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USPS postal thefts, probably inside the Jersey City Distribution Center

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  • lermishlermish Posts: 3,215 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @crazyhounddog said:
    I’m sorry to read this. I haven’t read all reply’s here but let me offer you this.
    I’ve lost packages with silver and gold at the Sacramento sort facility. A friend of mine told my to wrap any silver or gold in aluminum foil. Since I’ve been doing this I haven’t lost anything. Thieves at the postal service use little metal detectors to find silver and gold in packages. If it’s not so difficult they will open the package and steal the contents. It’s a different world we live in now, unfortunately.

    Just as a friendly counterpoint, I have at least one but usually multiple packages go through the Sacramento sort facility every single week and I've never lost a single package, coming or going. Knock on wood. I remember in the 80s when things got lost all the time, there was no tracking, and shipping sometimes took weeks for a letter. It's a different world we live in now, fortunately.

  • jakebluejakeblue Posts: 260 ✭✭✭

    If I buy something worth some $$ from the US Mint, insurance should be offered. Signature helps, but It should be insurable when shipping USPS in case it is stolen or lost. Lack of faith must be the answer.

    "The 2nd Protects the 1st"
  • SaorAlbaSaorAlba Posts: 7,572 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @dcarr said:

    Maybe. Also the packages had older vintage stamps on them.

    When I got my package from you about 1.5 weeks ago I noticed the vintage stamps and thought they can kind of stand out. I am guilty of using old stamps myself - but wonder if it draws unnecessary attention to the parcel?

    Tir nam beann, nan gleann, s'nan gaisgeach ~ Saorstat Albanaich a nis!
  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 35,076 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @OAKSTAR said:

    @lermish said:

    @OAKSTAR said:
    The USPS needs to be broken up and sold to the highest private carrier bidder.... Problem solved! Any questions?

    As always, I have questions.

    How does having a private carrier solve any of these issues?

    Are UPS/FedEx/DHL/OnTrac/etc any more reliable, or just more expensive?

    Does theft and incompetence stop once a giant corporation cuts costs to the bones and jacks up rates to increase profit?

    What happens to the cost of postage for anyone living even a little bit away from a distribution center, particularly in small rural communities?

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @OAKSTAR said:
    The USPS needs to be broken up and sold to the highest private carrier bidder.... Problem solved! Any questions?

    Given the amount of theft at FedEx and UPS, you haven't solved any problem.

    No private carrier would ever bid on the USPS mission. None. Ever.

    @NJCoin said:

    @OAKSTAR said:
    The USPS needs to be broken up and sold to the highest private carrier bidder.... Problem solved! Any questions?

    Yup! What do you do with all the rural routes no one wants? Tell those folks too bad, you won't be getting mail any longer unless you are willing to go to the nearest FedEx or UPS location to fetch it?

    Oh, and now it's going to be costing you $10 to send a letter, because postage rates are now set by the highest PRIVATE carrier bidder? Sounds great. Why didn't anyone else ever think of it? 😀

    The private guys have already skimmed off a lot of the service that can be performed at a profit and at a reasonable price. They didn't need to bid for the USPS franchise to do that.

    The USPS' problem, aside from problem employees that any large organization has to deal with, is legacy benefits that will have to be paid by the government regardless, and unprofitable service mandates that Congress, and its constituents, will never give up.

    Good luck getting any private enterprise to have any interest in taking that on. For free, let alone the "highest bidder."

    You guys crack me up! Nothing is 100%. It's an imperfect world out there.

    The United States Post Office only lost $6.5 billion dollars last year. That's billion with a B! Gone $$ out the door with zero accountability!!! Government inefficiency at it's finest! Are you going to tell me nothing can be done or improved?? I don't wanta hear what you can't do, (those people should be fired on the spot!) tell me what you can do! If you're not apart of the solution, you're apart of the problem! Stby gentlemen, more to follow.

    Most postal routes are not profitable. You already have two private post offices, UPS and FedEx, neither of which can deliver a letter for anywhere close to what USPS is required to do. The proof is there. There is NOTHING that prevents FedEx, UPS or Amazon from competing with USPS. They don't. Why? Because they compete in the profitable package shipping and stay away from the unprofitable parts like first class, media, etc.

