Risky shipping?

lkeigwin

A forum friend and I did a trade the other day. Knowing and trusting one another, we each shipped the same day, Priority Mail insured.

My friend took his package to the PO and waited in line. I did my shipping label online and dropped it off at the PO without waiting.

His package to me was properly tracked. Mine was not. His arrived after two days. Mine had not. No tracking updates, not even receipt, were posted for my package, concerning us both.

In the end it all worked out but I'm beginning to think my way was very risky. Had the package not arrived what proof did I have that I actually mailed it? Surely the PO wouldn't accept my insurance claim because all I had was a receipt that showed I generated a label and paid for shipping.

I gotta believe I'm not the only one who ships coins this way. Isn't this risky? I think, down the road, I will always wait in line to make sure the package is scanned/accepted. But I'll certainly miss the time savings of just dropping the box in a chute.
Lance.

earlyrarecoins

<< <i>A forum friend and I did a trade the other day. Knowing and trusting one another, we each shipped the same day, Priority Mail insured.

My friend took his package to the PO and waited in line. I did my shipping label online and dropped it off at the PO without waiting.

His package to me was properly tracked. Mine was not. His arrived after two days. Mine had not. No tracking updates, not even receipt, were posted for my package, concerning us both.

In the end it all worked out but I'm beginning to think my way was very risky. Had the package not arrived what proof did I have that I actually mailed it? Surely the PO wouldn't accept my insurance claim because all I had was a receipt that showed I generated a label and paid for shipping.

I gotta believe I'm not the only one who ships coins this way. Isn't this risky? I think, down the road, I will always wait in line to make sure the package is scanned/accepted. But I'll certainly miss the time savings of just dropping the box in a chute.
Lance. >>



This goes without saying! How could anyone not think it's risky?

Coinlearner

Anything over $50, I get a receipt after they scan it. Handing it to a PO worker,it starts it's journey,where the ones I may put in the bulk box will sit for a day or two

illini420

I only use print prepaid labels for lower value items. Anything higher value I'll wait in line at the P.O. and have the clerk give me postmarked receipts. Unfortunately, it costs more to pay at the P.O. than it does to print online, but I was always concerned that the P.O could easily back out of any potential claim when a preprinted label is used and the item is just dropped at the counter.

earlyrarecoins

<< <i>I only use print prepaid labels for lower value items. Anything higher value I'll wait in line at the P.O. and have the clerk give me postmarked receipts. Unfortunately, it costs more to pay at the P.O. than it does to print online, but I was always concerned that the P.O could easily back out of any potential claim when a preprinted label is used and the item is just dropped at the counter. >>



Postmarked receipts may work. But I believe by far the most appropriate evidence will be the scanned labels, both the insurance label and the tracking label.

lkeigwin

<< <i>I only use print prepaid labels for lower value items. Anything higher value I'll wait in line at the P.O. and have the clerk give me postmarked receipts. Unfortunately, it costs more to pay at the P.O. than it does to print online, but I was always concerned that the P.O could easily back out of any potential claim when a preprinted label is used and the item is just dropped at the counter. >>

Smart. This is a lesson I learned that didn't cost, thankfully. Naively, I felt secure leaving packages at the PO.

Can you use preprinted labels and merely ask to have them scanned?
Lance.

UncleJoe

I put anything under $300 in the mailbox or a mailbox kiosk. I have never had a package not make it (over 1,000 packages).

Joe.

Edit: Spelling

earlyrarecoins

<< <i>I put anything under $300 in the mailbox or a mailbox kiosk. I have never had a package not make it (over 1,000 packages).

Joe.

Edit: Spelling >>



You will.

BAJJERFAN

<< <i>I only use print prepaid labels for lower value items. Anything higher value I'll wait in line at the P.O. and have the clerk give me postmarked receipts. Unfortunately, it costs more to pay at the P.O. than it does to print online, but I was always concerned that the P.O could easily back out of any potential claim when a preprinted label is used and the item is just dropped at the counter. >>



The difference isn't all that much really. Do they scan it in when you hand it to a clerk? The one time I used the online thing, it took a couple days for it to show in the system.

Coinlearner

"Can you use preprinted labels and merely ask to have them scanned?" All the time. Just did today. They scan and you get a slip. Up loading other pix so added this I got today. Pre-paid/printed label

BAJJERFAN

<< <i>

<< <i>I only use print prepaid labels for lower value items. Anything higher value I'll wait in line at the P.O. and have the clerk give me postmarked receipts. Unfortunately, it costs more to pay at the P.O. than it does to print online, but I was always concerned that the P.O could easily back out of any potential claim when a preprinted label is used and the item is just dropped at the counter. >>

Smart. This is a lesson I learned that didn't cost, thankfully. Naively, I felt secure leaving packages at the PO.

