USPS opening a domestic package.

[barbourjay]

So i sent a package to a member here and all went well with everything except, he gets the priority mail box and it had been opened by the USPS. they opened it, removed two of the coffins and replaced them with a note and some type of quit smoking tips.

is there any repercussions to the post office about this, or the employee? they blatantly stole something of mine and replaced it. i'm waiting for the box to get back to me to take it to the post office but would like everyone's opinions on what i should do. should i talk to the post master? i don't ship insured, only with a DC# usually as i don't expect the USPS to steal anything. especially a small priority mail box.

[St. Lou Stu]

So i sent a package to a member here and all went well with everything except, he gets the priority mail box and it had been opened by the USPS. they opened it, removed two of the coffins and replaced them with a note and some type of quit smoking tips.

is there any repercussions to the post office about this, or the employee? they blatantly stole something of mine and replaced it. i'm waiting for the box to get back to me to take it to the post office but would like everyone's opinions on what i should do. should i talk to the post master? i don't ship insured, only with a DC# usually as i don't expect the USPS to steal anything. especially a small priority mail box.

Asolutely!
If not the Postmaster alone, I would also get the Postal Police involved if the Postmaster shows little interest.
This is straight up pilfering, a practice not accepted by any package or letter carrier.

[T.G]

Do you know for certain that it was a USPS employee that opened it?

What if it was mis-delivered and the recipient decided to pull the coffins out and stick the note in there before re-sealing it and turning it in to the post office as mis-delivered?

Pretty career jeapordizing move there if it was a USPS employee. I know they have the right to inspect mail under certain circumstances, but there are polocies and procedures for that. I believe that they have to leave a note that it was opened by them with the reason why.

[elderboy02]

I was the one that received the package. The thieving bastages took out 2 of the coffins and left one of the coffins. They inserted some "Smoke Tips" into the package. I googled smoke tips and they said they are for electronic cigarrettes or something. They had a slip of paper stating some crap about the mail processing equipment causing the package to open or some crap.

[MedicCook]

That is messed up. I would definately be looking for some answers.

[barbourjay]

Do you know for certain that it was a USPS employee that opened it?

What if it was mis-delivered and the recipient decided to pull the coffins out and stick the note in there before re-sealing it and turning it in to the post office as mis-delivered?

Pretty career jeapordizing move there if it was a USPS employee. I know they have the right to inspect mail under certain circumstances, but there are polocies and procedures for that. I believe that they have to leave a note that it was opened by them with the reason why.

when i check the DC # it shows a direct path to the recipient. unless it wound up in someone elses mail box (which i doubt as i trust the other party) then it's highly doubtful it was anyone other than someone who worked for USPS. this is the first i've ever ran into any problems with them and i've shipped a ton of packages.

[T.G]

when i check the DC # it shows a direct path to the recipient. unless it wound up in someone elses mail box (which i doubt as i trust the other party) then it's highly doubtful it was anyone other than someone who worked for USPS. this is the first i've ever ran into any problems with them and i've shipped a ton of packages.

Not saying that it wasn't. Just pointing out a question that you might get asked.

Was it sent to a PO box or street address? If it went to a po box, it might never show in the computer as mis-delivered (stuffed accidentally in the box next to the intended recipient).

Anyway, just something to consider. I'm sure the postmaster can be of more assistance than any of us here.

[barbourjay]

home addy.

[BORIStheBLADE]

Damn, I would be pretty pissed!

[St. Lou Stu]

If, indeed, it was processing equipment at fault and the note was an official USPS damage notice, OK. The smoke tips and no smoking BS is out of line, but damage does occur.

Regardless, talk to the Postmaster.

[WyoBob]

If, indeed, it was processing equipment at fault and the note was an official USPS damage notice, OK. The smoke tips and no smoking BS is out of line, but damage does occur.

Regardless, talk to the Postmaster.

And, the damaged cigars from the "processing equipment" should have remained in the package. This stinks to high heaven.

WyoBob

[St. Lou Stu]

And, the damaged cigars from the "processing equipment" should have remained in the package. This stinks to high heaven.

WyoBob

I can speak for UPS... Yes, Bob, the damaged goods should be forwarded to the final destination. I don't know USPS policy though.

[Fishbeadtwo]

Theft from the US mail is a Federal offense I do believe........

[n3uka]

Here you go

https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MLNtRcvd.aspx

[Skywalker]

That sucks!!!:mad:

[troy d.]

oh man! that is all screwed up. i would be hot.

