Post office

F117ASR

I was at the post office the other day shipping off some Peace nickels (they were already packaged and taped) and the guy at the cashier gives me a stern look and says "What's this?". Well I hesitated and then decided to be honest and said currency. He then throws the package back at me and says "you can't mail currency in the US" and only authorized dealers are allowed to ship. I replied with "why not? Ebay has been running for years now. Besides they are just collectables. " He goes on tell me how any postal employee could just take it (and at this point he puts my package in his pocket). After he pulls it out he then says that he could try to send it. I decided not to take a chance with him and insure the package.

I know it was stupid to tell him what it was in the first place, but I can't do anything about it. Today as I sent off another package (I was at another cashier in the post office) he comes over and says "that's not what I think it is?" and this time I said "no". I dont think he believed me though. I don't think it is right for postal employees to ask whats in a package. Does he have the right to know (in case its something bad)? Anyway the problem is that I need that post office. It's a campus one so it's close and I don't have a car here. I would like to keep selling but I don't want a hard time from him. Have you guys experienced similar situations?

airplanenut

Report him to the postmaster. You are not sending anything that is not allowed by the post office. All you need to say is collectables, or, if you were me, I'd start with, "Something I'm allowed to ship."

Frankly, he was going way too far, and was simply wrong that you can't ship coins.

Nice to know he is ready to steal packages, though

Jeremy

eyoung429

Uh oH!!!! I would watch sending anything via that post office. Looks like someones got a hard on for you, whether this person is honest or not, he now knows that you send coins via mail. I would avoid using them if he is starting to "pester" you.

TomB

They have a right to ask what is inside the package, and you have a right to simply state "merchandise". That is all you have to say. There are regulations, I believe, that apply to the mailing of currency, and what you were shipping was not currency, it was actually coinage.

F117ASR

Thanx. I will remember that when I find a safer place to ship. Problem is that was the closest place to me. He and his buddy are the only workers at that post office so I can't find a day where he is not working. If the package that I sent out is stolen I will definately be reporting him. It's too bad that those flat rate boxes are so expensive. Do they have a $4 one?

dldallen

A Postal Clerk has every right to ask what's in a package and to refuse a package that he/she does not think is properly packaged, i.e., they hear glass rattling together. They should be trained to accept and ship anything that is packaged properly and has a reasonable chance to arrive at its destination intact. Since 9/11, Postal Clerks are fighting to stay abreast of all the addtional requirements placed on them by Homeland Security and national agencies. Heck, I found out today that if I want to send a box of candy or a pack of chewing gum to my Mom for Christmas, I have to register the parcel and get pre-approval from the FDA before I send it from Brazil!

He was right in that you can't ship and insure cash (except via Registered Mail) but wrong in automatically assuming that your coins were currency. Collectibles are perfectly legitimate and mailable items, and insureable to their full market value (with you providing the proof). Perhaps his dry (or lack of) humor was warning you to be careful how you send things of value because not every postal worker in the process has the same morals or ethics.

I'm not a Postal Clerk but do run the Air Force Post Office here at our Embassy. Even among friends and co-workers, it is not easy sometimes being behind the counter. Even I have a better understanding now about "going postal"! Hang in there and either avoid this guy's shift at possible or make friends with him - give him a grading mistake or some extra collectibles one day. Could make life easier and your selling/shipping more pleasant. Dave

tmot99

If you send via registered mail, they have to sign for it. If it doesn't get to the next location, then one of the two had to take it. Is this an official US Post Office or is it a campus mail center?

ldhair

<< <i>They have a right to ask what is inside the package, and you have a right to simply state "merchandise". That is all you have to say. There are regulations, I believe, that apply to the mailing of currency, and what you were shipping was not currency, it was actually coinage. >>


This is all you need to say. Merchandise.

joeyuk

I would hesitate to say they can ask you what is in the package. I understand they can ask if it is explosive, flammable, chemical etc. but to have you identify it is another story.

F117ASR

Thanx dave that was very informative.



<< <i> Is this an official US Post Office or is it a campus mail center? >>



It is a campus post office. How much is registered mail?

F117ASR

<< <i>This is all you need to say. Merchandise >>



Actually that was the first thing I said, however, his response was what kind of merchandise. I left that out originally because it wasn't that important. I just hate the fact that I have to pay the post office extra money (insurance) to not steal my package.

Cameonut

We just got one of those automatic package mailing machines in our small town local post office. Works pretty good once you get the hang of the touch screens. You can even insure your package for up to $200 without having to talk to an impolite counter person.

Fortunately for me, our counter people are friendly and most helpful. Sounds like you got one of the bad apples.

F117ASR

<< <i> We just got one of those automatic package mailing machines in our small town local post office. >>



That is really cool. I wish we had one of those. When I am not on campus (summer and winter) I am in LA and we don't have one at our post office. You would think a big city would have one first.

Anyway should I just buy a bunch of stamps and put it on my package (assuming I know how much I need?

Ryana

<< <i>I would hesitate to say they can ask you what is in the package. I understand they can ask if it is explosive, flammable, chemical etc. but to have you identify it is another story. >>



If you send it registered, they ask for insurance purposes - you can say "documents, money, collectibles, precious metals", etc. You don't have to be precise. With any other kind of mail, I don't think they can force you to reveal what is in it but they can ask you about things that are hazardous to ship.

The tiny post office that is within an easy walking distance of me has an employee with a real attitude problem as well. He never fails to have a frown on his face and be generally unhelpful and condescending if you so much as ask a question, let alone break a postal regulation. Needless to say, whenever I have to go inside the post office I drive to the much larger one.

tmot99

If this is not an official US Post Office, you will have little or no recourse. I am not sure what you mean by campus post office. If it is not run by the USPS (US Government), you may have problems.

From the USPS website, registered without insurance is $7.50. Certainly not worth it for $1.50 in coins, but if sending in a few coins to PCGS, it would be to me.

F117ASR

<< <i>I am not sure what you mean by campus post office. >>



It's pretty much a mini-post office in my university. It is an official post office but they can' t do everything a real post office could do.

dldallen

<< <i>Do they have a $4 one? >>



Priority Mail box (video tape size) under 16 ounces costs $3.85. The box is free; if your small PO does not have them, you can order them for delivery to your home at usps.com. If you have a way to ensure you can keep your packages under 16 ounces, you could buy $3.85 stamps and place them in the PO drop box. Over 16 ounces has to be delivered to the counter. Dave

nankraut

Whenever I mail a package these days, I approach the clerk with a big smile, state that my package does not contain : liquid, perishable, flammable, fragile, prohibited items, state how I want it sent, tell him (her) I do not want delivery confirmation, and I don't need any stamps. They always smile back and take good care of me. (probably because I'm old and feeble, rather than my manners, tho')

bosox

I mailed a registered package to PCGS the other day and declared the value at $10,000. The postal clerk really, really wanted to ask what was in the package, but since he knows I go there frequently he restrained himself.

P.S. PCGS signed for the package a couple of days later.

itsnotjustme

For the $3.85 box, if you buy/print the postage online, delivery confirmation is free. No need to go into a PO as long as it is light enough (I forget the limit)

relayer

All they are required to ask is "Does the package contain anything liquid, fragile or potentially hazardous?"

Beyond that, it's none of their business.

Murphy

Tell him the money is going to orphaned children or some charity. Maybe he won't bother you again, but if he does, report him to the police!