Canadapost won't issue claim refund for item received damaged due to it being a "fragile item"?

[surrealgirl1]

Well I seem to have found the hard way that the Fine print on back of Expeditied Insured USA with tracking and $100 does NOT include fragile items coverage???

This seems ridiculous when what would normally arrive damaged other than China, Porcelain or Glass? The part that really frustrates me though is I specifically asked what is Insurance covering and Clerk said items in Box from damage. She knew I was sending Porcelain. Does any one else get many different answers to important questions when shipping in person than on phone with Canadapost? I sure wish I had a better option right now for breakables.

If this is true, Buyer receives damaged item, they get refunded and you get nothing from Canadapost claim? Wow brutal...

[surrealgirl1]

My apologies this is more a Discussion Board topic oops!

[femmefan1946 · Accepted solution]

In my experience mint postage stamps that get wet lose a lot of value. There is an old article that circulates in the philatelic community claiming that the most valuable substance on earth is stamp gum.

Your claim might have succeeded if you could show that your packaging was put together to handle normal postal handling. Forget the old saw about postal workers playing soccer with fragile packages. Most terminals are filled with automated conveyor belt technology with as little (expensive) human handling as possible.

Your items should be packed to easily withstand a drop of up to two feet followed by a 50 lb weight landing on the parcel. This allows for the maximum dimensions and weights allowed for most packages.

For excellent advice on how to package fragile items, check out the Pottery and Glass Board on eBaydotCOM. 

[surrealgirl1]

Canadapost did not even give me a chance to prove anything, I filed claim online and called last night to get an update. A rep than informed me it was closed and she read me a letter they apparently sent me. (I think its more in your favour to call and report claim than file online though, since lady was nice on phone and she even reopened claim to atleast get me a callback for more info)

 Even the horrible to deal with Buyer admitted my packaging was good and I bought a fragile safe shipping box used shipping peanuts and large bubble wrap. A human still carries parcels from truck to truck and door to door and some still do not handle with care. There wasn't much else I could do in this case to prevent damage other than hand deliver it to USA for free. If I decide to list future breakables I will read article you linked though thank you.  I'm also at the point to have to except whatever I send breakable if it arrives in one piece and buyer leaves a positive its a small miracle but I am hoping I just dealt with a Bad Apple here and most will be smoother. I have shipped large theatre speakers (easy to break inside) to Germany years ago and all went smooth and great!

[reallynicestamps]

I would never start a claim except by telephone. Those clerks are very helpful and actually listen. Customer service reps who think! Wow!

[surrealgirl1]

Well I was at first appalled calling since the first rep hung up on me before even listening to why I was calling. Horribly rude, than I called back got someone else and Yes she apologised repeatedly for other person(who did not give their name when answering) and she was helpful but her hands were tied with these Fragile items received damaged "rules" that Canadapost uses only to their advantage. They take my $ but than no guarantee of an item being received undamaged or covering it if it does. So really shipping with all the bells and whistles(extra coverage or faster service on fragile items) is really a waste of $ unless it gets completely lost.

[surrealgirl1]

YES I agree, Call and talk to a human! Do NOT electronically file a claim on website. Call agents sometimes have empathy, a computer does not.... 😉 a nice Canadapost lady called me out of the blue this morning to discuss this claim, I am hopeful *crossing fingers and toes* 😄

[heavenlyblue222]

The same thing just happened to me.
I was specific with the contents (vintage wine glass set), said they were fragile, asked about the best shipping options and paid for a box 3 times the size with more than enough padding, bubble wrap, peanuts and cushioning yet 2 glasses still broke and they still won't take responsibility!
This is even AFTER the clerk told me I would be covered!!! She knew what was in there!!! ARGH!!!

They really disgust me, I think for future sales will use a more expensive but more trustworthy and honest company.