[barbourjay]

Here you go

https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MLNtRcvd.aspx

thanks for the link, if the post master doesn't do something then this is what i will do from there.

[wavescrashing]

Man, I've never heard of that happening to anyone before.
Sorry to hear that. I do hope the Postmaster gets to the bottom of it or at the least, reimburses you somehow. I've heard of packages getting damaged, but has this happened to anyone else before on here?

[T.G]

Man, I've never heard of that happening to anyone before.
Sorry to hear that. I do hope the Postmaster gets to the bottom of it or at the least, reimburses you somehow. I've heard of packages getting damaged, but has this happened to anyone else before on here?

I know people who have packages damaged by equipment, but never had anything turn up missing from the pacakge.

[Darrell]

Contact the U.S. Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General.

[kelmac07]

Wow!!! WTF????

[tenbaseg]

That's crazy. Please keep us updated. I'm curious how this turns out.

[Don Fernando]

Not only would I put in an official complaint with USPS, I would also go to the police.

[OLS]

You speak about coffins, and I am not 100% sure what you are describing,
but on the off chance that you would send Habanos through the mail, be
careful about the shizzle that you stizzle. You wouldn't want to open a can
of Postal Whoopa$$.
When you send illegal items in the mail, you always take your chances. That
said, I know people who flat out will not ship with the USPS. They have
scoundrels in their number. Federally-protected, overly-secure scoundrels.
Not that they are all bad.
Nor am I saying that you definitely shipped illegal items.

[elderboy02]

You speak about coffins, and I am not 100% sure what you are describing,
but on the off chance that you would send Habanos through the mail, be
careful about the shizzle that you stizzle. You wouldn't want to open a can
of Postal Whoopa$$.
When you send illegal items in the mail, you always take your chances. That
said, I know people who flat out will not ship with the USPS. They have
scoundrels in their number. Federally-protected, overly-secure scoundrels.
Not that they are all bad.
Nor am I saying that you definitely shipped illegal items.

They were not Cuban's. They were very sought after Dominican cigars.

[barbourjay]

You speak about coffins, and I am not 100% sure what you are describing,
but on the off chance that you would send Habanos through the mail, be
careful about the shizzle that you stizzle. You wouldn't want to open a can
of Postal Whoopa$$.
When you send illegal items in the mail, you always take your chances. That
said, I know people who flat out will not ship with the USPS. They have
scoundrels in their number. Federally-protected, overly-secure scoundrels.
Not that they are all bad.
Nor am I saying that you definitely shipped illegal items.

there was no contraband in this package. so that's one thing i don't have to worry about.

[n3uka]

I've heard of packages getting damaged, but has this happened to anyone else before on here?

Yes, a US vendor shipped a box to me with their company name in return addy. Box was ripped open and re-taped with received damaged on label. Still had a 5er in it but a $200 box was gone. Never got anything but screwed on that one.

[icehog3]

Not only would I put in an official complaint with USPS, I would also go to the police.

You would need to have the Postal Police involved, locals have no authority under the circumstances described here.

[itsme_timd]

You would need to have the Postal Police involved, locals have no authority under the circumstances described here.

Interesting, I didn't even know there was such a thing.

[e-man67]

How would they know there were cigars in the box? Seems really odd that someone would be looking for tobacco and replace with smoking literature...that is messed up indeed!

[Col. Kurtz]

That's scary stuff. Please keep us informed. I hope this is an isolated incident, still a shame.....

[Veritas]

Use the link from post #14. Those guys take theft of mail pretty seriously, especially if it is by a USPS employee.

I hate when shiat like this happens. Please keep us updated.

[elderboy02]

How would they know there were cigars in the box? Seems really odd that someone would be looking for tobacco and replace with smoking literature...that is messed up indeed!

It wasn't smoking literature. They inserted 3 packs of devices that you use for electronic cigarettes. This is what was in it: http://www.smoketip.com/electronic-cigarette-refill-cartridges.html

[hotreds]

Very wierd!

[replicant_argent]

box picked at random? Employee just happens to have the electronic tips on hand? Either they happened upon "just the right box" or it was a hell of a coincidence. What would the odds be that someone who wants to push this particular agenda pilfered this package? 1 in er...... 1,000,000? How about even 1 in 100,000? I would think it would have had to go "off site" to replace the materials.... and even in that case, do you think the postal employee would bother bringing it back?
I smell something else fishy.
2 separate incidents? One with the "damage" and a second one with the pilferage? Why would someone put any thing of value back in the box?

