A man in southern China saw no issue sending a 6.8 million yuan ($985,000) antique bronze pot by express delivery across the country. 。

The man, surnamed Tan, from Hunan was shipping the family heirloom to a buyer in Shenzhen, and decided to pack the fragile item in some bubble wrap, and send it on its way in a cardboard box.。

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Upon delivery, the antique was found to have been smashed into pieces, said local reports. 。

Upon delivery, the antique was found to have been smashed into pieces, said local reports. 。

It arrived like this.Credit: wechat。

The bronze pot purportedly comes from the Western Zhou (1046-771 BC) period, making it around 3,000 years old. 。

But despite the value of the item, the courier company said it's only going to compensate Tan 30,000 yuan ($4,300) by an insurance payout.。 A lawyer speaking to the。Southern Metropolis Daily。

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The certificate for the bronze cauldron.Credit: wechat。

Tan said he paid about 900 yuan ($130) for the delivery service, but pointed out that the item is worth more than its paper value, since it's an heirloom.。

Netizens on Weibo weren't sympathetic to the seller, however. 。

Netizens on Weibo weren't sympathetic to the seller, however.。

"Why didn't you personally deliver the pot?" asked one.
。

"I'm speechless. You sent such a priceless thing by express delivery? This isn't Taobao," said another. 。

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Some blamed the courier service.。

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"How do you manage to smash something made of bronze? It isn't porcelain!"。

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"Couriers break everything I buy online," said one. 。Featured Video For You。Get better, stress-free sleep with this weighted blanket。