Very upset and upset and upset

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 09 Apr 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

bighairymonster	09 Apr 2003
I made a trade with someone on the forums for the Tarot of the Cats. Nothing wrong with the trader. Just something wrong with the post office (HK or the Netherlands). I got my package and it was EMPTY. I was so shocked. I phoned my post office and they said they had past complaints about packages to the Netherlands as well and that "they're looking into it". Now, no deck, empty envelope. I was looking forward to that deck so much as well! I hate dishonest postmen. I hope that postman gets warts all over his body. :(

Maan	09 Apr 2003
Wow that sucks!!!!!! Could it not be just a mistake? I recently send a parcel and i forgot to put the deck inside.... (blush)i had to ship the deck later :( Maybe this happend her to? (Hugs)

Khatruman	09 Apr 2003
Now THAT would just set off my whole week!!!! or month!!! So sorry to hear that, and so frustrating. I know that here in the US, the problem is getting packages IN to this country. I did a trade with a member in Canada. She got my package within a week, and I, three weeks later, am still waiting for hers to arrive. Wait, I will look up something in the tarot spells book.. heh heh... }) PS... ohh, by the way, always wanted to know if you are at all related to Gossamer, the big hairy monster in Looney Tunes cartoons. He's my fav... such an Eenteresting Mawnstah.. :D

Hedera	09 Apr 2003
Since I am the trader in question, I though I'd get in on the conversation, too. I'm upset about it not arriving. :( Maan, I know *just* what you mean, I have done things like that (put a big, full pot of hot tea in the fridge, spent 30 minutes looking for the tea once, lol), too! I am *very* sure I did put the deck inside the envelope, went to the post office to check weight and forms etc and I would have noticed when they put it on the scales..... But to be perfectly sure, I just checked the big box that holds all of my decks. Nope, not there. :-( I really think it must have been one of the post offices, or a mailman. I used to work at a creditcard company, and there was always a lot of trouble with credit cards disappearing, envelopes being opened before they reached the client, etc. But surely, a tarot deck... (sighs) What is the world coming to? I;ve sent stuff to India, too, that disappeared (never had a problem with sending anything out of India, though), about one in 4 parcels never arrived, or had some of the items taken out of them. That was really bad. Maybe they think it is 'interesting herbs' we send from the Netherlands? Anyway, BHM, I've pm-ed you, too, but I really hope it turns up. Maybe there is a very disappointed mailman looking at a set of cards as I write this.... If not, I hope I can work something out to make you happy again!

bighairymonster	09 Apr 2003
Yes, I got your pms, and I've replied too. :( I know neither of us wanted it to happen. And the whole world is getting a little edgy and suspicious of each other coz of the pneumonia, drug smuggling, terrorism, etc. But a tarot deck is HARMLESS!!!!!!!!!!!! Like wow, I can REALLY smuggle heroin like that. But then, i've had problems shipping decks to Canada to my best friend. It arrived SOAKED and NO DECK. But other deck-sending trades went perfectly fine. I guess I should've wrapped the envelope in plaster tape a few times around the mouth of the envelope (that never fails to work). But maybe some weird postman discovered his "spiritual side" and decided to steal the deck. Either way, I believe in karma and I hope he gets more than warts. ps: no I'm not related to Gossamer, but I AM somewhat related to Barney, that pink fuzzy thing on the kids' show every afternoon.

Emily	10 Apr 2003
Sorry to hear what happened Bighairymonster, This happens here in the UK too. My sister had birthday envelopes arrive for her kids that had been opened and the money took out, this was for two years running. I had a cheque book posted from the town next to me, it should have reached me overnight. It never turned up. When I complained the Post Office closed ranks on me lol - I knew, my Bank knew and the Post office knew that the only thing that could have happened to the package was that it passed within stealing distance of a dishonest postman, I had all the worry of cancelling the cheque book and wondering who was trying to use the stolen cheques. Keep complaining to your post office, if it was weighed and stamped and handed over then it is their responsibility, the only really annoying thing is that you probably wont get the deck back. Edited to add:- Get them to check their lost and found, or ask what happens to packages that get so badly damaged they can't be passed on. Maybe your deck fell out and has been stored in one of these places.

