Update on lost quilt
 

I posted to the thread, but in case you didn't see it, I thought I'd post it here as well since many asked me to update everyone if my lost quilt was found.

I received a letter from a Los Angeles post office that said "we found your label that had come lose from your package and it is enclosed". In the envelope was indeed my return label, the paper with the tracking number, etc. AND my original piece of box on which I had written the name and address of my niece and then, to make sure rain or snow didn't smear it, I taped two pieces of clear packing tape over it.

My question for the USPS is how does a name and address written on the box come lose. A label, sure that could happen but less likely if taped down. This was written with pen on the box and is neatly cut out along with my return label and the tracking label.

They ask me to describe the contents, etc. but it's obvious that someone must have opened the box and taken it. I am just heartbroken.

I am so sorry this happened to you. I know it probably doesn't make you feel better, but who ever did this will reap what they sowed. ((Hugs))

It doesn't surprise me but I am very sad to hear this.

So sorry to hear this. That is just despicable. I think I'd be calling the postmaster of that particular post office and ask how it's possible to get a piece of a box vs a label, and no box contents!

I totally agree. If you have a photo of the quilt. I would post it. Some one has seen it walk out of the building. That is total bs that they can not do anything else. Contact the post master. See if they have a security video. They are suppose to because of it being a government office. It makes me angry and it isn't even mine to deal with. I would go to television station and bring it to their attention. At least email them. They need to remember Karma is a real *****.

Well, phooey, this was not what I hoped to read. :( I can't even imagine how you must feel. It is more than obvious that someone just stole your quilt. I am just shaking my head. I sure wish this had not happened to you.

Dina

To have so many felonies happen in it's own system and tolerated is beyond me. I would press further into it.

I really like tessagain's idea of going to your local TV station. Just make sure you also have photos. But I'd still be calling that postmaster myself as well.

now it IS possible that the box was ripped open by machinery or mishandling and the contents fell out, don't give up yet.

My daughter sent her best friend a hand-made baby quilt - the paperwork showed that it was left on the porch - big mistake. Later, somebody found the package, opened, and rained/snowed upon, in the woods, close to her friend's house.

One suggestion for all who have to mail/ship their projects. DH said start taking photos of the box as you pack and address the package. He always said I over killed on wrapping and taping packages. I write the to and adds on with industrial markers. I put a topper in the box of the address and I use an envelope to address then tape all over the top and down the sides of the box 1/2 way. I take a photo of it before I leave my house. When I get to the PO I take a photo right after they have applied the postage. That way I know what it looked like when it left my hands and went over the counter. The thing is there is as we all know a time and date on the photo. As soon as that's done, I send the photo to the recipient. They know how it should look when they receive it. I put no notations as to what the contents are. If it's breakable, I just do my best not to put fragile or anything like that on it. But by taking photos you have a record how it looked when it left the counter. I get told about how I overdo/overkill on sending packages; too much tape. I paid for the tape and if I want to "waste" my money on about .50 worth of tape that is my business. Another thing, tape the inside floor seams of the box also. I really hope you get it back and soon. breaks my heart for you. I'm sending prayers from the gulf that you and the recipient get the quilt back and in good condition. And that the creeps who stole it get their come uppance. Prayers!!

You have my complete sympathy. We drove to NJ from SC to avoid any possibility of the quilts I was gifting to family members disappearing in transit. But there are many times when delivering it yourself is not an option.

However, it's not just the post office who screws up this way. Any mail/package carrier has this kind of problem. It's sad, because often we have no other option but to use USPS, UPS, Fed-ex.

My favorite personal experience is when Amazon shipped a small, inexpensive item that I ordered to me that was lost in transit. Per tracking, it had arrived in Myrtle Beach and was supposed to go to the post office, but never made it.

When I talked to Amazon, the service rep was very nice about it. And then, at the end, he remarked that I had "another one now - for free!"

I told him that since I never got the original shipment, getting the "second" shipment did not make the second shipment free. It meant I finally got what I paid for.

Two years later, the original shipment remains undelivered.

I, too, am an 'over-taper'. So far, packages that I sent have always arrived where they were sent.

I'm so sorry. The initial post must have given you some hope.

Yes, Yes!!! Get on the local news. They are always looking for stories to focus interest on problems like this.

So sorry for this! Sure looks like it was stolen in the system. I would see if you could file some claim of loss. If it was not insured they can probably deny liability, but might be worth a try. Or could you have some coverage against risk of loss on your personal homeowners insurance policy?

Yep the post office sent me the section of a small box with the labels on it and said everything inside was lost. Grrrrr.

I sold on eBay for years and learned anything over ten dollars, I wourld insure. I felt I could self insure for ten or less.
The po outsources their insurance and I had good experiences with claims except they are slow.
I saw a crockery jug marked fragile and the clerk threw it half way across the room. Somehow I knew there would be a claim there. On eBay when a customer is paying for the insurance the customer files the claim and receives the remuneration.

I have had to validate price of goods for insurance which only involved a copy off invoice.

No amount of money is enough sometimes for handmade items in my opinion.

OH, this makes me sick. I cannot believe this is what was sent to you. I am so sorry for you. It is so obvious that the return label was taken off and the ship to address was cut off the box. I would be very angry.

If the package did get opened and the contents spilled out, the 'vital' parts of the box would be saved (address, etc.), as opposed to the entire box. Give the PO the description and MAYBE they'll find the quilt among the damage packages. Don't give up hope, just yet.

lost
 

Nessie ;

" The LORD pays all his bills and HE doesn't use money " .

