By yoyo from CA
I sent a scarce 1795 silver U. S. half-dollar to ANACS in CO. to be graded on March 10th insured for $1K and w/delivery confirmation. Tracking revealed it got to the sort center in Kent, WA. and no further. I'd much rather have the coin back, but I put in a claim as it's been over a month and no further movement or action has been noted. Someone I know who works for USPS strongly suspects it was "pilfered" (stolen) by some USPS employee at the sort center.
I learned the hard way when dealing with USPS. Always, get insurance, delivery confirmation or the service that will give you tracking numbers. I prefer that because you can track the progress online.
There is nothing more to be done. Just hope that it may turn up at some point. I worked with the USPs for a while during Christmas and was surprised at the number of packages that came through with poor address labels that fell off or poorly packaged boxes that fell apart. None of these packages could be delivered. Not saying this was your case but mailing letters or packages one should always ASK for insurance and registered. That way the package can be traced and the recipient will sign for the package and a receipt will be forwarded to you.
They don't automatically sell you insurance when you mail a package. You have to tell them you want it insured for the value of the items in the package. I don't know what you can do, but I do know when you want a package insured you have to ask for it, and if you want a tracking number or something like that you also have ask for certain types of shipping.
I sent 2.5 oz of pure .9999 gold in a cash4gold envelop. It had delivery conformation on it, and I told the postal employee that I did not feel comfortable dropping it in a mail box. I told the clerk that it was $4,000 worth of gold and he offered me insurance that I could not afford at the time.
The tracking number shows that the package was accepted at the Woburn, MA facility on August 30th at 10:49 am and that is the last update. The worst thing is the gold is my father in-law's. What can I do? I started a claim and that doesn't sound too promising at this point.
By Sam
By Noella09/20/2011Have him go to the post office where it was delivered. It is possible that the envelope was damaged and the contents were separated. Being that it was gold it's possible that it was taken by an employee, janitor, etc. But most post offices keep envelopes and boxes full of damaged mail and its contents. A few months ago I received an empty envelope and when I went to the post office, they were able to find most of the contents. You might also fill out a police report, though I don't know if it would do any good.
I sent a Kindle by Parcel Select through the U. S Postal Service, July 21 with a return label and tracking label. They have not received the Kindle and are now trying to charge me. What can I do?
By Philip
By beadlady08/08/2011Hi.. Parcel select is the slow boat method. It hasn't had full time to get there. Give it a good two weeks. Hope this helps. Cindy
I mailed my package and my sister never received it. Now I don't have the tracking number, but I have a receipt. Is there anything I could do having a receipt?
By Kate from CA
By WildIrish04/25/2012Do you mean that you did have a tracking number, but lost it? The receipt will have that number on it. Look it up yourself on USPS.com to see how far it got, before it was lost. Then take the receipt to the post office so they can take it from there.
If you didn't get a tracking number, you could ask them to try to trace it, but it's a long shot. At least you'd have the date it was mailed, which would give them a little info to go on.
Good luck!
I had a package send to me by USPS Priority mail. He lost the confirmation number; I have tried everything to find it. Can you help me?
By Robert from Santee, SC
I'm from India and I had cleared my CCNA exam, but the certificate has to be sent from United States. Cisco is telling that my certificate has already been sent to me, but I had not received it yet.
They have not given me any receipt number to track my certificate. So if any one knows how to get a receipt number I would appreciate your help. It was dispatched on the 16th of March 2011. It has been almost 4 months.
By Guddu from India
By Lilac07/05/2011If possible ask for another to be sent and have them send it signature required if possible.
I sent a small Flat Rate box to someone in California on 4/16. I dropped it like I always have in the drop box inside the post office. As of today 4/30 the post office still hasn't scanned the package. I went back to the post office and they weren't helpful. The supervisor was "surprised" the package hasn't been scanned and they said they didn't have it. What do I do?
Long story short I have someone who sends me beads to make up and I send them back to her. She has never asked me to insure it for a certain amount, but I insure for $30.00. When she called me about not receiving the package she was upset saying it was worth more. I need to find this package. Any ideas?
By Marie S.
By cybergrannie05/08/2013Hi - I hope your package has been delivered but in case it has not - here are some questions/comments.
It appears that you are printing on line as you say that you "dropped" it in the drop at the post office.
If that is the case then you have good records of printing the label but unfortunately you do not have a record of the package ever reaching the post office.
This always presents a problem as your insurance may not cover this parcel at all. How could the post office pay insurance if they have no record of the package ever being in their system? (That could be a recipe for many, many scams of the post office system.)
Truthfully, the post office does not lose very much mail especially considering the amount that passes through their system each day.
Maybe you could try letting your postman pick up your packages in the future?
Your carrier will scan your package when he picks it up and you can check on your item the same evening or next day. This works great for me - I just place packages on my porch and leave my carrier a note as to where packages are located. Never had a problem in over 3 years.
This may not be possible everywhere but why not give it a try? If there is problem with this then you can call for a pickup (24 hour notice I think). They will pick up even one package if it is priority mail. But - carrier is still best idea if possible.
I hope you have good luck with this one but maybe try something better in the future.
Good luck..