Ruby7	10 Apr 2003
Quote: Originally posted by bighairymonster ps: no I'm not related to Gossamer, but I AM somewhat related to Barney, that pink fuzzy thing on the kids' show every afternoon. Hi Bighairymonster, nice to know that you are the friendly type of monster, not the scary kind. Just wanted to say that I feel your frustration. It's not fair that you probably wont get the deck, and some greedy person probably just threw it away (doesn't bare thinking about, sorry).

Amythist	10 Apr 2003
What comes aroung goes around i know it is anoying and upset i hope he gets his just deserts and wishes he was never born. Sorry about your disapointment

Mysti	10 Apr 2003
Quote: I got my package and it was EMPTY. I was so shocked. I phoned my post office and they said they had past complaints about packages to the Netherlands as well and that "they're looking into it". Now, no deck, empty envelope. My husband had this happen recently with a book he ordered. The envelope had been cut open and was empty. We got the same song and dance from our post office too. Mysti

MeeWah	10 Apr 2003
(((bighairy))) A few months ago, an overseas parcel arrived opened with its contents removed. It was evident an effort was made to re-seal it. From the postage affixed, it was obvious the parcel was a fairly heavy one. The sender, bless his heart, was horrified & made good on it. The local postal clerk I spoke to is familiar with me mailing & receiving parcels domestically & internationally. Off the record, his opinion concurred with mine. With the supposed increased security in effect, this seems to have increased such incidents due to the opportunities it offers. I advise all of ye as he advised me: *please* report the mail theft to not only your local postal authorities, but also contact the offices of the *postal inspector* which polices the mail system! Unless a parcel is insured, there is no way for the sender to recoup a loss; however, reporting any incidents of mail issues to the postal inspector will encourage an investigation. Also recommend wrapping parcels well to discourage tampering. Mail tampering is a federal offense subject to a stiff fine & a prison sentence.

Hedera	10 Apr 2003
Well, I am glad to say that BHm and I managed to work out another trade. I am looking forward to finally seeing the Vision Quest, in a couple of weeks! Thank you Bighairymonster :* I complained officailly today. Hopefully, in the end it will work. Quote: Off the record, his opinion concurred with mine. With the supposed increased security in effect, this seems to have increased such incidents due to the opportunities it offers. That's very interesting! I have also found that in the last couple of weeks, parcels take a *lot* longer to arrive than they normally do. I think both Bighairymonster and I feel almost violated: we put our trust in the postal system, and that trust was abused. There used to be something very trustworthy about mail; there is a term in Dutch like "mailsecret", meaning that no one is allowed to open up mail (apart from the person it is for, obviously). Anyway, I am not going to let this %##$&&**%$##* mailman take away my joy in trading with all you great people! Hedera.

wavebreaker	10 Apr 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Hedera That's very interesting! I have also found that in the last couple of weeks, parcels take a *lot* longer to arrive than they normally do. I have the same experience, especially with mail to the US. A package that used to take about a week to get there now takes 4 to 5 weeks. And I sent someone a postcard three weeks ago which should have arrived after about a week, but it hasn't arrived yet.

MeeWah	10 Apr 2003
It seems logical there are delays in mail delivery when one considers the increased security measures implemented in the postal service. Likely all pieces of mail undergo some scrutiny. The local post offices still tell me the same thing with international airmail: 4-7 days (!). I know that is not true & I have not seen it to ever be that quick, given the length of time overseas airmail took even before. For example, currently mail from here to Canada seems to take at least 2 weeks or more. International surface mail (by boat) takes at least 3 months or more (which is why I always use airmail) & may depend upon the distance from the point of origin to its destination. Still, I am grateful that we have a postal service available to us, as it certainly beats an alternative--barring transporter service a la Star Trek!