I'm so sorry to hear this...Was really hoping that you would be reporting the quilt found.

As a side note...when I am shipping a quilt, I never mention that it's a quilt...I always state that a friend and I are trading fabric scraps.

That's just horrible. I agree contract postmaster of district with pictures of the label!

The sad thing is, even if you insure it, the money doesn't begin to replace what goes into a quilt, even if it covers the materials, which it probably does not. Hope somehow it eventually can be found.

I agree. Definitely contact the PO with the description it could be sitting there waiting for your confirmation. Please let us know how you go with this. They wouldn't have asked for a description if there was no hope, would they?

And this is the same post office that is constantly requesting a raise in pay? What company do you know that sells a "service" but you have to buy additional insurance to make sure they do their job correctly? The main problem I have found with insurance is that you have to have proof of the cost of the merchandise shipped. How do you have proof of what a quilt costs?

I mailed a baby afghan I crocheted plus baby pajamas and other baby items to my cousin's son and his wife in Nashville. We had it insured, which really doesn't make any difference because it wasn't the money, it was the time involved in making the afghan. The post office says it was delivered, the apartment complex has a locked area where packages go, but there was never an afghan delivered. AND the post office refuses to pay on the insurance because they swear it was delivered. I got screwed big time and so did the baby because I can't afford to go out and buy other gifts. Made me furious!

So sorry for the loss of your quilt. Giving the PO the benefit of the doubt - perhaps the box was destroyed and the label was salvageable. I can't imagine anyone jeopardizing such a good paying job to steal a quilt (Must have been an exceptionally beautiful quilt.)

I always put a label inside the box for shipping and also inside suitcases when traveling. From now on I will attach the inside label directly to whatever I'm sending.

Hope your quilt turns up!

My best friend sent a baby quilt using a USPS priority envelope. All that arrived to her niece was the label off the front of the package. When shipping, I always make sure I secure the label with glue and then tape the priority envelope so it won't open accidentally going thru the sort machines. I bought fabric from a seller on eBay and was shocked when there was a big slice in the envelope. Felt I was real lucky to have gotten my fabric.

I haven't read it yet, but I hope there was a label on the quilt. If I sent such a thing, I think I would make a label of muslin or some scrap, write all the address information on that, and loosely "applique" it to the quilt. That label could be taken off by the recipient, but couldn't fall off. And I hope it was insured.

so sorry...I cannot imagine how you feel ....sorry

this happened to me with my grandson's birthday presents and some expensive Justice clothes I put in the box for my granddaughter. I kept asking them if they got the box, they kept saying no. I kept asking post office, they tracked it and kept saying it was at some facility. I kept asking why it was still there. they said no one probably updated progress, well, after 2-3 weeks of me hounding them, I got a letter in the mail, in that letter they said we are sorry, your pkg was destroyed and they put in the return address label, the shipping label, the tracking label and the postage label. And a form to fill out with all the contents and they would "try to locate it" I am sorry, but how does a box get completely destroyed and they have none of the contents and yet they have all the labels from the box to send to you??? I filled it all out, sent it back and didn't get one thing back. Not one thing and no compensation for the contents whatsoever. I am out all that money and my grandson who was 2, didn't get a birthday present and my granddaughter's clothes gone gone gone. I am not very trusting of the postal system anymore. Just thought I would share this story and I am sorry, it wasn't a quilt related post, but fit with the missing quilt post. Sorry but someone is enjoying your niece's quilt on their bed. And probably wearing my granddaughter's clothes and playing with my grandson's toys.

How does this happen (and it should not)??? Mechanized sorting...big pay for people to stand and watch a conveyor belt. A machine can tear up a package, but there should be a way to retrieve the contents...keep pursuing!!

The squeaky wheel gets the grease...Get on the phone with the post office that lost/damaged your package...get a human with a name, and make a pain of yourself..call, and call and call. Do not give up..make it easier for them to find your quilt than to put you at the bottom of the pile.

This is a wonderful idea! A piece of Tyvek envelope could also be used for the label.

I just sent off a couple of quilts, to my great-nephew and great-niece. I packed them in a 'space bag' and included a shipping label, in that bag. Needless to say, the box was securely taped every which way, just in case the space bag springs a leak! :thumbup:

YES, YES, YES and YES!!!! Even if it is not your nature...become a pain in the .........

I truly love how everyone jumps on the "Post Office Stole It" wagon. If you have not worked in one of the big plants, you have no clue. The machinery all packages go thru would blow your mind. Add to that the lack of simple common sense when sending articles is mind boggling. No, one single piece of tape will not guarantee your package will not open. No, do not wrap your box like a Christmas gift. No, do not put a bow on top. Do not place in the same box that should have stayed under your tree. I know I have heard to put the address inside of the box since I was a kid and I'm 62.

Rant over.

You know what Kathy states is true, BUT if that's the case and they have the label, that office should be checking to see who the mail handlers were at the time. You should have some type of timing stamps on the label. I would take it to the local post office in your city (where you posted it from) and ask them to explain. They may be able to help you. Still praying you get it back or the recipient does.

Every time I put one of my quilts in the mail I think will it make it there. Such a shame that people can be so dishonest, but we are told judgement isn't ours. I'm so sorry .I always put a mailing sticker inside packages with
both my name and to whom the package is for. Hoping if the box is damaged this will give them the place to send it on to.