    You want a solution to which problem? If it's the post office deficit, it's simple: let USPS charge what it costs to deliver. Sorry, Hawaii, your effed because it's going to cost $5 to send a birthday card to the mainland.

    NO company can do it in the US or anywhere else in the world.

    You throw out challenges. Show me ANY post office, public or private, anywhere in the world that delivers first class mail for less than 73 cents. I'll save you the trouble. There isn't one. We have the LOWEST rates in the world. It costs 1 euro in Luxembourg, a country that's a about 2.5 times the size of New York City.

  • OAKSTAROAKSTAR Posts: 7,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 16, 2025 3:08PM

    It's not my job to correct the problems @jmlanzaf. It's my job to point them out, just like the point of this thread... I'm the costumer.

    Maybe that's part of the problem. It's the only game in town. That's called a.......

    Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )

  • JBKJBK Posts: 15,801 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @pursuitofliberty said:

    @OAKSTAR said:

    @lermish said:

    @OAKSTAR said:

    @lermish said:

    @OAKSTAR said:
    The USPS needs to be broken up and sold to the highest private carrier bidder.... Problem solved! Any questions?

    As always, I have questions.

    How does having a private carrier solve any of these issues?

    Are UPS/FedEx/DHL/OnTrac/etc any more reliable, or just more expensive?

    Does theft and incompetence stop once a giant corporation cuts costs to the bones and jacks up rates to increase profit?

    What happens to the cost of postage for anyone living even a little bit away from a distribution center, particularly in small rural communities?

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @OAKSTAR said:
    The USPS needs to be broken up and sold to the highest private carrier bidder.... Problem solved! Any questions?

    Given the amount of theft at FedEx and UPS, you haven't solved any problem.

    No private carrier would ever bid on the USPS mission. None. Ever.

    @NJCoin said:

    @OAKSTAR said:
    The USPS needs to be broken up and sold to the highest private carrier bidder.... Problem solved! Any questions?

    Yup! What do you do with all the rural routes no one wants? Tell those folks too bad, you won't be getting mail any longer unless you are willing to go to the nearest FedEx or UPS location to fetch it?

    Oh, and now it's going to be costing you $10 to send a letter, because postage rates are now set by the highest PRIVATE carrier bidder? Sounds great. Why didn't anyone else ever think of it? 😀

    The private guys have already skimmed off a lot of the service that can be performed at a profit and at a reasonable price. They didn't need to bid for the USPS franchise to do that.

    The USPS' problem, aside from problem employees that any large organization has to deal with, is legacy benefits that will have to be paid by the government regardless, and unprofitable service mandates that Congress, and its constituents, will never give up.

    Good luck getting any private enterprise to have any interest in taking that on. For free, let alone the "highest bidder."

    You guys crack me up! Nothing is 100%. It's an imperfect world out there.

    The United States Post Office only lost $6.5 billion dollars last year. That's billion with a B! Gone $$ out the door with zero accountability!!! Government inefficiency at it's finest! Are you going to tell me nothing can be done or improved?? I don't wanta hear what you can't do, (those people should be fired on the spot!) tell me what you can do! If you're not apart of the solution, you're apart of the problem! Stby gentlemen, more to follow.

    The USPS did not lose any money last year and has never lost money. It's not a for profit business, it's a service that we as a society have agreed to fund. It always has been. That may change but for now that's how it is.

    How much money did the US military lose last year? Or, if you prefer something more local, how much money did various police departments lose last year? The answer is also none because they are also services, not businesses.

    It's not about making a profit. It's about getting your money's worth for the services provided.

    .
    As others have said, careful what you wish for. Dropping a letter in the mail, and having it show up any listed address, anywhere in the US for .73 is about the best value going. And Ground Advantage with built-in or added on insurance for small value merchandise can't really be be beat either.

    Not just delivered in the US - also to any US Territory, and any US service-member serving anywhere in the world.

  • lermishlermish Posts: 3,215 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @OAKSTAR said:
    It's not my job to correct the problems @jmlanzaf. It's my job to point them out, just like the point of this thread... I'm the costumer.

    Maybe that's part of the problem. It's the only game in town. That's called a.......

    It's not though. What about FedEx, UPS, DHL, OnTrac, XPO, etc etc.

    I would make a Don Quixote reference here but it would be wasted.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 35,076 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 16, 2025 3:49PM

    @OAKSTAR said:
    It's not my job to correct the problems @jmlanzaf. It's my job to point them out, just like the point of this thread... I'm the costumer.

