Sold rifle last week, shipped to FFL in CO and USPS shows no movement...

[SilentStalker]

So, I sold my old comp rifle a couple of weeks ago and shipped it out to an FFL in CO via USPS because UPS would not accept a firearm at any of the locations near my house. I went to 3 of them and was denied at all of them. I was told I could drop it at a hub 45 minutes from my house but obviously I didn't want to do that. A few friends of mine talked me into shipping it USPS as they have done this a lot and never had any issues. So, I boxed her up and shipped her out on December 8. I got $2000 insurance just in case. At any rate it was supposed to be delivered on Saturday December 12. The problem is, it never arrived. I have tracked it everyday and the only update I ever got was that it left my post office branch by my house to head downtown. It never got updated past that. So, I am wondering when I should make a claim or ask for an inquiry to be opened here? The buyer of the rifle thinks it is just delayed because of the holidays but I don't like the idea of a rifle under my name out there floating around somewhere outside of my possession. What are you all's thoughts? Have you ever had to deal with anything like this before from USPS? Any advice here would be helpful. Thanks.

 

[flphotog]

USPS in all of it's wisdom often shows no movement until the package arrives at it's destination, that is assuming that it does arrive which it often doesn't. In other words USPS tracking is absolutely worthless

 

[JR47]

First, I assume that you shipped it Registered Mail? That is the ONLY actual class of mailing that firearms are accepted under. You are, of course, an FFL holder, right?

IF you shipped it without revealing that it was a firearm, and they X-rayed the package, expect a visit from BATFE. They'll even come to your location.

As far as the rest of the BS in that reply, be advised that most of us have had FAR more trouble shipping firearms via FedUp, or Ooopps. Guns left in plain view. with the Adult Signature Required in plain sight next to the address. Guns delivered to vacant houses, where they seem to mysteriously disappear.

Both UPS and FedEx were losing entire shipments of guns until BATFE started to investigate them. Then, they simply raised the price by requiring a "more secure" status for the shipping. They STILL "lose" a noteworthy number of packages that are delivered to gun shops, and other gun-related businesses.

 

[oneounceload]

That is the ONLY actual class of mailing that firearms are accepted under. You are, of course, an FFL holder, right?
IF you shipped it without revealing that it was a firearm, and they X-rayed the package, expect a visit from BATFE. They'll even come to your location.

BS - that only applies if it is a handgun; long guns are perfectly fine shipped regular mail. You are better off using registered as it gets tracked better, but there is nothing illegal about shipping it regular mail.

UPS and Fedex ship long guns for me all the time as well. All depends on who has the best rate to a particular location, and it will be a FFL's place of business or repair facility.

 

[ljnowell]

First, I assume that you shipped it Registered Mail? That is the ONLY actual class of mailing that firearms are accepted under. You are, of course, an FFL holder, right?

IF you shipped it without revealing that it was a firearm, and they X-rayed the package, expect a visit from BATFE. They'll even come to your location.

As far as the rest of the BS in that reply, be advised that most of us have had FAR more trouble shipping firearms via FedUp, or Ooopps. Guns left in plain view. with the Adult Signature Required in plain sight next to the address. Guns delivered to vacant houses, where they seem to mysteriously disappear.

Both UPS and FedEx were losing entire shipments of guns until BATFE started to investigate them. Then, they simply raised the price by requiring a "more secure" status for the shipping. They STILL "lose" a noteworthy number of packages that are delivered to gun shops, and other gun-related businesses.

You don't have to be an FFL holder to ship a long gun via USPS, only handguns.

 

[Rio Laxas]

In my experience, USPS is taking longer and the tracking is getting updated less often right now. I think this is probably due to holiday shipping. Last Monday I mailed a money order to buy a firearm by priority mail with a estimated delivery time of 3 days. It just arrived today.

Did you send it priority mail or parcel post?

If you sent it parcel post, it can take a long time to get there. Regardless of the service that you used, I think it is too early to file a claim. I'd give it at least another week.

It is worth noting that long guns shipped to an FFL are ok to go priority mail or parcel post, but rifles shipped to yourself or between two residents of the same state now require priority express (formerly express mail), which is a lot more expensive. This was recently changed in the Domestic Mail Manual.

 

[cologuy]

FWIW, we ship a LOT of stuff via USPS (2-3 million packages/year), and their tracking is a joke. Do NOT expect tracking updates at every location your package passes through like UPS and FEDEX do, the only info USPS provides will be that it left your local processing facility and made it to the recipient's local post office. After that it falls off the radar unless it's registered. That said, they have a pretty good track record for not losing stuff, so I'd have to say the seasonal delay is the cause of your problem. As stated above, give it another few days before you follow up.

