Ring Back

In returning my college ring to the manufacturer, I had doubts the original warranty would be honored for I previously had the ring resized by a jeweler. However, I proceeded with Plan A and asked Barbara to fill in the blanks of the form where legible writing was needed, and I found a mailer in the computer room to use for express mailing.

I printed a copy of the addresses, one for a Post Office Box and the other one the physical address needed by Fed-X, UPS, or other national couriers. I had bolded the text for the physical address, thinking surely my wife would interpret the bold print as my preferred mailing method. That, and the fact I asked her to insure the package and retain the tracking information left me feeling fairly confident all would be well. Of course, my mistake was in providing a choice.

I left on a business trip and phoned her that evening to check in and asked about the package.

"I took it to the Museum Post Office," she shared. "And, I sent it U.S. Mail."

My heart sank.

"You sent it by U.S. Mail," I seethed in silence, "to be handled by folks that sometimes ‘go postal,’ who lose envelopes on a regular basis, misdirect mail, deliver to the wrong address, etc. You sent it by U.S. Mail?"

And, I kept the tracking information," she assured.

Returning home a few days later, Barbara handed me the postal receipt. I didn’t understand how the Post Office could track my package, but I surely couldn’t by using their online service.

I shared my dilemma with my wife who quietly pointed out, "Mae said the Post Office could verify it reached the proper destination. That’s all I know."

I comforted myself with thoughts that the insurance was sufficient to cover the cost of the ring if mine should be lost. But, in hindsight and with the current price of gold on the world market, I doubt four hundred dollars would cover half the cost of a new ring. Continue reading>>