I need advice regarding an issue with USPS lost package. I sent a 40 lb. package to my friend in Stamford, CT and it's not delivered though it's been a month. I do not have a receipt/tracking number for it. When we inquire of the USPS customer service, their only response is that nothing can be done without the tracking number. Is there any alternative way to solve this problem?
Sunvam from Somerset, NJ
By cookwie
By Noella
By Jess
By Jantoo
By Guest
I am experiencing a similar problem. I sent a package from MO to AZ on March 20 2008. It weighed 67 lbs. It has not arrived yet. I called the 1-800 ask USPS (almost useless number) with no results. I then called 1-800-222-1811 to see where my package was, with no results. Then I called the office where I sent my package from and I was told to file a complaint with the postal inspector (http://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/) (1-877-876-2455) with no results. I don't even think they looked into the complaint.
Finally I started to attempt to track my package my self spending numerous hours on the phone with different offices. I called the USPS consumer affairs office ( (602-223-3223) and was told they would look into it for me via email. (not very effective).
I did a little research via the net and found a number for the Dead Mail Center in Atlanta (404-344-1625). They told me that the package was last seen in Glendale AZ on 14 April 2008. Don't know why it would be there. I informed the Consumer Affairs about what I had found out and they where surprised to know. Don't know why they could not get that information. They then told me that they would call and try to find any info.
I was surprised that they actually called me back, but not surprised that they could not get any info. They then told me that they would check the Phoenix Distribution Center (602- 225-3122). I have not heard back yet about them. I then called the Glendale main post office (623-486-2029). They remember seeing the package and I was told that it was put back into the system.
I then called the West Valley office (623-442-6033) with no results. I then called the Tucson Distribution Center (520-388-5043) with no results. All of these offices are within 3 hours from my home and so far it has taken 12 days for my package to make a 3 hour trip (truly snail mail). I check with the local Post Office almost every day (520- 458-0554) and they are anticipating seeing my package almost as much has I am. Just so that I can stop calling.
My next step is to call the Post Master General of both my local area (520-458-0554) and the region (520 388-5101) and call the Consumer Affairs office for Tucson (520- 388-5090) and the Dead Mail Center in St Paul (651-293-3083), and write a letter to my congressman.
It is hard to get phone numbers for the USPS system but with a little sweet talk you may be able to get the number you are looking for. The USPS keeps their numbers very a secret, but after calling everyone and their mothers you can get what you are looking for. Bottom line is that the USPS may seem like a service when everything works. But when something breaks, they are filled with much bureaucratic BS as any other government office. I truly believe my persistence will pay off in the end, but I hope this will help you. (04/25/2008)
By upsetwithusps
I sent a large box to son from Rhode Island to Arizona. It has been seventeen days and USPS will not help at all. What can I do?
Dayna
By Robyn Fed
By mklema92658
In September, I sent to my daughter in Japan a package important enough for me to insure it. It has not arrived, though. I have stupidly lost the USPS receipt. The local office keeps records only for a month. How might I get the insurance or tracking number from the USPS?
Steve in Houston
By Steve from Houston, TX
By Carol in PA
How do you find a lost package that was mailed in the postal system? I lost my receipt and the Post Office says they can't trace a package without the tracking number. What can I do?
By Jewell from Hesperia, CA
By Glenn'sMom
If your local post office doesn't know how to do this, ask at another post office, or else call the USPS toll-free number at (http://www.usps.com). If you call the number, you'll have to go through a lot of automated junk to get to a real, live human.
There are no guarantee they'll find the package, but most things that are lost end up in the dead-letter office. So if you provide other info (sender/addressee addresses, description of package, etc.), they might be able to find it in the unclaimed packages.
For future reference, you might want to e-mail yourself the tracking number in the future, so that if you do lose the receipt, at least you'll have a number to work with. (02/27/2010)
By WildIrish
By Amy3e
By foxrun41
By Ann
I returned a starter, to Sears, by Priority Mail, that would not fit my mower. I lost my Post Office receipt. Now they will not return my $189.00. What can I do?
By Beth from Jacksonville, TX
By Amy3e
By Ann P
By Ann P
By Stngray
My DIL was on the phone every morning, first thing with both post offices for all that time; they got so sick of hearing her that they actually gave her contact numbers for the USPS facilities in-between those points that are sorting centers (good luck finding those contacts on the USPS site or the phone book, it's not happening). In our case, it ended up that the package was "lost" at a sorting facility (scanned and tossed in a corner somewhere), but finally made it home.
I would also agree, too, with getting on Sears to ensure they're not behind on crediting returns.
To be honest, the next time I'm sending anything that needs to be somewhere in a hurry, I'm going with UPS. They automatically insure items up to $100 at no extra cost and I've never, ever had a problem with anything being lost, damaged, or taking the slow boat to get there. In some cases, the cost through them is actually less than the post office.
Good luck. I know how aggravating this is! (05/12/2010)
By PupperMom
On 9/1/10 I ordered a package from China. Then on 9/25/10 I received a letter from the USPS saying that they have no record of the package plus China did not receive the package as of that date.
How do I get help with a USPS lost package?
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Finding a Lost USPS Package