Mimers	10 Apr 2003
BHM I am really sorry about your deck getting lost. I wanted to let you know that I spoke with my friend's husband who works for the postal service and he said the same thing that MeeWah did. Report your loss. He said that if enough people are putting in complaints, they will look into it. I also wanted to add that I recently did a trade with Kissa from the Netherlands. She airmailed my deck out on a Monday and I got it by Thursday. Less than a week. I could, however, tell that my package had been opened and resealed. I didn't care though because my deck was still in it. Mimers

Alex	10 Apr 2003
like shipping my passport three days I was due for an international trip home, seven years ago... Can't tell ya how many problems that created me... sometimes we just do stupid things. Alex. Quote: Originally posted by Maan Wow that sucks!!!!!! Could it not be just a mistake? I recently send a parcel and i forgot to put the deck inside.... (blush)i had to ship the deck later :( Maybe this happend her to? (Hugs)

truthsayer	10 Apr 2003
with problems i've been having receiving packages sent to me and the other party receiving what i sent, i've started sending my usa packages insured with a routing number. i think they call it a confirmation number. with that number i can go the the usps website and look up where my package is. once i kept looking for a pkg from tarot garden. they are so punctual i knew something was wrong. i got the confirmation number from jeannette and checked where my package was. the site indicated my pkg was at my local post office. armed with the number, i went to the post office. as the site stated, my package was there. the arrival date stamped on it indicated that it had been sitting there almost a week but i was never notified. i have one pkg from a usa trader that i've been waiting 2 months for. she pm'ed me that she sent it but i've been unable to contact her since the transaction. in the usa, the sending party can have a trace put on a pkg to the major mailing centers like atlanta. i want her to have her post office put a trace on it b/c i can't do it. the request has to come from the source not the destination. i had one extremely vital package found that way. yes, it took about 6 weeks for results but the information in that pkg was irreplaceable. i could have kissed whoever found it i was so relieved! i don't know if there is such a thing as routing numbers and insured postage for international addresses. i can remember for certain but it seems my local post office told me they could mark a number on the package and tell me and i could tell the number to the other party. that way if they packge disappeared it all packages from usa with this number could be checked. yeah, right. sure it works! NOT! can we say cop out? }) you know, information like world wide postal regulations would be good info to have posted at the trading forums.

darwinia	11 Apr 2003
Canada Post will not insure any packages I send to the U.S. because they feel they can't be held responsible for losses caused by "other" postal systems. To send via UPS or another courier like Purolator, or Fed-Ex would cost way more than the item I'm sending. Canada Post has some sort of priority mail but the cost is also very high. Canada Post is the real problem here. Exhorbitant costs and delivery that takes three times as long as that in the U.S.

bighairymonster	15 Apr 2003
I made another official complaint to the HK post office and they said that most likely it was stolen and NOT opened for security purposes, since if it were opened for that purpose, the security people would slap on a form saying that the package had been opened. They were rather snotty about it, saying "oh we can't do anything, BUT you can make a complaint". Anyway, I sent the deck and nothing's going to stop me from trading with ppl on this site! :) *ponders evilly* Maybe I should slap on a "warts spell" for dishonest ppl....

MeeWah	16 Apr 2003
BHM: The postal clerk told me essentially the same thing but was very courteous: if the parcel had been officially opened by postal authorities, there would have been an acknowledgement of same. I have received flat letter mail that was damaged (torn or mangled) during processing where the mail appeared it had been stuck in machinery. In both instances, the mail was in a plastic bag with a note. I noticed the delays in mail delivery escalated after the incidents of anthrax-tainted mail in some parts of the U.S. We had occasion to need to track some wayward mail that had not arrived at their destinations. We found that because of where those items were destined, after local mail processing they are routinely routed to a post office in Northern Virginia. It then dawned on us that that post office had processed mail that was found to be contaminated with anthrax received in Washington, D.C.. Geographically, Virginia is in close proximity to Washington, D.C. as well as Maryland, & D.C. is one of the locations that had anthrax incidents. The tri-state connection & the "smallness" of the world were further emphasized during those sniper shootings. Like ye, I am not going to let such things stop me from trading or using the mail system; however, we now hand-deliver as much as is practical, such as local bill payments for peace of mind.

