Home U.S. Coin Forum

Looking for a quick response-- did I just mess up the mailing of a Registered Mail package?

I need to send a package full of rarities to a certain organization located in New Jersey. I just packed the box and will head out to the post office in about 10 minutes. I will be sending it by Registered Mail.

On the outiside of the box, I sealed it with clear, plastic, packing tape. As you have read in other threads by me, I don't have the best luck with the post office. Do you foresee any issues with the tape that I used on the outside of the package?
Always took candy from strangers
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)

Comments

  • a039a039 Posts: 1,546
    Have to have brown Kraft tape for registered, sorry! Open the package make another box and leave untaped, go to PO and they will let you use theirs.
  • blu62vetteblu62vette Posts: 11,943 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yep need Kraft tape, hit office depot on the way......
    http://www.bluccphotos.com" target="new">BluCC Photos Shows for onsite imaging: Nov Baltimore, FUN, Long Beach http://www.facebook.com/bluccphotos" target="new">BluCC on Facebook
  • holeinone1972holeinone1972 Posts: 5,368 ✭✭✭
    Your screwed.

    They will probably just incinerate your package.

    LOL

    image
  • LongacreLongacre Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭
    OK. I will assume the Kraft tape is the right answer. I didn't spend a lot of time looking at the USPS website, but for future reference, is there some information there that says you have to use this tape? I am sure it is probably buried somewhere, but I just can't seem to find it. image
    Always took candy from strangers
    Didn't wanna get me no trade
    Never want to be like papa
    Working for the boss every night and day
    --"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
  • BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 31,227 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Just tape over it.
    theknowitalltroll;
  • notwilightnotwilight Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭


    << <i>OK. I will assume the Kraft tape is the right answer. I didn't spend a lot of time looking at the USPS website, but for future reference, is there some information there that says you have to use this tape? I am sure it is probably buried somewhere, but I just can't seem to find it. image >>



    I spent quite a bit of time looking for guidelines for registered mail online one night and couldn't find them. I have posted before that I think registered mail is an anachronism from back when every package was hand processed. I've mailed dozens of registered mail packages over the past few months and gotten lots of tips from various postal service employees. They don't like ANY clear tape showing. The paper tape you buy at staples or office depot is water activated and a bit of a mess. i found some 3M paper tape that is pre-glued and they don't always like that but will accept it.

    All seams must be taped with the paper tape.

    The address must be written directly on the package--no labels.

    Fill out the form before you go up to the counter makes them happy.

    Remember, the paper tape is for tamper evident marking with an postmark stamp.

    Good luck,
    Jerry
  • Here you go Longacre:

    2.4.6 Sealing
    The mailer must securely seal envelopes. Paper or cellulose strips or wax or paper seals must not be placed over the intersections of flaps of letter-size envelopes where the postmark impressions are made. Packages must be sealed with mucilage or glue or with plain paper or cloth tape. Packages containing currency or securities may not be sealed exclusively by paper strips, but must first be sealed securely with mucilage or glue. Large envelopes (flats) that are completely sealed and that also have paper strips or paper tape across the intersections of the flaps may be considered packages for sealing requirements. To be used on Registered Mail, tape must visibly damage the envelope or wrapper if removed and must absorb the ink in a postmark impression.


    Here's the LINK
  • mrpotatoheaddmrpotatoheadd Posts: 7,576 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Have to have brown Kraft tape for registered, sorry! Open the package make another box and leave untaped, go to PO and they will let you use theirs. >>

    Be aware that not all post offices will supply you with tape- some require you to purchase your own.
  • I had a postal employee tell me that I couldn't send a large bubble mailer Registered. She was a real PITA. Same person that told me she couldn't scan in a package for me; she just dropped it in a box on the floor behind her. Question: if you print a label at home and purchase insurance, what happens if it never gets scanned and is not found in their system? What happens if you put it in a mailbox and the guy puts it in his pocket when he empties it? How do you collect on your insurance? I've always wondered this! Anyways, I put Kraft tape all over the bubble mailer just like I do boxes, and she wouldn't take it. I took it over to my regular PO and they took it as usual. Don't know what the rule is but I think as long as you use the Kraft tape you're GTG.

