Advice: USPS lost commission

[laughsatthunder.livejournal.com]

Hi again!

I need a little help.

Long story short, was commissioned for a fursuit, made it, mailed it on August 25th and it hasn't been seen since August 30th. There is no update to the tracking or anything.
I filed a claim with USPS for the full amount (roughly ($2,200) with proof of the transactions and they offered to pay me $70. I don't even know where they pulled that number from, it doesn't even make sense with the insurance; I filed for an appeal.
Client says that they called their local post office and that an investigation has been opened.

I don't know what more I can do and I'm honestly scared. I haven't spent the money but USPS just lost an expensive, one-of-a-kind costume I can't exactly replicate and, ideally, would like to have them refund me in full for the item they lost.

If it comes to it, how do I go about out-of-pocket calculating a refund for my client? They already have the tail in their possession so I would subtract that from the total cost, but what about things like the cost of materials and such? Is it "cheap" to keep those funds?

Anything would be really helpful right now. I cannot afford to remake the costume again. The $70 USPS tried to offer me doesn't even cover the cost of the fabric.

Comments

[metallik-hasse.livejournal.com]

I'll ask my husband's mom, she's a postmaster. I'll let you know how it goes.

Information Directly From a Post Master

[metallik-hasse.livejournal.com]

This information is directly from my husband's mother, who is a Post Master in good standing:

"This is awful. The best thing is to be persistent. It doesn't say how much they insured it for. The very least the PO owes the insured value plus postage and fees. Some business have private insurance on items mailed. Like jewelry stores. Our insurance is limited in value unless sent registered or Express mail.
They can ask or contact their local postal consumer affairs office.
Continue complaining and pushing for reimbursement. Maybe even postal inspector."

RE: Information Directly From a Post Master

[sillygosling.livejournal.com]

Seconding this as a former postal worker. Youll get further calling the post master in your area, being persistent, and possibly getting the postal inspection service involved. They light the fire under the postal service to get stuff done postalinspectors.uspis.gov/contactUs/filecomplaint.aspx
The USPS is bogged down by bureaocracy and an overloaded system, things slip through the cracks sometimes and only by being persistent are they reminded to continue investigation and keep reminding carriers and personel what to look for, so dont lose hope if you dont see results right away and keep at it!

Re: Information Directly From a Post Master

[laughsatthunder.livejournal.com]

The post office I mailed from has issues with their phone lines, would it be okay to visit in person next weekend and speak directly to them there? They know my face so I have a feeling that will make a difference.

Thank you for the link, I'll check it out now!

EDIT: I filed a theft report (since it was the closest thing I could file for) and it said that it was rejected.

Re: Information Directly From a Post Master

[sillygosling.livejournal.com]

Dang, you might have to get personel from the inspection service on the phone or contact them through email to better get help for your situation since technically it can't be filed as mail theft. That doesn't mean they won't be able to offer asisstance or hound USPS on your behalf. As for going in person to your post office- yes absolutely! The more frequently and in person the better.

Re: Information Directly From a Post Master

[laughsatthunder.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for contacting a Post Master for me, I really appreciate it!

How would I go about contacting a local postal consumer affairs office? The post office I mailed the package from knows me very well and the staff loves me, however I won't be able to visit in person until next weekend. Do you think they could give me some pointers or help me out too?