FedEx package containing gold & silver goes missing...
jmski52
Posts: 23,046 ✭✭✭✭✭
Just a cautionary note for anyone shipping bullion in significant amounts:
I noted a different thread that Registered Mail sometimes takes forever, but I always ship Registered & Insured when shipping bullion over $600 or so. One small benefit is that Insurance costs less than Regular when shipped Registered Mail.
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Happens every single day. RGDS!
My research has shown that USPS registered is the only public method that will honor an insurance claim for bullion. Last I checked FedEx, UPS and any USPS method other than registered will not honor a bullion claim. Sure, they will let you buy the insurance on bullion, but honoring a claim on that bullion is a different story. Be sure you ask your shipper the important question. There is also private third party insurance, but not sure about their restrictions on bullion.
FWIW I have had bullion claims on registered mail honored in the past, however I am in the middle of a two month battle with USPS over a $3000 coin still in their possession that cannot be located. Last I was told was that it is on the way to their "processing center" where it will take up to two weeks to be returned. Mess started with an ebay sale where buyer info provided an incorrect street address. Tracking last says "undeliverable." Buyer has since been reimbursed by his CC company and the funds pulled back from me. USPS Claim has been denied, awaiting their letter with the details so that I can proceed.
Freedom is like inflation: you lose 2-3% every year. Slow enough that you don't even notice.
Registered doesn't always take forever.
Depends on the personnel at each USPS stop.
I've shipped registered to CA and to the east coast (CAC) and had it there in ~3 days-5days.
I've shipped to TX and had it sit for ~3 days in Houston.
The longest I think I've had it go end to end is probably 10-12 days, about 15 years ago and there were 1 or 2 stops it sat for way too long....someone was either out, or lazy, at those stops.
Registered sits either in a safe in the USPS location or a person has to sign it out and they are then responsible for it.
I will also say that not all personnel know everything about how to ship a registered package. I was "taught" by the local postmaster about 20 years ago when I wanted to ship. And the other long term employees there chimed in as well. Last couple of times, I had "new" employees (the ones I knew have retired) who contradicted themselves in trying to "correct" me. I told them "nope. It will be just fine and no one will complain". Took 3 days for that package to go through. Just make sure you use the right brown paper tape on all sides and don't use clear tape over it or anywhere really. You CAN get away with clear tape ONLY covering the address but some may complain about it.
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
Customers who view tracking of registered mail on the USPS website see an "expected delivery date" that is based only on the "ground advantage" (used to be first class) class. USPS tracking algorithm does not recognize the added delay created by the slow moving registered feature. I am often having to explain to ebay buyers that the registered feature adds days to the published estimated delivery date that is based strictly on the class (ground advantage) of mail and does not include the added feature of "registered."
Freedom is like inflation: you lose 2-3% every year. Slow enough that you don't even notice.