tomiseksj
Moderator 
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,385 
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Feb 28, 2021 13:00:52 GMT
On February 2nd, I won what would have been a nice addition to my hometown collection: a Pan American Airways (PAA) airmail test cover to Buenos Aires, Argentina postmarked in Cicero, Illinois on November 1, 1946. As of yesterday, the cover had still not arrived, although the seller (located on the West Coast) indicated it had shipped shortly after the auction had closed. He has refunded my purchase and, should it ultimately arrive, I'll send him the original purchase price. The clip from the New York Times indicates that PAA invited the public to give the new 10 cent per half-ounce air mail rate to Latin America, promising that the covers would be returned to them via air mail. The covers were only to be mailed on November 1.  |
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darkormex
Member 
Swinging through Switzerland and getting tied up in Thailand
Posts: 2,197
What I collect: The World...just printing and mounting as I go...call me crazy!
Member is Online
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Post by darkormex on Mar 10, 2021 14:25:16 GMT
The Hong Kong kiloware lot I ordered from an eBay seller in Germany has finally arrived! Mailed on December 6, it is now March 10 so, 3 months and change later, I have my stamps! Looking at the condition of the envelope, which is rumpled and wrinkled but not split or open anywhere, I am happy that this was on-paper kiloware and not some other more valuable item that would have been ruined. I am sure it was sitting in some bin somewhere at a distribution center. The address is written very clearly and is accurate so I doubt it was an identification problem. I am just glad it has arrived and I am not out the money I spent on it.   |
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chrischross
Member
Inactive
Posts: 206
What I collect: France, French Africa, FSAT, French Polynesia
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Post by chrischross on Mar 10, 2021 17:35:26 GMT
I've given up hope on that Delcampe order of several cancelled Cameroun panthers (nothing too expensive, but the aggregate order was about 50 euros) placed in October from ever actually arriving from France. Since it was registered, you'd think it was trackable, but apparently not. I could see the package hitting US Customs, and then just gone.
I ordered more around Christmas, and sure enough, one of those orders appears to have entered the US Customs vortex to never return. This sure has put a damper on all of the fun I was having on Delcampe. I'm out about $200, and not a happy camper at this point.
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chrischross
Member
Inactive
Posts: 206
What I collect: France, French Africa, FSAT, French Polynesia
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Post by chrischross on Mar 10, 2021 17:41:22 GMT
A cover from a German auction house that was sent in October has finally arrived. The auction house sent a search party after I notified them of its disappearance. The tracking number according to Deutsche Post said that the Germans had handed it over to the Americans, while according to the USPS, they were awaiting the shipment from the Germans. Fascinating -- and seems to track with my experience. Like the packages are entering US Customs and just falling into a black hole. Perhaps I shouldn't give up quite yet on my October order! |
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anglobob
Member
Posts: 2,602
What I collect: France and French Colonies,French cinderellas British Commonwealth QE2
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Post by anglobob on Mar 10, 2021 18:23:07 GMT
I am having the same experience with registered letters from France and Spain,sent to USA late December 2020 and early January 2021.I can track all of them up to the day of arrival in USA,and after that the trail goes dead.I have had better luck with non-registered letters,but even those seem to take a little longer.
Anglobob
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Londonbus1
Moderator
Cinderella Stamp Club Member 3059
Posts: 5,064
What I collect: Wonderland; 1912 Jubilee International Stamp Exhibition, London ('Ideal' Stamp, ephemera); French Cinderellas with an emphasis on Poster Stamps; Israel and Palestine Cinderellas ; Jewish National Fund Stamps, Labels and Tags; London 2010, A Festival of Stamps (anything); South Africa 1937 Coronation issue of KGVI, singles or bi-lingual pairs.
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Post by Londonbus1 on Mar 10, 2021 18:58:23 GMT
Yes, the USA seems to be the slowest both ways from where I am sitting. But Western Europe is also at a snails pace. I won items on Delcampe in January and still waiting.
I haven't lost anything yet so there is always hope in these pandemic days.
I'll just keep humming my favourite Diana Ross song..........
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cursus
Member
Posts: 2,011
What I collect: Catalan Cinderellas. Used Switzerland, UK, Scandinavia, Germany & Austria. Postal History of Barcelona & Estonia. Catalonia pictorial postmarks.
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Post by cursus on Mar 10, 2021 19:16:44 GMT
Mail within Western Europe and Canada, seems to work ok. But, from USA, I guess it is a qüestion of luck. Still waiting for my TSF auction purchase. I have not given up yet!
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brightonpete
Departed
Rest in Peace
On a hike at Goodrich-Loomis
Posts: 5,110
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Post by brightonpete on Mar 10, 2021 21:01:09 GMT
Registered tracking from the States, works IN the States. But as soon as it hits an international border, forget about it. It is on its own until you receive it at some point. All APS Stamp Store trackers stop at the border.
