HipStamp Purchase Stolen In Mail

Last week I made my first purchase in months from HipStamp, a group of three German Colony Stamps totaling nearly $20. Today I got the mailing, the left side of the envelope was carefully slit open and the contents all removed.

The mailing was not registered or insured so I guess I take the hit here. Have contacted the seller and probably all I will get is a 'sorry'. The seller lives near Columbus Ohio, and I am wondering if anyone has had anything they ordered go missing from that area?

Thanks.

You do not need to post this here. But you may go to the post office and report this. They may not be able to do anything about your particular case, but they may keep their eyes open.


Peter

I know that and am doing so. I only posted this as an alert.

Probably no need for further discussion, thanks.

There are stamp and cover collectors working in the post offices around the globe. If they see nice stamps they maybe tempted to steal them. I wonder how many times a collector postman takes a letter if he likes the stamps he sees on the envelope itself. Stamps1962 you can raise a claim at your post office of theft. I had one recently with the side cut open and something removed and one customer in England had an item stolen out of the envelope. The problem seems widespread.

I'd guess that the return address would give a knowledgeable thief a strong clue that something valuable maybe inside.

Sellers could consider using their personal names and/or business address rather than their business name (i.e. Rare Stamps LLC, Paul's Stamps, etc.).

I've been told by several sellers and some USPS clerks that anything labelled "Registered Mail" is a prime target for thieves.

In any event, the seller's insurance should cover the loss. If he has none - or didn't buy it for the shipment - then it should be his responsibility to refund your money. Failure to do so would put him on my "never buy" list.

Postal theft should always be reported to the Post office.

You have no idea when the envelope was "slit open". Could have been so before mailed. Unlikely but possible. Theft and accidents happen. Its one of the many inconveniences of an imperfect society. Since you cross posted on another forum, the real loss to you turned out to be much less than $20.

I stated above that there was probably no need for further discussion. While I appreciate the input from all of you, I think we need to drop the matter.

If you paid with Paypal, file and item not as described. Also, file a theft report with the post office.

If you did not and the seller is honest, he should still reimburse you as the obligation is on the seller to make sure buyers receive what they paid for.

I feel your pain, after waiting patiently for three weeks one of my ebay customers sent me the following;











It doesn't look like accidental damage to me, but "they care"

Try using smaller cardboard stiffener cut to the approximate size of a 705 card in a #000 padded envelope. It shouldn't affect the cost of mailing a First Class Package and would render the "do not bend" legend redundant. with some effort, Endicia labels can be printed four to a sheet on Avery 5168 labels. Smaller package sizes will fit into small mail boxes or mail slots without bending.

I always ask the seller not to mention stamps anywhere on the packages they send me.

I, too, feel your pain. In the past 6 months, I've lost 4 packages with over $2,000 worth (actual price paid, not CV) of stamps coming registered from Germany to the USPS import center in NY. USPS and USPIS are completey unresponsive.

Goodness me,
I feel for you guys. That is extraordinary.
I also feel very fortunate to have had such a good record, thus far.

Forgot to post I have had similar in the last three months, I am just west of Dayton Ohio. Same issue package slit open on the end no stamps only the letter from the person I bought them from. Didn't contact only lost $15 and was not from ebay some one from Hawaii I buy from. as a side never received two mint sets of coins from Colorado in the same time period. Have not had problems since. Not everyone who works for the post office is up and up just like anywhere. Just chalked it up and went on.

My mailing originated in central Ohio. Sounds like the last poster may have been victimized by the same individual that stole from me. I have not heard back on my complaint.