Oops...don't invoke the Nazi's or risk Goodwin's law.
Funny thing about registered mail is that the declared value can run to the $millions...and the service fee will increase proportionally, but the postal service's liability is limited to $50k.
I think the extra cost covers the double-secret handling protection.
Lance.
@ACop said:
It has been awhile since I've sent a registered mail item but I was sending a coin today and the lady asked me what the value was. I told her I rather not say as I was not buying insurance. She insisted that I MUST give a value. I asked why and she said that many people make the mistake of asking for registered when they really want priority. I assured her I wasnt making that mistake. She handed me the slip to fill out and sure enough it had a mandatory declared value box. So I gave in and put an accurate number in. But I dont like it.
If the goal is to secure the item, broadcasting the value even to a USPS employee seems illogical. Ive only lost 1 package in my life and it was stolen by an employee.
She also told me I was breaking the rules by using clear tape to secure the envelope at the seams. But I figured this was more of her deciding she didnt like me for raising questions about the value.
@kbbpll said:
I didn't read each and every response here, but enough to get the gist of it. You're using a service. This service has rules. Instead of just following the rules, you have to resist and question everything. I'm getting old and cranky, but this stuff is like an epidemic these days. Isn't it much easier to just tell them the value and go on about your day?
Ill sum it for you. I was wrong to assume I couldn't just put 0 and opt for no insurance. Which means, you are also wrong.
Did admitting the value cost you a bazillion dollars extra or something? Your OP simply gives the impression that you didn't like having to tell somebody what they are required to ask you. I guess I must have missed what the big deal is.
From the OP.
"If the goal is to secure the item, broadcasting the value even to a USPS employee seems illogical. Ive only lost 1 package in my life and it was stolen by an employee."
It seems odd to expect a USPS employee not to realize that someone is shipping via RM because the item has value. At that point the cat is out of the bag so whether you tell them $1500 or $15K seems irrelevant as long as they don't broadcast it.
Anyone who has been on these boards for more than a day can realize that a lot of coin collectors are paranoid about others knowing that they collect coins. Some warranted, some probly not. OMG, the mailman put a U.S. Mint mailer in my mailbox and now the whole neighborhood is gonna rob me.
There is no option for declaring a value of $0 to avoid paying for insurance, except for items which actually have no value. Coins would certainly seem to not belong in the "no value" category but clearly, not everybody believes it is necessary to follow this particular USPS policy when shipping registered mail packages. Be that as it may, spreading misinformation (in my opinion) is not helpful, especially when there is a possibility that following such could expose the unsuspecting to a risk of significant loss.
Here is the actual USPS policy regarding declaration of value, copied directly from the DMM:
2.2.1 Declaring Full Value
The mailer must always declare the item’s full value (see chart below) to the USPS (by stating it to the USPS clerk or entering it on the firm sheet if a firm mailer) when presenting it for registration and mailing. Private insurance carried on Registered Mail does not modify the requirements for declaring the full value. The accepting USPS employee may ask the mailer to show that the full value of the matter presented is declared, and may refuse to accept the matter as Registered Mail if a satisfactory declaration of value is not provided. Only articles of no value may be mailed as Registered Mail without insurance.
@MasonG said:
There is no option for declaring a value of $0 to avoid paying for insurance, except for items which actually have no value. Coins would certainly seem to not belong in the "no value" category but clearly, not everybody believes it is necessary to follow this particular USPS policy when shipping registered mail packages. Be that as it may, spreading misinformation (in my opinion) is not helpful, especially when there is a possibility that following such could expose the unsuspecting to a risk of significant loss.
Here is the actual USPS policy regarding declaration of value, copied directly from the DMM:
2.2.1 Declaring Full Value
The mailer must always declare the item’s full value (see chart below) to the USPS (by stating it to the USPS clerk or entering it on the firm sheet if a firm mailer) when presenting it for registration and mailing. Private insurance carried on Registered Mail does not modify the requirements for declaring the full value. The accepting USPS employee may ask the mailer to show that the full value of the matter presented is declared, and may refuse to accept the matter as Registered Mail if a satisfactory declaration of value is not provided. Only articles of no value may be mailed as Registered Mail without insurance.
They don't ask about contents except for certain categories like hazardous and if I've declared $0.00 value, I've never been asked to explain why nor has the package ever been refused; so it's all good.
@kbbpll said:
I didn't read each and every response here, but enough to get the gist of it. You're using a service. This service has rules. Instead of just following the rules, you have to resist and question everything. I'm getting old and cranky, but this stuff is like an epidemic these days. Isn't it much easier to just tell them the value and go on about your day?
