Small town PO has no record of my Registered package

rbf

Just my luck... I went to an out-of-town Post Office to send out a coin via Registered Mail on Feb. 5th. Today is the 16th, and the customer says he never I got it. I ran the tracking number online, and I get "There is no record of this item." Not a good sign.

The post office is literally out in the middle of nowhere, with one clerk working in the entire place. They are so behind the times, EVERYTHING is done by hand... not even a computer or a machine to print out the postage! I didn't even get the regular printed receipt that usually get... just a Registered Mail receipt (completely hand-written) with a postmark. At least that should be sufficient to file an insurance claim, if need be.

The bad news is, I'll be moving to this same small town with the rinky-dink Post Office sometime next month. If these jokers can't even get a simple Registered package right, how could I ever trust this PO with the high volume of coins I ship/receive on a regular basis? Hopefully I can find a more "advanced" PO in another town that's not too far out of the way, and get a PO Box there instead. Still, it's an inconvenience I shouldn't have to endure

tjkillian

Registered mail is often much slower than regular mail, so I would be extra patient for the delivery of your package.

tmot99

Are you sure it was lost THERE? Take it to whatever PO and have it tracked by them. They should be able to tell you the last time it was signed for, a lot more information than what's online.

bestday

<< <i>Just my luck... I went to an out-of-town Post Office to send out a coin via Registered Mail on Feb. 5th. Today is the 16th, and the customer says he never I got it. I ran the tracking number online, and I get "There is no record of this item." Not a good sign.

The post office is literally out in the middle of nowhere, with one clerk working in the entire place. They are so behind the times, EVERYTHING is done by hand... not even a computer or a machine to print out the postage! I didn't even get the regular printed receipt that usually get... just a Registered Mail receipt (completely hand-written) with a postmark. At least that should be sufficient to file an insurance claim, if need be.

The bad news is, I'll be moving to this same small town with the rinky-dink Post Office sometime next month. If these jokers can't even get a simple Registered package right, how could I ever trust this PO with the high volume of coins I ship/receive on a regular basis? Hopefully I can find a more "advanced" PO in another town that's not too far out of the way, and get a PO Box there instead. Still, it's an inconvenience I shouldn't have to endure >>



For what ever reason ,sometimes takes 2 weeks for Registered mail

Johnp

I hope you have protection with paypal on the coin, or something from the post office

zeebob

Registered mail is signed for and tracked. Sounds like Smallville PO didn't type in the correct tracking number or something. Turn up at the PO and explain the situation. If the single clerk is no help, then said clerk is likely a liar or a thief. Call the postal inspector.

My guess is there will be a signed log and the USPS will track the parcel down. Odds are the box will either turn up at the intended recipient or back at your return address.

OPA

<< <i>Just my luck... I went to an out-of-town Post Office to send out a coin via Registered Mail on Feb. 5th. Today is the 16th, and the customer says he never I got it. I ran the tracking number online, and I get "There is no record of this item." Not a good sign.

The post office is literally out in the middle of nowhere, with one clerk working in the entire place. They are so behind the times, EVERYTHING is done by hand... not even a computer or a machine to print out the postage! I didn't even get the regular printed receipt that usually get... just a Registered Mail receipt (completely hand-written) with a postmark. At least that should be sufficient to file an insurance claim, if need be.

The bad news is, I'll be moving to this same small town with the rinky-dink Post Office sometime next month. If these jokers can't even get a simple Registered package right, how could I ever trust this PO with the high volume of coins I ship/receive on a regular basis? Hopefully I can find a more "advanced" PO in another town that's not too far out of the way, and get a PO Box there instead. Still, it's an inconvenience I shouldn't have to endure >>



10 days for non receipt of registered mail is not unusual .... There is a reason why it is referred to as "snail mail." On the other hand, you have to wait 15 days for registered mail before you can file a claim. Registered Mail, since it has to be accounted for at every whistle stop, can be tracked down by the Post Office. And in your favor, Registered Mail seldom is lost, but just very slow.

2ndCharter

Only 11 days?!?! What's your hurry? Normally, when I send and/or receive Registered Mail, it takes about two weeks, sometimes longer!

(and I've never had a package disappear in over 30 years of using Registered Mail).

