4040 mags, ebay, and USPS woes . ..

[Yaworski]

As I mentioned in my thread titled "What sort of magazine did I get?", I have a 3914 coming in. So in my quest for mags I read that 4040 mags will work.

Searching ebay, I found a guy selling four for $25 each or Best Offer. I offered $19.50 and he agreed.

The package showed up but it only had three in it. I contacted the seller and he apologized, saying that his son had been helping him and had messed up. I was offered a refund or he could ship the extra in a couple days. Hey, I want my mag!

Yesterday, the package (a bubble pack envelope) showed up but wasn't sealed properly. Surprise! There was some bubble wrap inside but that was it. Again, I contacted the seller and he said that he'd send a refund.

Looking at the package again, I noticed that the flap had been taped shut and that the tape was cut. I didn't cut it so someone else had cut it.

I've contacted the post office about possible theft but I'm not holding my breath.

The obvious solution is that someone at a USPS facility, cut the package open and took the product out.

Another possibility is that the tape magically split along the flap line and the mag fell out in a processing facility.

Last but not least, the seller realized that he had grossly underpriced his product and decided that he could resell this one and make more money. So he mailed an empty envelope with an unsealed flap. Now he can refund my money, get money from an insurance claim, and then resell the mag for more money.

 

[ACEd]

I doubt the last of your scenarios. $20 for a 4040 mag may be low but not low enough to justify the expense of shipping an empty package. The last 4040 mags I bought were about $26-28 late last year.

Most likely lost or if stolen the thief probably was disappointed.
Take the refund and be happy you got the other 3 at a bargain price.

 

[Yaworski]

There are currently a few on eBay that are priced over $60. None have been sold at that price but people hope.

When it comes to making or saving a buck, people are cray-cray. I deal with people who are willing to drive 20 miles to save $5 in sales tax. I can fully see some guy saying, "Dang, I sold that for less than $20 when someone else is asking $60." Doesn't matter that no one bought at $60.

 

[cherrypointmarine]

Last year one of my range buddies bought 2000 5.56 bullets . It showed that it was at a sorting centre near me . He kept checking and calling , yes it's here . Finally he asked if he could come get them , was told no public access . This went on until finally he put in for a refund . Now you know someone saw a box from an arms dealer that was heavy and walked away with it . Probably happens more than the USPS lets on .

 

[ACEd]

There are currently a few on eBay that are priced over $60. None have been sold at that price but people hope.

When it comes to making or saving a buck, people are cray-cray. I deal with people who are willing to drive 20 miles to save $5 in sales tax. I can fully see some guy saying, "Dang, I sold that for less than $20 when someone else is asking $60." Doesn't matter that no one bought at $60.

4040PD are relatively rare compared to most 3rd gen’s.
Parts / mags for rare pistols can be expensive to buy but can also be hard to sell if surplus. Supply and Demand. But last year there were what seemed to be an infinite supply of 4040PD mags. 2 sellers on eBay and one online gun supply house. All cheap compared to other 3rd gen mags. Those I got from / different sources appeared to be new old stock with flat black finish and appearance that they had been in storage for a while. Surprised there is much demand except for people trying to use them for 3913/3914.

 

[Yaworski]

I filed a report with the USPS about a possible theft. I detailed how the tape sealing the package appeared to be cut.

I received a response that said that the Postal Inspectors investigated and determined that no theft had occurred. They didn't ask for photos of the package or the package itself. I guess they must have reviewed footage of the package as it transited their system and saw that no one monkeyed with it. Or they just don't care.

 

[GypsmJim]

The USPS ALWAYS does me well. It's UPS that I simply won't deal with.

Earlier this month I bought 3 items from a national gun company. One were shipped from one warehouse, requiring a signature. The other 2 came from another warehouse. The latter would have had: "XXXX Gun Shop" boldly on the label. It never arrived.

UPS has been a real pita about it. They have not yet responded to the claim.

 

[GaryS]

From previous experience with UPS, the shipper, not the recipient must file the claim as they are the person that has the relationship with UPS.

I'm pretty sure that the USPS is the same.

The USPS ALWAYS does me well. It's UPS that I simply won't deal with.

Earlier this month I bought 3 items from a national gun company. One were shipped from one warehouse, requiring a signature. The other 2 came from another warehouse. The latter would have had: "XXXX Gun Shop" boldly on the label. It never arrived.

UPS has been a real pita about it. They have not yet responded to the claim.

 

[Maddog 521]

I have to ask
Do the 4040 mags work in the 3914?

 

[Yaworski]

I have to ask
Do the 4040 mags work in the 3914?

They are supposed to which is why I bought them. I haven't gotten to the range with it yet.

 

[Yaworski]

From previous experience with UPS, the shipper, not the recipient must file the claim

I'm not filing an insurance claim. I was making an assertion of theft. In two days they managed to investigate and tell me that no theft occurred. I'm wondering how they investigated.

 

[CHARLIE699]

I have to ask
Do the 4040 mags work in the 3914?

No. A 40 series (single stack) will not fit. But a 39 series (single-stack) magazine will. It will stick out below grip.

Lots of 39 series mags out there and also aftermarket. Not so much on the 40 series (single stack)

 

[ColbyBruce]

I'm not filing an insurance claim. I was making an assertion of theft. In two days they managed to investigate and tell me that no theft occurred. I'm wondering how they investigated.

I sympathize with your loss and feel your frustration; however, you should be directing that question to the postal inspector who responded to your initial theft claim. Ask him or her how they investigated and reached that conclusion. Ask the inspector why the package was not examined. Ask if anyone bothered to check the Mail Recovery Center for a loose magazine.

 

[Yaworski]

No. A 40 series (single stack) will not fit.

Many would disagree with you, including me. The 4040 mags slide right into the mag well and lock into place. I haven't tested functioning yet.

 

[CHARLIE699]

If I mis-spoke, my apologies. My 4013 (single stack) fit none of my 3913's.

The external size of the 4040 mag is smaller than the single stack 4013 mag. The 4013 is built on a 10mm size frame and the 4040 has a 9mm size frame. Might explain why 4013 mags are more $$ as are 10xx mags.

 

[Yaworski]

Not directly related to the issue but it popped into my head . . .

About twelve years ago, my son had a friend mail him a box of "Magic" game cards. The very intelligent but not too bright friend simply stuffed this heavy box with sharp corners into a manila envelop and mailed it. All that arrived was the envelope with obvious signs that the box had torn through the envelope. No tracking number, no insurance.

Instead of blaming his friend (about 22 at the time) for not packaging it properly, my son blamed the post office. To this day, he talks about how the post office stole his cards. A claim was filed but nothing came of it.

I can envision hundreds of Magic cards loose in the sort equipment.

 

[Yaworski]

Got another email from the Postal Service. Apparently, no theft occurred because the package arrived at my house.

Like many customer service agencies, they didn't bother to read my email in which I stated that the package arrived but was empty and cut open. No wonder innocent people go to prison.

 

[LVSteve]

Got another email from the Postal Service. Apparently, no theft occurred because the package arrived at my house.

Like many customer service agencies, they didn't bother to read my email in which I stated that the package arrived but was empty and cut open. No wonder innocent people go to prison.

I thought that only happened with the British Post Office.

 

[Yaworski]

Reading notes is important. About thirty years ago, I had some loose tires that I needed mounted. I decided to give the tire shop in my small town a go. I dropped the car off and gave the guy a note explaining what I wanted mounted where.

When I picked up the car, nothing was done as I had asked. I asked why they hadn't done what I had asked them to do in my note. I was told, "We don't have the time to read notes." Guess what, you now have the time to redo it all. Never went back there.