[md4958]

It wasn't smoking literature. They inserted 3 packs of devices that you use for electronic cigarettes. This is what was in it: http://www.smoketip.com/electronic-cigarette-refill-cartridges.html

you really should consider quitting Dan. Cigarettes are bad for you ;)

[Cigargal]

Your local P.O. is the place to go. This is a serious offense as far as the post office is concerned and they have investigators who will look into it. I have heard of employees losing their jobs for taking birthday cards for the cash in the envelopes...there is no work place in america safe from theives.

A DC is scanned as a missent when it is sent to the wrong Post Office. If your mail delivery person drops it at the wrong house no record is kept. Your neighbor can open it and take whatever they want-reseal it and drop it on your doorstep. If that happened I doubt any investigation will help.

[elderboy02]

There is no chance a neighbor got it. The mailman handed the package to me on Saturday.

[Cigargal]

There is no chance a neighbor got it. The mailman handed the package to me on Saturday.

Who handed it to him? Did he bring it from the PO or did a neighbor give it to hime and say "Wriong house-not mine?" Ask him about it.

[Starz26]

I would be really interested on the outcome. I do not believe there will be any resolution to this and noting will be found. I would consider myself lucky if I even got a follow up response.....Just they way gov't works.

I will eat my words if the opposite occurs......

[wrench turner 85]

thats sucks hard bro

[Wigwam_Motel]

I am good friends with my post master. I will ask him today when I see him. But; lets learn from this an package our goodies extremely well. What coffin's are we speaking of?

[nozero]

That is so messed up. I'll be watching for the end result...

[LooseCard]

Who handed it to him? Did he bring it from the PO or did a neighbor give it to hime and say "Wriong house-not mine?" Ask him about it.

In a sense, she's right. you could ask the Carrier if he remembers... but either way, you're also letting him know that an investigation is coming, and he'd better jog his memory for them (if not you).

This is a Federal Offense, and it is not taken lightly.

I would consider myself lucky if I even got a follow up response.....Just they way gov't works.

I will eat my words if the opposite occurs......

Hope you're hungry.
I know I wouldn't stop until I got an answer.


Damage is one thing. THEFT is completely different.
Those "SmokeTip" cartridges may be a significant clue for them to track against...........

[elderboy02]

I am good friends with my post master. I will ask him today when I see him. But; lets learn from this an package our goodies extremely well. What coffin's are we speaking of?

Opus X

They left the BBMF in the box, but stole the El Escorpion and the Love Story

[Blueface]

Curious and not sure if I missed it in the thread, was there any indication at all on the package of what was contained inside?

[elderboy02]

Curious and not sure if I missed it in the thread, was there any indication at all on the package of what was contained inside?

Nope. Just a good old Priority Mail box.

[DPD6030]

Sorry to hear about this Dan. I can tell you I worked with the postal police on one case where I used to work in a Twp. They came in and told us what they were doing and where the mail lady would be at. They had a tracking device in one of her letters. Bait, hook, line and sinker. Stopped her right in front of our PD. She had a warrant as well. Needless to say she is no longer a USPS employee. She actually fled the country to avoid prosecution! She came back and cuffs were on her at the airport. :r

The postal police rule btw. They have all kinds of cool items.

[Poe]

Wow, thats crazy!

[kaisersozei]

This whole thing sounds bizzare, yet very interesting... I'm sorry for the hassle & for you being victimized, Dan :mad:

[Blueface]

Nope. Just a good old Priority Mail box.

How on this Earth could they have known what was inside?
That would mean these guys are opening up packages randomly?
What a way to risk losing a job!
Sure this isn't some type of joke?
Come on, whoever did this to the poor guy, come clean now, own up to it, all will be forgiven.:D

[tsolomon]

Interesting.

Priority Mail, which is often used for shipping tobacco, is sealed against inspection. Therefore a federal search warrant or consent would be needed to open these packages. Unless the mailer voluntarily discloses that a package contains nonmailable matter, generally the only way to determine whether it contains unlawful contents is to open the package.

http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/testimony/2008/pr08_gibbons0424.htm

[bvilchez]

Very interesting read on the inspection needed for Priority mail.
Posted via Mobile Device

[elderboy02]

Very interesting read on the inspection needed for Priority mail.
Posted via Mobile Device

Indeed it is.

[Mindflux]

What became of this?

