Narrative Summary

I sold a matching pair of custom-designed, 14k gold earrings for $600. During transit, the USPS parcel was crushed and torn open. When the buyer received it, one earring was still inside, but the other had fallen out and was lost. I filed a claim for the full $600. USPS approved the claim but issued a check for exactly $300. They argued that because only half the set was missing, they were only liable for 50% of the value. The problem? A single, unmatched custom earring is completely unsellable and effectively worthless.

The Resolution Strategy

Carriers often attempt simple fractional math on missing components, ignoring the real-world value of complete sets. If you accept a 50% payout on a pair of earrings or shoes, you suffer a 100% loss of the product's actual utility.

The resolution utilized the Authori claims platform to generate an appeal grounded in DMM Section 609.4.1 regarding the "actual value" of the damaged article.

The appeal letter formally rejected the fractional payout. It argued that the loss of one component explicitly destroyed the commercial viability and entire intrinsic value of the matched set. The appeal demanded the full $600 indemnity, formally offering to surrender the remaining "useless" earring to the USPS salvage department in exchange for the total loss payout, as permitted by postal regulations. Faced with this correct procedural ultimatum, USPS issued the remaining $300.