Support the Hobby -- Join the American Philatelic Society 11 Dec 2011 11:08:22pm
Two days ago, I received a non-described large format USPS envelope in the mail containing a 9.5 x 12 in. piece of cardboard with a note attached. Here is an image (partial):
It turns out the USPS returned the address portion of a package I had mailed a week earlier. The content of the package -- a heavy book -- did make it to the recipient. Since a portion of the package was returned to me, I assume the post office must have repackaged it.
Now, modern postal historian's dilemma, should I get my $5.26 postage back (just have to go to the P.O. and fill out a form or two -- details for "all items" needed for a refund to be provided), or keep it as a rare auxilliary marking?
I can't speak for others, just myself. On a moral level, I wouldn't get the refund. The package did make it to it's destination so I would have gotten what I paid for. Unless of course the book had been damaged in some way. that would throw my morality right out the window as getting my postage back would be the only way to get some sort of re-imbursement for replacing the item.
If I were not getting the refund, I would now have an interesting piece of postal memorabilia to put somewhere in my collection.
actually, there should be a corresponding bit of "damaged in the mail" correspondence and/or body bag in the recipient's mail box. From a postal history stand point, i'd try to put the two together.
The USPS has already done more than their share on behalf of this package, sending it on its way in spite of the damage its cover received AND getting the last little piece of the cover back to you.
Let them keep their funds; they earned it and then some. And you not only got your money's worth in delivering the package you got this bonus piece of postal history.
If you don't want it, I can tell you there's a good home waiting for it
David
Login to Like this post
"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"
Support the Hobby -- Join the American Philatelic Society 13 Dec 2011 05:41:12pm
re: Loose in the Mail section
I did not even think of the moral implications here. After all, the package reached its destination and that is what I paid for. So that is a good point.
Login to Like this post
Please Note: Postings that were loaded from the old Discussion Board cannot be edited.
