USPS firearm shipping woes.. "We so sorry but your package is lost"

[dandyrandy]

I've had a couple claims on firearms through USPS. One one claim I was denied and even received a letter from someone with a title stating that shipping firearms wasn't permitted under USPS regulations. I wrote a letter back and photocopied the USPS regulation on shipping firearms to him. Eventually I received my money back.

I'd had several postal clerks tell me that shipping firearms wasn't allowed, but this was someone higher up the chain.

Hmm ya everyone thinks they are a professor of everything these days... Its difficult to find someone that actually knows what they are doing very frustrating when your trying to conduct business. UPS is the worst for me because a lot of them give you this FALSE sense that they are a legit UPS operated by the book shop but in actuality they are just some fools personal company that mascaraed as UPS. They can tell you what ever they want too! Make up there own stuff as they go because its there own personal business. Theres a bunch of these UPS stores too and if you mention you have a firearm in the package they treat you like a terrorist that has a bomb. None of them will deal with shipping firearms even though they claim to be UPS.

 

[Pisgah]

Never filed a claim with USPS for a lost gun, but I have had other items lost. Filed many claims, never have been compensated because, according to USPS, they always deliver every package to the correct address, and once it's delivered it's no longer their responsibility. Matters not that I was at home, watching my mailbox when the carrier came, walked to the box immediately and -- no package. Nope, it was delivered to the correct address, so sorry, sir.

 

[Engineer1911]

This is really SIMPLE ! !

Randy,

In this day and age Priority Mail means nothing, but an extra postal fee. I have been the recipient of Priority Mail for the past year. That "3 day delivery time" is code for "Don't worry, we need 3 weeks."

My mail left Memphis, took 1.5 days to arrive "at Atlanta". 5 days later it was scanned as "Departing Atlanta". Then it sat in Augusta, GA for 4 days as "in transit" to destination. My post office is about 12 miles from the Augusta post office. My post office took 15 minutes for "out for delivery". It was delivered that afternoon. The "package" was a 5" x 7" blister envelope.

When 2 weeks has elapsed of "in transit", then you MIGHT have a problem. Keep your snarky remarks to yourself. I have given you the post office record on 5 different tracked, insured, PRIORITY MAIL packages that cost me additional postage $$$ for prompt delivery. Prompt Delivery is really "Three Week Minimum". Delivery is done by tired oxen pulling a wagon, not a fire truck with lights flashing and siren screaming. Get used to the Real Now.

 

[dandyrandy]

8 days is not that long in the current Covid world we're in. Just saying.

Date shipped may be different than date scanned. USPS tracking begins when a tracking number is issued, usually when the postage is purchased. Larger FFLs may wait 2-3 days later before handing over to USPS.

What used to take 5-7 days (yes, I know the signs say Priority 2-3 days) is on average for my latest transfers 7-10 days. Additionally, IIRC, previous posts are correct that the shipper needs to initiate a missing item claim, not the recipient.

What does the last USPS tracking info say?

Ya I hear ya man... Im trying to stay positive! Turn that frown up side down you silly nilly!

 

[pawngal]

OP, I've been trying to read between your rants but still haven't figured it out.
1. Is this a gun being shipped to you? or
2. You shipped a gun USPS, if you shipped it and it is a handgun you are SOL.

3. If #1 is the case, the shipper has to file the claim. However 1st step is to file a missing package report.

4. If #2 is the case and you shipped a long gun, file the missing package.

5. Patience is required.

 

[BC38]

Hmm ya everyone thinks they are a professor of everything these days... Its difficult to find someone that actually knows what they are doing very frustrating when your trying to conduct business. UPS is the worst for me because a lot of them give you this FALSE sense that they are a legit UPS operated by the book shop but in actuality they are just some fools personal company that mascaraed as UPS. They can tell you what ever they want too! Make up there own stuff as they go because its there own personal business. Theres a bunch of these UPS stores too and if you mention you have a firearm in the package they treat you like a terrorist that has a bomb. None of them will deal with shipping firearms even though they claim to be UPS.

You are correct that UPS stores are not owned or run by UPS. They are a franchised UPS pickup location. Because their employees are not UPS employees, UPS won't ALLOW them to accept firearms, hazardous materials, or any other regulated goods.

Why? Because once the package is in UPS's possession UPS is fully responsible for the items being properly packaged, labeled, and handled according to DOT regulations. Since the UPS Stores and their employees are not under UPS's control, they can't hold them accountable for their employees having the proper training to follow all the rules and regs correctly.

If you want to ship that kind of package, you need to visit your local UPS owned facility and go to their Customer Service Center. THOSE employees are UPS employees that the company has trained and can hold accountable for following all the rules and regs.

 

[p8riot]

I'll second Narrangassett's response - East Coast USPS DCs can be awful. Packages can sit for weeks, no matter what the priority.

My last package that went to MD via Priority took a month long vacation at the DC (or is it Sorting Center?) before it was delivered.

As the guy that was on the other end of Narrangassett's shipment, I can tell you that I was frustrated as he!!. I have several other shipments (some USPS and some FedEx) that are taking an inordinate amount of time to get here. One is from NJ (not a weapon) that shipped via USPS weeks ago that I finally got notice of movement for this morning.

 

[dandyrandy]

As the guy that was on the other end of Narrangassett's shipment, I can tell you that I was frustrated as he!!. I have several other shipments (some USPS and some FedEx) that are taking an inordinate amount of time to get here. One is from NJ (not a weapon) that shipped via USPS weeks ago that I finally got notice of movement for this morning.

Glory onto us! Another USPS Festivus Miracle y'all!

 

[326MOD10]

Just to clarify Festivus isn't until December 23.

 

[ladder13]

I thought this kind of rude behavior got you points or even banned?

Rude behavior or comments towards fellow forum members has gotten me a point or three over the years.

 

[Nick B]

I've handled lots of USPS claims for this kind of stuff . One was a Registered package of mine that went all over the US before it finally made it to Mn. Experience in this has shown me that they eventually show up .
But that's after it sits in a hub somewhere for days with all of the other misdirected packages at that facility.

 

[Bourget117]

Rude behavior or comments towards fellow forum members has gotten me a point or three over the years.

Ya the mods. must be playing favorites with this one.

 

[Chuck24]

As a postal retiree I'm always sad to hear these stories. Covid hit them hard. The office my mail comes from out of 22 routes is missing. They were slammed by Amazon and then when COVID hit and the carriers had to due multiple routes 16 to 18 hours a day those who could retire did and many new hires walked out after the first day. My historical letter that was mailed in early January just showed up late last month.

 

[Backlighting]

I wouldn't expect the USPS or any other gov. agency to move quickly on anything. Our condominium complex's encompassing rod iron gate was smashed in to by a USPS delivery truck. It took 10 months to get compensated for the repair.

 

[s&wchad]

We don't play favorites. I've read through this entire thread several times.

Here's what the OP originally said:

So I had a firearm shipped out on the 3rd and to my surprise it has not been delivered yet. Today is the 12th and it was sent out the usual 2 day Priority.

Let's give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he did it legally. When he said "had it shipped out... Priority", it sounds to me like it was shipped by an FFL. That's perfectly legal.

dandyrandy,
Lose the attitude and drop the snarky replies in the future. Your information was rather vague and there's little wonder members were concerned and offered their thoughts.

You've already receive some good information about USPS insurance. Good luck and I hope your package eventually arrives...

No one here can really help with this issue and the rants serve no useful purpose, so we're done here.

 

[handejector]

I dunno....... maybe contacting the USPS about a USPS problem might be in order.......

Or, keep yellin here and see if that works.
We're done here.