[Gophernut]

I'm interested to find out too!:D

[dyieldin]

Really, you can not leave us hanging on this!

[shilala]

Stuff gets mashed quite a bit.
The only thing I can figure is that the box got mashed on the belt and the stuff spilled out. Whoever recovered the box may have found the coffin and smoking tips beneath the belt and just thought it obvious they went together.
Normally they'll bag the box. Printed on the bag is the "We screwed up your stuff" message. The employee may have just been lazy and didn't bother bagging.
To assume someone "stole" two out of three coffins just doesn't make any sense at all, for about a million reasons.

In any event, it totally sucks. I used to insure everything, but I stopped. I spent so much in insurance that I could easily pay for a number of lost packages. Occasionally I do use it though, if something is exceptionally valuable and I don't want to take the hit if it gets destroyed or lost.
I hope it all works out for you guys!!! :tu

[MichaelJ]

Stuff gets mashed quite a bit.
The only thing I can figure is that the box got mashed on the belt and the stuff spilled out. Whoever recovered the box may have found the coffin and smoking tips beneath the belt and just thought it obvious they went together.
Normally they'll bag the box. Printed on the bag is the "We screwed up your stuff" message. The employee may have just been lazy and didn't bother bagging.

My thoughts exactly. I work at UPS in the mornings as a second job and I can see how this can/does happen. Not sure if the potential is there with USPS, but would assume so. Hope this turned out ok.

[markem]

Stuff gets mashed quite a bit.
The only thing I can figure is that the box got mashed on the belt and the stuff spilled out. Whoever recovered the box may have found the coffin and smoking tips beneath the belt and just thought it obvious they went together.
Normally they'll bag the box. Printed on the bag is the "We screwed up your stuff" message. The employee may have just been lazy and didn't bother bagging.
To assume someone "stole" two out of three coffins just doesn't make any sense at all, for about a million reasons.


:tpd: I agree completely. My advice is to make sure that there are no air spaces in your package. My thinking is that if you reinforce, especially at the corners, then the package has a better chance. None of my packages have collapsed in the machinery, but it is only a matter of time, given how much I ship. Still, making sure that there are no spaces or soft spots seems like a good plan, especially since they thinned the material on the priority boxes to reduce costs.

[shilala]

My thoughts exactly. I work at UPS in the mornings as a second job and I can see how this can/does happen. Not sure if the potential is there with USPS, but would assume so. Hope this turned out ok.
I worked for UPS for a minute and there was always stuff floating around in the truck that came out of packages. I always did my best to try to get the loosies back in the right box, but I could have easily stuffed the wrong thing in the wrong open box. There's no time to mess around.
The alternative is that no one gets the roll arounds, and I just fall on them.
I can see real easy how stuff could have fell out and the wrong stuff put back in. I can't imagine anyone intentionally rifling and putting the wrong stuff in. The odds are way too astronomical, but I'm sure it could happen. It's just awful far out there.

[neoflex]

I would be curious to hear how this turned out.

[Neuromancer]

So i sent a package to a member here and all went well with everything except, he gets the priority mail box and it had been opened by the USPS. they opened it, removed two of the coffins and replaced them with a note and some type of quit smoking tips.

is there any repercussions to the post office about this, or the employee? they blatantly stole something of mine and replaced it. i'm waiting for the box to get back to me to take it to the post office but would like everyone's opinions on what i should do. should i talk to the post master? i don't ship insured, only with a DC# usually as i don't expect the USPS to steal anything. especially a small priority mail box.

I know this isn't what you want to hear but it's highly unlikely that it was opened by a postal worker...I recently won a set of trading cards on ebay...the seller stuck them in a small priority mail box and shipped it...it came to me as an empty box with a stamp on it from the PO stating the box opened during shipment and the contents were lost...the problem here is the stickum they use on those boxes...it's crappy...I never ship a priority mail item without taping the box shut over their flap...the flaps never stay closed...a more likely scenario is that the box opened and the missing items fell out and were seperated from the box and the PO employees had no way to match them up as the contents probably went one way and the box another...if the box opened in a mail bag the coffins would have slid to the bottom of the bag while the box went on for processing...when someone noticed the box was open they added the note...by then, the missing contents were long gone...the PO usually doesn't deliberately open domestic mail unless there's a reason...hopefully, that's why the stupid laws that some states are passing banning the mailing of tobacco products will fail...it's highly unlikely the PO is going to take on the job of enforcer...