Ill sum it for you. I was wrong to assume I couldn't just put 0 and opt for no insurance. Which means, you are also wrong.
Did admitting the value cost you a bazillion dollars extra or something? Your OP simply gives the impression that you didn't like having to tell somebody what they are required to ask you. I guess I must have missed what the big deal is.
And the nazis were required to ask for papers.
Don't forget to keep the enema tube away from your nose on the way back out
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - Geo. Orwell
They don't ask about contents except for certain categories like hazardous and if I've declared $0.00 value, I've never been asked to explain why nor has the package ever been refused; so it's all good.
To be fair, I don't think anybody has ever claimed that USPS clerks are aware of or enforce every policy. From personal experience, I can tell you the people who handle claims are far more familiar with those policies, and they don't cut you any slack if they're not followed. FWIW...
Wow, just wow wut? They made changes to RM several years ago, but smoe folks aren't up to speed on it. Every time it comes up there is always a rehash of the same ol, same ol.
They don't ask about contents except for certain categories like hazardous and if I've declared $0.00 value, I've never been asked to explain why nor has the package ever been refused; so it's all good.
To be fair, I don't think anybody has ever claimed that USPS clerks are aware of or enforce every policy. From personal experience, I can tell you the people who handle claims are far more familiar with those policies, and they don't cut you any slack if they're not followed. FWIW...
True, but if I declared $0.00 value I wouldn't be filing a claim anyway. If it was a copy of an irreplaceable document declared as $0.00 value, I'd still want them to find it in the event of a loss.
@BAJJERFAN said:
True, but if I declared $0.00 value I wouldn't be filing a claim anyway.
Maybe not you, but I've been told by a postmaster that it's been tried.
@BAJJERFAN said:
If it was a copy of an irreplaceable document declared as $0.00 value, I'd still want them to find it in the event of a loss.
Well, sure. But which would you think they'll look harder for- a lost item where they're on the hook for a multi-thousand dollar claim, or a loss that costs them nothing? JMO, of course.
Credit Cards
The Postal ServiceTM accepts the following credit cards for the purchase of most Postal Service products and services:
■■ Visa
■■ American Express®
■■ Diners Club
■■ MasterCard
■■ Discover/Novus
■■ JCB
All credit cards must be signed.
Credit cards are not accepted for:
■■ Purchase of Money Orders
■■ Periodical Postage
■■ COD Funds
■■ Trust Fund Deposits
■■ Postage Meter Setting Debit Cards
■■ Bulk Mailings
■■ Permit Imprint Deposits
■■ Money-By-Wire
■■ Purchase of Pre-Canceled Stamps
■■ Employee Debt Reconciliation
Debit Cards
Most debit cards and electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards are accepted for all Postal Service products and services. Signatures are not required on debit cards used with a personal identification number (PIN).
Checks
Checks are accepted as payment for Postal Service products and services if the:
■■ Check has the customer’s name and address printed by the check manufacturer,
■■ Customer presents a valid, signed photo identification (ID) at the time of payment, and
■■ Check is made payable to the “U.S. Postal Service.”
Checks must not exceed the amount of purchase.
Traveler’s Checks and American Express® gift checks are accepted when at least 50 percent of the face value is used for Postal Service purchases.
Checks are not accepted for purchase of Postal Service money orders and Sure Money® (money-by-wire).
Returned Checks
The local Post OfficeTM cannot accept any replacement checks or settle any returned checks. Please note that:
■■ A fee of $30 will be assessed for all returned checks.
■■ Checks that are returned as non-sufficient funds (NSF) may be submitted to a collection agency without notice to the customer.
■■ Checks that are returned as NSF may be re-presented to the bank via automated clearing house (ACH) debit.
i have shipped about 12,000 packages in the past 20 years and I was never asked by a postal employee what the declared value of the package was. maybe she was new?
@GRANDAM said:
What was the outcome of all the bullion that was lost by USPS a year or so back that contained alot of rare silver bars and gold bullion? As I recall there were two packages and not fully insured?
It was a big topic for a long time but I never heard the outcome?
Pretty sure it was justacommeman. The USPS won't insure bullion unless it's sent RM. maybe he will update.
The price we are charged for registered mail is (partly) based on the declared value...that's why they need to know.It shows on the receipt that insurance, up to $50K, is included (which in itself can be misleading) but that is based on the declared value (and thus, how much it cost).So,essentially,you are buying insurance for the declared value.Here's a registered receipt I used a few days ago.
