Is our USPS Tracking # Trackable
 

Egypt had tomb robbers, is it possible the USPS system may too? Recently my card sold on Ebay mailed Priority insured signature required "package" arrived damaged/opened. Per the Postal employee recommended the recipient inspected the damaged box at the post office counter.
The damaged "double" boxed package was empty (missing the card) had been opened somewhere inside the postal system, and acceptance was refused. I applied online a insurance claim.

My local post office ran the tracking number confirming the item was insurance and the packaged being damaged/refused.

My question could a post office employee running the tracking number trace it back to my particular Ebay sale and buyer, finding out what card was sold and shipped inside the package? (possible/not possible)--thanks

I doubt they could use a USPS tracking # to figure out the exact contents. I will say writing or stamping do not bend or fragile is like challenging them to break/bend it. Adding insurance tells them how much the item is worth.

Like every place, USPS had bad employees. They are few and far between but they are there. Good luck with the insurance claim. Now that is a shady business.

I use to wonder the same thing.

Several years ago, I started using a different PO than the one I used for years because it was on my way to work. For a few weeks, multiple packages of mine never made it to the customer. There was no record that it even left the PO.
When I moved back to my original PO, I never encountered a problem again.

I also wondered whether they knew I had baseball cards in the packages. Since my return address was printed on the label along with my business name, I suspected that was the giveaway. Having Buythatcard on each package might have given them the clue.

I did file multiple complaints with the Postmaster but never heard back.

Thieves in the employ of shipping services (USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc. etc., et al.) are nothing new. I had a CANOE stolen from Amazon somewhere along the line that was intended to be a Christmas gift for my girls a few years back. (To their credit, this is before Amazon started doing their own deliveries in the gray trucks). I was at a loss, and my office mailroom people were like yep, someone stole that - just walked it out of a facility in all probability. You don't exactly lose a freaking canoe that easily, LOL.

In terms of cards, there have been myriad past stories of dishonest mail carriers and the like. One was a collector himself who got onto people and looked at return addresses and was just happily adding to his own collection over a period of years via theft. You have to be surprised at how bold some people can be.

What you're telling me a Canoe can't disappear into thin air? :D

I had a card stolen on one occasion after a misdelivery. IT mysteriously ended up relisted on ebay in Jersey. Eventually got my money back but it was more of the principle than anything. Some people out there are just flat out dishonest, which is unfortunate.

I offer a silent prayer, anytime I order a card through the mail. Everything I order now, is typically through registered mail.

Agreed. I've sold some higher end items lately, and always get pretty nervous on the way to the post office. I pay up for the insurance and priority mail because the peace of mind is worth it to me.

They may not know what is inside, but they will know how much it is insured for. If any value send registered or overnight.

Exactly. A small puffy with a shipping label that says $25 on it is a dead giveaway. You are either mailing collectibles or jewelry.

I haven't considered overnight shipping but will from now on higher valued cards ----and will determine registered mail on a case by case basis -------good suggestions--thanks!