HELP: Stolen Cards headed to PSA

fenwaykid · 12-12-2023, 05:49 PM

Crummy situation here. I had a PSA order that I sent via USPS priority mail get lost for about 10 days then arrive in Newport Beach as a package with no contents inside. It went missing in Teterboro, NJ. Has anyone had a situation like this happen before? What should be my first steps - file a police complaint, file a formal complaint with USPS? The majority of the numbered cards were late 90's football and I have serial numbers and card photos. Should I share the cards and serial #'s publicly, or sit back and wait to see if they show up on ebay? Any other tips or suggestions? Appreciate it.

glen87 · 12-12-2023, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenwaykid

Crummy situation here. I had a PSA order that I sent via USPS priority mail get lost for about 10 days then arrive in Newport Beach as a package with no contents inside. It went missing in Teterboro, NJ. Has anyone had a situation like this happen before? What should be my first steps - file a police complaint, file a formal complaint with USPS? The majority of the numbered cards were late 90's football and I have serial numbers and card photos. Should I share the cards and serial #'s publicly, or sit back and wait to see if they show up on ebay? Any other tips or suggestions? Appreciate it.

sitting back an waiting until they show up is about the worst thing you can do. because at that point it will essentially be a "he said/she said" situation. post the cards here (and elsewhere) to get the pictures out, and file a report with the usps postal inspectors.

Archangel1775 · 12-12-2023, 06:18 PM

I'd file a police report with all those photos as a formality. Just tell them the box was sealed and it showed up empty. You believe someone stole the contents. I'm less than 50 miles from PSA HQ in California and I still buy insurance and all that. Sorry it happened to you.

Floridacardguy · 12-12-2023, 06:20 PM

Reach out to the graders too and alert them to be on the lookout

49erRCCollector · 12-12-2023, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archangel1775

I'd file a police report with all those photos as a formality. Just tell them the box was sealed and it showed up empty. You believe someone stole the contents. I'm less than 50 miles from PSA HQ in California and I still buy insurance and all that. Sorry it happened to you.

I'm about the same distance from PSA in California and I do insurance, all that. Still makes me nervous to send. The value is one thing, the rarity of what I send makes me nervous at times.

Oriole Way · 12-12-2023, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 49erRCCollector

I'm about the same distance from PSA in California and I do insurance, all that. Still makes me nervous to send. The value is one thing, the rarity of what I send makes me nervous at times.

Do you send USPS Registered Mail? If not, what mail carrier do you use and what insurance do you use?

Sorry to OP, hope your cards are found soon.

fenwaykid · 12-13-2023, 09:41 AM

Here’s a list of the cards in the order. Appreciate everyone’s help staying alert for these. Obviously I’d love to get them back - I’ve been collecting ‘98 constant threats bronze die cuts /25 for awhile, they aren’t easy to find!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

IndySportsCards · 12-13-2023, 10:11 AM

Had the same thing happen about 3 months ago. Filed a case with USPS for an investigation, have heard nothing back from them. It was insured, so I was able to recoup some of my $$ but I would have rather had the cards graded.

fenwaykid · 12-13-2023, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndySportsCards

Had the same thing happen about 3 months ago. Filed a case with USPS for an investigation, have heard nothing back from them. It was insured, so I was able to recoup some of my $$ but I would have rather had the cards graded.

Exactly how I feel - I want these cards. They took so much time to find and purchase. Not exactly cards you see available at shows/eBay. Did you insure with USPS or did you use a collectibles policy?

49erRCCollector · 12-13-2023, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oriole Way

Do you send USPS Registered Mail? If not, what mail carrier do you use and what insurance do you use?

Sorry to OP, hope your cards are found soon.

Yes, apologies to the OP for the side convo.

I send priority, insure for the full amount (if they are bigger $$$ cards) and signature required. The packages get "mass signed off" at pick up by PSA at the local post office BUT I like the added special attention to my package.

Truth is it is there in one day, so it's my post office... then at PSA. It reduces the amount of handlers who might recognize them as cards and where the cards are going.

