Woodsrunner kit arrived today, kind of.

[philip]

i got my smr in good shape but i wondered at the time why not fed x

 

[BillyC]

FedEx would probably cost a heck of a lot more due to weight and oversized length. I would bet if that’s what you wanted Jim would do that for you at your cost of course.

 

[smoothshooter]

I like the tamper proof tape. Thanks!

At first we thought the box lids were just coming off and that it was our fault, but after hearing complaints from 4-5 customers it appears as though the backs are being pried off. Interestingly enough, we put all the small parts (lock, castings etc.) in a small cardboard box glued to the hardboard box bottom. Incidentally these boxes appear to be gone in the boxes that are opened up. It's hard to believe they all came unglued from each box.

To add to this, it seems all boxes with this issue have gone through one post office distribution center. Makes me wonder... We've contacted the post off and they have started investigating. I'm not holding my breath...

Jim

Jim, I am truly sorry that a fine craftsman and entrepreneur like yourself has to deal with manure like this with shippers.
You should not have to eat the costs for damaged and missing parts. I hope you get some money out of USPS.
You and your employees’ efforts to keep your customers happy is noted and appreciated.

 

[Coinneach]

We’ll certainly cover anything that is missing or damaged. Sorry for the trouble. We’ve started making some adjustments to the shipping boxes as well.

Jim

From Australia, you're a good man Jim Kibler.

 

[Coinneach]

FedEx would probably cost a heck of a lot more due to weight and oversized length. I would bet if that’s what you wanted Jim would do that for you at your cost of course.

I think I'd accept the cost penalty just for piece of mind.

 

[Eterry]

Anything that is even slightly suspicious that might be a firearm is set aside for inspection. Thank Dejoy for this. Theft? Maybe, but the local post office employees are so nosy and in each other’s business that a theft would be reported quickly!

Not necessarily true. I shipped a large flat rate box with over $1000 of shooting supplies. It disappeared from radar. As it was NOS bought as auction with lot numbers the USPS washed their hands of it.
I even called a Postal Inspector I've worked with... the case went cold in Ft Worth.

 

[Eterry]

Report to Postal Inspector "firearm components were stolen while in USPS custody".

They want to ban everything remotely related to things that go bang of any shape or form. Then they better damn well step up and own it when THEY eff'd up and lost control of these scary things that make Kens and Karens lose their minds.

Unfortunately, they aren't classified as firearm components.

 

[RMH]

My experience with shipping with Fed-ex and UPS has been much worse than with the US Postal Service. Fed-Ex delivers to the wrong place and tells you that you are SOL when you say you didn't get it. UPS sees a fragile sticker as a license to do a demolition derby with your package.

It is pretty obvious there is a theft problem at a particular distribution center and the postal inspectors should be able to nab whoever is doing this. Shipping is always a problem but from my experience the Post Office has been superior to either Fed-Ex or UPS.

 

[Coinneach]

OK, there's been a few references to "a particular distribution centre", it would be really helpful to us all if the location was mentioned, even if it was just what State.

 

[TraderVic]

OK, there's been a few references to "a particular distribution centre", it would be really helpful to us all if the location was mentioned, even if it was just what State.

Guessing a regional center within 1.5 hours of Jim's location.
I use this "model" as all mail around me (Eau Claire, WI) is routed through St Paul. MN, an hour and a half west of me. No where near as efficient as prior to this change awhile back.

 

[akroguy]

Unfortunately, they aren't classified as firearm components.

Correct (for now at least), but you know if the situation benefitted "them", "they" would most assuredly deem these items to be evil weapons of mass destruction and destroy the hapless consumer or manufacturer for improper shipping and handling of said devices.

It's as logical as the ruling that deems a plastic wrist brace making an AR into some kind of planet killing death ray machine.

 

[NRFord]

Kibler's customer service is EXEMPLORY!

 

[James Kibler]

OK, there's been a few references to "a particular distribution centre", it would be really helpful to us all if the location was mentioned, even if it was just what State.

Warrendale Pa.

 

[TC Tommy]

Maybe a set up is in order. Ship out a box that looks and weighs the same to some one you know and is in on the sting.
Tell them under no circumstances should you open it.
Don't put gun parts in it, put in one of those exploding paint bags that turns the perpetrators face blue, and get them red handed.

 

[sturmkatze]

Warrendale Pa.

Pittsburgh. Yeah, that one is not good, but there are worse. I never liked going there, they were rude and made things a pain.

 

[sturmkatze]

Maybe a set up is in order. Ship out a box that looks and weighs the same to some one you know and is in on the sting.
Tell them under no circumstances should you open it.
Don't put gun parts in it, put in one of those exploding paint bags that turns the perpetrators face blue, and get them red handed.

The po will not allow that. You’d be in trouble for setting a trap for their FPR’s (as we call them) freaking postal rejects. Not all, but many in the urban places. Too bad about warrendale.

 

[Drain_Bamage]

If I may be so bold...
It sounds like some of you would benefit from contacting the United States Postal Inspection Service directly to file a tamper/theft incident. This isn't a local Post Office front desk drone or Postmaster, this is a federal law enforcement agency and they generally do not screw around.

https://www.uspis.gov/
My interactions with them have been mostly positive, and they put the fear of the almighty into local Postmasters. You can call the USPIS office and talk to a real human being after a minimal call menu. The last time I had to contact them, I had my local Postmaster call me directly in less than 30 minutes after filing a report.

Regardless of what Mr. Kibler is doing on his end, file a report and get something started from your end. The more data points the USPIS has, the more likely they are to act.

Additionally, the success rate of the Postal Inspection Service at winning convictions is remarkable. Historically, the Postal Inspection Service exceeds a 98-percent conviction rate for all persons who go to trial

https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2019/pb22524/html/cover.htm

 

[BillyC]

Warrendale Pa.

Yikes, both of mine came though Warrendale but no issues with either.

 

[Coinneach]

Warrendale Pa.

Thanks Jim, and thank you for the two sliding Patch box covers you sent over a while back.

 

[Crow Choker]

I've never had a problem with UPS. FED-EX, they're another whole story. Wife and I have had packages take forever to be delivered. Tracking shows they bounce around from one site to another and back again, even going at times within 5 miles from a local fed-ex center near us five miles from an interstate where they've been transported by. USPS, poor mail delivery is the biggest problem we have in my area. Local PM advises they can't get enough help.

I received my Kibler SMR sometime back OK, no damage to wooden ship box. I think the security tape is a good idea.