I received the envelope pictured below in today's mail. It originally contained a chip from Puerto Rico that I got from an eBay auction. The envelope was empty. Here are my thoughts on the matter:

1) Never send chips in a regular envelope. In this case it looks like the envelope was damaged and the contents were liberated and/or destroyed going through automated sorting equipment.

2) Only send chips in bubble mailers or boxes that offer protection and provide confidentiality.

3) The USPS should have noted on the envelope that contents were lost in shipment. Since this did not occur, it indicates theft or incompetence.

4) The envelope was mailed on 12/31/01 and took 12 days to reach me on 01/11/02. Even given that it was going from Puerto Rico to New York and week ends and holidays, it still should not have taken so long.

I am thankful that the envelope was insured, but it will take some time to get the insurance claim settled. The additional cost of a bubble envelope when compared to a regular envelope is certainly outweighed by all the aggrevation and time and expense of now getting this resolved.