[NHCOLL-L:119] Re: insuring shipments of specimens?

[amsnyder at unm.edu]

This has been an interesting discussion.  But, again, specimens are
irreplaceable and insuring them with the USPS has been done more so one
can track a box that goes missing, than for "replacement."  

On another note, but one that is somewhat relevant to this discussion, is
the importance of sending invoices, UNDER SEPARATE COVER, so that the recipient
can acknowlege that the package has arrive in good (or bad) condition.
Now, for many of you this seems obvious but more frequently, especially
with small collections in university settings, (or suprisingly, with a few
large, important collections) I am receiving loans and returned loans
without invoices or with a copy of my original invoice (returned loan)
stuck in the box with the specimens...signed. Or a loan, with the
lenders invoice copies enclosed with the specimens.  The danger in all of
this is that the recipient has no way of knowing the specimens were sent
in the first place; consequently, if the box is lost, the recipient will
not be notifying the lender, because they are unaware of its existance.

Lex

=============================================================================
		Alexandra M. Snyder,  Collection Manager
		Division of Fishes   Museum of Southwestern Biology (MSB)
		University of New Mexico   Albuquerque NM 87131 USA
		PH 505.277.6005 FAX 505.277.0304 EMAIL amsnyder at unm.edu
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