KhalDrogo · 12-13-2023, 12:04 PM

File a police report then file a claim with USPS if you used insurance with them, or your collectibles insurance company.

kluke84 · 12-13-2023, 03:35 PM

Terrible situation and I hope they are found. I do insure when sending to PSA but still get nervous on low serial #/ on card autos getting sold. Not exactly easy to replace.

Best of.luck OP!

Oriole Way · 12-13-2023, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 49erRCCollector

Yes, apologies to the OP for the side convo.

I send priority, insure for the full amount (if they are bigger $$$ cards) and signature required. The packages get "mass signed off" at pick up by PSA at the local post office BUT I like the added special attention to my package.

Truth is it is there in one day, so it's my post office... then at PSA. It reduces the amount of handlers who might recognize them as cards and where the cards are going.

Gotcha. If you haven't used USPS Registered Mail, I recommend it. It's kept under lock and key for the whole journey of the package, and USPS employees need to sign for it every time it changes hands.

I think Registered is the safest method to ship in terms of avoiding theft and loss. I've also heard horror stories about insurance claims with USPS, UPS and Fedex. Read a lot of stories of those carriers making it difficult to file claims, and denying claims that should be clear payouts, and limiting the amounts of insurance claims payments.

Again, not to take away from OP's situation, but worth considering to try avoiding theft. I'm always looking for the best ways to deal with criminals and mail carrier incompetence, so would be interested in hear in best practices from other members.

Also to OP - I'll make sure to keep an eye out for those numbered stolen cards on eBay and at shows.

Promethius88 · 12-13-2023, 03:56 PM

Hopefully you have receipts and proof of what you paid for every...single... card. USPS will require that, if insured. In my experience, they will do everything possible to deny your claim. At best, they will make you jump thru many hoops.

In my case, the shipment to PSA was a lot of cards collected over the years. Obviously I didn't have receipts. The tracking showed that it was lost on the way and never delivered. They didn't even offer to refund the amount of the cost of the shipping!

Well, the good news was, about a month and a half later, the cards all of a sudden showed up as received in the PSA database. I guess the package was ripped open or something and they may have used the packing slips inside to get the cards there.

Funny thing is, when I look at the tracking to this day.... still shows never received.

Sorry, I got off track. Best of luck either getting your cards back or getting reimbursed!

tnvolfan16 · 12-13-2023, 07:58 PM

fortunately, when i send cards to beckett, i take them to the nashville show where beckett takes them and handles the shipping to the grading house. the beckett rep who i talk to each time told me once that it was his opinion it is best to use fedex next day shipping to get them back, that way at least they are in transit for only one day, then i have them held at my fedex hub and go pick them up

glen87 · 12-13-2023, 08:15 PM

just keep in mind that if you file an insurance claim and you get paid, the cards will no longer be yours if they show up.

contact the postal inspectors first and see what they have to say. give them a chance to find the cards if that is what you would rather have.

IndySportsCards · 12-13-2023, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenwaykid

Exactly how I feel - I want these cards. They took so much time to find and purchase. Not exactly cards you see available at shows/eBay. Did you insure with USPS or did you use a collectibles policy?

With USPS. Just have to provide proof of value, which may prove to be difficult on older/rare cards unless you can find comparable sales from recent listings.

Also, anytime I ship to PSA anymore, if I'm sending let's say 20 cards. I quadruple box them into a giant 20x20x14 box or larger. Something that doesn't appear to be cards and would prove to be very difficult for a crackhead working at USPS to quickly open while hiding in the dark behind the women's bathroom. I think that's where they steal mail.

fenwaykid · 12-14-2023, 09:31 AM

UPDATE the cards were in fact stolen and sold to a local NJ card store who I’ve been in contact with. He saw an IG post about the cards and immediately reached out. Going to pick them up on Saturday! I’m shocked at how quickly this got resolved.

Bosoxfan5990 · 12-14-2023, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenwaykid

UPDATE the cards were in fact stolen and sold to a local NJ card store who I’ve been in contact with. He saw an IG post about the cards and immediately reached out. Going to pick them up on Saturday! I’m shocked at how quickly this got resolved.

