Has anyone dealt with a USPS damage claim?

[Rebel]

The claim I filed on line with USPS was paid in about 10 days,,no pictures and no one came by to look at packaging.  Good luck with process.

[FASTURN402]

If it helps at all, our postmaster informed me to use the flat rate boxes whenever possible.
Tellsz me those boxes are all handled by hand while parcel post is dropped from a conveyor.

[Pixel]

Priority Mail can actually be cheaper than Parcel Post for smaller packages.

[flippa]

I received two letters from USPS today.  The first one stated that an insurance claim had been opened, that they regretted that my item was damaged and to please retain the damaged article and mailing container.  This was dated 9-13-13. 

The second letter contained a check for the cost of the item only, which was dated 9-16-13.  I thought that they would reimburse the postage as well, but "technically" that part was completed, even though they trashed the item within.  Should I even bother asking USPS if they will compensate the cost of postage? 

I was glad to get most of my money back, and I do still have the damaged changer, so I guess it is all good.

[Pixel]

Earlier in the thread, I mentioned that I asked them about not refunding postage. They basically told me since the package wasn't lost in transit, they wouldn't not refund the shipping. Had it been lost, and not merely arrived damaged, they claim they would have refunded the money. Didn't matter if the item was destroyed, if it made it to its destination, no refund on postage.

What ticks me off is, if you paid for more insurance to try to cover the postage, it's likely they still wouldn't refund it. These are the people who keep raising rates every year or so.  

Go ahead and try if you'd like, but be prepared for the same sort of "tough cookies" response I received. Initially they were going to refuse a refund AT ALL, I just happened to have a printed eBay receipt.

[sc1101]

Flippa, Weird they would send you a check before looking at the damaged item but yet they told you to retain damaged item and packaging. Almost as if they are going inspect it. To me if they sent you a check already there's no way they are going to bother looking at it now or take the item back. Most shippers would inspect the package then issue a check and possibly take the item. In this case I think you got yourself a free damaged coin changer.  At least you have parts if you need to repair another.

[sc1101]

I think I just saw a post of someone looking for vendo coin changer part on this site today. Not sure if you want to part it out.

[flippa]

I will inquire about getting refunded for postage when I go to the post office e later this week.  I do not think I will have much luck from what others have told me.  It was kind of funny that I received both the letter & refund on the same day.  I had sent a bunch of pictures to the seller when I notified him, so I imagine that he included these with the claim.  There was not much of a question that it was damaged between the auction and arriving at my house, so the USPS must have just looked at the pictures and processed the claim without having to see the item.

The coin changer is a Standard Coin Changer, not a Vendo.  I would have been furious if this happened to a Vendo coin changer.