    Randy
  • 19Lyds19Lyds Posts: 26,492 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>The address must be written directly on the package--no labels. >>



    I use paper labels all the time and have never had a problem. I think the key here is that the USPS must stamp every seal with a circular red date stamp and the ink will smear on some clear tapes causing the stamp to be illegible.

    I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.



    The name is LEE!
  • Not all Staple's and/or Office Depot stores carry single rolls of kraft tape. Hope you have one near you in case you P.O. won't donate to a needy cause.


    image
  • mrpotatoheaddmrpotatoheadd Posts: 7,576 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Anyways, I put Kraft tape all over the bubble mailer just like I do boxes, and she wouldn't take it. I took it over to my regular PO and they took it as usual. Don't know what the rule is but I think as long as you use the Kraft tape you're GTG. >>

    Nope.

    2.2.4 Ineligible Matter
    Registration may not be obtained for mail that is handled as follows:

    f. Presented for mailing in a padded envelope; envelope or mailer manufactured of spun-bonded olefin, such as Tyvek; plastic envelope or mailer; or envelope or mailer made of glossy-coated paper.


    From here...
  • 19Lyds19Lyds Posts: 26,492 ✭✭✭✭
    Mrpotatoehead, that makes sense unless the bubble mailer was completely covered in paper tape. I think his clerk was just being a nit picky pain in the rear.

    The key here is so that the sealing stamp shows up and will not smear when handled. Some inks do not dry on certain plastics or plastisized papers.
    I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.



    The name is LEE!
  • mrpotatoheaddmrpotatoheadd Posts: 7,576 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Mrpotatoehead, that makes sense unless the bubble mailer was completely covered in paper tape. I think his clerk was just being a nit picky pain in the rear. >>

    I don't know- the regulation I posted prohibits bubble mailers outright and doesn't provide for an exclusion if they're completely covered with paper tape. Of course, the implementation of the rule will end up being determined by each individual post office.

    The clerk may have been a pain in the rear, but then again, clerks do have bosses. And sometimes, those bosses insist on their employees following procedures as the bosses interpret them, so I don't think it's quite fair to judge the clerk's actions without knowing more about what was actually going on. But then, that's just me...
  • LongacreLongacre Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭
    Shhhhhh... don't tell Pharmer, because he chewed me out after my last episode at the post office. I just got back. They rejected the package, but were nice enough to give me a box, a roll of Kraft tape, a sponge, and scissors. I simply went to the back of the post office and put my package in the new box and sealed it with the tape. I already had the forms filled out, and as a courtesy to the others, I got back at the end of the line and waited my turn again.

    The only bump in the road was when I got back to the counter and a different postal worker told me I did a lousy job with the tape because I didn't wet the edges enough. She had to put about 50 of those red stamps all over the package, and I said something like, "wow, that's a lot of stamps." I think she got offended because she said, rather shortly, "that's what you're paying for." image

    PS. Thanks for the links to the regulations.
    Always took candy from strangers
    Didn't wanna get me no trade
    Never want to be like papa
    Working for the boss every night and day
    --"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
  • MillertimeMillertime Posts: 2,048 ✭✭


    << <i>Just tape over it. >>




    Last time I did that I had to COMPLETELY cover every bit of clear tape with the paper tape. By the time I was done there were 6 small rectangles in the middle of each side without the paper tape. The postal lady must have stamped that box a hundred times with the little round stamper.

    Millertime
  • ebaytraderebaytrader Posts: 3,312 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I had a postal employee tell me that I couldn't send a large bubble mailer Registered. She was a real PITA. Same person that told me she couldn't scan in a package for me; she just dropped it in a box on the floor behind her. Question: if you print a label at home and purchase insurance, what happens if it never gets scanned and is not found in their system? What happens if you put it in a mailbox and the guy puts it in his pocket when he empties it? How do you collect on your insurance? I've always wondered this! Anyways, I put Kraft tape all over the bubble mailer just like I do boxes, and she wouldn't take it. I took it over to my regular PO and they took it as usual. Don't know what the rule is but I think as long as you use the Kraft tape you're GTG.

    Randy >>




    You know, the funny thing is that bubble mailers are OK for international registered mail.