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chrischross
Member
Inactive
Posts: 206
What I collect: France, French Africa, FSAT, French Polynesia
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Post by chrischross on Mar 10, 2021 21:03:20 GMT
I'll just keep humming my favourite Diana Ross song.......... You Keep Me Hangin' On'....... |
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Beryllium Guy
Moderator
Posts: 5,911
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Mar 10, 2021 21:19:19 GMT
On February 2nd, I won what would have been a nice addition to my hometown collection: a Pan American Airways (PAA) airmail test cover to Buenos Aires, Argentina postmarked in Cicero, Illinois on November 1, 1946. As of yesterday, the cover had still not arrived, although the seller (located on the West Coast) indicated it had shipped shortly after the auction had closed. Well, Steve, I hope that it will arrive, but I am also optimistic. It is a beautiful cover. I know that the USPS has had a lot of misfortunes over the past year, but I am thinking that it is going to improve under the new administration. I am holding out hope that your Cicero treasure will still arrive at some point! Please be sure to let us all know when it does.  |
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Beryllium Guy
Moderator
Posts: 5,911
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Mar 10, 2021 21:22:32 GMT
The Hong Kong kiloware lot I ordered from an eBay seller in Germany has finally arrived! Mailed on December 6, it is now March 10 so, 3 months and change later, I have my stamps! Darrin, I am just glad that you have finally gotten the material, probably long after you had already written it off! |
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Londonbus1
Moderator
Cinderella Stamp Club Member 3059
Posts: 5,064
What I collect: Wonderland; 1912 Jubilee International Stamp Exhibition, London ('Ideal' Stamp, ephemera); French Cinderellas with an emphasis on Poster Stamps; Israel and Palestine Cinderellas ; Jewish National Fund Stamps, Labels and Tags; London 2010, A Festival of Stamps (anything); South Africa 1937 Coronation issue of KGVI, singles or bi-lingual pairs.
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Post by Londonbus1 on Mar 11, 2021 6:27:25 GMT
I'll just keep humming my favourite Diana Ross song.......... You Keep Me Hangin' On'....... I'm Still Waiting....... |
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,385
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Mar 13, 2021 22:41:11 GMT
On February 2nd, I won what would have been a nice addition to my hometown collection: a Pan American Airways (PAA) airmail test cover to Buenos Aires, Argentina postmarked in Cicero, Illinois on November 1, 1946...
arrived today and is now safely in my collection! It once was lost but now its found. Remarkably, the cover was unscathed.   |
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bobstew617
Member
Posts: 376
What I collect: Switzerland, Ireland, Scandinavia, Channel Islands, Hong Kong (British Admin), PNG, others...
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Post by bobstew617 on Mar 14, 2021 2:02:58 GMT
..I've been having more issues with lost/seriously delayed mail, both purchases and trades, than any time I remember. And then, this week, this is what happened to a package of large glassines I bought. Now, this was going from Chantilly, VA, outside of DC, to me in east Orlando. March 8-10: read bottom to Top. Tell me what looks odd... Wednesday, March 107:12 PM Package arrived at a carrier facility Warrendale Pa Distribution Center, US 7:28 AM Package has left the carrier facility Seminole-Orlando Fl Distribution Center, US 7:07 AM Package arrived at a carrier facility Seminole-Orlando Fl Distribution Center, US Tuesday, March 94:46 PM Package arrived at a carrier facility Pittsburgh Pa Network Distribution Center, US 8:47 AM Package has left the carrier facility District Heights, MD US 1:40 AM Package arrived at a carrier facility District Heights, MD US 12:58 AM Package has left the carrier facility Merrifield Va Distribution Center, US Monday, March 8Package has shipped It was on the 10th I wrote a scathing message to USPS asking them what in the WORLD was going on. Oh wait, we're not done...
Saturday, March 13
1:14 PM Delivered Orlando, FL US 6:10 AM Out for delivery Orlando, FL US 1:41 AM Package arrived at a carrier facility Orlando, FL US 1:13 AM Package has left the carrier facility Seminole-Orlando Fl Distribution Center, US Thursday, March 11 (It hung around for another whole day at the regional distribution center for Central Florida)11:13 PM Package has left the carrier facility 9:39 PM Package arrived at a carrier facility Seminole-Orlando Fl Distribution Center, US 6:14 PM Package arrived at a carrier facility Jacksonville Fl Network Distribution Center, US 2:29 AM Package has left the carrier facility Warrendale Pa Distribution Center, US So while my package did not look nearly as bad as Steve's (wow!  ), it was definitely a bit worse for wear |
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bobstew617
Member
Posts: 376
What I collect: Switzerland, Ireland, Scandinavia, Channel Islands, Hong Kong (British Admin), PNG, others...
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Post by bobstew617 on Mar 14, 2021 2:19:51 GMT
Other issues:
I bought some items from a seller on EBay who is from Delaware back in early December. It took 5 weeks to arrive.
And because I like his material, I bought a Switzerland B143 S/S from him on Feb 14. It has yet to arrive.