Collector of numeral seals.That's the 1928 and 1928A series of FRNs with a number rather than a letter in the district seal. Owner/operator of Bottom Line Currency
Again, the additional fee you are charged for shipping a package valued in excess of $50k has nothing to do with insurance. Insurance is capped at $50k.
Lance.
@coinpalice said:
i have shipped about 12,000 packages in the past 20 years and I was never asked by a postal employee what the declared value of the package was. maybe she was new?
12,000 registered packages? And you had failed to fill in the box on the form yourself.?
That's been Registered Mail policy for many years.
actually, no, maybe 20, the rest were regular usps mail. I never bothered to read the heading, and they did ask for a value on those 20 registered packages, I was expecting them to ask me
@coinpalice said:
actually, no, maybe 20, the rest were regular usps mail. I never bothered to read the heading, and they did ask for a value on those 20 registered packages, I was expecting them to ask me
Looks like the illuminati got to another one of my allys
@derryb said:
The tape issue: Clerk is correct. You have to use a paper tape to cover all seams. The postal stamp applied over this tape to >indicate future tampering will not adhere to plastic tape.
Buy a roll of "water tape" at Staples.
It's fun to use.
My packages now look like masterpieces.
I smile with pride when I place them on the counter for inspection.
I just read half of the first page of the thread, so forgive me if others have already said all of this. The point of registered mail is safe and insured delivery, so essentially you have to buy insurance. You can always lie and tell her a smaller amount than what it is, but if it is lost, that's all you would recover. You also have to provide proof of value if lost, like a sales receipt. You would receive the actual sales amount, or insured amount, whichever is less. Again, you have to give a value (it's how registered is, deal with it), but you can lie and tell them a smaller value. You also have to use the brown tape, because they stamp all the seems, and that doesn't work on clear tape.
I nearly always insure for $50 regardless of how much more the value truly is. The odds of a Reggie getting lost/stolen are so low I am comfortable with the risk level. Has saved me a bundle over the decades.
@BAJJERFAN said:
BTW, did she re-tape it with the proper tape?
Jeez I hope not! There is nothing more maddening than waiting in line for some ignorant or rule breaker clerk to spend 5 minutes repackaging someones mail. I file a formal complaint when I see that crap. And yes, I AM a grumpy old man.
Comments
Oops...don't invoke the Nazi's or risk Goodwin's law.
Funny thing about registered mail is that the declared value can run to the $millions...and the service fee will increase proportionally, but the postal service's liability is limited to $50k.
I think the extra cost covers the double-secret handling protection.
Lance.
BTW, did she re-tape it with the proper tape?
From the OP.
"If the goal is to secure the item, broadcasting the value even to a USPS employee seems illogical. Ive only lost 1 package in my life and it was stolen by an employee."
It seems odd to expect a USPS employee not to realize that someone is shipping via RM because the item has value. At that point the cat is out of the bag so whether you tell them $1500 or $15K seems irrelevant as long as they don't broadcast it.
Anyone who has been on these boards for more than a day can realize that a lot of coin collectors are paranoid about others knowing that they collect coins. Some warranted, some probly not. OMG, the mailman put a U.S. Mint mailer in my mailbox and now the whole neighborhood is gonna rob me.
There is no option for declaring a value of $0 to avoid paying for insurance, except for items which actually have no value. Coins would certainly seem to not belong in the "no value" category but clearly, not everybody believes it is necessary to follow this particular USPS policy when shipping registered mail packages. Be that as it may, spreading misinformation (in my opinion) is not helpful, especially when there is a possibility that following such could expose the unsuspecting to a risk of significant loss.
Here is the actual USPS policy regarding declaration of value, copied directly from the DMM:
2.2.1 Declaring Full Value
The mailer must always declare the item’s full value (see chart below) to the USPS (by stating it to the USPS clerk or entering it on the firm sheet if a firm mailer) when presenting it for registration and mailing. Private insurance carried on Registered Mail does not modify the requirements for declaring the full value. The accepting USPS employee may ask the mailer to show that the full value of the matter presented is declared, and may refuse to accept the matter as Registered Mail if a satisfactory declaration of value is not provided. Only articles of no value may be mailed as Registered Mail without insurance.
They don't ask about contents except for certain categories like hazardous and if I've declared $0.00 value, I've never been asked to explain why nor has the package ever been refused; so it's all good.
Don't forget to keep the enema tube away from your nose on the way back out
To be fair, I don't think anybody has ever claimed that USPS clerks are aware of or enforce every policy. From personal experience, I can tell you the people who handle claims are far more familiar with those policies, and they don't cut you any slack if they're not followed. FWIW...
Wow ,just wow!