I'd say wait another week before getting nervous.

drwstr123

"Just my luck... I went to an out-of-town Post Office to send out a coin via Registered Mail on Feb. 5th. Today is the 16th, and the customer says he never I got it. I ran the tracking number online, and I get "There is no record of this item." Not a good sign."
Slow down Big Guy. You're gettin your panties in a knot. Registered Mail is never privy to online tracking. You'll see it online
after is has been delivered. Do something to relax.

RWB

Little post offices are often much safer that large ones - difficult to make off with packages 'cause everyone knows what's going in and out of the PO.

rbf

<< <i>I'd say wait another week before getting nervous. >>

Fair enough, but the fact that it says "There is no record of this item." means that it was never scanned into the system at all. At the very least, it should say "Status: Acceptance".

I'll go back to the PO to try and find out what's up. The postal clerk seemed like a decent guy, but the fact that I didn't even witness him put the postage stamp on the package before I walked out the door made me a bit uneasy at the time.

drwstr123

They don't scan them in. It's what i'm telling you.Wwatch my lips...... there's no online tracking.

Barndog

if you have maintained your receipts, no problems on your end

19Lyds

So why would you think this would show up in "online" tracking if the initiating PO does not even have a computer?

My experience with registered mail is that is never, ever, gives detailed information regarding the progress of the item being shipped until 24 hours AFTER it has been received. I expect that your parcel is on its merry way, being signed for with each individual stop it must make out of nowheresville.

Now if I were you, I would not alienate my local Post Office by referring to them as "jokers". Especially if its the only one around! I would be cordial and friendly to insure that my packages get proper treatment.

Boom

Registered? Relax because everyone who handled it had to sign for it.

As such, if you must, go to the USPS site & contact the Postmaster General AND

the Postal Inspectors regarding the matter, they WILL investigate and will find

who the last one that handled it was etc, etc.

You should be fine. Is the package insured, BTW? (Didn't read all)

messydesk

Whenever I send a registered package, the clerk scans the barcoded sticker in to their system. Once upon a time, they manually recorded them into a log book, but I don't think this is the case anymore. In either case, I always saw them record it somehow. Anyway, small post offices might not have many outgoing registered items very often, which means they might let it sit in their safe until there are more to go. Finally, online tracking with the post office is and always has been worthless. The secret, internal tracking, much like you get with FedEx or UPS, is not exposed to their end customers.

airplanenut

If it makes you feel any better, Registered is ALWAYS only done with hand-written logs. So in that respect, this PO is not behind, but well-aligned with the times...

mike92694

<< <i>Just my luck... I went to an out-of-town Post Office to send out a coin via Registered Mail on Feb. 5th. Today is the 16th, and the customer says he never I got it. I ran the tracking number online, and I get "There is no record of this item." Not a good sign.

The post office is literally out in the middle of nowhere, with one clerk working in the entire place. They are so behind the times, EVERYTHING is done by hand... not even a computer or a machine to print out the postage! I didn't even get the regular printed receipt that usually get... just a Registered Mail receipt (completely hand-written) with a postmark. At least that should be sufficient to file an insurance claim, if need be.

The bad news is, I'll be moving to this same small town with the rinky-dink Post Office sometime next month. If these jokers can't even get a simple Registered package right, how could I ever trust this PO with the high volume of coins I ship/receive on a regular basis? Hopefully I can find a more "advanced" PO in another town that's not too far out of the way, and get a PO Box there instead. Still, it's an inconvenience I shouldn't have to endure >>



Today is also a postal holiday.

yellowkid

I think the PO gets a bad rap, I send, and receive, hundreds of items a year, I never have any trouble. As for things being "lost", I don't believe they were ever sent. Have you ever sent someone a check that was "lost"....

JedPlanchet

It wouldn't happen to be the '22 Plain, would it?

rbf

*edited my title from "lost" to "has no record of"

I guess you could say I have a habit of jumping to conclusions too quickly

Will see what happens & hope for the best.

drwstr123

Now you're in the right zone.

FilthyBroke

They don't scan registered electronically. They will use your receipt for insurance purposes if it disappears.

They make more money than is worth risking to steal your packages. All will be fine, just give them a proper amount of time. In fact, I don't think they'll even consider it "missing" until three or four weeks have passed.


