I used Pak Mail to ship a valuable piece of art that needed to go out the same day. Pak Mail was recommended to me by another art shipper in our area that couldn't meet my deadline. The good folks at the Pak Mail location in San Rafael were very professional and quick to respond. The did all of the work and the art arrived in Boston the next day in perfect condition. I honestly couldn't be happier with my first Pak Mail experience. I would gladly use them again to ship fine art or any other shipping needs. Their prices were very reasonable for what I was asking to happen. The store was nice also, very clean and orderly. Great overall experience. I highly recommend their services! read more

Pak Mail - Interior - Notaries Near Me - San Rafael, California

Excellent communication and prompt responses from Ms. Nichelle. Impeccable service! Pickup service for my Picasso precious ceramics at the CLARS Auction Gallery, professional packaging and FedEx shipping to Italy at a very competitive price! An excellent experience. I will definitely use PAK MAIL San Rafael (US148) in the future and recommend them to anyone looking for a serious and reliable shipper. Nicola - Italy read more

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Awful customer service. This from a repeat client for over 8 years. When there was an issue, management failed to make contact or do the right thing. I will not be working with them again. Buyer beware! read more

I went into Pak Mail today in San Rafael and was entirely impressed with the staff person who helped me (Alex). The place has a friendly vibe as well. 5 Stars Plus! read more

Always great service!! We have been using Pak Mail San Rafael for over 25 years. Everyone there has always been courteous and helpful. read more

Bought a Andy Warhol Goose at Auction. This Pak Mail was suggested. I called and received a quote. They picked the piece up at the auction house and packed PERFECTLY and was shipped to my door from Fed Ex . I own an auction house in New Jersey and I wish I could find a shipper like them. Hard to believe they have so many bad reviews. Maybe under new ownership. I AM NOT GETTING PAID FOR THIS REVIEW, Andy Rose Delray Beach, Florida read more

Pak Mail - Warhol Owned Decoy - Notaries Near Me - San Rafael, California

I have used this shipper to ship one of the items from Clars auction Gallery. It was a beautiful painting, which is an Easter gift. However, due to the poor packaging, the painting was ruined. The replacement cost is $900-$1,000. I have tried to contact the Pak Mail, but they do not admit it's their responsibility rather they have only filed $100 basic insurance and ask me to wait 4-6 weeks and learn my lesson. I have told them to refund part of my shipping and settle this, but they never respond. So I feel that I have to post this horrible experience. I will avoid using this company at any cost. Thanks. Update: The owner from the Pak Mail mailed me a check with the basic insurance and refunded me some of the shipping cost. Although the shipping is a disappointment, I appreciate their gesture. Thanks. read more

Pak Mail - Horrible experience. Ruin the artwork. - Notaries Near Me - San Rafael, California

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I wanted to send twelve pieces of hand-painted porcelain to friends in Germany, and as it was handpainted by my stepmother, I wanted it to have a good home and was concerned about shipping. I called and emailed the PakMail office in San Rafael several times - asking for information, asking for quotes, setting up appointments and then due to me, having to reschedule; and then ultimately they said to just come in when I was ready, Each time I contacted them, either by telephone or email, they were immediately responsive, extremely gracious, very helpful. When I dropped off the pieces, I was told it would be a couple of days before they shipped it, which was fine. I was worried about the pieces, as due to the hand-painting were unique and not replaceable. I shipped FedEx International. The pieces were marvelously packed, everything came through intact and in pristine condition. I can not find enough superlatives to describe the quality of service, quality of communication of the PakMail Office in San Rafael. They exhibit a level of customer service that is only dreamed about these days. I highly recommend them for any packing and shipping that needs to be done. Their rates were extremely reasonable. As these were delicate, I did ship them FedEx International Economy. Again, many, many thanks to the wonderful people at PakMail in San Rafael! I've attached a couple of photos of the pieces showing their delicacy - and I am overjoyed at PakMail's wondrous service. read more

Pak Mail - The cup of the set, showing again how delicate and beautiful - Notaries Near Me - San Rafael, California