Wow, that's a fortunate happy ending for you.

Unfortunate for the shop owner, who may have no recourse in terms of cost paid out to the potential thief of the cards.

I'd offer the shop owner a small gift card as a token of thanks

BraveAtlanta · 12-14-2023, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bosoxfan5990

Wow, that's a fortunate happy ending for you.

Unfortunate for the shop owner, who may have no recourse in terms of cost paid out to the potential thief of the cards.

I'd offer the shop owner a small gift card as a token of thanks

Wow that’s amazing. All cards were sold to the shop?

YouFold2Me · 12-14-2023, 02:24 PM

Congrats OP. Buy a lottery ticket today Imo

glen87 · 12-14-2023, 02:26 PM

that is good news

BBases31 · 12-14-2023, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bosoxfan5990

Wow, that's a fortunate happy ending for you.

Unfortunate for the shop owner, who may have no recourse in terms of cost paid out to the potential thief of the cards.

I'd offer the shop owner a small gift card as a token of thanks

A small gift card? That's what you'd offer? LOL

K111 · 12-14-2023, 02:45 PM

do owners normally take the names of the people who sell them cards in case things like this happen? does he have a security video?

towerymt · 12-14-2023, 02:48 PM

I've been sending all my (usually small) orders via USPS flat rate express padded envelope -- Order here: https://store.usps.com/store/product...elope-P_EP13PE

Last one I sent was $29.45 (flat rate). I sent 16 cards total, so $1.84/card. Easily fits the small PSA box that they use to send back cards. Slightly larger box can fit.

Tracking from VA to CA, 19 hours door to door:

Nov 14, 5:08pm -- acceptance (VA, near Dulles Airport, DC area)
Nov 15, 12:13pm -- delivered to PSA

Money back guarantee time for this package was Nov 16, 6pm. The one time that one of these didn't meet the guaranteed time, it did make it a day or so later. And I got a refund of the full cost.

It certainly helps that I'm near an airport and it usually moves out same day I take it in. Limiting time in the hands of the carrier is totally worth it, I think.

12-12-2023, 05:49 PM	#1
fenwaykid Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: NJ Posts: 5,319 fenwaykid	HELP: Stolen Cards headed to PSA Crummy situation here. I had a PSA order that I sent via USPS priority mail get lost for about 10 days then arrive in Newport Beach as a package with no contents inside. It went missing in Teterboro, NJ. Has anyone had a situation like this happen before? What should be my first steps - file a police complaint, file a formal complaint with USPS? The majority of the numbered cards were late 90's football and I have serial numbers and card photos. Should I share the cards and serial #'s publicly, or sit back and wait to see if they show up on ebay? Any other tips or suggestions? Appreciate it.

12-12-2023, 06:18 PM	#3
Archangel1775 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Cali baby! Posts: 21,909	I'd file a police report with all those photos as a formality. Just tell them the box was sealed and it showed up empty. You believe someone stole the contents. I'm less than 50 miles from PSA HQ in California and I still buy insurance and all that. Sorry it happened to you. __________________ *There are the intangibles that set someone apart from the pack.So the blur isn't your inability to see his greatness, it's merely the inability to measure it.*

12-13-2023, 10:11 AM	#8
IndySportsCards Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: EO 13848 Posts: 42,013 braco0 IndySportsCards	Had the same thing happen about 3 months ago. Filed a case with USPS for an investigation, have heard nothing back from them. It was insured, so I was able to recoup some of my $$ but I would have rather had the cards graded. __________________ Most people would rather be in the majority, than be right.

12-13-2023, 12:04 PM	#11
KhalDrogo Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 41,375	File a police report then file a claim with USPS if you used insurance with them, or your collectibles insurance company. __________________ I love PSA!

