3.5L PowerBoost USPS Lost Oil Samples

[Gros Ventre]

I do oil sampling and analyses. I've now had the USPS lose two samples, both with tracking numbers on them. How does that happen? A tracked package? On the first I spoke to their customer folks... All I got was an apology... I Suppose it's now time to shift that business over to UPS. It's bad enough whit delayed arrival, but a lost sample means missing information as to the health of my truck. :-(

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[JBdoingJBstuff]

Wait till they completely take over healthcare. USPS for me has been abysmal since COVID.

 

[Kodiak]

It has sucked ever since it got "fixed" a number of years ago.

 

[Gros Ventre]

...And this one was shipped 2nd Day delivery so WTF? You'd have thought they were actualy paying attention... :-(

 

[Spiffers]

...And this one was shipped 2nd Day delivery so WTF? You'd have thought they were actualy paying attention... :-(

There is insurance on those so start filing claims. Insure it for a silly amount and when they lose another one make a small bundle to cover your $$ for insurance and time.

 

[Gros Ventre]

So they'll insure an oil sample?

 

[SALEEN961]

My local post office routinely refuses to ship oil samples. I've shown them a letter from the post master saying that it's allowed, and they still refuse because "you can't ship fuel oil". Trying to explain the difference between lubricating oil and fuel oil proved to be impossible.

 

[cb4017]

I've had a couple lost by USPS when they were in the original shipping container. Now I put the container in a small box, print out a label using Pirate Ship and drop it off at the PO.

In fact Blackstone Labs just got one from me yesterday.

 

[DcnPat]

There is insurance on those so start filing claims. Insure it for a silly amount and when they lose another one make a small bundle to cover your $$ for insurance and time.

You have to show the value of the loss to file a claim regardless of the amount of insurance you put on it. Value of the oil sample is probably $1 and another $2 for the sample container(s). USPS is really good at drawing out those claim investigations too.

 

[DcnPat]

I do oil sampling and analyses. I've now had the USPS lose two samples, both with tracking numbers on them. How does that happen? A tracked package? On the first I spoke to their customer folks... All I got was an apology... I Suppose it's now time to shift that business over to UPS. It's bad enough whit delayed arrival, but a lost sample means missing information as to the health of my truck. :-(

Best USPS tracking for packages used to be Priority overnight shipping. I have no idea what they deem the best for tracking now. DeJoy took a mediocre functioning package delivery service at USPS and made it somewhat worse but it still is usually a good deal for the price as long as you don't need accurate and up to date tracking information on your package (then again, FedEx and UPS often struggle with this part since the pandemic).

 

[Gros Ventre]

Well, I put this one in 2nd Day instead of using the Blackstone mailer. The reason is that they (Blackstone) prioritize samples received by over night mailing above those that come in by the mailer... I did this because my previous sample sat for 3 1/2 business weeks after receipt before analysis. That means all I did was record history as the sample results were received beyond their recommendation on action to be taken.

 

[fordtruckman2003]

I can drive to Blackstone in 2 hours.
My oil samples would sit in limbo for up to six weeks before they would start moving again.

Blackstone posted a lengthy blog on this on their website few years ago, changed the process for returning samples. Now they go in an envelope and not sending the black bottle.

The new process my samples take two days to get there. Still longer than the two hour drive, but I don't get an email from them two months after I did an oil change.

 

[Gros Ventre]

I sent them an email shortly ago. I specifically spoke about recording history. If they are going to make recommendations on actions to be taken as a result of the samples, the results need to get back quickly. They understood the message, now waiting to see if they really act on it. The USPS isn't helping.

 

[Spiffers]

You have to show the value of the loss to file a claim regardless of the amount of insurance you put on it. Value of the oil sample is probably $1 and another $2 for the sample container(s). USPS is really good at drawing out those claim investigations too.

How much is the data worth to you? $80,000 truck it could be shown that it's worth a lot more then a few bucks.

 

[DcnPat]

How much is the data worth to you? $80,000 truck it could be shown that it's worth a lot more then a few bucks.

I would agree, but that is not how the USPS insurance works - read the fine print

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