Just a comment to those who ship coins in boxes plastered with old stamps.....

ms70

Please stop doing it.

I had to hunt down a REGISTERED package. Yes REGISTERED. The package was from one of those sellers who completely cover the outside of the box with old low value postage stamps, and then pay the balance for the USPS label & services.

Tracking said it was out for delivery. Carrier shows up and says no, no box and the other carrier might have it. We have two carriers for our neighborhood. I hunt him down and he doesn't have it. I go to the post office, speak with the supervisor and show him the tracking indicating it arrived there and was out for delivery. He goes in the back for about 15 minutes, comes back and says it's not there so it's on one of the trucks.

Don't forget, we're talking about a REGISTERED package. That pricey but very special magical USPS service where everyone who looks at the package and their entire family is supposed to sign to indicate responsibility for it....... I hunt down both carriers again, both check, neither has it. I called the post office supervisor to tell him this and he tells me without explanation it's at the post office. I go to get it and it's sitting on a shelf behind the cashier.

I think plastering the box with stamps is a flag that indicates it's coming from a coin/stamp shipper and it's a bad practice.

JBK

A frustrating story but I don't see any connection between the stamps and your package. At my P.O. the registered packages are often sitting on top of the safe in the back of the room, and they are stuck back inside at night.

Discount postage to me is a sign that the sender is a cheapo (I use them myself on occasion, usually for letters).

neildrobertson

I think you make a point that's worth discussing. I don't understand what your story has to do with that discussion though. Do you suspect someone was trying to steal it because it had lots of stamps?

BillJones

With the price of First Class postage up to 55 cents, we will be seeing regular old envelopes covered with stamps too. If you use 3 cent stamps, that’s 18 stamps plus a 1 cent stamp! I wonder of there will be room for address and return address?

ricko

Stamps do not expire... If not cancelled, they can be used. Why would you not use them? I do not think the amount of stamps indicates coins in the package.... it indicates someone using old, viable stamps to save money. Cheers, RickO

MasonG

@JBK said:
Discount postage to me is a sign that the sender is a cheapo (I use them myself on occasion, usually for letters).

I use discount postage. Not because I'm a cheapo- I'm perfectly fine with paying as much for shipping as the buyer would like to spend to get his coins to him if he doesn't want to pick them up in person. That amount, however, typically averages around $0.00.

JBK

Maybe "thrifty" is a better word.

jmlanzaf

@JBK said:
A frustrating story but I don't see any connection between the stamps and your package. At my P.O. the registered packages are often sitting on top of the safe in the back of the room, and they are stuck back inside at night.

Discount postage to me is a sign that the sender is a cheapo (I use them myself on occasion, usually for letters).

I really don't understand this story. The package was not stolen, so apparently the would-be thieves missed the tell-tale sign of the stamps. There's nothing in this story that indicates that the stamps had anything to do with the P.O. temporarily misplacing the package.

And if I see a package covered in stamps, wouldn't my first assumption be that the shipper was a stamp dealer not a coin dealer?

MasonG

@JBK said:
Maybe "thrifty" is a better word.

Whatever word you use, it saved me around $400 last year. And I received a number of positive responses from buyers because of the old stamps on the envelopes.

MedalCollector

I think if you had just done nothing, it might have delivered to you the next day.

I like those packages (not always for shipments of coins) with all the stamps.

JBK

I would think that the lady thing a thief would want is a package containing rare stamps. Where in the world would they go to fence that? Coins might be somewhat more liquid but a thief would also need the services of an experienced coin person.

Maybe a Rolex or high end jewelry might be easier targets and I don't see any obvious connection between old stamps and that sort of stuff.

jmlanzaf

@JBK said:
I would think that the lady thing a thief would want is a package containing rare stamps. Where in the world would they go to fence that? Coins might be somewhat more liquid but a thief would also need the services of an experienced coin person.

Maybe a Rolex or high end jewelry might be easier targets and I don't see any obvious connection between old stamps and that sort of stuff.

Honestly, it's a registered package which requires full disclosure of value. I would think "registered" would indicate value more than sheets of 3 cent stamps.

I also don't think thieves are that discriminating. They don't have X-ray vision. So, if you are willing to steal, don't you just take any opportunity you have to grab a package? You aim for anything carrying insurance and if it turns out to be crap, you just throw it in the incinerator.

ms70

@neildrobertson said:
I think you make a point that's worth discussing. I don't understand what your story has to do with that discussion though. Do you suspect someone was trying to steal it because it had lots of stamps?