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No more will I use this company for shipping. I've used them many times but this last episode pushed me over the edge. I don't believe them to be honest and know for a fact that they way overcharge and then illegally use free usps boxing inside the FedEx mailers, when they force people to spend more on FedEx. I called and spoke to a manager who pretended he didn't know about not using usps boxes for FedEx, when I pointed out that it was printed RIGHT ON THE BOXES. They charge for new shipping materials and use old and free materials...and then upcharge and upcharge. I'm sorry...I don't believe you are unaware about using usps boxes for other shipping services. Shipping is your business. This isn't rocket science, but it does show a gross lack of honesty and a great deal of greed. Shame on you. read more

Beware of Pak Mail. This is a scam operation. Charge above market prices, packed poorly, arrive broken. Denies claim. Clowns! read more

Pak Mail - Notaries Near Me - San Rafael, California

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On April 26, 2018, I called to get a quote on having an item picked up from an auction house, packed and shipped to Seattle. First Beth told me that Pak Mail would employ FedEx ground as their carrier. I told Beth that I prefer USPS. She detailed that lately USPS has lost and damaged a fair amount of the items that they had mailed, but she would get also get a USPS price quote. The following day, Larry from PakMail quoted $54.00 to have my item delivered to me thru FedEx ground. I asked Larry about the USPS price. He said he would get back to me. He immediately called back and informed me that PakMail no longer uses the USPS as their carrier because of "lost and damaged items", funny Larry said the same rhetoric that Beth recited to me the day before. I told Larry that USPS, for my package dimension, the mailing cost would only be less than $10.00, 2 day priority. He disagreed with me. ( Hmmmm..I looked up the cost from the USPS website) I told Larry that I've used USPS to mail numerous packages and with proper packing and utilizing the tracking option, my packages always get to their destination safely. Maybe, if PakMail would pack the items correctly, it wouldn't get damaged and used USPS tracking it wouldn't get lost. He agreed with me. I think that PakMail has a contract with FedEx and using USPS is cutting into their profit margin. I liken PakMail to USSR, your option is none, you get what they give you. Luckily we live in a democratic country and we have choices. PakMail in SanRafael is a greedy business Update: I recommend Jack London Mail in Oakland. JL is a lot less expensive than BM opps..PM, close to $20.00 less. JL are friendlier and quick to respond. read more

Pak Mail - They have the USPS logo but doesn't use their service. - Notaries Near Me - San Rafael, California

I purchased a necklace in an auction from Harvey Clars. I recently had something similar packed and sent from NY to Australia for US$37.50. For this service from PAK MAIL I was quoted US$217.00. This is larceny. Are you kidding? Beyond ridiculous. They could not account for the high cost what so ever. They said the necklace looked like it was 10lbs. Have you ever heard of a 10lb necklace? Gimme a break. I wasn't born yesterday. Thieves. read more

I buy a lot of expensive French Crystal from online auction houses all over the country. Many refer me to third party shippiers as they don't have in-house shipping. In general, I've come to hate this practice because the shippers frequently charge prices that are way over the top for the service provided. For example, I recently bought a crystal vase measuring 9.5 inches tall by 7.5 inches in diameter and was charged $167 by a Connecticut UPS Store for pickup, pack, and ship.That's outrageous. I know what shipping really costs because I do my own packing and shipping to my online customers. Compare that vase shipping charge rip-off to the satisfying transaction I had with Pak Mail San Rafael. They chaged me $187 to pickup, pack, and ship seven expensive Lalique and Daum crystal items. One item was a very large and heavy crystal sculpture. Another was a large deer figurine with delicate and easily broken antlers. All were packed carefully and affived safely via FedEx Ground. read more

Pak Mail services have been very reliable for shipping fine art in the U.S.and abroad. Employees are friendly and attentive to our special requests for sourcing sustainable/ recycled packaging materials. Thank you for all your great work Pak Mail San Rafael! :)) read more

I live in Oregon and I purchase antiques from both Harvey Clars in Oakland and Bonham's in S.F. Pak Mail drives to both locations, picks up my purchases and securely packs and ships them to me, usually within one week after the auction ends. Their charges are fair and the quality of their packaging is exemplary. They are easy to communicate with; by phone, fax and e-mail. I highly recommend their service !! read more

I bought a large, heavy (130 lbs) bronze sculpture from Machaan's Auctions. Pak Mail picked it up from the auction house, packed it very securely and shipped it across country in a very timely manner. Given the size and weight of the item, UPS or FedEx was not an option. Great communication by phone and email. I was very pleased with the great service, and would certainly use them again. read more

