Watches Missing/Stolen in Transit. Why?

[Conky]

Well, it seems that this is getting to be a more common occurrence these days, as can be attested by the many posts in this forum regarding how the watches go missing. There is a very good reason why, and this is it:

For some strange reason, the 3 major shipping companies, the Post Office, UPS, and FEDEX, all require that the sender tell them what is in the package and what the value of the contents is. Now, there is a major flaw using this model.

That flaw is that they plaster that information all over the package. When the unscrupulous worker sees" There is a $1000.00 watch in this package", things tend to go missing rather quickly. It only takes a minute to open the package, take the watch, and then reseal it.

Why does the sensitive information need to be placed right on the package? I don't know. But all the shipping company's need to do is to stop placing that information on the package.

Since almost all expensive watches are shipped with tracking information, why can't they just add that information as part of the tracking info, and not have it on the package itself?

Then the only people who would have access to that sensitive information would be those who have no physical access to the package. Make sure that the information is blocked from anyone who has physical access to the package.

This would lower the insistence of theft in transit immensely. Why the shipping companies haven't already implemented this strategy is very strange.

[Chauncy7]

Well, it seems that this is getting to be a more common occurrence these days, as can be attested by the many posts in this forum regarding how the watches go missing. There is a very good reason why, and this is it:

For some strange reason, the 3 major shipping companies, the Post Office, UPS, and FEDEX, all require that the sender tell them what is in the package and what the value of the contents is. Now, there is a major flaw using this model.

That flaw is that they plaster that information all over the package. When the unscrupulous worker sees" There is a $1000.00 watch in this package", things tend to go missing rather quickly. It only takes a minute to open the package, take the watch, and then reseal it.

Why does the sensitive information need to be placed right on the package? I don't know. But all the shipping company's need to do is to stop placing that information on the package.

Since almost all expensive watches are shipped with tracking information, why can't they just add that information as part of the tracking info, and not have it on the package itself?

Then the only people who would have access to that sensitive information would be those who have no physical access to the package. Make sure that the information is blocked from anyone who has physical access to the package.

This would lower the insistence of theft in transit immensely. Why the shipping companies haven't already implemented this strategy is very strange.

I could never figure this out myself. I had a watch stolen by USPS and I know it was because of this very point that you have stated.

[Conky]

I could never figure this out myself. I had a watch stolen by USPS and I know it was because of this very point that you have stated.

Yes, I just read your thread about being ripped-off by that scoundrel Allan George. I'm really sorry that he ripped you off. But you did provide a ton of info on that guy, good job mate.
Sinn U2 Black Stolen in transit......

It was really amazing that another WUS member actually found the watch on eBay for sale. But what is even more amazing is that no one helped you out. Not the Police, not eBay, and not USPS. Even after you provided all the evidence of the theft.

Anything ever happen with regards to Allan George? Has he ever been caught? Did you ever find that watch that he took from you? I know that it sold on eBay, but did you ever get anything else on it?

[aleii]

Well, it seems that this is getting to be a more common occurrence these days, as can be attested by the many posts in this forum regarding how the watches go missing. There is a very good reason why, and this is it:

For some strange reason, the 3 major shipping companies, the Post Office, UPS, and FEDEX, all require that the sender tell them what is in the package and what the value of the contents is. Now, there is a major flaw using this model.

That flaw is that they plaster that information all over the package. When the unscrupulous worker sees" There is a $1000.00 watch in this package", things tend to go missing rather quickly. It only takes a minute to open the package, take the watch, and then reseal it.

Why does the sensitive information need to be placed right on the package? I don't know. But all the shipping company's need to do is to stop placing that information on the package.

Since almost all expensive watches are shipped with tracking information, why can't they just add that information as part of the tracking info, and not have it on the package itself?

Then the only people who would have access to that sensitive information would be those who have no physical access to the package. Make sure that the information is blocked from anyone who has physical access to the package.

This would lower the insistence of theft in transit immensely. Why the shipping companies haven't already implemented this strategy is very strange.

Something like that happened to me,I sold a rolex on ebay and when delivering the package I asked not to put the real value of the wristwarch but they told me it was against the law..
The watch got lost, the purchaser was annoyed and I 'm emplty handed

[xjeeunitx]

To cover your ends regarding safe shipping of watches, you must declare the full value of the watch when buying insurance. You should never ever write "rolex watch" on the item descriptions. Instead, write "horological device" or "precision instrument." Many people won't know that it is a watch. They will think it's some scientific instrument in which they have no interest in.

[JAD3703]

To cover your ends regarding safe shipping of watches, you must declare the full value of the watch when buying insurance. You should never ever write "rolex watch" on the item descriptions. Instead, write "horological device" or "precision instrument." Many people won't know that it is a watch. They will think it's some scientific instrument in which they have no interest in.

Words to live by. And always consider 3rd party insurance (ie. Parcel Pro comes to mind), as this requires no external descriptors that tweak would-be thieves in the national postal systems.

James

[outatime]

I could never figure this out myself. I had a watch stolen by USPS and I know it was because of this very point that you have stated.

I'm sorry to hear that. The watch wasn't stolen by the US Postal Service. It was stolen by a dirt bag employee who gives the rest of us a bad name. Always call the US Postal Inspection Service if you believe that your package was lost or stolen.

[J.D.B.]

This reminds me of the ONLY good thing to come out of the so-called "Brady-bill" regarding firearms. That bill outlawed the large, day-glow orange placards that the airlines would place on any checked luggage with a firearm inside. It was like a bright sign saying "steal me!" to the baggage handlers.
I like the idea of re-wording the contents description as mentioned above. I wonder what the point of labelling packages as to their contents (other than, say, "flammable") is? How does that info. help in the transport/delivery process?

Josh

[JAD3703]

With Canada Post and within national boundaries, there is no requirement to declare on the outside of the package either the actual contents nor value for insurance purposes. And when you buy the supplemental insurance, there are no descriptors required, only proof after the fact of value, if lost. Part of the issue becomes cross-border shipments where actual contents descriptions are required for trans-border Customs clearance.

I have been buying and selling watches around the world for over five years and have never, ever lost a watch inbound nor outbound, although I have had several delayed and one recently almost "lost" from within the national postal system, but for the diligence and efforts of the internal postal inspector sevice. Having said all of this, I will also never ship to certain countries which have a proven track-record of high-value items being stolen once in the country's postal system. It is always a good idea to not only research the buyer but also the country's postal system that the watch is being shipped via.

A final note: most, if not all national postal systems and third-party courier companies have exception value limits on jewellery and watches. They'll happily sell you insurance for the full declared value and them later, when and if a claim is required, point to their terms and conditions for jewellery and watches exception value limits. Like I mentioned earlier - really think on third-party content insurance, or make sure that your home insurance policy protects you.

James

[Turnaround]

To cover your ends regarding safe shipping of watches, you must declare the full value of the watch when buying insurance. You should never ever write "rolex watch" on the item descriptions. Instead, write "horological device" or "precision instrument." Many people won't know that it is a watch. They will think it's some scientific instrument in which they have no interest in.

That's wonderful. I sell other items of value and always try to find the right wording to avoid interest. I really like the horological device. Can't argue with that, but like you said, most people will pass it by. GREAT!! Thank you for this tip.