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Shipping 102

Tips 'n tricks to keep the wind in y'er sails!

Updated over a week ago

Shipping 102: Understanding Carrier Adjustments, Missing Packages, Insurance, and more

Let's face it: ship happens, and unexpected shipping hiccups can happen to the most honest of pirates. Here are a few tips to keep you on top of the ebbs and flows of your shipping voyage!

APV Adjustments and Reconciliations 📏

  • Carrier Adjustments from UPS & USPS: Both UPS and USPS have systems in place to help verify that you purchased the correct amount of postage. If a difference in size, weight, packaging, or zone is detected, the carrier will charge or credit your Pirate Ship account accordingly, and we’ll send you an email going over the changes they made.

    • That said, both carriers determine these charges through automated systems that can occasionally make mistakes 🙈 If you think you received an incorrect adjustment, you can easily file a carrier adjustment dispute - click here to learn more!

Late Packages ⏰

  • Delivery Estimates for Shipping Services: UPS and USPS offer delivery estimates for most of their services. While they’re typically pretty accurate, packages can sometimes experience delays 🐌

    • You can read more about each carrier’s delivery estimates here.

  • Priority Mail Express Offers Money Back Guarantees: If you’ve got a package that needs to be delivered quickly and on time, Priority Mail Express promises delivery within 1-2 days or your money back!

  • Search for Missing Packages: If your shipment hasn’t received a tracking update in some time, you can file a Missing Mail Search with USPS, or chat with us to look at some other potential ways forward.

    • Searches for missing packages are a part of the UPS insurance claim process, which you'll need to chat with us to initiate 😉

Missing or Damaged Packages 📦

  • Lost or Damaged Shipments: Occasionally, packages do get lost within the network or arrive at their destination damaged 😭

  • USPS Insurance: If you shipped a package via Priority Mail, USPS does include built-in insurance coverage at no cost to you! Domestic Priority Mail services include $100 of coverage, or $200 if international. USPS Ground Advantage labels also come with $100 of coverage.

  • UPS Carrier Liability: With UPS, all services automatically include $100 of coverage 🎉

  • Third-Party Insurance: Pirate Ship also offers third-party insurance coverage through Shipsurance, which is a great option for USPS shipments without insurance, or packages that have a higher value.

Our crew is here to help 💬

  • Contacting ARRrrr Crew: ARRrrr Support Team is here to guide you through each shipping hiccup that you may encounter, and offer all the steps to get you sailing back in the right direction 💪

    • We’re available for live chat support 7 am - 9 pm PST, 7 days a week, or you can email us at support@pirateship.com.

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