Can you use preprinted labels and merely ask to have them scanned?
Lance. >>



Your PO shud scan it in as being received at and sent from their facility. I don't know if they can access the online tracking any faster than you can tho.

mrpotatoheadd

<< <i>Can you use preprinted labels and merely ask to have them scanned? >>

You can ask, but they can say no. From the USPS website:

"The electronic fee for the Delivery Confirmation service provides delivery information only: it does not provide tracking of the item en route or acceptance scans."

JamesM

<< <i>Can you use preprinted labels and merely ask to have them scanned? >>

You can ask, but they can say no. From the USPS website:

"The electronic fee for the Delivery Confirmation service provides delivery information only: it does not provide tracking of the item en route or acceptance scans." >>




I do it all the time, but I usually am shipping out other items at the same time.

It helps to get to know your postal workers if your doing this a lot.

mrpotatoheadd

<< <i>I do it all the time, but I usually am shipping out other items at the same time.

It helps to get to know your postal workers if your doing this a lot. >>

I didn't say all of them won't- a lot of them will. I would suggest, however, that it's not a good idea to expect that something you're getting as a freebie at one PO is something you can always count on getting at all POs.

JamesM

<< <i>I didn't say all of them won't- a lot of them will. I would suggest, however, that it's not a good idea to expect that something you're getting as a freebie at one PO is something you can always count on getting at all POs. >>



Very true

LindeDad

The USPS just changed their procedures for tracking by adding tracking to first class. I live in a rural area and my carrier scans receipt daily now.
BTW postal insurance is like asking the fox to watch the hen house.

mrpotatoheadd

From the USPS website...

Tracking vs. Confirmation of Delivery

Some USPS® products provide Tracking, while others provide only Confirmation of Delivery. It is important to understand which products include these services and the difference between “tracking” and “confirming”.

Premium products, such as Express Mail®, include Tracking. This means that a user checking the Track & Confirm site for a mailpiece sent via Express Mail should see, at a minimum, when the mailpiece was accepted and when it was delivered or a delivery attempt occurred. Additionally, the user will likely see several additional scans as the item moves through the mail stream, such as “processed’ or “arrival at unit”. Products that include tracking provide end-to-end visibility.

Lower-cost products, such as Delivery Confirmation™, only include Confirmation of Delivery. This means that a user checking the Track & Confirm site for a mailpiece sent with Delivery Confirmation should see, at a minimum, when the mailpiece was delivered or when a delivery attempt occurred. USPS may also provide users with additional scan on items that include confirmation of delivery, such as “processed”, “arrival at unit”, or “out for delivery.” However, the price of these lower-cost products does not include end-to-end visibility.

in case anyone wonders what the difference is.

BAJJERFAN

<< <i>From the USPS website...

Tracking vs. Confirmation of Delivery

Some USPS® products provide Tracking, while others provide only Confirmation of Delivery. It is important to understand which products include these services and the difference between “tracking” and “confirming”.

Premium products, such as Express Mail®, include Tracking. This means that a user checking the Track & Confirm site for a mailpiece sent via Express Mail should see, at a minimum, when the mailpiece was accepted and when it was delivered or a delivery attempt occurred. Additionally, the user will likely see several additional scans as the item moves through the mail stream, such as “processed’ or “arrival at unit”. Products that include tracking provide end-to-end visibility.

Lower-cost products, such as Delivery Confirmation™, only include Confirmation of Delivery. This means that a user checking the Track & Confirm site for a mailpiece sent with Delivery Confirmation should see, at a minimum, when the mailpiece was delivered or when a delivery attempt occurred. USPS may also provide users with additional scan on items that include confirmation of delivery, such as “processed”, “arrival at unit”, or “out for delivery.” However, the price of these lower-cost products does not include end-to-end visibility.

in case anyone wonders what the difference is. >>



I don't know if TeleTrade uses preprinted labels [I assume they do] but there is more than end to end info when I check their tracking info online. Just got a package today with a PayPal printed label and per the tracking number it gives all of the info. It also depends on how the number is entered too.

GMan

I print the labels online and take them to the post office. I just ask them to scan acceptance when I drop it off. I've never had a postal worker say no. If they did I would ask for their supervisor.

TwoSides2aCoin

At some juncture, I have to trust the people who sell me the shipping materials, the labels , and the system of delivery.
My main thing is properly packaging. My nephew thinks I'm anal. The younger generation might be smart, but that don't make 'em right. People still prefer a personal touch and secure, professional delivery. The risk factor for me is trusting. It's hard to let go of that when I've been in control so long. I agree Lance. Still, even after all precautions are taken with delivery, ... it's risky shipping !

namwalker

A lot of good info here. You can never be to careful.

