MacThayer

I agree that you should never put on the outside of the box that there is something of value inside, like a quilt. It's a signal to thieves to help themselves, and in this economy, sorry to say, more things are disappearing not just from the mail, but from bags at the airport, hotel rooms, and public places. As the economy worsens, this will only get worse. Also, attach to the quilt both your name and address, and the name and address you are sending it to, and I mean attach. Don't just toss a paper in the bag. Pin it to the quilt in a couple of places. Also sew your name, date of quilt, whatever identifying information you usually put on a quilt -- and sew it into the quilt in such a way that it would damage the quilt to remove it. Sorry, I guess I spent too much time in the big city. But that will make people think twice, especially if the plan was to re-sell it.

I use a UPS box as my mailing address, so I am good friends with the people at UPS. I am always trying to make sure I know how to get things safely where I need them to go. They tell me that the number one way to ensure that something gets to its destination is to take it to the UPS store, and let them pack and label it. When them pack it, they are invested in making sure it is done correctly, and will arrive in one piece (I've sent many delicate items, and they've all arrived in pristine condition this way.) They are also invested in just plain seeing that they arrive, since they were responsible for doing the shipping labels. And of course, insure it, for the proper value. I have been told that the loss rate on packages packed by UPS personnel is less than 1/4 of 1%, and if they packed it, there is no quarrel over paying the full amount of the insurance. Of course, insist on a tracking number, and then, for heaven's sake, track it! If it's starting in Las Vegas, and headed for New York, and somehow ends up in Portland, Oregon, you'll see that on the tracking. That's when you get on the phone and find out what the heck is going on. Don't wait until it's lost! Personally, I've never had that problem, but apparently it does happen on occasion. Something gets put on the wrong truck, etc. So stay on top of it until it arrives. Quilts are just too important; they have too much time, money and heart invested in them to do less. Personally, I've sent lots of things this way, especially sensitive materials for my husband's business, when it had to be somewhere by a certain date or it was a disaster, and I've never had a problem when I've let them pack it. Cost's a little more, yes, but worth the peace of mind, at least to me.

sewtnanny

I agree with this 100%. MY postmaster said the same thing-someone along the way may want it. I recently bought a subscription to a quilting magazine, and only received half of the mags... no one is perfect. Be careful mailing, and best wishes! :?

Boxer mom

I would go UPS, I mailed 2 quilts to a friend and insured them for $300 and when they didn't arrive on the day it said I started to panic. It showed up 2 days later. If you do go postal get it insured, signed for and pay for any tracking. I will always go UPS now to mail my quilts.

babygirl8

Please make sure you have something attached to the quilt and table runner to tell the usps where the items are going to, and where they came from. A piece of paper will do, if the box gets torn open and contents fall out, they know where it is going and will get it there. USPS, del. confirmation, it will be fine...

gimnich

Be sure the recipient has to sign for the package. I lost 2 quilts because the delivery confirmation only shows it was delivered to that address. The package was left at the mailbox but they did not ever see it.

Auntie

When I mailed a quilt to my aunt in FL I sent it USPS and had it delivered to only the addressee. She wasn't home so had to pick it up at the PO. I was able to track it daily.

ketsia

Another consideration when purchasing insurance... Once you insure the package from the shipper, you have purchased an advertisement of its value to anyone with an evil intent. Some of the quilts I mail are for family and while valuable to me, cannot be proved. I just mail via USPS with delivery confirmation. If it is a special quilt and it has been appraised, I have it insured with a rider on my homeowners policy. It is very inexpensive. Then I ship it without insurance from the shipper, usually FedEx.
I am sure that there are horror storied from every shipper, but I have heard far more about UPS than about FedEX.

Iamquilter

I have shipped many baby quilts over the years and never had a problem, but never put on the outside that there is a quilt inside. Most of mine were shipped by UPS and they are already insured for I think $150.00.

amandasgramma

I have sent no less than 20 quilts by the USPS.....with NO problems.
I wrap the quilts in plastic bags --- it's only temporary, but prevents them getting dirty and wet should anything happen. Target sells HUGE zip lock bags for about $1.00 each (in pkg of 5). I use those for customer quilts.

I use the Priority mail boxes -- the flat rate boxes. I've been able to squeeze in finished queen size quilts for about $16.00 per shipment. Be careful, apparently some POs won't allow you to pack till they bulge. However, I just received one yesterday that was taped and bulged to the point of ridiculous, but the PO delivered it!

I've insured for the cost of the fabric and the cost of the quilting -- however, I've never had to file a claim -- so don't know what the PO says. I'll ask next time I'm there, for future reference.

Rose Bagwell

I use to insure mine all the time, til someone told me not to, because the P.O. will not pay you what it is actually worth. I inquired and you have to have a receipt for the material, thread and how will you certify the actual worth. I have been mailing them w/out ins. for the past 10 years, just ask the person to let me know when they get there and to this day, I have not lost a one.