A purchase from a dealer in Texas (via HipStamp) maybe got lost in the bad weather in February (2/20). That is still AWOL.
And last, an envelope from a Round Robin Exchange in Oregon mailed soon before Christmas is still missing.
...and yet, others come through in good time. (shrugs)
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darkormex
Member
Swinging through Switzerland and getting tied up in Thailand
Posts: 2,197
What I collect: The World...just printing and mounting as I go...call me crazy!
Member is Online
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Post by darkormex on Mar 14, 2021 3:01:10 GMT
As a seller on eBay, bobstew617, I have seen similar tracking histories. The one that stands out for me is a book I sold to a gentleman in Pennsylvania that, at some point, went through multiple distribution centers and then sat in one for more than a month. In the end there was never a resolution to the tracking until the gentleman I sold it to let me know he had received the book. I was concerned and got in touch with him when I saw how long it was taking. |
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,698
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Mar 14, 2021 10:44:42 GMT
bobstew617 Was your shipment from Wizard? In December, it took almost 3 weeks to get from Chantilly, VA to me in NC. It is only a 5 hr drive one way. I just received a packet of stamps from Canada and transit time was pre-COVID normal.
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bobstew617
Member
Posts: 376
What I collect: Switzerland, Ireland, Scandinavia, Channel Islands, Hong Kong (British Admin), PNG, others...
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Post by bobstew617 on Mar 14, 2021 12:04:46 GMT
Yes, it was from Wizard. I mean really, WTF?
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brightonpete
Departed
Rest in Peace
On a hike at Goodrich-Loomis
Posts: 5,110
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Post by brightonpete on Mar 14, 2021 15:25:41 GMT
bobstew617 Was your shipment from Wizard? In December, it took almost 3 weeks to get from Chantilly, VA to me in NC. It is only a 5 hr drive one way. I just received a packet of stamps from Canada and transit time was pre-COVID normal. |
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bobstew617
Member
Posts: 376
What I collect: Switzerland, Ireland, Scandinavia, Channel Islands, Hong Kong (British Admin), PNG, others...
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Post by bobstew617 on Mar 16, 2021 1:36:32 GMT
Follow up... the envelope containing the Swiss B143 sheet arrived from Delaware today...that took a month as opposed to 5 weeks.
Two more to go...
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vikingeck
Member
Posts: 3,551
What I collect: Samoa, Tobacco theme, Mail in Wartime, anything odd and unusual!
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Post by vikingeck on Mar 16, 2021 21:18:56 GMT
Just had a complaint from a UK buyer , item not arrived! Mailed 8 March and now the 16th..
8 days .......". I have asked for another week’s grace.
Well our mail has been very reliable , 1-2 days only has been the norm. Even a letter mailed to Israel the same day arrived there 3 days ago ! Because it was virtually local I didn’t ask the Post Office for a proof of posting certificate. Looks like I may have to do a refund.
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bobstew617
Member
Posts: 376
What I collect: Switzerland, Ireland, Scandinavia, Channel Islands, Hong Kong (British Admin), PNG, others...
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Post by bobstew617 on Mar 27, 2021 18:02:59 GMT
I wanted to give an update on the mail issues I mentioned in a previous post.
A stamp purchase from Texas mailed out on 2/20 arrived 3/24, over a month!
The envelope I mailed to Oregon with a stamp trade took THREE MONTHS (mailed around 12/20, arrived there 3/24).
We both thought it was lost. I am actually working on the replacement mailing.
Now if the CD boxed set I ordered from the UK over 2 1/2 months ago ever shows up, I will be shocked.
BOB
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bobstew617
Member
Posts: 376
What I collect: Switzerland, Ireland, Scandinavia, Channel Islands, Hong Kong (British Admin), PNG, others...
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Post by bobstew617 on Mar 27, 2021 18:03:59 GMT
vikingeck, that UK buyer is really impatient considering everything.
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vikingeck
Member
Posts: 3,551
What I collect: Samoa, Tobacco theme, Mail in Wartime, anything odd and unusual!
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Post by vikingeck on Mar 27, 2021 20:01:03 GMT
Not really Bob, by Uk standards 90% of 1st class regular Mail is still next day or +1 . We allowed 2 weeks then I refunded yesterday. A small loss which may eventually surface.
Alex
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bobstew617
Member
Posts: 376
What I collect: Switzerland, Ireland, Scandinavia, Channel Islands, Hong Kong (British Admin), PNG, others...
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Post by bobstew617 on Mar 28, 2021 2:24:24 GMT
I should have checked where you were from vikingeck . The mail in the USA is pretty bad right now, especially with mail from overseas. I was really looking forward to getting a complete collection of all of Antonin Dvorak's works from a dealer in London via Amazon, and once it went to the US. it disappeared from radar. In the meantime, the P.O. in the Orlando decided to hold on to a Priority envelope intended for darkormex I sent with all sorts of tracing and signature confirmation for two days before they decided it needed to be sent on.    |
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), it was definitely a bit worse for wear
