The shipment was a legal transfer from one FFL to another FFL (as stated earlier in the thread) just to clarify.

Also as I stated previously, I didn't really intend this as a bashing of the USPS (although in this instance they appear to deserve a bit of bashing). As Handejector pointed out, overall the USPS is probably the safest way to ship valuable objects ESPECIALLY if they are sent registered. I misstated in an earlier post when I implied that the package in question was sent parcel post...it was actually sent Priority, so other than not getting a tracking number (which may have allowed me to catch the screw up a few days earlier) the shippers really did not do anything wrong. The problem appears to lie with the individual delivery carrier who negleted to get a signature and clearly doesn't really know where he delivered the package.

I thought I'd bring y'all up to date on this mess. As stated previously, the gun made it to and was logged into the Mesa P.O. on 3-1-12. At that point it disappears with the delivery person saying he delivered it without the required signature. For all intents and purposes, the gun has been stolen. Since then, everyone has run for cover - My FFL (the shipper) refused to file the insurance claim so I had to do that yesterday. My FFL also refuses to file claim with the BATF for a stolen / missing gun telling me its the responsibility of the receiving FFL to do so. They didn't have an answer when I asked how the receiving FFL should file a report with the BATF when they didn't even have the particulars on the gun (serial number, make, model, caliber, etc.). I have also filed a complaint for investigation with the USPS Postal Inspector's office. Today, I took matters into my own hands and called the BATF in Pittsburgh. I spoke with a well informed and pitbullish type of agent who was very much interested in this especially since the gun has vanished near the U.S. / Mexico border that is full of trouble. He told me the shipping FFL is indeed responsible for the report and also the fact that they shipped the gun without delivery confirmation (the only reason a signature was required in this case is because I insured it for more than the standard $200.00). He took my FFL's information, FFL number, address, phone number, name of the owner, name of his girlfriend secretary, and all the employees and said he would be calling and possibly visiting them very, very soon! It looks to me the P.O. in Mesa, a P.O. delivery person in Mesa, and my local FFL are in for a rude awakening in the next few days and I couldn't be happier! The gloves are off now and its time to get downright dirty with all these people blaming someone else!

And by the way, a big hats off and deepest respect for the buyer and original OP "BCDWYO"! He has agreed to help me out a little here since I'm a little cash strapped and wait for the insurance claim to go through for a refund. He's also taken time from his busy days to help investigate on his end which has eased my frustrations on this end. I wanted to say publically that I thank Brad very much and tell everyone what a great person he is !

In my Army days, the standard method for shipping secret documents was by registered mail. AFAIK, none were ever lost.

__________________
-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

I don't think i'd be using that FFl any more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Any update ??

Bekeart

Yes sir, there is. The BATF agent I posted about above made a visit to the FFL I used to ship the gun and refused to report it as missing / stolen. It seems the FFL had a change of heart during that visit about (A) their method of shipping and (B) their initial decision not to file the report. The gun has now been reported as missing / stolen. It has also led to quite a few shouting matches between me, the owner of the shop, and his "office manager." Even though this is the only gunshop in my locality, they have lost any further business with me.

As far as the USPS goes, even though both myself and the buyer of the revolver have filed complaints with the USPS Inspector's office, nothing has been done by anyone at this point. Once I get hold of the FFL agent I spoke with, I'm sure he will be mighty ticked when he hears this news!

I've repaid the buyer his money in full and I've filed an insurance claim. We had no idea on how to go about this - the buyer was willing to wait for the insurance but I decided that the only fair thing to do was to get him paid back ASAP. Its yet to be seen how the insurance claim will go since its only been about two weeks since doing so. They tell me it takes about thirty days but, seeing how slowly the so called "investigation" is going, who knows if I'll ever see the money again. I've also come to the conclusion that after seeing how the USPS conducts themsleves on something as important as this, they are the pits.

That gun was stolen by either the USPS delivery person or possibly by someone within the receiving FFL's shop (that's not an accusation but just my opinion). If the gun was delivered to a drop box without a signature as the employee claims, anyone knowing that could have picked it up and walked away.

Here's the particulars on the stolen gun: S&W model 629-3, stainless steel, 4" barrel, Serial #BHN 0179. Rather than make a public accusation and release the address of the receiving FFL the package was addressed to, I would be willling to give that information privately to anyone that might have a clue as to what has taken place. I'll go one step further and say that if anyone can provide information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for its disappearance, I'll personally offer a reward of $250.00 once the arrest and conviction becomes a reality.

PA Reb, your a good man, I paid for a revolver and the money order got lost somewhere between Kandahar and the the seller. I scraped enough money to pay for it again. The second time the money order got there and my gun got shipped to my FFL. I filed a claim and the post office refunded the money to me Three months pass and the first money order shows up at the seller house. He contacted me to see what to do about it. I hope you get this resolved.

Almost two months have gone by now and here's what's going on ~ (1) The BATF seems to not care that this revolver has been stolen. (2) A USPS Postal Inspector has yet to investigate it. (3) I'm still being jacked around about the insurance claim and it hasn't been paid as of yet. So much for the BATF and the USPS - two more worthless federal bureaucracies = no help, uncaring, and nowhere for the public to turn! It wouldn't surprise me if they do me out of $700 !

Again, here's the particulars on the stolen gun: S&W model 629-3, stainless steel, 4" barrel, Serial #BHN 0179. Rather than make a public accusation and release the address of the receiving FFL the package was addressed to, I would be willling to give that information privately to anyone that might have a clue as to what has taken place. I'll go one step further and say that if anyone can provide information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for its disappearance, I'll personally offer a reward of $250.00 once the arrest and conviction becomes a reality.