USPS Priority Mail Express Delay – Seeking Advice

[asoriano]

Dear Net54 Community,

After more than 15 years of smooth and positive transactions here, I’ve run into an unusual situation and would appreciate your advice.

On the evening of July 2, I finalized the sale of a T205 Ty Cobb PSA 2 card to a fellow Net54 member. I shipped it the next morning, July 3, via USPS Priority Mail Express—a service I’ve always trusted.

This time, however, the tracking hasn’t updated since the evening of July 3, when the package reached the Columbus, OH distribution center.



In my past experience, even when there were delays, Priority Mail Express shipments were never more than a day or two late—certainly not over a week. I spoke with the local Postmaster on Monday, who said she would reach out to the distribution center and follow up with me. Unfortunately, I haven’t heard anything since.

I submitted a Missing Mail Search request on Monday (7/14) and enabled tracking notifications—steps that friends have found helpful in similar situations.

At what point would you recommend filing an insurance claim with USPS? I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s experienced a similar delay or has advice on how best to escalate this.

[chalupacollects]

Also call local postal inspector, don’t rely on local postmaster…next time ship registered mail. Slow but safe. Nice card!


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[Directly]

The USPS insurance Process experience for me has been a headache too. There maybe a TIME LIMIT to make a claim, better check before it lapse.. I would file a insurance claim as soon as the system allows--

[sb1]

The Postmaster or even a window clerk can pull up a detailed tracking of the item. The details will show you where the item is and even what bin it is in.

I had an Express take 7 days, but not this long. I would think it will still get there as is does not show "delivered" or some other type of finality.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

First of all, is there any point to filing a claim? Please correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't Priority Mail only allow for some pittance as a maximum insurance claim?

I hope that people will use this as a lesson to stick to Registered for high value USPS shipments. You can insure the shipments for full value.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by sb1

The Postmaster or even a window clerk can pull up a detailed tracking of the item. The details will show you where the item is and even what bin it is in.

This much detail is afforded for Priority shipments? I know that they can do that with Registered, but had never heard that for Priority. Wonderful if so.

[bandrus1]

I would not fine insurance claim yet, let the missing search process happen. I believe it will be found

[Directly]

Priority Mail Express® --per USPS website

Can file a insurance claim after 7 days, lapse time to file is 60 days

You have time for the card to show up, you might speak with your postmaster for suggestions.

[sonnyu2]

Sorry that you are experiencing that.

USPS has been having lots of issues lately - consistent delays, lack of tracking, and mis-routed shipments. So, don't lose hope as the package may still show back up.

You are doing the correct steps by filing the missing mail search and having your postmaster look into it. But some postmasters are more astute than others when handling situations like this - hopefully yours actually follows through with "investigating" the issue.

If you don't get responses from the mail search or postmaster by the end of the week - I'd file the insurance claim as that will open another level of investigating where the package may be.

[toledo_mudhen]

FWIW - I have bought and sold lots of cards using USPS for 30+ years now and have never had one come up as permanently "Lost in the Mail".

Have had "delays" many times but not a complete - "We dont know where it is" scenario.

I'm betting they manage to get you squared away.

[bigfanNY]

In the last 2 years I have had 3 packages I mailed lost completely or tampered with ( contents stolen). The worst was over 5k in Autographed checks I sent priority mail ( uninsured ) to a buyer that tracking showed never left the post office I mailed it at.
Before 2024 zero problems last 25 plus years. But things have changed and not for better. File the insurance claim it will take a while, so better to start process now. And don't forget the claim to get your shipping refunded.

[samosa4u]

USPS has been good to me. Outta' the hundreds of packages I sent to the States, only one went missing (PSA 5 - Frank Robinson rookie.) It was going to the PWCC Vault and I'm pretty sure that's what caused this to happen. So, my best advice is never to write something like DAVE'S SPORTS CARDS on the label. Put down Dave Smith instead. And if your name is well-known in the hobby, then write down your wife's name (Joanne Smith.) You gotta' play it smart!

Good luck to the OP.

[asoriano]

Thank you all again for the thoughtful advice and support—it’s truly appreciated.

Given the continued delay and lack of any meaningful update, I’ve decided to issue a full refund to the buyer once the USPS Missing Mail Search officially expires tomorrow morning (7/17). It’s the right thing to do, and I want to make sure the buyer isn’t left in limbo while USPS continues their investigation.

Per the Postmaster’s guidance, I’ll begin the insurance claim process once the search window closes. I’ll also be sure to update this thread if the package eventually turns up.

And yes—I’ve definitely taken your suggestions to heart. For any future high-value shipments, I’ll be using Registered Mail, even if it means a longer delivery time.

Thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences and insight. It’s been incredibly helpful.

[oldjudge]

I believe the insurance limit for priority mail is $5000. I haven't had to file an insurance claim in decades but I remember one issue even then was proving value. If it is an item you have just sold the sales price should act as that proof.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

I believe the insurance limit for priority mail is $5000. I haven't had to file an insurance claim in decades but I remember one issue even then was proving value. If it is an item you have just sold the sales price should act as that proof.

Thanks for the clarification. A quick search on some third party site does back up your $5000 figure. I didn't delve into it beyond that. For some reason, I thought it was much less (as in $100 or $500), so forgive me if what I initially wrote was incorrect.

For the OP's sake, I hope that the $5000 is correct, as am hoping he will be covered in worst case scenario with as little of the typical USPS runaround as possible.

[Jewish-collector]

Always use REGISTERED MAIL on any card you consider valuable.

[bigfish]

I would use fedex would anything over 500. USPS raised their rates and they get less and less competent. I hope you’re Cobb turns up

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

I believe the insurance limit for priority mail is $5000. I haven't had to file an insurance claim in decades but I remember one issue even then was proving value. If it is an item you have just sold the sales price should act as that proof.

Indeed, from northern rural Wisconsin, I needed to have a certified estimate by a third party to even purchase insurance for a shipment of antique German China. I couldn't get an estimate they would accept, so I split the parcel into three separate uninsured parcels. They all arrived intact.