What to do, what to do

[katskastles]

I have a problem and I am hoping I can get some advice on how to handle this.

I hosted a swap in April, sent everything out on the same day at the same post office at the same time. Two swap packages never made it home, they were both going to Canada. I am very upset about this.

One of the gals asked what I could do, so I told her I would send the ones that I got for being the hostess. Well, those never made it either. I would blame the PO, except I gave these to my mail room. I have talked to the mail room and they no longer have the package, it went out the day I gave it to them.

I have an album, which doesn't really do justice to the cards, but this way they can at least be seen.

One of the gals in CA is upset and I don't blame her. I have offered to send her back the $10 she included for return postage, I am just waiting to hear from her.

I know if I call the PO they will not be any help as they will tell me that it was sent and since there wasn't a tracking number on it they won't look for it.

So, what would you do?

[iamvics]

You should be able t0 look up the Customs Form number at USPS website to see where they are.

[parkes]

This is so disappointing for you. I agree that the PO won't be able to follow up the parcels but if it were me I would lay a complaint both both for their records, and my own satisfaction. The PO provides a public service and they need to know from the public how they are doing. Ask what their complaints process is and use that.
Stephanie

[katestamps716]

I do a lot of shipping for my store. Sometimes this just happens with international mail. And there's not much you can do about it. It is possible it got confiscated if there were Prima flowers or other embellishments that customs deemed against the rules.

[smriti]

I generally get the certificate of mailing for international parcels so that if something happens I can show that to the recipient.

If I don't have the certificate of mailing then I would send her a set of my own handmade cards as a compensation and this time post directly through the PO.

[gr8cards]

I have sent a ton of packages to Iraq and Afghanistan and to my knowledge, they all made it. You did fill out customs forms, right? Although, if you didn't, they should have been returned to you. The PO has so many rules about how to mail in envelopes as opposed to boxes, etc., especially when they are international. Good luck.

[Joan B]

I would assume that the folks who said they didn't get the packages are honest and refund them the money. Not sure it is your responsibility to do so but that is what I would do and I would do it by check.

I ran one swap. And never did it again for exactly these reasons. Some hassles aren't worth it.

Hugs!

[stampinX6]

Did they check with their customs offices?

[jackie1]

It is possible that as they were going through customs they were confiscated or destoyed by mistake. The problem with parcels coming from the US into Canada is that the tracking information stops at the border and doesn't give you any other info until it says that it has been delivered and it doesn't always mean that it was delivered to the right person, it just says that it was delivered. It doesn't happen very often but parcels do get lost in the mail and unfortunatly there isn't much any one can do.

[jazzytobi]

I have a sneaking suspicion that my mail lady or somebody who handles my mail on a regular basis is a stamper. I have had entire packages (and I'm on a few design teams so we're talking a mother-load of stamps) go missing. Gone. I have had the customs people go through my package, take what they thought were cute stamps, and put the rest back and sent the remainder on to me. I have tried to look into it but because of the crossing-the-border confusion/issues nothing ever gets solved. I'm so sorry this happened!

[katskastles]

That you all for your words of advice and help on this matter.

Unfortunately I didn't keep any of the forms the post office gave me and so I don't have any way to track them. :(

I have learned my lesson though, I will keep all of the documents from now on.

[StamperDea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by katestamps716

I do a lot of shipping for my store. Sometimes this just happens with international mail. And there's not much you can do about it. It is possible it got confiscated if there were Prima flowers or other embellishments that customs deemed against the rules.

Is there a danger that Prima flowers might become an invasive species in Canada like kudzu in the American South? LOL

[mollymoo951]

Quote:

Originally Posted by StamperDea

Is there a danger that Prima flowers might become an invasive species in Canada like kudzu in the American South? LOL

:lol: I was kind of wondering that myself. Funny.

[bencer99]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joan B

I would assume that the folks who said they didn't get the packages are honest and refund them the money. Not sure it is your responsibility to do so but that is what I would do and I would do it by check.
I ran one swap. And never did it again for exactly these reasons. Some hassles aren't worth it.

Hugs!

Just a note - if you are in the USA and send a cheque that is written from your USA bank account to someone in Canada , they won't be able to cash it. (Unless they had a USA bank account). You would have to send an international money order.

Which is totally a hassle for you. :-(