Alex	16 Apr 2003
We often trade biological material with other museums, and it has been a dragg just not to have them "irradiated" in the postal offices. Not to say that they are retained everywhere for inspection. It is true that shipping in this area has been more impacted by the latest developments. Alex. Quote: Originally posted by MeeWah Geographically, Virginia is in close proximity to Washington, D.C. as well as Maryland, & D.C. is one of the locations that had anthrax incidents. The tri-state connection & the "smallness" of the world were further emphasized during those sniper shootings.

baba-prague	16 Apr 2003
We have been worrying about this as we are going to have to post our deck to buyers (well, hopefully ;-) ) We've been thinking about having a large "stamp" made (it's easy to get good stamps made here) and stamping the outside of the parcel. Not sure what it should say but maybe "books and cards enclosed" would at least stop people opening it in the expectation that it's some valuables. Or maybe "Hands off, it is BAD for your karma to open this if you are not the addressee" - okay, I'm joking! Though it's tempting to put something like that. It's so upsetting when things are stolen in the post. I don't mind parcels opened for security reasons, it's understandable, but stealing from parcels is a real problem. Does anyone have any other ideas? Karen

Umbrae	16 Apr 2003
Out in the west of the US, and Canada, we have an item called Duct Tape. Now some folks think it’s called Duck Tape and is used to hold your quackers together. Some find that the roll, on a tuck seat, makes a perfect coffee cup holder…it’s the right size, won’t tip…but I digress. It’s a great packaging sealant. Even security will not touch it. There is a reason for this. Manly Men use Duct Tape…you don’t want to mess with a Manly Man. No need to put fragile on the package…it’s fastened with Duct Tape! You will find your packages are treated with resepect world over. Duct Tape you see, is like a secret handshake to a secret club… Just don’t label the package, “Tarot Cards” or they may think you are a girly man…now it is a acceptable to label your package as “First Edition Baseball Tarot” – sealed with Duct Tape…that package will be hand delivered anywhere in the world with extreme care.

raeanne	16 Apr 2003
Umbrae, Have you ever seen the Red-Green Show? Duct Tape is good stuff!

Sea Sprite	16 Apr 2003
Umbrae,:laugh: I must trade with you someday so I might see what a manly man's duct tape package looks like! ROFL :laugh: BHM, I'm sorry that the post man betrayed you like that. I have no faith in the postal system in So Florida; a number of postal workers in the post offices are very unhappy people with no pride in their work. Many of the clerks that I've come across do their jobs halfway; they stick stamps with part of it still sticking up in the air; they forget to stamp insured half the time; once I had a clerk over charge me by $2 on a Priority Envelope and I had to remind her of the $3.85 flat rate. Her reply was "Oopsie!" I've received other people's mail on a regular basis; I'll take the time to drop it in the mail so it will arrive to the correct destination hopefully but I have to imagine what happens to my mail that never reaches me; sitting in someone's else mailbox and finally the dumpster?! Just last week I went to the post office to mail two separate packages to the same address and the postal clerk typed in the wrong zip code for one of the packages and thank God I checked my receipt before I left cuz if I hadn't checked, one of the packages would've wound up in the wrong city. When I brought it to the clerk's attention, she said that's gotta be whats on the package and I asked her to double check and she did and corrected her mistake but never apologized for her screwup, she mumbled about having to pick up the heavy package 40lb package again....LOL :laugh: . Now when I mail stuff, I prefer to ship USPS Priority Mail and use their carton boxes and if I'm under the influence of paranoia at that moment; I'd securely wrap item with their priority mail tape all around the box as extra measure; very often, I buy delivery confirmation for the extra 45 cents and I always encourage postal insurance for another $1.30; better safe than sorry I say. If I must ship via Media mail; I will seal the tarot deck in bubblewrap and carton box and use heavy grade brown paper to wrap it; I then embalm it in clear sealing tape including the address labels. Not even the address label is gonna fall off by accident is my logic..lol :laugh: I mailed tarot decks to Canada twice via USPS Global Priority Flat Rate small envelopes for $4 each with eta of 4 -6 days and arrived in only 4 days. What I don't like about shipping to Canada is that I can't insure or track it (not good for my paranoia).