And in response to:

<< <i>Turn up at the PO and explain the situation. If the single clerk is no help, then said clerk is likely a liar or a thief. >>



Why do you say this?

ebaytrader

<< <i>

<< <i>I'd say wait another week before getting nervous. >>

Fair enough, but the fact that it says "There is no record of this item." means that it was never scanned into the system at all. At the very least, it should say "Status: Acceptance".

I'll go back to the PO to try and find out what's up. The postal clerk seemed like a decent guy, but the fact that I didn't even witness him put the postage stamp on the package before I walked out the door made me a bit uneasy at the time. >>



Save yourself a trip.
Do this:
Call 800-ASK-USPS select 5 and 5 again
Give them the number. They'll find it right now or they'll take your number, start an inquiry, and have someone from the shipping postal station assigned to the inquiry and track/fid it for you.
You should really wait the 15 days suggested for filing a claim, imho.

RegistryCoin

I'd be patient for a few more days.

jmski52

Registered Mail = signatures all the way around, no worries. Also, much cheaper insurance on Registered Mail.

There is no record of the package because they don't always feel the need to scan Registered Mail, and because it can sit in a lockbox for days while enough other Registered Mail accumulates to warrant a shipment.

They ship Registered Mail in batches - Smallville and Middletown might not have enough Registered volumes to cause it to be moved very quickly.

It's not lost. The mule train just hasn't moved very fast.

OPA

<< <i>They don't scan them in. It's what i'm telling you.Wwatch my lips...... there's no online tracking. >>



Horse Manure ... limited online tracking is available for the RE # ( accepted & delivery information only ) ... But as the OP says, it needs to be scanned in first.

ColonialCoinUnion

I've never been able to track one en route - only after they arrive.

We sent one once from a show with one of those traveling USPS set ups. They gave me a hokey hand-written receipt. After the package didn't show up for 10 days, I tried to have my local PO look into it. They had no idea what to do with that receipt, suggested it could not have been issued by any legit post office branch, could not track anything based on any of the numbers written on it, and could find no record of anything.

About 10 days later (21 days after mailing), the box arrived in good order.

In other words, don't worry about it (yet).

RWB

Interesting photo (above). Always wondered where they got "knotty pine" paneling....

Stupid

I just sent my first registered package in early Jan.--It took 12 business days before it was delivered.

This was from a larger PO. I just sent my first submission to PCGS, registered, from my small, local PO--

It also does not show up online. But I learned on the first one to be very patient. Registered is a different

animal.

YaHa

<< <i>It wouldn't happen to be the '22 Plain, would it? >>



Maybe their horse died. There will be a replacement for the wagon in a few months so don't sweat it.

OPA

<< <i>I just sent my first registered package in early Jan.--It took 12 business days before it was delivered.

This was from a larger PO. I just sent my first submission to PCGS, registered, from my small, local PO--

It also does not show up online. But I learned on the first one to be very patient. Registered is a different

animal. >>



I've never had a problem tracking R.M on line .. Your Post Office cash receipt has a no. & that is the # that is partially trackable, just like "Delivery Confirmation."

drwstr123

<< <i>

<< <i>They don't scan them in. It's what i'm telling you.Wwatch my lips...... there's no online tracking. >>



Horse Manure ... limited online tracking is available for the RE # ( accepted & delivery information only ) ... But as the OP says, it needs to be scanned in first. >>


DUH!

HalfStrike

<< <i>
They ship Registered Mail in batches - Smallville and Middletown might not have enough Registered volumes to cause it to be moved very quickly.

It's not lost. The mule train just hasn't moved very fast. >>



It is always funny to read how all of us see things differently. I have also sent registered out of a small post office and when they send registered they manually write the package into a book even though it is also scanned into the system.

The book I saw where they registered my last package had very few registered packages, probably about one a month is all. And yet that package took the normal amount of time as others.

I have had one package take up to three weeks from a busy post office so the original poster needs to wait a bit longer before worrying. I doubt one clerk would be silly enough to think he could take a registered when he is the only employee that day!

19Lyds

<< <i>I'd be patient for a few more days.
>>



Nice Granny Knot!

coindeuce

Understand this: EVERY Registered article must be manually entered on to a handwritten manifest when it is accepted by a counter clerk, wether it has been laser scanned or not. There are no exceptions to this regulation. If you call the branch from which the article was mailed and give them the article number from your receipt, they should be able to confirm that your Registered article number is on their manifest. They cannot and will not provide documentation of way points for that article. That is info only available to Postal Inspectors or Postal Security officers. As long as you have a Registered article application with Postmark, and a tape receipt for the transaction, you're insured for the declared amount on the Registry application.
As for your concerned addressee: Just tell him that sometimes Newman has to stop for extra creme filled donuts while walking his route.

