah-Marie]

So I sent a huge order to Microcosm and allthey got in the mail a month and a half later was our shipping label stapled to a letter. Apparently the empty wrapper was found in the mail, so they sent Microcosm what was left. This really sucks as it means I'm taking a hit of hundreds of dollars. Has anyone else been through this? Is there any recourse for me with the post office? I should mention I'm in Canada and I mailed it to the US.

Any advice welcome - thanks!

[Emma Jane Falconer]

I've had the same thing happen to me sending something from the UK to Canada- they trampled a rolled up print packaged in a very very sturdy poster tube. I think they must've got an elephant to stand on it or something. I sent it recorded delivery (it was only about £3 more expensive), so it automatically had £40 coverage. I had to fill out a form on the UK post office's website with my reference no and the problem, and they sent me a cheque, which I used to get a reprint. You generally have to claim in the sending country I think.

What postage did you send it with? If you send it registered/tracked/whatever yr post office calls it, you're usually covered
Here's the info from canada post
http://www.canadapost.ca/cpo/mc/personal/support/helpcentre/sending...

[Rick Bradford]

I hate to ask but did you insure the package? I don't actually know what kind of options Canada Post has but I think the USPS basically says you're out of luck if you don't buy the insurance.

However, when they destroy a package like that it's usually accompanied by a form letter offering their sincerest apologies...

[Dan 10things]

I swear Canadian customs fucks with zines on purpose. I've had all kinds of problems sending quantities of zines there. Individual zines, no problem, but a box of zines is always going to get tied up for weeks in shipping, arrive having been opened, have the box beat to hell or disappear altogether.

[Serah-Marie]

I didn't get any additional insurance as this shipment already cost a huge bundle to send, and I would have been loosing money if I'd done that...I guess it was a risk a decided to take and I should lie in my bed, but urgh, it's annoying. Shipping is so costly (prices just went up again!) that it makes independent publishing a nightmare here. I agree Dan, I swear Canada Customs has a thing for zines - they have also waged war on queer content in the past, calling it porn and confiscating it.

Microcosm is nice enough to send me the letter they got so I can try to recoup something hopefully. I'll update as it goes for those interested.

[Rick Bradford]

Man, that sucks. I know exactly what you mean too, it stinks paying extra for insurance when it's really more likely (usually) that the package will arrive without a scratch...

[Stephanos]

almost as if they purposefully damage stuff to ensure peopl epay for insurance next time....

Rick Bradford said:

Man, that sucks. I know exactly what you mean too, it stinks paying extra for insurance when it's really more likely (usually) that the package will arrive without a scratch...

[amy // twelveohtwo]

bummer!

ive never had an issue sending packages to the states and only once in the almost 7 years ive been running my distro have i gotten one of those "oops, we trashed your package" letters from the USPS. knock on wood!

 

*cough* maybe its a sign? #fuckzinemart *cough*

[Serah-Marie]

I personally didn't consider this to be Microcosm's fault, just the stupid postal systems. Stupid postal system!

amy // twelveohtwo said:

bummer!

ive never had an issue sending packages to the states and only once in the almost 7 years ive been running my distro have i gotten one of those "oops, we trashed your package" letters from the USPS. knock on wood!

 

*cough* maybe its a sign? #fuckzinemart *cough*

[Derek Neuland]

Haha, my thoughts exactly Amy :)

amy // twelveohtwo said:

*cough* maybe its a sign? #fuckzinemart *cough*

[Bree Adorn]

agreed!

Derek Neuland said:

Haha, my thoughts exactly Amy :)

amy // twelveohtwo said:

*cough* maybe its a sign? #fuckzinemart *cough*

[Mema Gop]

There is only recourse if you had insurance on the package. I always put insurance on any package! IT is well worth it! I have never had a package turn up missing or damaged when I had insurance on it, but IF there were NO insurance on it, I have a lot of challenges with the packages turn up missing and damaged! So now everything over $5.00 gets insurance!!! Saves stress in the long run!!! I wish you luck, Another suggestion, I always put a protective wrapping over the item inside of the box. On that protective wrapping I then tape a Shipping label so that way if the item gets seperated from the box, they still should be able to find where the item goes to. (*The label on the inside protective wrapping I put clear packing tape over it so it is harder to damage or lose that packing label)

 

I am so sorry you lost the merchandise and the corresponding money! I hope something will come up that will even out the situation for you! 

Namaste