    << <i>hey rejected the package, but were nice enough to give me a box, a roll of Kraft tape, a sponge, and scissors. >>



    They use the exact same items for prisoner executions in Florida. Maybe they're trying to tell you sumptin'. image
  • fcfc Posts: 12,793 ✭✭✭
    lol. hook line and sinker.
    coin collectors need affirmation i suppose.
    DW needs a sticker to sell his over priced and over graded southern gold in ngc holders.
    Feld feels spited for being given the boot.
    ditto laura.
    Albanese just wants money and prestige.
    tdn? who in the heck knows what his goal is.

    and i am quite sure everything will get a sticker....
    edited to add: i cannot even use google to find their website. lol.
    i am making the assumption this is the new jersey org i think it is
    and this being longacre.. what else could it be?

    ahh, i found the website. i had to search a coin website. no changes.
  • ebaytraderebaytrader Posts: 3,312 ✭✭✭


    << <i>lol. hook line and sinker.
    coin collectors need affirmation i suppose.
    DW needs a sticker to sell his over priced and over graded southern gold in ngc holders.
    Feld feels spited for being given the boot.
    ditto laura.
    Albanese just wants money and prestige.
    tdn? who in the heck knows what his goal is.

    and i am quite sure everything will get a sticker.... >>





    Nice rant. image
  • LongacreLongacre Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭


    << <i>lol. hook line and sinker.
    coin collectors need affirmation i suppose.
    DW needs a sticker to sell his over priced and over graded southern gold in ngc holders.
    Feld feels spited for being given the boot.
    ditto laura.
    Albanese just wants money and prestige.
    tdn? who in the heck knows what his goal is.

    and i am quite sure everything will get a sticker....
    edited to add: i cannot even use google to find their website. lol.
    i am making the assumption this is the new jersey org i think it is
    and this being longacre.. what else could it be?

    ahh, i found the website. i had to search a coin website. no changes. >>




    For security purposes, I will neither confirm nor deny the delivery location of my package. image
    Always took candy from strangers
    Didn't wanna get me no trade
    Never want to be like papa
    Working for the boss every night and day
    --"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
  • Hey...Longacre...

    image


    I have no relationship to (un)said Organization in New Jersey...but I do live in New Jersey...

    Please make sure you've got my address right...I am looking forward to receiving this fine giveaway package you are so generously sending...

    image


    image


    image


    ...I am still disappointed that i did not get to meet you at the Coinfest...I mean, right in your veritable backyard...and you were a no-show...you should be ashamed...

    ...and there you could have had this "organization" look over your coins for free... image
    Re: Slabbed coins - There are some coins that LIVE within clear plastic and wear their labels with pride... while there are others that HIDE behind scratched plastic and are simply dragged along by a label. Then there are those coins that simply hang out, naked and free image
  • LongacreLongacre Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭


    << <i>
    ...I am still disappointed that i did not get to meet you at the Coinfest...I mean, right in your veritable backyard...and you were a no-show...you should be ashamed...

    ...and there you could have had this "organization" look over your coins for free... image >>




    I was disppointed, too. However, because I missed CoinFest, the unmentioned organization sent me a note and offered to review my rarities free of charge. It was a very generous offer on their part.
    Always took candy from strangers
    Didn't wanna get me no trade
    Never want to be like papa
    Working for the boss every night and day
    --"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
  • That was very nice of them... I'm sure your coins will be all "stuck up" when they get back from NJ...image
    Re: Slabbed coins - There are some coins that LIVE within clear plastic and wear their labels with pride... while there are others that HIDE behind scratched plastic and are simply dragged along by a label. Then there are those coins that simply hang out, naked and free image
  • "didn't wet the edges enough. She had to put about 50 of those red stamps all over the package, and I said something like, "wow, that's a lot of stamps."

    You just can't help doing this, can you. Remove the chip from your shoulder and back away from the counter.image

    If you think it through, everything they do is a result of very long term experience with this. Give them some credit. It doesn't matter if you don't understand. Resist the urge to stick it to the man, at least when you're at the PO.image
    Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

    Apropos of the coin posse/aka caca: "The longer he spoke of his honor, the tighter I held to my purse."

    image


  • << <i>

    << <i>lol. hook line and sinker.
    coin collectors need affirmation i suppose.
    DW needs a sticker to sell his over priced and over graded southern gold in ngc holders.
    Feld feels spited for being given the boot.
    ditto laura.
    Albanese just wants money and prestige.
    tdn? who in the heck knows what his goal is.

    and i am quite sure everything will get a sticker.... >>





    Nice rant. image >>



    I agree. It's classic.
    Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

    Apropos of the coin posse/aka caca: "The longer he spoke of his honor, the tighter I held to my purse."

    image
  • wayneherndonwayneherndon Posts: 2,357 ✭✭✭
    Here's a interesting story on postal clerks following procedures (in this particular case the requirement to show identification when picking up Registered Mail).

