Is the USPO getting rougher on our packages?

sonoranmonsoon

I have sent and received thousands of baseball cards and coin packages over the last ten years. Never had a problem until recently. Over the last 6 weeks I have sent a PSA graded card, a PCGS graded coin; and received a PCGS coin, all with badly damaged holders. All items were shipped with protective bubble wrap around the item and placed in a bubble envelope for additional protection. I have decided to now ship in small boxes instead of envelopes. I hope the solves the problem. Of course my shipping costs will go up even more. Have any of you been experiencing the same problem lately?

My latest addition to my collection, isn't it beautiful!



PS: Shhh...don't tell anyone I secretly collect modern crap!

OPA

Unless you apply the First Class "Package" Postal rate to your bubble mailers, they will go through the "First class Letter" Mail sorting & scanning machines. These machines a "murder" on anything thicker than 1/4" I've never had a problem with my bubble mailers, but I do pay the "Package" rate

Millertime

The last coin I received from an eBay auction (MS65 state quarter) came in the mail with the slab busted in half. This was the seller's fault because he shipped it in a regular envelope with the lightweight corrugated cardboard sticking pouch as the the only protection so the package probably went through the auto sorter. I haven't decided if I want to leave a negative yet.

Millertime

sonoranmonsoon

That is interesting. The coin I received was 1st class mail, not sure if it was package rate. The 2 items I sent were small flat rate priority mail envelopes. I put the bubble envelope inside of them.

Russ

Since the post office changed not only the rates but also the processing procedures, it seems that there has been an increase in problems. Most notably, delivery has been slower than in the past.

Russ, NCNE

ebaytrader

<< <i>Since the post office changed not only the rates but also the processing procedures, it seems that there has been an increase in problems. Most notably, delivery has been slower than in the past.

Russ, NCNE >>




The extra money was for storage.

pf70collector

I have been shipping P and D FDI's in bubble wrap envelope and also a very thick piece of cardboard taped on both sides of the slabs. No complaints so far. Just been lucky I guess.

Goober

Lately I've been doubling up on the bubble mailers or using a heavier duty mailer because the USPS hasn't been meeting my expectations. I also don't trust their satelite locations. I make the extra effort to drive the extra mileage to their main office. Things tend to disappear at the satelite loc's.

Geoman

I just received a PCGS slab I won on eBay and the coin was in a regular envelope, with one paper towel folded around it. Unreal, it provided no protection at all. And I was surprised that the slab wasn't cracked or broken. What does that seller think - one paper towel folded around the slab will protect it? Geez!

pf70collector

Tha't s what that the new star rating is for. They have one for shipping.

droopyd

<< <i>Most notably, delivery has been slower than in the past. >>



Everything seems to avaerage a day or so longer than it did a few months ago.

ilikebuffaloes

I try to ship everything in a box and use lots of bubble wrap or other packing material. I recycle peanuts, air bubbles and any other packing material I can unless it is nasty.

Unfortunately it is getting tough to sell lower priced items (under $50) because of the cost of shipping and I prefer to use Priority Mail (with free boxes and tape).

Has anyone tried to sell a pair (or more) of similar coins in order to make the shipping price of say $5 reasonable?

Edited to add: That was a nice grade for a Sac. Is the coin OK or damaged?

Russ

<< <i>Has anyone tried to sell a pair (or more) of similar coins in order to make the shipping price of say $5 reasonable? >>



I frequently combine lower value stuff in to a single auction. For example, back in March I bought a sizable collection that, of course, had a lot of junk in it. So I grouped stuff together to make shipping more palatable.

Russ, NCNE

tahoe98

<< <i>I have sent and received thousands of baseball cards and coin packages over the last ten years. Never had a problem until recently. Over the last 6 weeks I have sent a PSA graded card, a PCGS graded coin; and received a PCGS coin, all with badly damaged holders. All items were shipped with protective bubble wrap around the item and placed in a bubble envelope for additional protection. I have decided to now ship in small boxes instead of envelopes. I hope the solves the problem. Of course my shipping costs will go up even more. Have any of you been experiencing the same problem lately?

My latest addition to my collection, isn't it beautiful!



PS: Shhh...don't tell anyone I secretly collect modern crap! >>




that's why you have a damaged slab,the po x-rayed your package and saw it was modern crap!

09sVDB

Only happen to me once. I was the seller and the slab was burst to smitherines! It was about a year ago.