Is this common at the post office?

GoldenEyeNumismatics · February 9, 2011 2:43AM

I shipped a package USPS Express yesterday insured for $3200. The postal clerk wrote in bold pen on the front of the package "INSURANCE $3200." I've shipped hundreds of packages of similar value the same way and don't ever recall having the insured value written plainly on the package. Is this common practice?

dsessom · February 9, 2011 2:46AM

No, it's not. The insurance tag is a small affixed tag, and that's all they should do. Did you ask why the heck they did that?

mbbiker · February 9, 2011 2:47AM

Never had that done, I always thought the amount insured could be figured out by looking at the amount of postage charged on the sticker they slap on the package.

lkeigwin · February 9, 2011 2:47AM

Wow. Major screw up. I would have said something, and made sure the notation was removed or taped over.
Lance.

blu62vette · February 9, 2011 2:48AM

Very odd.

LindeDad · February 9, 2011 2:50AM

!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!

Only good thing is you only have to worry for a couple of days at the most.

coinguy1 · February 9, 2011 2:55AM

<< I shipped a package USPS Express yesterday insured for $3200. The postal clerk wrote in bold pen on the front of the package "INSURANCE $3200." I've shipped hundreds of packages of similar value the same way and don't ever recall having the insured value written plainly on the package. Is this common practice? >>

"I've shipped hundreds of packages of similar value the same way and don't ever recall having the insured value written plainly on the package" - I think you answered your own question.

TomB · February 9, 2011 2:56AM

I have never seen that. Further, I would have taken the package back from the clerk and repackaged it before shipping it from another post office.

RichieURich · February 9, 2011 3:00AM

<< 

<< I shipped a package USPS Express yesterday insured for $3200. The postal clerk wrote in bold pen on the front of the package "INSURANCE $3200." I've shipped hundreds of packages of similar value the same way and don't ever recall having the insured value written plainly on the package. Is this common practice? >>

"I've shipped hundreds of packages of similar value the same way and don't ever recall having the insured value written plainly on the package" - I think you answered your own question. >>

What Mark said.

I had a similar problem, the clerk would ask "Do you want $xxxx in insurance" and everyone in the line at the Post Office would know the amount each package is insured for. I have gently convniced them to use the value on the registered or insurance slip as the correct value and not make a public announcement.

messydesk · February 9, 2011 3:16AM

<< I have never seen that. Further, I would have taken the package back from the clerk and repackaged it before shipping it from another post office. >>

Same here, although I would have also been inclined to raise a complaint with their supervisor or the postmaster (wait a minute -- union shop -- probably wouldn't matter). The clerks at my PO are very good about being discrete regarding confirming value on registered mail, quietly asking me to "verify this, please" and pointing to the amount displayed on the credit card terminal in front of me. I can't think of a better way for them to do that.

tahoe98 · February 9, 2011 3:17AM

"I had a similar problem, the clerk would ask "Do you want $xxxx in insurance" and everyone in the line at the Post Office would know the amount each package is insured for. I have gently convniced them to use the value on the registered or insurance slip as the correct value and not make a public announcement."

...WOW!! you mean to say that you actually said that to a guvmint employee!!?? you're lucky they didn't call

SWAT on ya!

PerryHall · February 9, 2011 3:18AM

<< !!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!! >>

This is why you should be very generous in estimating the value of your merchandise.

commoncents05 · February 9, 2011 3:22AM

I have never had that happen, and I don't think it should have happened. Also, FWIW, on Express (and Registered) you pay for insurance by increments of $500, so you should have insured it for $3000 and saved yourself a couple dollars.

-Paul

JupitarCoins · February 9, 2011 3:23AM

<< I have never seen that. Further, I would have taken the package back from the clerk and repackaged it before shipping it from another post office. >>

I would do the same but would the post office refund your money if you did that?

Broadstruck · February 9, 2011 3:26AM

I've had to train a few new USPS clerks over the years on how to ship our kinda stuff!

derryb · February 9, 2011 3:31AM

<< 

<< !!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!! >>

This is why you should be very generous in estimating the value of your merchandise. >>

Over estimating insured value only cost you more money in insurance fees. Regardless of what value you put on it you will have to prove value with a sales receipt or reputable written estimate at the time of a claim.

Clerk should not be writing insured value on package. However, if a postal employee wants to steal an express package of high value all he/she has to do is look on the express label Form 11-B where the receiving clerk has written (in smaller writing) the insurance fee for the shipment. This fee is a good indicator of value of shipment. Note that nowhere on this form is there an insured value. There is a reason for that.

Next time ask her to also write in big letters "Collector Coins."

johnny9434 · February 9, 2011 3:33AM

that is odd. i dont think id go to that post office again

19Lyds · February 9, 2011 3:49AM

What a totally ignorant thing for a postal clerk to do.

