Holster Missing

[steelhawk]

I made a holster for a customer in Idaho. The customer hasn't received it and according to the tracking number, it got sent to Texas.

Will the Post Office somehow fix this? What can I expect?

This is the holster. I hope I don't have to remake it.

[Shooter McGavin]

Cool looking holster, what the cant on that though?

Good luck with the post office. The biggest hurdle will be talking to a human who listens to your questions instead of reading from a script.

[Denster]

I've only had that happen once. Supposed to have gone to Arizona but ended up in Texas. Took about four extra days but it eventually got to where it was supposed to be.

[BearMan]

Hi,

I had that happen too! I live in Sc, & I was sending a package to Nc,, should be just a 2 -3 day delivery. When I tracked the package, it was in Tx,,, & sat there for 5 days!! Is Tx, the Abyss for packages?? It was finally delivered after 12 days. My Son had the same problem once. No idea why this happens, but if you're missing one, it seems like it's always in Tx.

Ed the"BearMan"

[lonestar tactical]

recently I had a client give me the wrong address for his shipping information. Sent it to NC when he now lives in FL. Of course this took place as the huricane just passed thru and everything got delayed. It took an extra 5 days to get to NC from TX, then it was forwarded to him in FL. I have a feeling the only reason it got forwarded was because he knew the new residents. If not I fear I would have been remaking the holster. I did not have to offer since this was his confirmed paypal address, but did so because I love my clients.

The post office will be able to track it to the delivery address but possession in 9/10ths of the law (so they say).

Did you get insurance on you package?

Be safe,

Doc

[Lobo]

My thoughts on such matters:

1. I send out 1200-plus parcels each year. I use first class mail for the majority (up to the 13 oz. limit) and priority mail for those over the weight limit. Average cost per parcel, packaging and postage, about $3.00. For those who aren't aware of this fact, priority mail travels with first class mail so there is no advantage in delivery times. I charge $3.00 for delivery to any US address on orders less than $60.00. Orders of $60.00 or more I include delivery in the price of the products.

2. Typical delivery time runs 2 to 7 days. Occasionally one might take two weeks. Once in a great while I've seen 20 days or so. USPS facilities rely heavily on automated scanning and sorting, so there will be the occasional misdirected parcel. It happens.

3. Over the past two years I can recall 3 incidents of parcels not received after 21 days. At that point I started re-making the orders. One arrived on day 24. One arrived on day 29. One was returned to me as undeliverable, although the address was correct; I re-mailed it and it went through without problems. None have been permanently lost (a testimony to the efficiency of USPS, in my opinion).

4. Delivery confirmation adds about $0.80 per parcel. For me that would be around $1,000 per year added cost. Insurance adds about $1.50 per parcel. For me that would be about $1800.00 per year. While these costs can be passed on to customers, some (like me) get tired of what can be interpreted as excessive "shipping and handling fees" when ordering things, so I choose not to do so.

5. Essentially, I am self-insuring the deliveries. If one ever goes permanently missing I will replace it at no charge, and my costs will be a few dollars in materials and a little bit of my time (probably less than I would spend on the phone dealing with tracking issues or insurance claims). To me, this is preferable to either sticking each customer with an additional $2.30 or so for tracking and insurance, or me paying out $2800 +/- in additional costs for those services. I also have a suspicion that the "free delivery on orders over $60.00" causes some folks to add to their orders.

So, my 2 cents worth. Very nice holster you made, Steelhawk, but if worse comes to worst it won't take more than a little effort on your part to replace it, and you'll have a happy customer forever.

[dbusarow]

Good points Lobo. I think I may start following your example. With loss rates that low self insuring makes a lot of sense.

Dan

[Ferg]

I concur with all you said except for your first statement about Priority Mail. We ship 15,000 parcels between September and January every year. Quit using UPS because of the cost. Priority Mail will get a package from OHIO to California in 3 to 4 days some times less. First class mail will take from 7 to 10 days. We even ship to Canada via Priority, takes about three weeks via First Class, a week via Priority. From Ohio to the East Coast is two days Priority.

Just my .02

ferg

My thoughts on such matters:

1. I send out 1200-plus parcels each year. I use first class mail for the majority (up to the 13 oz. limit) and priority mail for those over the weight limit. Average cost per parcel, packaging and postage, about $3.00. For those who aren't aware of this fact, priority mail travels with first class mail so there is no advantage in delivery times. I charge $3.00 for delivery to any US address on orders less than $60.00. Orders of $60.00 or more I include delivery in the price of the products.

2. Typical delivery time runs 2 to 7 days. Occasionally one might take two weeks. Once in a great while I've seen 20 days or so. USPS facilities rely heavily on automated scanning and sorting, so there will be the occasional misdirected parcel. It happens.

3. Over the past two years I can recall 3 incidents of parcels not received after 21 days. At that point I started re-making the orders. One arrived on day 24. One arrived on day 29. One was returned to me as undeliverable, although the address was correct; I re-mailed it and it went through without problems. None have been permanently lost (a testimony to the efficiency of USPS, in my opinion).