 

[oneounceload]

I disagree, I tracked a pkg of gifts across the country and it showed the pkg progress from initial pickup through the country and then when delivered

 

[cc-hangfire]

One more thing to add on USPS tracking: on two recent mailings in the last 2months -one was a handgun from seller to my FFL, & the other was payment for some gun parts - USPS tracking showed both as undeliverable and as returned to sender. The kicker is that both WERE DELIVERED. If you get such info, contact the one receiving the shipment before getting too excited (like I did).

And based on the relies so far, your mileage will vary.

 

[jonnyc]

A couple of years ago I set up a Fedex account, haven't looked back since. I can conveniently ship what I want, usually cheaper than the other routes, and can even send someone a label to send something to me at my cheaper cost.

 

[jmr40]

It's 2 weeks from Christmas. Stuff takes longer, it's not time to panic yet. I've had minor issues with USPS, UPS, and Fed-Ex in the past. The USPS is as good as any of the others and a lot cheaper and easier to use.

 

[bonza]

"IF you shipped it without revealing that it was a firearm, and they X-rayed the package, expect a visit from BATFE."

USPS do not x-ray packages. I've worked for the USPS for eighteen years, in three major distribution centers, & there is no x-ray equipment. The only way we ever know what is inside a domestic package is if it breaks open!

 

[243winxb]

A letter doesn't even get there in 4 days. Worry after 14 days have passed. Its insured, dont worry at all.

 

[MachIVshooter]

In the future, I'd recommend springing for 2 or 3 day priority mail. Better tracking, and obviously faster.

This is the tracking for an eBay purchase I sent out last Friday priority mail:

DELIVERED IN/AT MAILBOX

Dec-14-15, 14:09 PM, ANDERSON 29621

OUT FOR DELIVERY

Dec-14-15, 10:05 AM, ANDERSON 29621

SORTING/PROCESSING COMPLETE

Dec-14-15, 09:55 AM, ANDERSON 29621

ARRIVAL AT UNIT

Dec-13-15, 10:29 AM, ANDERSON 29621

PROCESSED THROUGH USPS SORT FACILITY

Dec-12-15, 23:24 PM, GREENVILLE 29607

Departed USPS Facility

Dec-12-15, 05:17 AM, AURORA, CO 80011

Arrived at USPS Origin Facility

Dec-11-15, 23:34 PM, AURORA, CO 80011

Departed Post Office

Dec-11-15, 14:49 PM, ELIZABETH, CO 80107

Acceptance

Dec-11-15, 13:00 PM, ELIZABETH, CO 80107

 

[dogtown tom]

SilentStalker ....I have tracked it everyday and the only update I ever got was that it left my post office branch by my house to head downtown. It never got updated past that.

USPS "tracking" is a joke compared to UPS/FedEx.

JR47 First, I assume that you shipped it Registered Mail? That is the ONLY actual class of mailing that firearms are accepted under.

Nonsense.
USPS recommends Registered Mail, but does not require such.

JR47 ....IF you shipped it without revealing that it was a firearm, and they X-rayed the package, expect a visit from BATFE. They'll even come to your location.

Uh, no they won't.
No Federal law or ATF regulation requires notification when shipping to a licensed dealer.

jonnyc A couple of years ago I set up a Fedex account, haven't looked back since. I can conveniently ship what I want, usually cheaper than the other routes, and can even send someone a label to send something to me at my cheaper cost.

Unless you are a high volume shipper, FedEx/UPS can't touch USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes for handguns.

 

[CoalTrain49]

FWIW, we ship a LOT of stuff via USPS (2-3 million packages/year), and their tracking is a joke. Do NOT expect tracking updates at every location your package passes through like UPS and FEDEX do, the only info USPS provides will be that it left your local processing facility and made it to the recipient's local post office. After that it falls off the radar unless it's registered. That said, they have a pretty good track record for not losing stuff, so I'd have to say the seasonal delay is the cause of your problem. As stated above, give it another few days before you follow up.

That's my experience with USPS. I shipped a long gun to a FFL in TX with tracking. I tried tracking it and it never updated until it reached the PO in TX. I think if you ship ground it gets put on a truck and rides a long way before it gets off. It took over a week to go 1800 miles.

