United States Postal Service Denying the amount of claim in the face of absolute proof of loss.

A unique piece of majolica was sold on ebay for the high bid of $152.50. The buyer paid, the item was well-packed and shipped, and was smashed in transit. When I filed a damage claim in person at the post officet, the postmaster asked for "comparables in order to determine value."

It did not matter that the item was unique, making comparables impossible. It did not matter that the item sold at auction, where by definition value is set by the high bid. 

IMO this is outrageous. As mailers know, with auction items the PO never pays the real world value of the item, even when insured for that. Regardless of insured value, it will pay what the high bidder paid, no more, real world value notwithstanding. 

Now, faced with value determined by bidders, the PO is reneging on the insurance contract. 

The claim was filed today. They still have a chance to pay. If it's not the demonstrated value, this will go to small claims court.