I turned up late after they'd closed yet the owner came to the door and welcomed us in anyway to let my wife and I mail some packages internationally. Great customer service. read more

I recently purchased accessory items through Turner Auctions. I'm in Atlanta, GA and I work in the design industry. My items (heavy marble obelisks) arrived yesterday and I was EXTREMELY pleased with the care taken in packing a very heavy yet fragile pair of items. They arrived in perfect condition and I couldn't have asked for more. My company constantly received decorative items and these, though mine personally, were handled beautifully. Their pricing was fair and competitive as well based on freight charges with which I constantly deal. read more

Wonderful to work with, honest and fast. Have used them for auction pick up and mailing. They are on it. Pick up is fast and costs are fair. Besides they are nice! read more

The worst packing job I've experienced in my 25 years in the art business. Used a cheap tube I could crush with one finger to ship my $1000 item which, predictably, arrived crushed and damaged. Rather than take responsibility, blamed FedEx. The worst. read more

Horrible untrustworthy service, won some items from an auction house they said Pak mail would handle shipping. The item weighed less than 2lbs and the size of a football if that and they charged me $170. Yeah that sucks but paid it because didn't have any other options and paid wth credit card over the phone.....several hours later I have numerous charges to my credit card from the surrounding around. My credit card has never even been used in the state of California before this transaction now it's been stolen?!?? You figure it out and read the horrible reviews on this business. read more

AVOID THEM AT ALL COSRS. They packed and shipped a painting I had bought at an auction house to the tune of $499 with insurance included. When the painting arrived damaged with broken glass I filed a claim with FedEx. I was told my insurance was through a third party liability company and not through FedEx. FedEx stood by their shipping and refunded the shipping charges (which turns out to be around $200...so pak Mail upcharged me by more than double!) I was to receive a check from the third party liability company for the cost to repair the painting a d replace the glass. I received only a portion with a letter stating that I had already received money from FedEx so here's the difference. FedEx's refund had been for the shipping costs, not the repairs which were to be covered by pak mail's insurance. Seems they're trying to pocket my money. read more

I had a great experience with them. Everything was packaged beautifully and arrive safe and sound on time!

Pak Mail San Rafael did a fantastic job with my shipment. I received a packing and shipping quote within a hour of submitting a request. Communication was prompt and helpful throughout the process. I bought three paintings at auction, and Pak Mail picked them up from the auction house, packed them securely, and mailed them quickly. They arrived in perfect condition. I highly recommend this business. read more

Ever think "I can't believe that just happened?" when something really bad happens. That was my experience with Pak Mail. I had a document that needed to be notarized and FedEx'd for next day delivery across the country. The problem was that I also had an appointment that I had to get to in the city. A quick check showed me that Pak Mail had a notary so I called them to be sure - time was going to be tight I said. I was assured on the phone that the notary was there - "great - I'll be right over." I arrived not more than 15 minutes later and the place was empty. I heard noises from the back and called. No response. After another 5 minutes (a clock has never moved more slowly) a fellow came out from the back and with great relief I asked him to please notarize this document. His answer "Oh, the notary isn't here right now. She's a mobile notary. I can have her here in 30 minutes." Really? Really??? I can't believe that just happened... read more

A is for AWFUL. They charged me over $60. to package one small item that didn't have a dollars worth of bubble wrap. The worker was so rude I complained to corporate but they didn't bother to call me back. STAY AWAY.... unless of course you want to be verbally abused. read more

Do not come here if you need something notorized. There is FALSE advertising on the store window saying, "Notary". I went there three times in the morning on separate occasions and the guy at the front told me the "notarizer" would "be back". Whatever. When I see "Notary," I expect the person to be on site, not traveling around as a "on call notary". --Will not go there again for anything. They wasted my time completely. read more

I have had a box here for several years. The service is great and the folks are very nice and helpful. If you need a mailbox, shipping and copying services, they are great! read more

After missing the post office deadline for next day delivery I found Pak Mall. Once I arrived I was told that UPS had already left so the only option was fedex (fine by me), but first I couldn't insure my package for $900, so I was told that most was $500 (again, fine by me) after spending 10 min or more I paid and left the store. The next day I checked the tracking number and it hadn't been pick up by Fedex (WTF??) so I called they said that for some unknown reason the package was left behind. Whose fault? no idea, but I still felt like I wasn't taken care as customer. so I picked up the package and send it via OnTrac which luckily got delivered before my family member headed towards the airport. read more