BAJJERFAN

<< <i>From the USPS website...

Tracking vs. Confirmation of Delivery

Some USPS® products provide Tracking, while others provide only Confirmation of Delivery. It is important to understand which products include these services and the difference between “tracking” and “confirming”.

Premium products, such as Express Mail®, include Tracking. This means that a user checking the Track & Confirm site for a mailpiece sent via Express Mail should see, at a minimum, when the mailpiece was accepted and when it was delivered or a delivery attempt occurred. Additionally, the user will likely see several additional scans as the item moves through the mail stream, such as “processed’ or “arrival at unit”. Products that include tracking provide end-to-end visibility.

Lower-cost products, such as Delivery Confirmation™, only include Confirmation of Delivery. This means that a user checking the Track & Confirm site for a mailpiece sent with Delivery Confirmation should see, at a minimum, when the mailpiece was delivered or when a delivery attempt occurred. USPS may also provide users with additional scan on items that include confirmation of delivery, such as “processed”, “arrival at unit”, or “out for delivery.” However, the price of these lower-cost products does not include end-to-end visibility.

in case anyone wonders what the difference is. >>



Perhaps they have a way of turning off intermediate tracking if you buy it online.

Tassa

I used to print off the shipping labels and then take the packages to the post office.

A few years ago I had an Ebay buyer who claimed to never have received a coin he purchased from me. When tracking it online it only showed that I had printed the shipping label. I shipped the coin as soon as I received payment, but the buyer didn't believe me and insisted that I just printed the label and never shipped the item. There was nothting I could do until enough time had passed to be able to file a claim with the post office. I did as soon as I could. It wasn't a problem collecting and I immediately refunded the buyer's money, but he still insisted that I had never shipped the coin and sent multiple emails accusing me not being honest with him and eventually left neutral feedback.

So, as others have said, do make sure you at least get it scanned in when you take it to the post office. It may seem inconvenient, but you could have bigger headaches down the road if you don't.

BAJJERFAN

<< <i>I used to print off the shipping labels and then take the packages to the post office.

A few years ago I had an Ebay buyer who claimed to never have received a coin he purchased from me. When tracking it online it only showed that I had printed the shipping label. I shipped the coin as soon as I received payment, but the buyer didn't believe me and insisted that I just printed the label and never shipped the item. There was nothting I could do until enough time had passed to be able to file a claim with the post office. I did as soon as I could. It wasn't a problem collecting and I immediately refunded the buyer's money, but he still insisted that I had never shipped the coin and sent multiple emails accusing me not being honest with him and eventually left neutral feedback.

So, as others have said, do make sure you at least get it scanned in when you take it to the post office. It may seem inconvenient, but you could have bigger headaches down the road if you don't. >>



Yes, but in a way that info is useless to him/her unless it also shows an intended destination. He/she still has to wait until delivery is made or attempted to know for sure.

derryb

Request the PO clerk to scan in your preprinted paypal labels. They are not required to do so. They are however, required to scan in preprinted usps.com labels when you hand them the associated preprinted scan form from the usps.com label printing site.

telephoto1

I recently had a package come up missing...just a typical preprinted label item that I merely dropped in the PO outer mailbox...it never showed up in the system, ever. Turns out a PO employee in my area was just recently arrested by postal inspectors... he had a bunch of intercepted unscanned mail/packages, some of which were coins. He's facing some major fed prison time. I always wondered if my package was one of his acquisitions, but it was never found. Since then we just walk all the stuff in and ask them to scan it into the system. They gladly do it and it's an extra layer of security as it is now documented as having been accepted by them. That way they have skin in the game should it turn up missing.

coinpictures

Obtaining acceptance scans for preprinted labels is something I've found varies from branch to branch and clerk to clerk.

At the busiest local USPS branch, they won't provide acceptance scans, saying that management has told them that paying the cheaper electronic rate means no counter services. If you want it scanned, pay the higher counter rate.

At another branch that I prefer to use, the regular clerk I deal with *insists* on doing acceptance scans, her argument being "How would it get into the system otherwise? It's the right thing to do."

sawyerjosh

I've shipped hundreds of packages with preprinted labels and never had a problem. I think they sometimes make it through the bigger P.O.'s without a scan until they reach a major sorting facility. I really wouldn't worry too much.

notwilight

<< <i>

<< <i>I do it all the time, but I usually am shipping out other items at the same time. It helps to get to know your postal workers if your doing this a lot. >>

I didn't say all of them won't- a lot of them will. I would suggest, however, that it's not a good idea to expect that something you're getting as a freebie at one PO is something you can always count on getting at all POs. >>



I am very friendly with the postal workers at the fairly large post office in Carlsbad. But I have asked them to scan and they say "sorry, we can't do that".