That is my point which is what makes me suspicious. It's the second time this happened. Different sellers, same post office.

ms70

@ricko said:
Stamps do not expire... If not cancelled, they can be used. Why would you not use them? I do not think the amount of stamps indicates coins in the package.... it indicates someone using old, viable stamps to save money. Cheers, RickO

It was a small priority box, sent priority registered. The only spots with no stamps was just enough area for the addresses and the USPS label which had the price on it, something like $18. Now that I think of it, the USPS label was probably placed over stamps. I should've taken a pic.

ms70

@GoldenEgg said:
I think if you had just done nothing, it might have delivered to you the next day.

I like those packages (not always for shipments of coins) with all the stamps.

The last time it happened it showed out for delivery for two days. I found out the carrier had it in his truck after denying he had it on day two. That's another long story where everyone denied having the package. That time, I'm certain he was going to steal it and was waiting to see how far it got pursued.

MasonG

@ms70 said:
That is my point which is what makes me suspicious. It's the second time this happened. Different sellers, same post office.

Sounds like it's not a general problem with the USPS, it's a specific problem at your post office.

Danno44

@ms70 said:

@GoldenEgg said:
I think if you had just done nothing, it might have delivered to you the next day.

I like those packages (not always for shipments of coins) with all the stamps.

The last time it happened it showed out for delivery for two days. I found out the carrier had it in his truck after denying he had it on day two. That's another long story where everyone denied having the package. That time, I'm certain he was going to steal it and was waiting to see how far it got pursued.

Maybe a PO Box?

ms70

@Danno44 said:

@ms70 said:

@GoldenEgg said:
I think if you had just done nothing, it might have delivered to you the next day.

I like those packages (not always for shipments of coins) with all the stamps.

The last time it happened it showed out for delivery for two days. I found out the carrier had it in his truck after denying he had it on day two. That's another long story where everyone denied having the package. That time, I'm certain he was going to steal it and was waiting to see how far it got pursued.

Maybe a PO Box?

For the rate that I buy and sell it would be a waste of money, especially at the new rates. I'm just a causal collector who sells the pieces I upgrad. I know I'm crazy but I simply expect people to do the job they've been paid to do.

JBK

@jmlanzaf said:

@JBK said:
I would think that the lady thing a thief would want is a package containing rare stamps. Where in the world would they go to fence that? Coins might be somewhat more liquid but a thief would also need the services of an experienced coin person.

Maybe a Rolex or high end jewelry might be easier targets and I don't see any obvious connection between old stamps and that sort of stuff.

Honestly, it's a registered package which requires full disclosure of value. I would think "registered" would indicate value more than sheets of 3 cent stamps.

I also don't think thieves are that discriminating. They don't have X-ray vision. So, if you are willing to steal, don't you just take any opportunity you have to grab a package? You aim for anything carrying insurance and if it turns out to be crap, you just throw it in the incinerator.

Yes, I basically agree. I don't see how old stamps would be a deciding factor.

JBK

@ms70 said:
That's another long story where everyone denied having the package. That time, I'm certain he was going to steal it and was waiting to see how far it got pursued.

Sounds like bigger issues than stamps.

CaptHenway

@ms70 said:

@GoldenEgg said:
I think if you had just done nothing, it might have delivered to you the next day.

I like those packages (not always for shipments of coins) with all the stamps.

The last time it happened it showed out for delivery for two days. I found out the carrier had it in his truck after denying he had it on day two. That's another long story where everyone denied having the package. That time, I'm certain he was going to steal it and was waiting to see how far it got pursued.

You make a very good point, and I think that there is a very good chance you are right.

MasonG

@ms70 said:
The last time it happened it showed out for delivery for two days. I found out the carrier had it in his truck after denying he had it on day two. That's another long story where everyone denied having the package. That time, I'm certain he was going to steal it and was waiting to see how far it got pursued.

I'm wondering what the carrier was expecting here, as he's on the hook for the "out for delivery" package. Did he think, if he never delivered it, that everybody would just forget about it?