Hedera	16 Apr 2003
Sea Sprite, I know just how you feel now! And BHM, I hope you will be able to get your deck out of its wrapping- you might need some power tools! ;)

DarkElectric	16 Apr 2003
Hey, I'm a girly girl, and I'm not ashamed to admit to my dependance on that modern musician's miracle~duct tape. It has saved many a gig and reputation. It rescues your show when a microphone clip (or stand) breaks, or gets forgotten by the sound guy. It serves as an impromptu neck strap for your dummy guitar player who leaves theirs home (to make the rest of the band think they practice.) You can even cover the cords on the floor, to prevent intoxicated people from buffaloing over them, pulling them out of the PA, breaking them, or getting so tangled up that they fall on their drunken face and sue the club. Hell, baby musicians even teethe on it. That prescient prophet of Possum Lake, the venerable Red Green has immortalised the stuff in his full length feature film~"Duct Tape Forever". Theft prevention: More creative uses for a fine product. I would loop it around so there was a sticky side out. Anybody who tried to open the package would become ensnared by the duct tape. They would require assistance to extricate themselves, and by doing so- implicate themselves. That's what I like about duct tape. It's versatility and "Stick to it-iveness" is legendary.

LadyMedusa	16 Apr 2003
As my boyfriend/resident red neck/Nascar addict would be quick to add ... if the sticky stuff on the tape is strong enough to hold car parts together at 200 miles an hour the way those guys bump and bang each other around on the track....it should hold secure in the mail.

Kiama	17 Apr 2003
Ah, this woudl explain alot of things... I am awaiting a deck in the mail from somebody I traded with here on the forums. She's a wonderful trader, really reliable, but the deck hasn't got here yet. It's bene mailed, but it's taking an unusually long time to get here, and I'm getting worried. But now I've read this thread, and I've seen the reason why things are taking longer, I'm not so worried. Kiama PS- Umbrae, why didn't I get a duct-tape sealed, manly man parcel??!! ;)

Umbrae	17 Apr 2003
I am a huge fan of Possum Lake. I can’t say anything else, lodge is a secret. Duct tape works well and has many uses when departing from airplanes whilst they are still airborne. Trouser legs, pockets, zippers… However the US Post Office, has things called global express…flat rate, inexpensive, get it there fast. They do not allow Duct Tape on those packages (or any other Priority Mail packages). Truth is…Pay the Priority mail rate…your package will get there…open – with contents intact. Bit if you’re feeling cheap…Duct tape!

baba-prague	17 Apr 2003
Well, I suppose I'll have to go looking for duct tape. I have no idea what the Czech for it is (!) but no doubt there is some sort of version of it here. The Czech post office is still like something from forty years ago and bound in red tape - whoops no pun intended (with all the good and bad sides of that - good side is our lovely elderly post-lady) and they probably have some obscure regulation about the use of duct tape when posting tarot cards on a Monday between 8 and 10 am. But we will try! Anyway, the deck isn't out for another six weeks so I have a bit of time to work this out. But maybe I'll just get that "Karma-warning stamp" made as well - to be on the safe side. Karen ps - Hedera, our trade is still on if we both agree to just cross our fingers and trust our local post services! At least the parcels will only have to get across Europe.

Hedera	17 Apr 2003
*Only* six more weeks!! :D Yes, Karen, the trade is definately still on!! I have duct tape now, or something just as good. And if you put on a karma warning-stamp, I'm pretty sure we'll be fine. :) I look forward *so* much to seeing your deck!

bighairymonster	18 Apr 2003
Quote: Originally posted by LadyMedusa As my boyfriend/resident red neck/Nascar addict would be quick to add ... if the sticky stuff on the tape is strong enough to hold car parts together at 200 miles an hour the way those guys bump and bang each other around on the track....it should hold secure in the mail. LOL!!!!! Medusa, you've been watching too much tv!!!

The Very upset and upset and upset thread was originally posted on 09 Apr 2003 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.