I avoid all of this problem by self insuring. I never have to stand it line, never have to fill out a form to pay a claim, I get all the "profits" on the insurance business since I haven't had a lost domestic package since I started using barcoded, preprinted, waterproof labels in 2006.

--Jerry

notwilight

<< <i>I used to print off the shipping labels and then take the packages to the post office. A few years ago I had an Ebay buyer who claimed to never have received a coin he purchased from me. When tracking it online it only showed that I had printed the shipping label. I shipped the coin as soon as I received payment, but the buyer didn't believe me and insisted that I just printed the label and never shipped the item. There was nothting I could do until enough time had passed to be able to file a claim with the post office. I did as soon as I could. It wasn't a problem collecting and I immediately refunded the buyer's money, but he still insisted that I had never shipped the coin and sent multiple emails accusing me not being honest with him and eventually left neutral feedback. So, as others have said, do make sure you at least get it scanned in when you take it to the post office. It may seem inconvenient, but you could have bigger headaches down the road if you don't. >>



Standing in line 1000 times before you finally have one lost means that I've wasted 15,000 minutes for one $200 claim. Not worth it. --Jerry

PS I've shipped over 10,000 packages since the post office lost one.

lkeigwin

<< <i>I used to print off the shipping labels and then take the packages to the post office.

A few years ago I had an Ebay buyer who claimed to never have received a coin he purchased from me. When tracking it online it only showed that I had printed the shipping label. I shipped the coin as soon as I received payment, but the buyer didn't believe me and insisted that I just printed the label and never shipped the item. There was nothting I could do until enough time had passed to be able to file a claim with the post office. I did as soon as I could. It wasn't a problem collecting and I immediately refunded the buyer's money... >>

That's surprising. The PO paid your insurance claim even though you could only prove you bought the label. Wow.
Lance.

nibanny

<< <i>

<< <i>I used to print off the shipping labels and then take the packages to the post office.

A few years ago I had an Ebay buyer who claimed to never have received a coin he purchased from me. When tracking it online it only showed that I had printed the shipping label. I shipped the coin as soon as I received payment, but the buyer didn't believe me and insisted that I just printed the label and never shipped the item. There was nothting I could do until enough time had passed to be able to file a claim with the post office. I did as soon as I could. It wasn't a problem collecting and I immediately refunded the buyer's money... >>

That's surprising. The PO paid your insurance claim even though you could only prove you bought the label. Wow.
Lance. >>



I have always had the same doubt but I think they have done their homework before allowing us to purchase the insurance online.
I assume that after few claims you will be under the radar.

My PO scans the packages if I ask them too. I only do that when I ship over $100/$150, otherwise I drop it inside the PO.

BAJJERFAN

<< <i>

<< <i>I used to print off the shipping labels and then take the packages to the post office.

A few years ago I had an Ebay buyer who claimed to never have received a coin he purchased from me. When tracking it online it only showed that I had printed the shipping label. I shipped the coin as soon as I received payment, but the buyer didn't believe me and insisted that I just printed the label and never shipped the item. There was nothting I could do until enough time had passed to be able to file a claim with the post office. I did as soon as I could. It wasn't a problem collecting and I immediately refunded the buyer's money... >>

That's surprising. The PO paid your insurance claim even though you could only prove you bought the label. Wow.
Lance. >>



If the USPS never did the tracking they were supposed to do then the onus is on them to pay the claim since they can't prove that you didn't send it.

notwilight

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>I used to print off the shipping labels and then take the packages to the post office.

A few years ago I had an Ebay buyer who claimed to never have received a coin he purchased from me. When tracking it online it only showed that I had printed the shipping label. I shipped the coin as soon as I received payment, but the buyer didn't believe me and insisted that I just printed the label and never shipped the item. There was nothting I could do until enough time had passed to be able to file a claim with the post office. I did as soon as I could. It wasn't a problem collecting and I immediately refunded the buyer's money... >>

That's surprising. The PO paid your insurance claim even though you could only prove you bought the label. Wow.
Lance. >>



If the USPS never did the tracking they were supposed to do then the onus is on them to pay the claim since they can't prove that you didn't send it. >>



All you pay for is "delivery confirmation" or "signature confirmation". They aren't paid to scan it except at delivery. They will tell you they only guarantee tracking on express mail. --Jerry

mrpotatoheadd

<< <i>All you pay for is "delivery confirmation" or "signature confirmation". They aren't paid to scan it except at delivery. They will tell you they only guarantee tracking on express mail. --Jerry >>

Good luck getting that message across.