US Customs or USFW Government Putz

[Sourdough]

Pick your government acronym. Either USF&W or US Customs. I'm betting I know which one has a Putz working for them.

The base for my Rhino mount was severely damaged by him or her. And to add insult to injury they made a half ass attempt to repair one spot but realized they had destroyed so much of it that it wasn't worth their effort. Do you think that Government Putz had the courage to acknowledge their destructive behavior? Or to leave a note stating that their Government Agency would pay for the damage? Of course not because the Putz is also a COWARD.

Good news for me is the South African Taxidermy shop offered to make me a new base and ship it to me. Over and above and very honorable. Things that are completely lacking in that Cowardly Government Putz.

 

[ActionBob]

I have some beautiful hand carved wood bases for my replica elephant tusks. They were wrapped very carefully in Zimbabwe. Some government A Hole took a box cutter or knife and slashed the plastic off. And of course made very nice gashes in previously perfect finish on the wood.

Why do they act this way towards the property of the people who pay their salaries and very generous benefits packages? No respect whatsoever.

I am hoping DOGE gets them.

 

[Sarg]

Sorry to read about & see the damage done by a US Government Agency Putz, I think it’s called Passive Aggressive ?

We have it badly with Customs & Department of Conservation (our game department) employees, luckily the MPI (Ministry of Primary Industries) the main force at the Airports for incoming animal parts are excellent & friendly even with the multi national employees it has, not so Customs or DOC the foreign employees are the worst, I have had stuff that was clearly allowed to enter, detained or destroyed by them & you have absolutely no come back, well unless you are super rich with a top lawyer maybe, but then ever time you travel you will be persecuted !

Awesome that the original Taxidermy shop has/will come to the rescue, great back up service there !

 

[Sourdough]

The U.S. Government requires nothing special to import anything from a Rhino. So where was the "probable cause" to invade my personal property and open one of my crates? Interesting that if one of our suitcases, gun cases, or travel bags is opened they leave a note inside so you know who opened it.

 

[buck wild]

Anything entering the country is available for inspection without probable cause. Heck, BP and Customs can search your vehicle if it enters through a land port without probable cause.
I'm not saying Customs or USFW didn't do it, but how do you know that? Were you there when they opened the crate? Looks more like shipping damage than some agent with a vengeful grudge to damage a base. Sorry to see it has happened no matter how it was done. It does appear to be something a local taxidermist could fix without going through the time and expense of having another one sent from Africa

 

[ActionBob]

Anything entering the country is available for inspection without probable cause. Heck, BP and Customs can search your vehicle if it enters through a land port without probable cause.
I'm not saying Customs or USFW didn't do it, but how do you know that? Were you there when they opened the crate? Looks more like shipping damage than some agent with a vengeful grudge to damage a base. Sorry to see it has happened no matter how it was done. It does appear to be something a local taxidermist could fix without going through the time and expense of having another one sent from Africa

Sure and it makes sense they should or even need the authority to inspect anything. However they could do so with a little caution and respect. Especially for things people obviously spent considerable time and treasure on.

Don't you think there would be damage to the crate if it happened in transit? Mine was obviously damaged by outright carelessness and lack of respect for other's property. Then half ass taped back together.

 

[JimP]

Not defending anyone but is there a shipment inspection done in South Africa or wherever the crate originated at?

I know from past experience what when damage occurs it is very hard to pin it on anyone much less trying to get anyone to take responsibility for it.

But then that is what insurance is for.

 

[ActionBob]

Not defending anyone but is there a shipment inspection done in South Africa or wherever the crate originated at?

I know from past experience what when damage occurs it is very hard to pin it on anyone much less trying to get anyone to take responsibility for it.

But then that is what insurance is for.

Although I agree it can be hard to pin on anyone... taking the attitude that oh well that's what insurance is for just epitomizes what is wrong about this and many things in our society. Are you an Attorney?

I sincerely hope and pray that this whole DOGE thing takes root permanently and puts some level of work ethic and respect back into these Agencies.

 

[JimP]

Although I agree it can be hard to pin on anyone... taking the attitude that oh well that's what insurance is for just epitomizes what is wrong about this and many things in our society. Are you an Attorney?

I sincerely hope and pray that this whole DOGE thing takes root permanently and puts some level of work ethic and respect back into these Agencies.

I agree with getting rid of incompetence but there will always be those that have no idea of what they are doing. It is no different than your rifle and its case on a trip that requires a airline to handle it. My first trip to South Africa I used a aluminum case and when I got to the SAP's office I found that someone had taken a hammer to one of the locking tabs that held the locking rod in. It was in a position that it had to be intentional since there was no other damage done to the case such as a drop or a machine could of caused.

But the problem is that the OP will never know just who caused the damage and that is sad for the fact that it could of been prevented. But it is interesting to me that it was inside of the crate with no visible damage to the crate and in a position that it had to be deliberate

 

[Sourdough]

It took me two days to fully disassemble the three crates. Hundreds and hundreds of screws, a complete framing and bracing system covered by plywoood, no visible damage to any of the crates, inside or out. And all the mounts were extremely well secured. Nothing was loose or damaged in any crate with the exception of the rhino base which was obviously done by a Putz.

 

[buck wild]

Although I agree it can be hard to pin on anyone... taking the attitude that oh well that's what insurance is for just epitomizes what is wrong about this and many things in our society. Are you an Attorney?