I have had a mail box here since 2015. I've always been happy with their precision and courtesy in handling my mail. The workers are kind and sincere. read more

I am beside myself at the rudeness and incompetence of San Rafael Pak Mail. It's one thing to make a mistake; it's another again to take bad passport photos three times in a row (by bad I mean the government wouldn't accept the photos), and then fight me tooth and nail on offering a refund. When I went in after the third rejection, was I offered an apology? Nope. I was told by a very rude employee named Larry that it was my problem that I "wasn't happy" with the photo; that it was my fault I didn't keep the original receipt, even though I had the transaction up on my phone; that if he refunded the wrong person on account of his inexperience with the retail software, it would "need to end there;" that he was "absolutely not" going to tell me the name of the owner so I could come back and speak to her; and so on. In the end, I got my $13 back, but I will never shop here again and would urge you to go to UPS, FedEx, or some other mailing supply store for your post and passport needs. read more

Went to Pak Mail for several reasons -- needed some heirloom jewelry shipped, needed a passport photo, needed stamps. Service was amazing. Various alternatives for shipping the jewelry were suggested and I picked the one that fit with my needs exactly. The passport photo was actually a picture of me that I liked! And, best, they had a selection of first edition stamps to choose from. Staff are incredibly helpful and courteous. Couldn't be more pleased to have all my needs met successfully! read more

We had an absolutely horrible experience with Passport pics at PakMail. They were totally incompetent at taking the pics - our pic was rejected THREE TIMES - and the service from the male employee was awful. I can't speak to other services they provide, but don't go there for passport pics. read more

Similar experience to other reviews. Purchased item at auction. I asked for a breakdown of charges and discovered in addition to packing charges that were fair, they charged an additional shipping charge of $160. over Fedex charges. DO NOT USE! When confronted all they said was that I agreed to charges. I have informed the auction gallery NOT to recommend this shipper. They need to be fair to stay in business. read more

I used Alka at Pak Mail to pick up an auction item from Clars, a little framed watercolor. I also got quotes elsewhere and was being charged for pick up, which Pak Mail did for free, as well as packaging materials/packing as two separate charges, plus the shipping charges (as to be expected). All of these little things added up to a much higher quote from 'the other guys'. Pak Mail was very good about keeping me in the loop, sent me a tracking number and my little watercolor arrived well protected. Thank you so much! read more

I purchased items from Clars Auction Gallery and was referred to Pak Mail San Rafael. I called Pak Mail in the morning and was told they would call me back in 30 minutes. 30 minutes came and went so I ended up having to call them the next day and when I did, I was asked to leave a message which I did. Again I waited for the call and again that call never came so on the following morning I called again and again, was asked to leave a message. Needless to say, this experience along with another shipping company that was referred by Clars, it has been more than a painful experience. I feel that if Pak Mail San Rafael treats their customers like this before they even ship your item, imagine how they will treat your package. read more

I recently brought two boxes to Pak Mail for sending UPS 2 Day Air to Texas. The clerk spent about 10 minutes preparing the labels. They charged me $569. I thought this was pretty high so I checked the price on the UPS web site. If I had prepaid and prepared the labels myself and just dropped off the packages at Pak Mail it would have only cost me $310. They charged me $260 for 10 minutes work. The manager of the store told me that they don't need to follow the UPS shipping rates. I'm not against them making a profit but 80% for 10 minutes work? Prepare your package labels at home using your computer and save yourself some real $$. read more

bought a nautical folk art item from san rafael auctions via online auction. like many auction houses they don't arrange shipping, they provide a list of local places like ups stores, etc. and you deal with them to pickup and pack items. went with the local pakmail outlet there. item arrived with significant damage compared to the photo in the auction catalog. not clear if someone photoshopped the image in the catalog to hide the problems, it got damaged sometime between when the photo was taken and the item was picked up and shipped, or if the damage occurred during shipping - anyway it is going to cost some to get it restored. dealing with the pakmail place was also poor - even though we clearly stated that we wanted ups service, they sent item via fedex (in the past, fedex has not delivered to our location so wanted to avoid having to deal with them). read more

ok for shipping but notary public, part of business services offered, is terrible: rude and incompetent