    Maybe that's part of the problem. It's the only game in town. That's called a.......

    That's a funny little twist. You posted before that we should tell you what can be done but, if we told you what can't be done, we were part of the problem. Now when I ask you a similar question, you respond that "it's not my job to correct the problem". I assume that makes you part of the problem

    You guys crack me up! Nothing is 100%. It's an imperfect world out there.

    The United States Post Office only lost $6.5 billion dollars last year. That's billion with a B! Gone $$ out the door with zero accountability!!! Government inefficiency at it's finest! Are you going to tell me nothing can be done or improved?? I don't wanta hear what you can't do, (those people should be fired on the spot!) tell me what you can do! If you're not apart of the solution, you're apart of the problem! Stby gentlemen, more to follow.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 35,076 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @horseyride said:

    @jmlanzaf said:

    The United States Post Office only lost $6.5 billion dollars last year.

    That's called a government service. That's why we pay taxes. By that rationale, how much did the FDA "lose" ensuring drug safety, the department of highways "lose" building and paving roads, or the DEA "lose" chasing drug traffickers

    Technically, the Post Office is independent.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 35,076 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @lermish said:

    @OAKSTAR said:
    It's not my job to correct the problems @jmlanzaf. It's my job to point them out, just like the point of this thread... I'm the costumer.

    Maybe that's part of the problem. It's the only game in town. That's called a.......

    It's not though. What about FedEx, UPS, DHL, OnTrac, XPO, etc etc.

    I would make a Don Quixote reference here but it would be wasted.

    First class is a protected monopoly... though also unprofitable.

  • OAKSTAROAKSTAR Posts: 7,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    .

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @OAKSTAR said:
    It's not my job to correct the problems @jmlanzaf. It's my job to point them out, just like the point of this thread... I'm the costumer.

    Maybe that's part of the problem. It's the only game in town. That's called a.......

    I assume that makes you part of the problem

    Yes, my tax dollars pay for it. That makes me a part of the problem. 😤 😉

    Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 35,076 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 16, 2025 4:31PM

    @OAKSTAR said:
    .

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @OAKSTAR said:
    It's not my job to correct the problems @jmlanzaf. It's my job to point them out, just like the point of this thread... I'm the costumer.

    Maybe that's part of the problem. It's the only game in town. That's called a.......

    I assume that makes you part of the problem

    Yes, my tax dollars pay for it. That makes me a part of the problem. 😤 😉

    Actually, they generally do not. You do know that USPS is an independent department. Before you go on a rant, you might want to research the people you are ranting against. USPS is heavily regulated but does not receive taxpayer funding to operate, not since NINETEEN SEVENTY!!!

    They did receive some Covid funding but they are self-funded normally.

  • OAKSTAROAKSTAR Posts: 7,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )

  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,444 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @OAKSTAR said:
    Just off topic for a second. Hey @TwoSides2aCoin - Have you ever found one?

    Yes. On eBay. But not in the wild. And I bought one from Tom DeLorey ( the discoverer) still in the blister pack via this site. PCGS graded both. MS 67 and MS 68.

  • M4MadnessM4Madness Posts: 396 ✭✭✭✭

    @pursuitofliberty said:
    I spent 6 yrs active and about 14 mos of that overseas in a very remote post (Diego Garcia, for those that know).

    I'm familiar with Diego Garcia, as it's on my wish list of places to contact on ham radio. I've been fortunate to talk to guys stationed on Ascension Island, the Marshall Islands, Guantanamo Bay, and most recently Wake Island to name a few. But, sadly, I'm pretty sure that Diego Garcia doesn't currently have anyone licensed to hit the airwaves.

    Thank you for your service, @pursuitofliberty

  • OAKSTAROAKSTAR Posts: 7,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @TwoSides2aCoin said:

    @OAKSTAR said:
    Just off topic for a second. Hey @TwoSides2aCoin - Have you ever found one?

    Yes. On eBay. But not in the wild. And I bought one from Tom DeLorey ( the discoverer) still in the blister pack via this site. PCGS graded both. MS 67 and MS 68.

    Nice! I was thinking you pulled a few from those cereal boxes. Congrats on the 67 and 68! Thanks for the feedback.