I sincerely hope and pray that this whole DOGE thing takes root permanently and puts some level of work ethic and respect back into these Agencies.

Ok trying not to derail this thread too much. Like Ron White says, I have the right to remain silent just not the capability .

With all due respect, DOGE won’t solve anything but to reduce federal spending on employees. It’s not a merit based termination policy. It has generally been last hired, first released unless their were positions deemed unnecessary . As you point out, there is a NEED to inspect items and people entering the US so position elimination of Customs isnt the answer and mass lays off doesn’t weed out performance.

 

[PARA45]

@Sourdough, could you find out who did the inspection, and maybe write a letter to their regional office, and I'd even send one to their big office in DC with pictures to show the unnecessary damage done, and the lack of professionalism by not even including an inspection tag with the name of the idiot who did this.

Sorry to see this done, but I've watch enough of their "To Catch A Smuggler" and seen on TV the atrocities they do. I'm really surprised this doesn't happen more often.

 

[deewayne2003]

I feel your pain, I had a set of Courteney boots custom ordered and shipped from Zimbabwe.

USA customs opened the box with a box cutter through the side - sheer miracle the boots were not cut.

 

[Ericedwinbates]

Pick your government acronym. Either USF&W or US Customs. I'm betting I know which one has a Putz working for them.

The base for my Rhino mount was severely damaged by him or her. And to add insult to injury they made a half ass attempt to repair one spot but realized they had destroyed so much of it that it wasn't worth their effort. Do you think that Government Putz had the courage to acknowledge their destructive behavior? Or to leave a note stating that their Government Agency would pay for the damage? Of course not because the Putz is also a COWARD.

Good news for me is the South African Taxidermy shop offered to make me a new base and ship it to me. Over and above and very honorable. Things that are completely lacking in that Cowardly Government Putz.

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[Flbt]

@Sourdough, could you find out who did the inspection, and maybe write a letter to their regional office, and I'd even send one to their big office in DC with pictures to show the unnecessary damage done, and the lack of professionalism by not even including an inspection tag with the name of the idiot who did this.

Sorry to see this done, but I've watch enough of their "To Catch A Smuggler" and seen on TV the atrocities they do. I'm really surprised this doesn't happen more often.

You hit the nail on the head. Complain to DC
Years ago my dad got into a program with nrcs had a problem with a agent he would not give dad his boss contact info.
I called DC it took hours to actually get to the big bosses office. The next day at 8am dad got a call from the nrcs the next county over.
Wanting to come over a talk about the problem.
It got took care of that day.
The guy ask me who the hell did o know. Because the boss from Tampa called his boos at home.
Come to find out I was the first private person to actually get the top office in DC and they wanted what ever fixed to just not be bothered

 

[Ericedwinbates]

Very sorry for that, I also am disgusted with the treatment of many officials. Lots of authority with zero accountability for there actions! Even when TSA opens your checked luggage without you present they place a worthless card inside? So worthless it has no case number or employee badge on whom inspected. Often times items stollen or damaged by not placing back exactly how it was packed, ie camera gear!!!

 

[Ericedwinbates]

The U.S. Government requires nothing special to import anything from a Rhino. So where was the "probable cause" to invade my personal property and open one of my crates? Interesting that if one of our suitcases, gun cases, or travel bags is opened they leave a note inside so you know who opened it.

A note with no specifics as to whom did the inspection is worthless!!! Not accountable without a name or badge number, by design of course.

 

[ActionBob]

You hit the nail on the head. Complain to DC
Years ago my dad got into a program with nrcs had a problem with a agent he would not give dad his boss contact info.
I called DC it took hours to actually get to the big bosses office. The next day at 8am dad got a call from the nrcs the next county over.
Wanting to come over a talk about the problem.
It got took care of that day.
The guy ask me who the hell did o know. Because the boss from Tampa called his boos at home.
Come to find out I was the first private person to actually get the top office in DC and they wanted what ever fixed to just not be bothered

I had a similar experience with a phone company years ago. Had to keep asking who the next level was... by time I got to the lady who resolved my problem, she knew who I was, was expecting my call and had a plan to resolve the issue!

 

[JimP]

I had a similar experience with a phone company years ago. Had to keep asking who the next level was... by time I got to the lady who resolved my problem, she knew who I was, was expecting my call and had a plan to resolve the issue!

It's sad but those type of people very seldom exist anymore.

I was a trouble shooter for the area phone company. Most of them time I got a phone call from the executive office with the order to just go out and take care of a problem no matter what it took. When I was finished it was expected that there would be no more calls from the customer. Many times I stepped on toes and went way outside of our area of responsibility, but when I was done there was no more problems. A lot of times when I showed up at the customers home or business I would simply ask them just how they wanted things to work when I left.

As you have quite possibly noticed, there is no such thing as real customer service anymore and those handling the phones have found a neat trick. They tell you that they are going to transfer you to a person who will take care of the problem and then they dump your call.

 

[Hunt anything]

Just watch an episode of “To Catch a Smuggler” those Yahoos take a blade and cut into packages with no regard for the contents of the package. When finished they stick a little tape on it and send it on its way . Very frustrating to see the lack of respect for belongings of the people that pay their salaries with our taxes!