CertifiedGoldCoins

I was a Postmaster and a Manager for years, many years ago. Here's exactly what happens:

You hand the item to the clerk, he gives you a receipt (form 3806), and keeps a copy.
If the office is part of the online Intranet, the details are captured for the mainframe computers
The item should be kept inaccessible to anyone but the clerk; in a larger office, it is turned over to a Registry clerk
At the end of the day, all Registered packages are itemized on a shipping list, and placed into a heavy canvas bag
The bag is secured by a special padlock, which has a mechanical rotary number dial, and the shipping list lists the lock's number
At the next stop, the receiving clerk checks the number on the dial against the written number
Tampering is eliminated, because every one who opens the bag becomes responsible for the contents, and so checks them.
On its next dispatch, and every one that follows, the same procedure is followed.
Along the way, sorting is done, and those who do the sorting are responsible for what they handle. And they are watched.
The sorting areas are entirely separate from everything else in large mail facilities.
If the operation is in a large city, those working in the registry area carry sidearms, due to the high value present
Eventually, a Registered package gets to its delivery point.
Once again, a clerk opens the bag, checks the lock number, and the contents
Since he's now on the hook, he's careful to get a signed receipt for whatever he hands out, whether to another clerk, or a letter carrier
No registered mail is ever to be handed to a customer without ID, or just left anywhere
At the end of the day, undelivered packages are inventoried, and locked in the safe, with stamps and money.

And that is how Registered Mail is never lost, why it costs more, and takes longer to travel. And why the rate of insurance is less per $100 than ordinary packages that travel in the regular mailstream.

I'll conclude with a tip: if you want to be really careful, especially with Registered Mail going to large apartment buildings, people in office buildings with mailrooms, etc., just add $4.30 for RESTRICTED DELIVERY. Those are supposed to be delivered only to the addressee.

JBTurner

Only USPS Express mail is trackable and has a guaranteed delivery time. Any other service is NOT trackable and does not have a guaranteed delivery time. USPS Express mail starts at $16.25 and is guaranteed 1 - 2 day time AND also can be tracked.

OPA

Thank you CGC .... we've been looking for some one with your expertise ...

sinin1

If you have the handwritten receipt, you are covered


a couple posts above describes what happens


the post office could track it on their intranet, but why?
it is not lost - you are just overly concerned


if you want it somewhere fast, this is not the way to send it

it you want something sent secure, this is the way


I think the hope diamond was sent by registered mail

2-3 weeks to cross the country is not unusual

notwilight

<< <i>

<< <i>I'd say wait another week before getting nervous. >>

Fair enough, but the fact that it says "There is no record of this item." means that it was never scanned into the system at all. .. >>



You answered that question yourself. You said there wasn't a piece of electronic equipment in the place didn't you? Can you get us a picture of the hand crank telephone?

mrpotatoheadd

<< <i>Only USPS Express mail is trackable and has a guaranteed delivery time. Any other service is NOT trackable... >>

Good luck with the education effort on this front, but I'm afraid there are too many people who already think that registered mail and delivery/signature confirmation provide tracking for this info to really make much of an impact.

CertifiedGoldCoins

Tracking is overrated. I don't need to know whether the 300 ounces of silver headed my way is in Toledo or Oshkosh at this moment, or was in Denver at 2AM yesterday. Details for those who like to micromanage things, I suppose.

All I need to know is confirmation that the stuff was delivered to the originating Post Office, and the ability to tell that it has arrived at my Post Office. Everything in between is irrelevant, because no matter what place it visited, I know I will get it by Registered Mail.

However, one caveat: the US border. The absolute accountability of Registered Mail, hand-to-hand, stops there, and some countries aren't as attentive to things as the USA.

coindeuce

You could put a GPS transponder in your packages in the future and track them wth a Garmin if you're that worried.

AUandAG

Not to worry. I sent a package 10 days ago to a board member. Registered. It got delivered
before it even came up in the system. No, well actually it came up in the system the day it got
delivered. So, where was the tracking? Tracking is not for you to see the progress of the pack-
age but for the USPS to securely send the package.
bob