Hopefully, that flashing "Steal Me" sign won't attract the wrong people and I personally think a "one on one" discussion with the Supervisor at that particular PO is in order so that declared value is no longer printed on the package for all to see.

PerryHall · February 9, 2011 4:22AM

<< 

<< 

<< !!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!! >>

This is why you should be very generous in estimating the value of your merchandise. >>

Over estimating insured value only cost you more money in insurance fees. Regardless of what value you put on it you will have to prove value with a sales receipt or reputable written estimate at the time of a claim. >>

Use a reciently published price sheet (gray sheet, red book, etc) and assume a very generous grade to establish the value. Grade is only an opinion, right?

roadrunner · February 9, 2011 4:31AM

Next time you're shipping something out something that you or the buyer don't care if it gets stolen, write the value and contents all over the REG package in as large lettering as possible.

RARE GOLD COINS AND GEM STONES ENCLOSED. ESTATE PURCHASES. $25,000. VERY VALUABLE. HEIRLOOMS. IRREPLACEABLE.

Then bring that package up to the same postal clerk stating that you did it just like they did and saved some time.

roadrunner

drwstr123 · February 9, 2011 4:35AM

Listen...the Post Office is in its death throws and capable of anything.
There are no rules anymore. They have gone the way of Special Delivery.

derryb · February 9, 2011 4:35AM

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< !!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!! >>

This is why you should be very generous in estimating the value of your merchandise. >>

Over estimating insured value only cost you more money in insurance fees. Regardless of what value you put on it you will have to prove value with a sales receipt or reputable written estimate at the time of a claim. >>

Use a reciently published price sheet (gray sheet, red book, etc) and assume a very generous grade to establish the value. Grade is only an opinion, right? >>

Post office will require a written "opinion" from a dealer that has viewed the coin.

BAJJERFAN · February 9, 2011 4:52AM

<< Next time you're shipping something out something that you or the buyer don't care if it gets stolen, write the value and contents all over the REG package in as large lettering as possible.

RARE GOLD COINS AND GEM STONES ENCLOSED. ESTATE PURCHASES. $25,000. VERY VALUABLE. HEIRLOOMS. IRREPLACEABLE.

Then bring that package up to the same postal clerk stating that you did it just like they did and saved some time.

roadrunner >>

I bet that most clerks would refuse a package marked like that.

PerryHall · February 9, 2011 5:00AM

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< !!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!! >>

This is why you should be very generous in estimating the value of your merchandise. >>

Over estimating insured value only cost you more money in insurance fees. Regardless of what value you put on it you will have to prove value with a sales receipt or reputable written estimate at the time of a claim. >>

Use a reciently published price sheet (gray sheet, red book, etc) and assume a very generous grade to establish the value. Grade is only an opinion, right? >>

Post office will require a written "opinion" from a dealer that has viewed the coin. >>

So, every time someone sends an insured package, he has to hire someone to give him a wriiten appraisal?

derryb · February 9, 2011 5:24AM

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< !!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!! >>

This is why you should be very generous in estimating the value of your merchandise. >>

Over estimating insured value only cost you more money in insurance fees. Regardless of what value you put on it you will have to prove value with a sales receipt or reputable written estimate at the time of a claim. >>

Use a reciently published price sheet (gray sheet, red book, etc) and assume a very generous grade to establish the value. Grade is only an opinion, right? >>

Post office will require a written "opinion" from a dealer that has viewed the coin. >>

So, every time someone sends an insured package, he has to hire someone to give him a wriiten appraisal? >>

Most sellers have receipts for what they sold and ship insured. If you don't have proof of sale and are afraid you will have to file a claim a written appraisal would be a nice thing to have to prove value. Remember, the claimant has to prove value.

golden · February 9, 2011 5:26AM

Totally wrong!!! You should ask for a supervisor.

BAJJERFAN · February 9, 2011 5:37AM

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< !!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!STEAL ME!!!!!!!! >>

This is why you should be very generous in estimating the value of your merchandise. >>

Over estimating insured value only cost you more money in insurance fees. Regardless of what value you put on it you will have to prove value with a sales receipt or reputable written estimate at the time of a claim. >>

Use a reciently published price sheet (gray sheet, red book, etc) and assume a very generous grade to establish the value. Grade is only an opinion, right? >>

Post office will require a written "opinion" from a dealer that has viewed the coin. >>

So, every time someone sends an insured package, he has to hire someone to give him a wriiten appraisal? >>

No, he just has to be able to prove value in the event of a claim.

coindeuce · February 9, 2011 12:28PM

It took a lot less than that for the Postal employee that I cited last week as having been caught stealing items from packages at a processing facility in my city. HE is now in the BIG Graybar Hotel.

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Is this common at the post office?

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