Wow, just wow wut? They made changes to RM several years ago, but smoe folks aren't up to speed on it. Every time it comes up there is always a rehash of the same ol, same ol.
True, but if I declared $0.00 value I wouldn't be filing a claim anyway. If it was a copy of an irreplaceable document declared as $0.00 value, I'd still want them to find it in the event of a loss.
Maybe not you, but I've been told by a postmaster that it's been tried.
Well, sure. But which would you think they'll look harder for- a lost item where they're on the hook for a multi-thousand dollar claim, or a loss that costs them nothing? JMO, of course.
USPS
Payment Acceptance Policies
Credit Cards
The Postal ServiceTM accepts the following credit cards for the purchase of most Postal Service products and services:
■■ Visa
■■ American Express®
■■ Diners Club
■■ MasterCard
■■ Discover/Novus
■■ JCB
All credit cards must be signed.
Credit cards are not accepted for:
■■ Purchase of Money Orders
■■ Periodical Postage
■■ COD Funds
■■ Trust Fund Deposits
■■ Postage Meter Setting Debit Cards
■■ Bulk Mailings
■■ Permit Imprint Deposits
■■ Money-By-Wire
■■ Purchase of Pre-Canceled Stamps
■■ Employee Debt Reconciliation
Debit Cards
Most debit cards and electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards are accepted for all Postal Service products and services. Signatures are not required on debit cards used with a personal identification number (PIN).
Checks
Checks are accepted as payment for Postal Service products and services if the:
■■ Check has the customer’s name and address printed by the check manufacturer,
■■ Customer presents a valid, signed photo identification (ID) at the time of payment, and
■■ Check is made payable to the “U.S. Postal Service.”
Checks must not exceed the amount of purchase.
Traveler’s Checks and American Express® gift checks are accepted when at least 50 percent of the face value is used for Postal Service purchases.
Checks are not accepted for purchase of Postal Service money orders and Sure Money® (money-by-wire).
Returned Checks
The local Post OfficeTM cannot accept any replacement checks or settle any returned checks. Please note that:
■■ A fee of $30 will be assessed for all returned checks.
■■ Checks that are returned as non-sufficient funds (NSF) may be submitted to a collection agency without notice to the customer.
■■ Checks that are returned as NSF may be re-presented to the bank via automated clearing house (ACH) debit.
i have shipped about 12,000 packages in the past 20 years and I was never asked by a postal employee what the declared value of the package was. maybe she was new?
Pretty sure it was justacommeman. The USPS won't insure bullion unless it's sent RM. maybe he will update.
The price we are charged for registered mail is (partly) based on the declared value...that's why they need to know.It shows on the receipt that insurance, up to $50K, is included (which in itself can be misleading) but that is based on the declared value (and thus, how much it cost).So,essentially,you are buying insurance for the declared value.Here's a registered receipt I used a few days ago.
Again, the additional fee you are charged for shipping a package valued in excess of $50k has nothing to do with insurance. Insurance is capped at $50k.
Lance.
https://u-pic.com/
This is another way to insure packages...
@Tomthemailcarrier Care to chime in?
12,000 registered packages? And you had failed to fill in the box on the form yourself.?
That's been Registered Mail policy for many years.
actually, no, maybe 20, the rest were regular usps mail. I never bothered to read the heading, and they did ask for a value on those 20 registered packages, I was expecting them to ask me
Looks like the illuminati got to another one of my allys
Buy a roll of "water tape" at Staples.
It's fun to use.
My packages now look like masterpieces.
I smile with pride when I place them on the counter for inspection.
My Saint Set
I just read half of the first page of the thread, so forgive me if others have already said all of this. The point of registered mail is safe and insured delivery, so essentially you have to buy insurance. You can always lie and tell her a smaller amount than what it is, but if it is lost, that's all you would recover. You also have to provide proof of value if lost, like a sales receipt. You would receive the actual sales amount, or insured amount, whichever is less. Again, you have to give a value (it's how registered is, deal with it), but you can lie and tell them a smaller value. You also have to use the brown tape, because they stamp all the seems, and that doesn't work on clear tape.
As always it's for their liability and bottom line first ....... then us as an after thought
being honest with ourself is a key though 
I nearly always insure for $50 regardless of how much more the value truly is. The odds of a Reggie getting lost/stolen are so low I am comfortable with the risk level. Has saved me a bundle over the decades.
Jeez I hope not! There is nothing more maddening than waiting in line for some ignorant or rule breaker clerk to spend 5 minutes repackaging someones mail. I file a formal complaint when I see that crap. And yes, I AM a grumpy old man.
Is this horse still kickin'?
ZeroHedge makes debut at White House press corps briefing