    We are probably the largest volumn user of our PO. We go there every day dropping off packages and it typically requires 3-4 trips to carry them all in from the car. The packages have postage affixed and are ready to go. So, we don't wait in line. Instead we take them to a window for business users that have packages ready to go. Then we check the box and get in line to pick up packages to us.

    Do to our volume there, we know all of the employees of the post office and they know all of our employees. What frequently happens is while we are carrying our packages in, one of the clerks will advice us that we have xx number of registered packages. Sometimes they're heavy and they're happy to get rid of them. When work our way to the window, they'll bring us the registered packages. Then, despite knowing us better than many of their own friends and family, they will insist on seeing ID before giving us the packages!

    WH


  • << <i>Here's a interesting story on postal clerks following procedures (in this particular case the requirement to show identification when picking up Registered Mail).

    We are probably the largest volumn user of our PO. We go there every day dropping off packages and it typically requires 3-4 trips to carry them all in from the car. The packages have postage affixed and are ready to go. So, we don't wait in line. Instead we take them to a window for business users that have packages ready to go. Then we check the box and get in line to pick up packages to us.

    Do to our volume there, we know all of the employees of the post office and they know all of our employees. What frequently happens is while we are carrying our packages in, one of the clerks will advice us that we have xx number of registered packages. Sometimes they're heavy and they're happy to get rid of them. When work our way to the window, they'll bring us the registered packages. Then, despite knowing us better than many of their own friends and family, they will insist on seeing ID before giving us the packages!

    WH >>




    I am also on a first-name friendly basis at my PO...and they still ask to see my ID...but only when there are other customers in line or at the other windows...

    ...one of the clerks explained that they ask me so that someone else doesn't complain when they are asked for their ID and want to know why I didn't need to show any...
    Re: Slabbed coins - There are some coins that LIVE within clear plastic and wear their labels with pride... while there are others that HIDE behind scratched plastic and are simply dragged along by a label. Then there are those coins that simply hang out, naked and free image
  • tahoe98tahoe98 Posts: 11,388 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Your screwed.

    They will probably just incinerate your package.

    LOL >>



    image
    "government is not reason, it is not eloquence-it is a force! like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master; never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." George Washington
  • RWBRWB Posts: 8,082
    Longacre is very fortunate that the postal lady did not draw a weapon of mass destruction, or at the least smack your knuckles with a ruler.
  • tahoe98tahoe98 Posts: 11,388 ✭✭✭
    " I think she got offended because she said, rather shortly, "that's what you're paying for." image


    boy we sure do know what we are paying for! lots of ARROGANCE!

    image
    "government is not reason, it is not eloquence-it is a force! like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master; never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." George Washington
  • tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,192 ✭✭✭✭✭
    tdn? who in the heck knows what his goal is.

    Interesting. I've publicly stated my goal - are you calling me a liar?
  • 57loaded57loaded Posts: 4,967 ✭✭✭
    because i like to chime in with redumdant replies....

    use reinforced gummed brown tape.

    cover the entire box not just opening and seams
    (if you dislike your postal clerk, really do a hodgepodge job so they need to put 75-100 marks over the package to cover all the tape seams)

    print directly on the package (do not use a separate label) so as not to have someone else tape another one directly over yours...(yes that would be an "inside job"

    do not put gummed tape over plastic tape as it can be removed, use a box that is somewhat porous(sp) so the tape really sticks.

    these can be sent priority w/o the one-three week delay via surplus jeep (no offense)

    when you get home pour a stiff one. PO's wig me out I dunno about you.



  • SwampboySwampboy Posts: 13,094 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hey, did you hear the one that starts....

    "How many numismatists does it take to mail a registered package?"





















    "Evidently all of them." image

    "Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Emoji
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file