Shipping coins to auction house ?
1630Boston
Posts: 13,917 ✭✭✭✭✭
I think Registered Mail would be the safest.
My questions are:
- Would it be appropriate to use the PCGS plastic boxes?
If you had more than one "box of 20", would you ship each box as a separate package or all boxes in one package?
thanks for any comments
boston
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
0
Comments
I strongly recommend registered-insured mail, as it's the safest shipping method.
Whatever box you start out with - and PCGS boxes are fine - it's much better to use double boxing for added security.
More than one "box of 20" in the same package should be OK, as long as you stay under the $50,000 limit per package.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Thanks @MFeld , I appreciate your info.
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
Ask the auction house for their recommendations - after all they send and receive 100s or 1000s of packages a month.
ANA 50 year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
A representative from one auction house gave his recommendations and I’m confident that they’re sound.😉
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
I wonder if that representative has suggestions for how a shipper can reduce their shipping rates
I don't receive anywhere near the volume the big companies do, but handling consignments from small collectors to major dealers, I see all levels of packaging, from really good to drives me nuts. An individual firm may respond differently, but a few dos/don'ts if you aren't a big shipper:
-Don't wrap every slab in bubble wrap and seal it with packing tape. If you aren't using a PCGS box or the like, rubber band a stack and then wrap that in padding. Some scotch tape works fine to keep it all together.
-Don't let your coins rattle. Use bubble wrap, those cushions Amazon sends you, newspaper... make sure the box is totally full and nothing can move around.
-If using a PCGS box, rubber band or tape it closed
-If you have a small amount of material and a big box, put your material in a ziploc bag
-If anything in your box could be mistaken for scrap padding material, write very obviously on the outside that there are items inside.
Does he actually work in shipping?
Due to security considerations, I can’t answer that. But I will say that he gets around, and quickly.😉
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
I’m so glad that he’s here. He’s so helpful and knowledgeable. He is such an asset to the forum, to HA and to the Coin community, in general. 😉
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Last shipment I sent was in a 3 inch heavy cardboard tube. Less apt to attract attention by thieves who know what PCGS boxes are shaped like and the type envelopes most use to ship coins. I'm sure some thieves even know at a glance which items are insured.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Thank you for your very nice comments!
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Have not done it in a while, but when it was a substantial consignment, the company hadl picked up the coins. Can also transport them yourself to a major show they are attending or to their HQ. A Southwest ticket to Dallas, for instance, can be less than shipping. Just have the coins in your carryon.
And remember you can always require TSA to screen you in private. Just politely approach the smurf and ask. If they push back politely ask for a lead (2 stripes) or supervisor (3 strips).
ANA 50 year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
I recently shipped 30K in gold to JM Bullion. They emailed me a FedEx insured shipping label, which saved a little over insured registered mail costs. Bottom line, most companies will provide detailed instructions on what they prefer.
Dave
I took the "box in a box" advice to the extreme when I consigned my Morgan CC collection to Heritage. I figured the contribution of a$25 Guardhouse aluminum unit was good insurance when shipping a nearly $100K consignment. At the end of the day, I received the @MFeld seal of approval:
Tim
Registered mail is typically the safest and the slowest method for "retail" USPS shipping.
You can only insure up to $25k per package, so if the value is higher than that, you'll definitely want to use 2 packages.
At DLRC we're happy to provide faster, fully insured shipping labels for established customers, which makes the process a bit easier, faster, and safer.
President of David Lawrence Rare Coins www.davidlawrence.com
email: John@davidlawrence.com
2022 ANA Dealer of the Year, Past Chair of NCBA (formerly ICTA), PNG Treasurer, Instructor at Witter Coin University, former Instructor/YN Chaperone ANA Summer Seminar, Coin World Most Influential, Curator of the D.L. Hansen Collection
Some auction houses will pay for shipping on their dollar. I would reach out to the auction house.
John, the registered mail value limit was raised to $50,000 per-package years ago. That said, Heritage has been known to provide fully insured shipping labels, as well.😉
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Most auction companies have their own insurance to cover coin shipments of a certain value. Each of those have their specific instructions e.g. registered, non-registered, etc.).
I once sold a collection through Goldberg and they picked up the items in person.