It would take more than one incident to change my opinon of someone from "trusted regular client and top quality collector" to "shell crook"! Anything can happen in the mails. I have sent literally thousands of packages of shells over the years, to at least a hundred countries. Most of them arrived in good shape. Some never arrived at all. A few arrived damaged. In any case, I see it as my responsibility to get the shells to the buyer in good condition. It is simply unreasonable to expect a customer to pay for something he/she never received - or even to pay half. If you ordered a refrigerator from an appliance company and they sent an empty crate, would you be willing to pay half?? If the refrigerator was stolen off the truck, would you pay half? If I want to be able to trace a parcel, I register it. If I want to have proof of delivery, I pay for a return receipt. If I want reimbursement for any possible loss or breakage, i insure it for full value. If I fail to take these precautions, then I am totally responsible for any loss - not in the sense that it is "my fault" - but in the sense that the shells are mine until they are in the hands of the customer and paid for. If I take all these precautions and the parcel still disappears, that's tough luck - but it is my tough luck. I send a replacement parcel if possible, or refund any prepayment. I'm sorry about your loss, but I don't think it is good business practice to blame it on a "trusted regular client" when there are so many real crooks out there. Paul M. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [log in to unmask] - a forum for informal discussions on molluscs To leave this list, click on the following web link: http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1 Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and click leave the list. ----------------------------------------------------------------------