    Back to regular programing..

    Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )

  • originalisbestoriginalisbest Posts: 5,955 ✭✭✭✭
    edited January 16, 2025 6:34PM

    @crazyhounddog said:
    I’m sorry to read this. I haven’t read all reply’s here but let me offer you this.
    I’ve lost packages with silver and gold at the Sacramento sort facility. A friend of mine told my to wrap any silver or gold in aluminum foil. Since I’ve been doing this I haven’t lost anything. Thieves at the postal service use little metal detectors to find silver and gold in packages. If it’s not so difficult they will open the package and steal the contents. It’s a different world we live in now, unfortunately.

    In general I've found this to be a good idea, as well as a box-in-box technique. Anything that can make it very difficult to remove the contents subtly or if in a hurry. Aside from using tape carefully, Dan, but not overdoing it -- sadly, using vintage stamps for postage should go away -- just causes too much attention.

    I would imagine some dealers, and some return addresses, are just too well-known among those who have in mind what to look for in terms of an inviting target. You might consider getting a generic P.O. Box for the return address, and forego the clever or slick branding of any kind on your mailings. Stinks, but do what you have to do.

    Hopefully not going overboard with this notion, and again, not trying to clue thieves into yet another thing to look for, but I believe the post office doesn't mind the reuse of generic Amazon boxes (again, inside these would be another secure, foiled, well-taped box.) Or perhaps a generic sturdy box once used to send a small set of glass fruit jars. Etc.

    Don't know that I'd go overboard with a kid's writing on the outside with "happy birthday daddy" and the like, but hey, maybe it helps. I do know, that I shake my head at some eBay sellers who've recently used ebay-branded tape to seal things up, emblazoned with the happy message "it's HERE!" Geez, why not put a "steal me" sign on as well while at it?

    To me, the ideal package just attracts no special attention, and at least in part to support that, I think people need to be careful with their own name/address (if you're somewhat known as a dealer.) Aside from the very obvious don't put "rare coins, fragile/inside!" etc. Good luck to all!

  • 1madman1madman Posts: 1,515 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I actually feel putting the swath of low denomination postage stamps on the packages deters the risk of theft, rather than increasing it. Nobody at the post office wants to count or deal with a small box with like 87 six cent stamps on it. They just cancel the stamps and toss it on the truck.

    Show me a small box loaded up with insurance and a postage sticker cost of $60, and that is a bit more ripe for Mr mailman to perform his infamous performance of David Copperfield’s disappearing trick.

  • originalisbestoriginalisbest Posts: 5,955 ✭✭✭✭

    @1madman said:
    I actually feel putting the swath of low denomination postage stamps on the packages deters the risk of theft, rather than increasing it. Nobody at the post office wants to count or deal with a small box with like 87 six cent stamps on it. They just cancel the stamps and toss it on the truck.

    Show me a small box loaded up with insurance and a postage sticker cost of $60, and that is a bit more ripe for Mr mailman to perform his infamous performance of David Copperfield’s disappearing trick.

    These days they often don't bother canceling the stamps, but will drag a sharpie through them. But agree, if at all possible not to display the postage paid, that's best. As for what turns up or shows as far as postage when scanning a package in, not sure there's any way around that. Perhaps postal workers here and those with past experience could advise.

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,356 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @PerryHall said:
    Have any of you lost or had stolen a package sent by Registered Mail? With the signature chain of custody, I'd think it would be easy to find the culprit.

    I haven't seen any responses to my question so I assume no one here has lost a registered package so this may be the way to go for very expensive coins. Even though it takes longer to get to its destination, it's the safest way to mail a very expensive coin.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • DCWDCW Posts: 7,460 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @PerryHall said:

    @PerryHall said:
    Have any of you lost or had stolen a package sent by Registered Mail? With the signature chain of custody, I'd think it would be easy to find the culprit.

    I haven't seen any responses to my question so I assume no one here has lost a registered package so this may be the way to go for very expensive coins. Even though it takes longer to get to its destination, it's the safest way to mail a very expensive coin.

    It is indeed ALWAYS the way to go for very expensive coins. The Hope Diamond was delivered safely to the Smithsonian via registered mail. Our widgets will be safe, too.

    Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
    "Coin collecting for outcasts..."

