Well, I would be careful too... one of the things that all Canadian buyers ask us is to declare a low value on the package to avoid paying duties - and if that is the case here and you didn't pay duty, you're either going to out yourself or out the person who shipped to you.

Even if they side with you, their liability would be limited to whatever the declared value was - and you couldn't insure for a different amount than the declared value anyway.

I usually put a higher amount than what they really are... just in case.. Please tell me I did that with yours????

Update time!

Sapphire - the declared value on the package was $20. I've no idea if it was insured or not. o.O Guess I will find out when I go to talk to the post office directly.

I finally got ahold of someone at Border Information Service (canada customs) to talk to in person, since they sent a meaningless email reply to my inquiry. Basically, the inspector said that if a package is stopped at the border for whatever reason, it is picked up by a Postal Worker who brings the parcel to the inspector. Postal Worker opens the parcel and emtpies it. Inspector inspects it. Postal Worker repackages the package and sends it on it's way.

Long story short, this means that it was a Postal Employee who was responsible for the poor re-packing job.

Which means I have to take up the issue with Canada Post. Won't that be fun. I'm going to have to actually get into an argument with them (because they can be quite ..... *removes nasty word*... about insisting that any damage in transit is not their fault, and if something isn't insured they are not responsible, etc.) But in this case, they clearly are. I just have to yell enough to make them see that.

If I have to take it up with my MP, I will. I have had great luck with getting my MP to solve problems in the past. We shall see if it works again.

In my opinion, they devalued the ponies by at least $20 US, so I'm going to fight for the full amount. Since is is probably going to cost me close to that to replace them, since I'll have to pay shipping again.

What a mess. I hear you...I swear the PO and I are in a feud. Good luck trying to fight your case.