Aaron, I've been out of the country on travel the past couple weeks and just came across this thread. What a roller coaster ride this thread has been! I am still optimistic for you that the bike will be delivered as expected and without damage. What a shame it would be to have such a gorgeous machine go "missing"!

Fwiw, I had a similar situation recently with Poste Italiane, though with a much smaller item (pair of NOS Campagnolo hoods). After waiting a few weeks for the item, I contacted the seller to let him know the package hadn't arrived. The seller was helpful and providing me with copies of his shipping documents and tracking info. According to Poste Italiane the package shipped shortly after the sale. The seller/shipper said that he followed up with Poste Italiane, but that I would need to contact USPS. Apparently, in this case, USPS took possession once it went through customs. USPS said that only the shipper could file the claim, but that the package had not shown up in their system. Poste Italiane was reporting the item as having been shipped to the U.S. (via their online tracking site). Over a month went by and I was checking the tracking info regularly. I figured it was lost and was about to order another set of hoods elsewhere. Then, to my surprise, over a month after the item was reported as having been shipped to the U.S., the shipping status was updated to again say the item was shipping to the U.S., but this time with a new date and from Milan instead of one of the smaller regional post offices. A few days later, the hoods arrived.

Fingers crossed...

Really the only odd thing is the delivery of the small package. That was weird.

If the large package actually arrived in the 4 days it took the small package, now that would have been extremely odd.

Northern Italy is typically 2-4 weeks for delivery time.

Southern Italy is typically 4-6 weeks for delivery time.

Of the dozens, and quite likely well over 100, of packages I have received, 1 was lost. It was a small package sent "regular" mail instead of posta raccomandata (registered mail). You need to be patient if you are purchasing items from Italy.

I would have had no problem waiting IAB. I am familiar with the waits with euro shipping and customs, what was upsetting was that the package was listed as having been delivered, with no other information supplied. The issue isn't my patience, it's with something odd having happened. I am not upset about waiting 3 weeks.

This also isn't my first bike from Italy - the past bikes took a week or so as memory serves. Stefano has also shipped numerous bikes, and he was concerned enough to refund the purchase before I even asked.

At any rate, it seems like everything may end up ok when all is said and done.

i hope so. I've been following this thread, hoping and praying that it all works out well.
good luck my friend

I really appreciate everyone's well wishes - so many of you sent emails and PMs and it made a difference.

Some months ago I purchased a hub from Austria. I couldn't (and still can't) believe how long it took to finally arrive. The tracking just seemed to stop someplace in Europe. Finally, like some long-forgotten cat, it arrived, in perfect condition, in my mailbox. Hope that yours does, too.

Got my fingers crossed for you! I love when weird sh*t like this has a happy ending.

I'll stand down the troops. I was just fixing to send in a team of velo-ninjas to sort this all out..... Of course, velo-ninjas is code for a bunch of creaky, achey, cranky middle-aged bike nerds. Not sure that we would've found the Rooster, but we would've ruffled a lot of feathers!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzw1_2b-I7A

There was more craziness that ensued, but at this point I just want it out of mind. There was a lot more to the story, but it may be better left untold here.

The end of the story...the box came today. A brake lever had torn through the box and the top flap of the box was open and un-taped. It was very clear that someone opened the box, rearranged things and resealed it poorly. Stefano over packed everything, which is the only reason I think it has a happy ending. Everything came through ok! Nothing seems to be missing and the frame seems undamaged.

Someone opened it, did not see carbon and figured it was a POS and put it back.

Been following this. Glad you rooster came home to roost.

Excellent! Very happy for you that it arrived safely. I look forward to seeing it put back together.

This seems pretty likely.

What a beautiful bike. I love the seatlug treatment.

Oh wow!

So worth the drama! (I know, easy for me to say!)

Build that rooster.

…then ride it, young man.

Just happy it finally found it's way to you.

Happy ending. I couldn't help but notice the marrow bone on the edge of the desk in picture 6. A little something to stave off the nervous wait?

The biggest drama was today...I might tell the story tomorrow.

LOL - our puppy really stripped that sucker!

The opened box does not surprise me at this point.
Fortunately it looks like nothing dropped out.

I don't want to figure out how the brake lever punctured the box.
I am sure you and the shipper are both reasonably happy.

I'm so happy your Rooster made it back to the coop! Lots of drama but a happy ending.

Does your puppy take his bones with Vietnamese chili sauce? Best to develop good habits young.

Yes, please tell us the rest of the saga.

Knowing Aaron and Stefano both, this really bothered me but ecstatic this had a happy ending. Right up until the end, this story was absolutely crazy! Need to gather for a Galmozzi ride this summer! 😊

Excellent news! All's well that ends well, or at least I hope!

Beautiful bike. I'm relieved for you that it showed up.

Fork's bent.