 

[JSH1]

This time of year you can expect a package to take the maximum allowed time to reach it's destination. Something sent parcel post will sit in a trailer for days or even a week because the Post Office (or UPS / Fed EX) is prioritizing shipping packages that peopled paid a premium for fast delivery.

If you shipped Priority Mail I would be worried
If you shipped Parcel Post I wouldn't be worried until 14 days have passed.

 

[DeepSouth]

USPS tracking is so bad I never even check it any more, UPS and FedEx are pretty good. Give it the a few days more than it was supposed to take and if hasn't arrived, go ask questions at the post office, not an online forum.

 

[MachIVshooter]

USPS tracking is so bad I never even check it any more, UPS and FedEx are pretty good

Fed Ex may have good tracking, but that doesn't help when they pull what they did to me last week:

12/05/2015 - Saturday
5:57 pm Delivery exception DENVER, CO

Local weather delay - Delivery not attempted
9:26 am On FedEx vehicle for delivery DENVER, CO

12/04/2015 - Friday
9:27 pm Delivery exception DENVER, CO

Local weather delay - Delivery not attempted
6:46 am On FedEx vehicle for delivery DENVER, CO

12/03/2015 - Thursday
10:38 pm Delivery exception DENVER, CO

Local weather delay - Delivery not attempted
7:04 am On FedEx vehicle for delivery DENVER, CO

5:17 am At local FedEx facility DENVER, CO

12/02/2015 - Wednesday
10:36 pm Departed FedEx location HENDERSON, CO

4:36 pm Arrived at FedEx location HENDERSON, CO

12/01/2015 - Tuesday
1:02 am Arrived at FedEx location BLOOMINGTON, CA

11/30/2015 - Monday
6:52 pm Shipment information sent to FedEx

6:48 pm Picked up BLOOMINGTON, CA

This was a 2 day package that took 6 days to get here. The "weather delays", all 3 of them, were on sunny, dry days in the 40s and 50s.

And don't even get me started on UPS's privacy violations.

 

[DeepSouth]

Fed Ex may have good tracking, but that doesn't help when they pull what they did to me last week:

Agreed, more often than not they're at least a day late with me, but I give them a pass because of my location. The closest fedex office is probably an hour and a half away while we have a UPS location 10 miles from me, I have much better luck with them. USPS sucks all the way around in my experience, I avoid them whenever possible, no wonder they're broke.

 

[drband]

USPS tracking is erratic at best. It just makes you feel better that the package is "tracked." Is give it at least 2 weeks, maybe longer because of the season. I've never had a lost package, though one took 5 weeks to make it to me!

 

[oneounceload]

Unless you are a high volume shipper, FedEx/UPS can't touch USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes for handguns.

That's true, IF you have a FFL; without one, you cannot ship a handgun via USPS.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

So did it arrive yet?

 

[SilentStalker]

Small update. Two days ago when I got a family friend to check on it, who used to be a postmaster, it moved to the largest city in the state. Since it got there it hasn't moved. It has now been a total of 14 days. My family friend thought it was fine since when she checked on it it had moved but clearly that is not the case. I have tried calling three times this week but each time had a hold time of 3+ hours to talk to anyone. I set up a callback but never received one. This is the worst service I have her had from any shipping company and they wonder why the post office makes no money. I am just trying to figure out when I should file a claim. I guess I will be taking my butt to the post office Saturday to see what they can find out about this. I will never ever use the lost office to ship anything more than a letter ever again.

 

[giggitygiggity]

Don't fret about it. I've shipped items before and they've got hung up at various points, even when I've used the USPS Priority mail 2 day shipping. Somehow, 2 day shipping means "2 days or whenever the hell we feel like getting your package to its destination." I sold a pair of Leupold Cascades binoculars and shipped them in a medium flat rate priority mail box. It took them 11 days to finally arrive. I think it's BS if I pay for 2 day shipping and USPS can't deliver in 2 days. If I order a steak at a restaurant, is it acceptable for the restaurant to give me a salad?

USPS has gone downhill the last couple years. They often deliver things late now and recently I created a shipping label online. The website was not working properly and I thought I did not pay for it so I created a second label only to find that I had two labels created for the same address. As such, I cancelled the one and requested a refund. In a day where everything is computer-automated, one would think that the label would be voided and I'd receive my refund instantly. Instead, two weeks later, I'm still waiting for the refund for my $5.05 to be processed.

It's like USPS is a government entity so they are exempt from being held accountable and do not care about customer satisfaction. Anyways, to answer your question, I'm sure you're package is fine and will arrive at it's destination, albeit much later than intended. Here endeth today's rant.