thomasthesecond
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"I thought I was an architect, but I was just moving dirt."
Posts: 153
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Post by thomasthesecond on Aug 17, 2019 14:51:47 GMT
Well, you don't initially mention shipping from the US to Canada. I have never had an issue with NY customs and it is not an NYC issue. You appear to be a victim of circumstance but even within just the US, stuff happens. I had one antique, shipping between Texas and Massachusetts, Priority Mail insured that showed in transit for 10 days, then at my local PO for three days and their saying they didn't have it. Finally, a call from them with a request I go claim it. The box had been literally ripped in half and crushed. Either crushed in a conveyor or truck. Tape back together and the contents must have been obvious. As twisted and bent as it must have been the two hundred year old sword got to me in the end with no damage. I would be more concerned that parcel damage prompted inspection than politics or curiosity factors. I do feel your anxiety though. Shipping pharmaceuticals and other larger truckloads between the US and Canada taught me some of the "horror" stories but going in either direction, it had always been Canada with the holds and issues with manifested paperwork. I'm sure we collectively have concern but good hope it will soon be in your lap. Cheers GC It's actually coming from the Czech Republic, that's my fault for not realizing that most people don't know where Elgur Swordmakery is. As of now, even legally I can't do anything until forty-five days after they've received it, or if there is any form of existential damage to it when I DO receive it. It was hard enough waiting for my place in line, the sword being made, and hen being shipped.. We'll be pushing two years from the day I commissioned it f I even get it at the end of the aforementioned forty-five days.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2019 15:31:03 GMT
I understand where the shipment originated and that it landed in NY. Yet, there was no indication that you are in Canada either listed in your profile or initial post in this thread. Then you mention it must be an NYC issue, when US customs and city politics really have nothing to do with each other.
I sweat virtually every bladed shipment, so I can sympathize and understand the need to vent.
Cheers GC
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stormmaster
Member
I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,647
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Post by stormmaster on Aug 17, 2019 15:32:20 GMT
its not political, i get swords from international all the time and sometimes they inspect it but i always get it in the end
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thomasthesecond
Member
"I thought I was an architect, but I was just moving dirt."
Posts: 153
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Post by thomasthesecond on Aug 17, 2019 16:43:14 GMT
I understand where the shipment originated and that it landed in NY. Yet, there was no indication that you are in Canada either listed in your profile or initial post in this thread. Then you mention it must be an NYC issue, when US customs and city politics really have nothing to do with each other. I sweat virtually every bladed shipment, so I can sympathize and understand the need to vent. Cheers GC I'm in the United states, in Ohio to be exact
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2019 18:06:56 GMT
My mistake (that's normal)
CBP being Customs?
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stormmaster
Member
I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,647
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Post by stormmaster on Aug 17, 2019 18:10:01 GMT
yeah cbp is customs, its not too abnormal for customs to inspect a package, its weird tho how even the tracking didnt say anything like going through customs like it should
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2019 19:24:04 GMT
Well, once it shows Cleared Customs, it will then be on its way.
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thomasthesecond
Member
"I thought I was an architect, but I was just moving dirt."
Posts: 153
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Post by thomasthesecond on Aug 17, 2019 19:57:12 GMT
I've got a guy keeping an eye on it. He said it's been moved to a shipping container to be inspected and he has no idea how long it'll be there. I tried to let him know that it's a temperature/humidity critical item, so he said he'll do what he can to get it to the front of the line. Apparently, they do an initial inspection, and if it's deemed that it requires further inspection, they throw it (His words, not mine) in a pile to be opened and checked thoroughly. I'm just hoping they pack it back up properly, though not a single fiber of my being thinks that they will.
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thomasthesecond
Member
"I thought I was an architect, but I was just moving dirt."
Posts: 153
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Post by thomasthesecond on Aug 17, 2019 20:00:37 GMT
I've really been looking into starting to collect antique swords, particularly backsword bladed victorian era officers swords, though I've also been interested in tulwars as of late - however, I digress.
This whole experience has made me extremely nervous to begin putting effort and money into these blades. I'm beyond nervous already as to what condition this commission will show up in, though I suppose I will eventually find out.
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stormmaster
Member
I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,647
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Post by stormmaster on Aug 17, 2019 20:10:40 GMT
it is not every single piece that goes through extra inspection, usually it will be pretty fast but randomly some things will go through a more intense inspection, dont worry about it, they probably will package it back up ok but probably not as good as it was before, maybe expect some finger prints on the blade and get your mothers mag ready, i've seen it happen once they didnt package it back up securely at all so the blade poked a hole through the box and the tip rolled but thats very rare, if u also had a scabbard done for it then thats less likely
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2019 20:43:07 GMT
We roll the dice, empty our pockets and hope for the best. The majority of my international transactions involving blades have gone through NY customs and the USPS. Those have all been antiques. I currently sweat (literally) several dozen and tens of thousands of dollars of antiques (along with a handful of reproductions) that have been in a New England 5'x5' outdoor storage locker facing south. The biggest lump in my throat was the Texas dispatch that was "lost", surfacing at last in the bisected carton. Considering the scabbard was bone dry, I was very grateful it survived intact. The red dry rot still survived and has since been treated. A great majority of my swords are at the two century or older mark I am overdue for a check-in and I have taken in more, with intent of finally finishing getting the horde in house (condo) but they are only really moving from one closet to another, or perhaps a huge, deep, expensive armoire. I'm not going to get away with racking on a wall in this condo like situation but at least I'll have them home. Sooo, don't sweat the petty stuff and don't pet the sweaty stuff. Last year I missed doing an annual outdoor public exhibition for the first time in fifteen years and my excuse was the possibility of rain (we'd managed a couple of wet ones). I make sure the seal at the base of the locker is swept clean and seated and that everything is boxed. I'm sure it bakes some days and New England certainly isn't a dry climate. I do want to get them out of there but no one is offering me free climate controlled shop space or additional suite. Then again, I could just truck most of it to the Skinner Auction business and sell them as lots. Clean and sound antiques a decent long term "break even" investment, with some potential gain for only a very few. Cheers GC
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thomasthesecond
Member
"I thought I was an architect, but I was just moving dirt."