12-13-2023, 07:58 PM	#15
tnvolfan16 Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: TENNESSEE Posts: 1,475 bmatlock5	fortunately, when i send cards to beckett, i take them to the nashville show where beckett takes them and handles the shipping to the grading house. the beckett rep who i talk to each time told me once that it was his opinion it is best to use fedex next day shipping to get them back, that way at least they are in transit for only one day, then i have them held at my fedex hub and go pick them up __________________ https://www.flickr.com/photos/192172968@N07/albums

12-12-2023, 06:20 PM	#4
Floridacardguy Member Join Date: Dec 2022 Posts: 10,128	Reach out to the graders too and alert them to be on the lookout

12-13-2023, 09:41 AM	#7
fenwaykid Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: NJ Posts: 5,319 fenwaykid	Here’s a list of the cards in the order. Appreciate everyone’s help staying alert for these. Obviously I’d love to get them back - I’ve been collecting ‘98 constant threats bronze die cuts /25 for awhile, they aren’t easy to find! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

12-13-2023, 03:35 PM	#12
kluke84 Banned Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Florida Posts: 3,566 kluke84	Terrible situation and I hope they are found. I do insure when sending to PSA but still get nervous on low serial #/ on card autos getting sold. Not exactly easy to replace. Best of.luck OP!

12-13-2023, 03:56 PM	#14
Promethius88 Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Posts: 1,498	Hopefully you have receipts and proof of what you paid for every...single... card. USPS will require that, if insured. In my experience, they will do everything possible to deny your claim. At best, they will make you jump thru many hoops. In my case, the shipment to PSA was a lot of cards collected over the years. Obviously I didn't have receipts. The tracking showed that it was lost on the way and never delivered. They didn't even offer to refund the amount of the cost of the shipping! Well, the good news was, about a month and a half later, the cards all of a sudden showed up as received in the PSA database. I guess the package was ripped open or something and they may have used the packing slips inside to get the cards there. Funny thing is, when I look at the tracking to this day.... still shows never received. Sorry, I got off track. Best of luck either getting your cards back or getting reimbursed!

12-13-2023, 08:15 PM	#16
glen87 Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: VERMONT Posts: 74,092 glen87 glen87	just keep in mind that if you file an insurance claim and you get paid, the cards will no longer be yours if they show up. contact the postal inspectors first and see what they have to say. give them a chance to find the cards if that is what you would rather have. __________________ collecting James Madison University players of all sports JMU cards: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jmucards/ other cards: https://www.flickr.com/photos/glen87/albums

12-14-2023, 09:31 AM	#18
fenwaykid Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: NJ Posts: 5,319 fenwaykid	UPDATE the cards were in fact stolen and sold to a local NJ card store who I’ve been in contact with. He saw an IG post about the cards and immediately reached out. Going to pick them up on Saturday! I’m shocked at how quickly this got resolved.

12-14-2023, 02:24 PM	#21
YouFold2Me Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Most likely a casino Posts: 5,100 youfold2me	Congrats OP. Buy a lottery ticket today Imo __________________ LETS GO METS!!LETS GO METS!!!

12-14-2023, 02:26 PM	#22
glen87 Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: VERMONT Posts: 74,092 glen87 glen87	that is good news __________________ collecting James Madison University players of all sports JMU cards: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jmucards/ other cards: https://www.flickr.com/photos/glen87/albums

12-14-2023, 02:45 PM	#24
K111 Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Posts: 210	do owners normally take the names of the people who sell them cards in case things like this happen? does he have a security video?

12-14-2023, 02:48 PM	#25
towerymt Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: VA Posts: 8,843	I've been sending all my (usually small) orders via USPS flat rate express padded envelope -- Order here: https://store.usps.com/store/product...elope-P_EP13PE Last one I sent was $29.45 (flat rate). I sent 16 cards total, so $1.84/card. Easily fits the small PSA box that they use to send back cards. Slightly larger box can fit. Tracking from VA to CA, 19 hours door to door: Nov 14, 5:08pm -- acceptance (VA, near Dulles Airport, DC area) Nov 15, 12:13pm -- delivered to PSA Money back guarantee time for this package was Nov 16, 6pm. The one time that one of these didn't meet the guaranteed time, it did make it a day or so later. And I got a refund of the full cost. It certainly helps that I'm near an airport and it usually moves out same day I take it in. Limiting time in the hands of the carrier is totally worth it, I think.