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,356 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @DCW said:

    @PerryHall said:

    @PerryHall said:
    Have any of you lost or had stolen a package sent by Registered Mail? With the signature chain of custody, I'd think it would be easy to find the culprit.

    I haven't seen any responses to my question so I assume no one here has lost a registered package so this may be the way to go for very expensive coins. Even though it takes longer to get to its destination, it's the safest way to mail a very expensive coin.

    It is indeed ALWAYS the way to go for very expensive coins. The Hope Diamond was delivered safely to the Smithsonian via registered mail. Our widgets will be safe, too.

    A few years ago, when I was mailing a coin, the postal clerk explained that above a certain dollar amount, registered mail is actually cheaper than regular insured mail. He saved me a little over twenty dollars.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 35,076 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 17, 2025 4:40AM

    @PerryHall said:

    @PerryHall said:
    Have any of you lost or had stolen a package sent by Registered Mail? With the signature chain of custody, I'd think it would be easy to find the culprit.

    I haven't seen any responses to my question so I assume no one here has lost a registered package so this may be the way to go for very expensive coins. Even though it takes longer to get to its destination, it's the safest way to mail a very expensive coin.

    I have never lost a registered package. Of course, I've had very few packages of any type lost.

    The post office used to claim that no registered mail packages get lost. At the very least, it's quite rare.

    Per your other post, it is chair above about $1500 because the insurance rate is much lower because it is so much safer. It's just slower because of the way it travels.

    Unless you have private insurance, you have to ship anything above $5000 that way if you want to insure the full value. I typically ship everything above $2500 registered. Under $2500, I tend to use priority because it is quicker, even though more expensive and less safe.

  • 4Redisin4Redisin Posts: 119 ✭✭

    @PerryHall said:
    I wonder if postal theft is as great of a problem in Arab countries with Sharia Law as it is here? ;)

    That might cut losses significantly. Thankfully, we don't cut hands off in the U.S.A.

  • WillieBoyd2WillieBoyd2 Posts: 5,183 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I once received a box labeled "Brasher Doubloon".

    Of course it was a video tape of an old movie.

    :)

    https://www.brianrxm.com
    The Mysterious Egyptian Magic Coin
    Coins in Movies
    Coins on Television

  • 7Jaguars7Jaguars Posts: 7,554 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @OAKSTAR said:
    The USPS needs to be broken up and sold to the highest private carrier bidder.... Problem solved! Any questions?

    Well DT managed the first steps in that by putting a CLOWN in charge of the PO soy may get YOUR wish. BTW, have you really dealt with FedEx or DHL internationally? Makes the USPS look like Angels of Honesty.

    Love that Milled British (1830-1960)
    Well, just Love coins, period.
  • cheezhedcheezhed Posts: 5,878 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @OAKSTAR said:
    It's not my job to correct the problems @jmlanzaf.

    Also @OAKSTAR: "I don't wanta hear what you can't do, (those people should be fired on the spot!)"

    Many happy BST transactions
  • jakebluejakeblue Posts: 260 ✭✭✭

    @7Jaguars said:

    @OAKSTAR said:
    The USPS needs to be broken up and sold to the highest private carrier bidder.... Problem solved! Any questions?

    Well DT managed the first steps in that by putting a CLOWN in charge of the PO soy may get YOUR wish. BTW, have you really dealt with FedEx or DHL internationally? Makes the USPS look like Angels of Honesty.

    Over 77 million American voices were heard and in just over 70 hours, it will become a reality.

    Learn...to...deal...with...it.

    "The 2nd Protects the 1st"
  • 7Jaguars7Jaguars Posts: 7,554 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jakeblue said:

    @7Jaguars said:

    @OAKSTAR said:
    The USPS needs to be broken up and sold to the highest private carrier bidder.... Problem solved! Any questions?

    Well DT managed the first steps in that by putting a CLOWN in charge of the PO soy may get YOUR wish. BTW, have you really dealt with FedEx or DHL internationally? Makes the USPS look like Angels of Honesty.

    Over 77 million American voices were heard and in just over 70 hours, it will become a reality.

    Learn...to...deal...with...it.

    No joke. I like that "deal with it" bit as that is his arrogant way, may hubris have its way!!!!

    Meanwhile, USPS hopefully will survive as an option.

    Love that Milled British (1830-1960)
    Well, just Love coins, period.
This discussion has been closed.