4. Delivery confirmation adds about $0.80 per parcel. For me that would be around $1,000 per year added cost. Insurance adds about $1.50 per parcel. For me that would be about $1800.00 per year. While these costs can be passed on to customers, some (like me) get tired of what can be interpreted as excessive "shipping and handling fees" when ordering things, so I choose not to do so.

5. Essentially, I am self-insuring the deliveries. If one ever goes permanently missing I will replace it at no charge, and my costs will be a few dollars in materials and a little bit of my time (probably less than I would spend on the phone dealing with tracking issues or insurance claims). To me, this is preferable to either sticking each customer with an additional $2.30 or so for tracking and insurance, or me paying out $2800 +/- in additional costs for those services. I also have a suspicion that the "free delivery on orders over $60.00" causes some folks to add to their orders.

So, my 2 cents worth. Very nice holster you made, Steelhawk, but if worse comes to worst it won't take more than a little effort on your part to replace it, and you'll have a happy customer forever.

[steelhawk]

The last word on the package is that it went from TX to VA, totally the wrong way. I am curious as to where it will be sent tonight. I know I got the address right. I have sent holsters to this customer two previous times.

Lobo, I had been using regular mail, paying about 3.00, but ran out of boxes, so I had to use a USPS box and pay more for shipping. I am looking for a cheaper source of boxes, though.

[Denise]

We even ship to Canada via Priority, takes about three weeks via First Class, a week via Priority

Ferg, being on the receiving end, I can't agree with this. Picked up a package Sept 14 from the US. Mailed August 29th. Shipped Priority. Waiting on another shipped August 29th. We'll see how they shipped that. We've had the same thing consistenly from other places too. The US shippers usually worry about it if it isn't here in a week. We don't get concerned till more than 2 weeks go by. Frustrating, but that's the way it is.

We currently have a customer anxiously awaiting a box we shipped the 2nd. Going from Alberta to Utah. Last check in was Quebec. ???? I guess people who don't know geography live on both sides of the border...

[steelhawk]

Well, after spending time in TX, then going to VA for two days, if finally made it to ID. Unfortunately, the new owner is in Alaska for his daughter's wedding and it couldn't be delivered. It is at the local post office. Hopefully, he will return before it is sent back to me, probably via NY to FL, to TX and then to UT.

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

My post office will hold for a longer time if they know I am out of town. I live in a smaller community of around 7,200 between the two towns, and I stress the term community. It is nice to have folks around you that are willing to work with you at times.

make sure the PO there knows that he is out of town.

[Shorts]

Use USPS Priority, get insurance. I use USPS click n ship and my own boxes. Fast-pack.com has good prices. Better than uline. Get yourself two sized boxes. One big enough for single holsters and a mag pouch. The other multiple holsters and belts. I won't give you my dimensions as what you order depends on your pattern sizes. I pay $7-$12 to ship Priority, w/insurance. Knock on wood never lost a box. If one goes, I will get paid and the customer gets their money back.

Edited September 18, 2011 by Shorts

[steelhawk]

Thanks, Monica. I'll check out fast-pack.com. If I don't hear from the customer before the 15 days are up, I'll call the post office and let them know.

[dirtclod]

I use the post office boxes. Maybe I'm missing something but I don't understand why you would want to buy boxes when you can get them for free.

[Shorts]

I use the post office boxes. Maybe I'm missing something but I don't understand why you would want to buy boxes when you can get them for free.

You're not missing anything. Everybody just has a different way of doing things.

[K-Man]

Something else to keep in mind with respect to shipping is that if the customer used VISA or Mastercard to pay for their order, a signature receipt is required on the customer's end. If the customer disputes receiving the holster/item, and they didn't have to sign for it, then VISA/Mastercard are going to give them their money back. Delivery confirmation, insurance, etc., will not suffice to show they received it. My shipping costs average between $7-$8 for a 1lb box shipped USPS priority mail with signature confirmation.

[Russ]

Are there some sort of limits to this? I use Visa for all my online orders, and almost never have to sign for the package...thank goodness.

Something else to keep in mind with respect to shipping is that if the customer used VISA or Mastercard to pay for their order, a signature receipt is required on the customer's end.

[Lobo]

Something else to keep in mind with respect to shipping is that if the customer used VISA or Mastercard to pay for their order, a signature receipt is required on the customer's end. If the customer disputes receiving the holster/item, and they didn't have to sign for it, then VISA/Mastercard are going to give them their money back. Delivery confirmation, insurance, etc., will not suffice to show they received it. My shipping costs average between $7-$8 for a 1lb box shipped USPS priority mail with signature confirmation.

This is absolutely correct.

PayPal works similarly. Delivery confirmation is required, and delivery must be to the address on file with PayPal, otherwise the customer may receive a refund.

I accept PayPal (secure website for credit card transactions and cash transfers with no sharing of account information) and I take hundreds of personal checks every year from all over the country. I have never had a customer try to scam me via PayPal, and I have never received a bad check for a holster order. My conclusion is that people that use firearms and checking accounts do not abuse either. Others' experiences may be different.

[steelhawk]

I use the post office boxes. Maybe I'm missing something but I don't understand why you would want to buy boxes when you can get them for free.

I may decide to use the post office boxes. I just want to see what the cost of other options are. I mailed several using the boxes my dummy guns came in. It cost $2.00 less to mail them.