Jimnight

I've never used stamps to mail a package. Not that, that means anything

edgar

I don't see the correlation, I have had cause to send about a dozen certified letters, return receipt requested, several just stopped tracking, some never made it, some were marked not delivered return to sender, and never made it back. 3 were receipt received. I Had to go to the post office in Alexandria VA and demand they process a PO box delivery. I have had items "out for delivery, then. delayed enroute, then track back to the point of origin. I have 4 items arrived at some distribution center in DC, sitting there since January 30th. I live in DC.

Sorry for the rant, I see the entire Maryland congressional delegation sent demand letters to DC postal officials instructing them to report late deliveries, wrong deliveries, and non deliveries, as well as "when the postal service will return to nornal".

People here have complained about very late check and medicine deliveries. People are paying a premium for guaranteed delivery or tracking. THE USPS HAS FAILED, EVEN BEYOND THE COVID CRISIS.
I have had the circumstances you described happen to me. How is "out for delivery", not "out for delivery. I don't think the Stamps are the problem, l expect my registered parcel from Colorado, will be an equal challenge.... we shall see tomorrow.

CoinHoarder

I save those envelopes. I love those old historical stamps!

morgandollar1878

Sounds like to me that the stamps have nothing to do with the delivery of the package, and the post office does not care how the package is paid for as long as it has the correct postage for the package being delivered.

cmerlo1

I know a few dealers who ship using old stamps. They buy them for well under face value, and get a shipping discount in the process.

BuffaloIronTail

Stamps are not the issue here. It's the lack of good, knowledgeable supervision, which the USPS lacks.

All your trouble could have been avoided if the Supervisor went to the accountable sign in register. All signature mail is signed for by the carrier responsible before going out for delivery.

All the supervisor had to do when questioned was to go to the accountable sheet and see who signed the registered mail out.

In my days as a Letter Carrier (36 years) I never had a problem with accountable mail. Very few (including management) today) seem to know what is going on.

Very sad.

Pete

messydesk

@ms70 said:

@neildrobertson said:
I think you make a point that's worth discussing. I don't understand what your story has to do with that discussion though. Do you suspect someone was trying to steal it because it had lots of stamps?

That is my point which is what makes me suspicious. It's the second time this happened. Different sellers, same post office.

"Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by incompetence." It seems more likely that someone at the PO doesn't know how to handle registered mail correctly, and that this has nothing to do with the stamps.

FredF

But hey, I saw in the news that the USPS was profitable last year even with COVID. Because for some reason we are under the impression that USPS being profitable is better than being reliable and affordable.

Anyway - every so often I buy some (relatively) inexpensive coins from Dave's Collectible Coins. I can order $10-$15 worth of coins, and they come in a cool envelope with old stamps on the outside and a couple butterscotch candies on the inside. Feels much more personal than getting a generic package. I get it, if you have something high-value / registered and it gums up the works in your local post office, it's super frustrating.

jesbroken

I used to have a seller I regularly bought IHC's from in France. He always would use 10 or more low amount stamps, even if on an envelope alone. A box might have 20 or more stamps. That has been a while ago, but never seemed to have an issue from the number of stamps alone.
Jim

crazyhounddog

That’s a horror story!
I’m glad it turned out for you in the end.

1984worldcoins

Sometimes, I get an envelope like this one:

sellitstore

Lots of stamps makes the package more noticeable and memorable. I think that makes it a less likely candidate for theft.

Many paper money collectors like the stamps as they are small examples of security printing, sometimes printed by the same firms and processes that print the bank notes that we collect. A few coin collectors like them, too, because they are collectors of many things. We all understand the collector mind, some of us just have more discipline than others.

vplite99

@ms70 said:

@GoldenEgg said:
I think if you had just done nothing, it might have delivered to you the next day.

I like those packages (not always for shipments of coins) with all the stamps.

The last time it happened it showed out for delivery for two days. I found out the carrier had it in his truck after denying he had it on day two. That's another long story where everyone denied having the package. That time, I'm certain he was going to steal it and was waiting to see how far it got pursued.

Hanlon's razor: "never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity"

MasonG

@sellitstore said:
Lots of stamps makes the package more noticeable and memorable. I think that makes it a less likely candidate for theft.

I'd think so. People would remember that one.

"Hey, everybody- that registered package with all the stamps disappeared. Anybody know anything about it? By the way, Johnson- wasn't that one on your truck?"

vplite99

I tried to save a buck by sticking $1.04 in old stamps on $30 postage (weighed & stickered at PO).

It came to the buyer with $1.04 postage due.