Posts: 153
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Post by thomasthesecond on Aug 17, 2019 21:40:41 GMT
WOW those are good looking swords.
I would have had a heart attack and died, right after the stroke if I recieved a sword in a package like that. I'm praying to every diety in known history that I don't recieve the sword in that shape.
I've seen some of Jan's work with scabbards, and while absolutely perfect as far as fit and finish go, I'm already thinking I'm going to send it to Brian at DBK along with my count for custom scabbards - though this may take a few years to alot money for, at the rate I've been sucked back into pointy stabby things.
At this point though, to get back on topic, I'm just going to do everything I can to calm myself and hope that everything works out fine. I've had a dagger come from England, and a sword from Canada both within a week, so maybe that's why I expected this to go smoother.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2019 22:30:20 GMT
My current USPS route driver, who hates insured signature parcels and registered mail delivery to my building but is otherwise well thought of. I eagerly await his happy retirement. Cheers GC
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Post by howler on Aug 18, 2019 0:32:18 GMT
My current USPS route driver, who hates insured signature parcels and registered mail delivery to my building but is otherwise well thought of. I eagerly await his happy retirement. Cheers GC Holy smokes, Edel. Talk about a mix up, you order a spadroon and receive a cute little girl! Stork must have been drunk as hell.
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thomasthesecond
Member
"I thought I was an architect, but I was just moving dirt."
Posts: 153
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Post by thomasthesecond on Aug 22, 2019 17:42:35 GMT
Well, I'm getting daily updates that it's in transit to the next facility, though when I get a call from the guy from my local post office he's still telling me that customs has it and he's not sure what's taking so long.
I'm pretty sure that no one knows where it's at, and unless it's taking a trip around the country, I'm getting repeated updates for nothing considering the last location was about three hours from my local post office.
I'm going to give it more time because I'm hopeful, but I'm seriously thinking that it's likely going to end in an insurance claim.
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Post by whattheheck on Aug 25, 2019 15:43:34 GMT
I'm really sorry for your bad luck, man. Usually the point of capitalism is that it is supposed to help the best services rise to the top and remain in business, but, with the shipping business, this seems to have failed. As for your comment about having second thoughts about collecting after this experience, I completely get it. My recent experience with a bent sword (which could be my lack of experience in knowing what defects are considered acceptable by the community as a whole) has also made me wonder whether this is the right hobby for me. But, from what I have read from you, I don't believe you are the type to give up on something you obviously love because something goes wrong. If being impaled by a sword didn't stop you from wanting to collect them, then I doubt this will either. Best wishes, friend. I hope you receive it soon and in the condition you hope to see it!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2019 16:33:04 GMT
I recently had my own little saga with USPS. I sent a sword to Northern California and it went to Los Angeles. 1 out of 25 packages sent to Northern Cali get diverted there for reasons unknown to USPS; seriously, that's what a postmaster told me. It SHOULD go to Las Vegas or Reno, but it goes to L.A., then San Francisco, and that's where it lingered for days with no tracking updates. It finally arrived yesterday though, but opening a case seemed to help move it along. I hope this all works out for you.
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Post by maewyn on Aug 26, 2019 16:18:12 GMT
Contact NY customs,it may still be there.The PO cant tell you.Email can take up to 7 business days for a reply.
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Post by maewyn on Aug 26, 2019 16:25:26 GMT
If you are unable to find the information you need, the CBP INFO Center is open Monday-Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern time. You can ask your question via email or by calling 1-877-CBP-5511 (877-227-5511).If you are outside the U.S. you must call 202-325-8000.(Telecommunications device for the hearing impaired: 1-800-877-8339 or www.federalip.us/)
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thomasthesecond
Member
"I thought I was an architect, but I was just moving dirt."
Posts: 153
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Post by thomasthesecond on Aug 31, 2019 15:41:50 GMT
I did end up getting it Thursday night, though customs had inspected it - or, tried to anyways. They got the wrap off of the grip, and seemingly gave up because it had an "inspected via Xray" sticker applied directly to the grip. I should have taken pictures, but I was in a frantic rush to get the slight surface rust off of the pommel and part of the guard, where it had been unwrapped. Other than the number customs did on it, it was packaged phenomenally well, and was in great shape after some grey scotch bright.
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