Dream Lens/Shipping Nightmare!

Hello All,
been a member for a while here but mostly just read and learn, don't post too much, but have had a few good transactions from here.
I just wanted to share this story for all the new guys that are getting into it and have yet to purchase anything via this or any other forum.

Well after getting a decent Christmas bonus, I decided to finally get my lens I always wanted, if I could find one decent enough, then buying used wasn't an issue. I did find one (on another forum which shall remain un-named) and after talking with the seller about the details of the lens back and forth on IM, I decided to go for it. The seller never mentioned HOW he was going to ship, just asked if I wanted USPS or UPS. Being an old time eBay'er, I chose USPS because they have always delivered fast and good to me, never had a problem with them shipping OR receiving.

So I Paypal the payment and I'm all set! This was on the 28th of December, so I knew that it may take just a little while longer because of the New Year holiday, that was ok with me, I finally get my lens I always wanted! The next day the guy sends me the tracking number, I thought that maybe the day after new years day I would get it at the soonest, or maybe Saturday. After not getting it on Saturday, I dismissed it as slow holiday shipping, surely it would get here on Monday (Jan. 5) Well, it didn't so I got the tracking number and went to the USPS site and looked it up and it said the item was at the Dallas station and was processed on Jan 4th, which was a sunday, so it must be in th city now and would be here on Tuesday. Much to my disappointment, it didn't get here so I did some checking and subscribed to the online mail so they would send me an email as soon as they had info on it. That evening they sent me an email and said pretty much what I had read after running the numbers through the search engine, that the package was in Dallas, processed, etc.
Then I looked down and it said Type of service and here is where I was shocked, it said type of service was "bound printed matter"!

I know, I know, the fault is mine for not making sure and clear what the shipping was, but if I was to send this lens (it's cost was over $1000) out to someone I just sold it to and payed instantly, I would sure not send it "bound printed matter"! I would of sent it priority, with insurance and tracking on it, but then again like I said, its all MY fault for not being absolutely clear on how it was to be shipped! I did stop the mail man when he was delivering yesterday to my house and told him about it and he said (although not quite sure) that it may take up to 2-3 weeks for "bound printed matter"! When I told the seller about this, he just replied, "What? it's never taken that long before!" and apologized.

So to all of you that are thinking about ordering something, MAKE SURE that you know all the details first, if its not mentioned, then ask and find out before you complete the transaction!
And if you are wondering, no, I haven't got the lens yet and though I haven't gotten totally P/O'd about it all, I am still hoping for it to come in soon instead of laying around in some dark bin, tossed around with all the other "bound printed matter"...

Sorry to hear, but I would never ship USPS on anything worth more than $100. FWIW, you CAN insure a package even though it is shipped via Media Mail. Although, trying to file a claim on an item that is clearly not bound printed matter may be difficult. Whether or not the seller did buy insurance or not, I have no idea.

Hope it works out for you.

Sorry to hear that. That's pretty lame on the seller's part.

I also have usually gotten and give prioity and tracking, if not also insurance on package. I feel good when it's all packed up well and trackable and will get there soon.

Good reminder for lens buyers.

I don't like to use USPS if it can be avoided.

It's referred to as "bound printed matter" because he sent it PARCEL POST / MEDIA MAIL. That's what they list because that is the only thing that's supposed to be shipped with that service I guess. It's 2-9 day shipping but I've heard horror stories, basically it's the lowest of the low shipping service.

MAKE SURE if you say USPS that you specify PRIORITY!

Pretty lame of sellers who sell something for hundreds of dollars then don't upgrade to Priority for (usually) about 5 bucks more.

I've learned that you just have to be 100% specific about every aspect of the sale!

Paul J McCain wrote in post #7049305
It's referred to as "bound printed matter" because he sent it PARCEL POST / MEDIA MAIL. That's what they list because that is the only thing that's supposed to be shipped with that service I guess. It's 2-9 day shipping but I've heard horror stories, basically it's the lowest of the low shipping service.

MAKE SURE if you say USPS that you specify PRIORITY!

Pretty lame of sellers who sell something for hundreds of dollars then don't upgrade to Priority for (usually) about 5 bucks more.

I've learned that you just have to be 100% specific about every aspect of the sale!

Parcel Post is what used to be called 3rd class mail. Normal ground package delivery.

Bound Printed Matter is similar to Media Mail, or what used to be called 4th class. The lowest priority you can get. They are similar, but Media Mail is "supposed" to be restricted to printed or recorded media.

Either way, a crummy way to send a $1000 item.

i would always make sure what type of service is it, because i want to get my item FAST

For those who prefer to avoid UPS and USPS, what's the best way to ship similar items? I'm looking to buy a 5d and a lens and will probably be looking to ship them to Germany in a few months...

I usually try to ship UPS if possible. (I might be a little biased since they sign my paychecks)

Guapo wrote in post #7049198
Sorry to hear, but I would never ship USPS on anything worth more than $100.

Words to live by.

I use FedEx to ship anything over $100, and I will not purchase anything from eBay over $100 if the seller insists on USPS. A credit card and 2 minutes gets you a FedEx account.

FedEx has unbelievable customer service. What's most interesting is, FedEx Ground or Home service is very comparable, and has been cheaper at times for me, than Priority Mail.

fedex ground, direct signiture required.

ssracer wrote in post #7049775
I usually try to ship UPS if possible. (I might be a little biased since they sign my paychecks)

I feel just the opposite. Ups left my 32gb iTouch at my door on xmas eve. Luckily it was there when I got home. Morons. I've lost things before that were left at my door.

Paul J McCain wrote in post #7049305
It's referred to as "bound printed matter" because he sent it PARCEL POST / MEDIA MAIL. That's what they list because that is the only thing that's supposed to be shipped with that service I guess. !

And the package is subject to being opened for inspectiion

yonni wrote in post #7053545
I feel just the opposite. Ups left my 32gb iTouch at my door on xmas eve. Luckily it was there when I got home. Morons. I've lost things before that were left at my door.

It's not UPS's fault that the shipper did not request signature required.

ssracer wrote in post #7053724
It's not UPS's fault that the shipper did not request signature required.

You know what happens when you assume?