Fed Ex vs USPS on shipping coins
coinandcurrency242
Posts: 1,962 ✭✭✭✭
Good afternoon all,
I have seen post about how the USPS has gotten slower since October 1st, and I believe their rates went up too. This brings me to my question. Some auction houses allow you to choose the method to have your coins shipped. If given the option, would you go with USPS or Fed Ex? In addition, feel free to post thoughts on how slow priority mail will be now. I was noticing with the coins I have sold before Octobers 1st, they were getting across the country in 2-3 days with first class delivered. I wonder if I just was getting lucky with fast service. I have not sold anything since October 1st so nothing to compare how much slower it has became.
The reason I ask is I have my eye on a coin that I have set my bid on, and I think I have a really good chance of winning. I will not say what right now 
Positive BST as a seller: Namvet69, Lordmarcovan, Bigjpst, Soldi, mustanggt, CoinHoader, moursund, SufinxHi, al410, JWP
Comments
I just got through receiving several packages. The best packaged did this,
1). USPS small flat rate 2-3 day.
2). Wrapped tight inside a baggie and taped to the inside of the box. Rattle proof.
3). Did Click and Ship from their office and required adult signature.
4). Added their private shipping insurance so as not to identify value of package for any scoundrels in the chain of custody.
If you ever come across the combo deal like the UPS Main innovation tie-up with USPS, RUN......
Had a very terrible experience last year with an eBay seller using that to send me stuff in end of July, which never showed up for three and a half months till first week of November.
The seller was kind enough to issue me a refund and I shopped elsewhere, but when the package eventually arrived, sent them a message and they raise a new invoice which I paid to end up with duplicates.
Edited for typos
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/quarters/PCGS-2020-quarter-quest/album/247091
I would use USPS if you are not in a rush to get it. USPS is cheaper.
USPS
🎶 shout shout, let it all out 🎶
I agree yes usps has issues at times, but I wouldn't ship UPS for any reason! I've had coins stolen, packages damaged on porpose, and only 1 agent at UPS had the guts to say yes we have had issues with that driver before and he does have paper written on him.....the rest protected a thief! And thats exactly what they did!
One thing everyone needs to take into consideration is the CV-19 effects on everything!
Yes the usps has had some issues, most of those have come from their leardership from the top.
I have never had any issues with Fedex. When I was still working I used both Fedex and USPS for my business needs. Ive never had an issue.
As I was in the perishable food business so a lot of over nights to get product to my customers.
"That's why I wander and follow La Vie Dansante"
Anecdotal, but I received a First Class USPS package cross-country today that was shipped on Monday, and I’m in one of the areas that was expected to see higher transit times (FL). On the other hand, I shipped a First Class package out of Miami on Monday heading to IA and it hasn’t tracked since 5am Tuesday morning. I did select the FedEx 2-day that GC offers recently as I wanted the coins sooner.
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
Experience with FedEx for larger items has been very poor of late. Can't speak to smaller items but I suspect they're having problems finding help. Several times promised deliveries were delayed for "operational problems".
I had two packages shipped to me via FedEx. Both, very expensive items, wound up in places other than mine. With FedEx it's trust your luck.
PCGS sent USPS priority Calif to me in rural NY: mailed Monday, arrived Wednesday.
Of course, they are privately insured.
My packages to PCGS Registered Insured took 13 days. But, I don’t have private insurance, so had little choice, because insuring Priority with USPS is really, really, really expensive.
Also, if you send ‘registered’, your receipt will say priority and have a priority delivery estimate of 1-3 days. Ignore it….won’t happen and is not realistic.
So, if you’re not responsible for the insurance, USPS is fine as is FE.
Buying and Selling coins for 54 years, 700+ shows in last 20 years, and boy am I tired.
Purchased and Trademarked the Mohawk Valley Hoard
Originated the Rochester (NY) Area Coin Expo
FedEx won't insure coins beyond $1000 or $1500. So you'll either need to self insure, reinsurance or do without.
I once shipped two 2x2 ' boxes from Maryland to Perth Australia vis Fedex from the mid Atlantic to west coast of Australia in 10 days! Yes it was costly I believe around $100. For both boxes .
I listed a nice radar and Gps fish finder. Both the size to fit perfectly in a 2x2'foot box. The funny thing was I listed the units for US purchase only! As the gps had a map card from the Maritime Canada to Panama. And of course the card was worth as much if not more than the 2 units!
"That's why I wander and follow La Vie Dansante"
Are you sure that they really insure rare coins, even up to that appeoximate amount?
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
It seems like some replies are answering questions not asked. The OP is not asking which carrier would you choose to ship a coin. He’s asking when an auction house (like GC), gives YOU a choice of how they ship a coin to you, which would you choose - FedEx or USPS? As such, insurance is not an issue, as I’m sure auction houses arrange for full insurance when shipping coins to the high bidders.
For me, I always choose to have GC mail coins to me via FedEx 2-Day, for only $14 plus 50 cents per coin. This is $1 less than their charge for USPS Priority Mail, and the FedEx shipment gets to me quicker.
Steve
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
Definitely precious metals and "antiques". I had a package of silver eagles that was $10,000+ They told me the limits. I had to get a reinsure policy which was fairly affordable all things considered.
My preference is USPS. And I have a PO box as well as street delivery. I don't see that a day or two extra in transit makes a difference one way or another, security is more important. UPS/FedEx deliveries to the next street over are not uncommon in my neighborhood.
I absolutely loathe UPS and FEDEX. More often than not my packages end at the wrong place. I have to beg shippers to use USPS and when they won't, intervene and pay a service fee to have the package re-routed to a depot/store rather than trust the end delivery drivers.
usps is much closer compared to ups or fedex, yes usps has issues sometimes, but not very often
I use USPS and alway use a PO Box.