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USPS Rant

erwindocerwindoc Posts: 5,454 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
I spent a week with a fellow collector haggling over the terms of a trade. Finally, after a flurry of emails back and forth we reached an agreement last weekend. He just contacted me to let me know that the package arrived. Unfortunately, it arrive partially open and it appears that some of the contents fell out. Fortunately on my end, it had one of those blue USPS insurance stickers on it and the coins involved werent all that expensive, but it still stinks for the other person. He emailed me photos and the package is beat all to pieces!!! My package is supposed to come on Monday. Lets hope it is in better shape!

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    djmdjm Posts: 1,565 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Did the package go threough Anaheim Ca. If so see the other threads about coins being stolen from that sorting facility.
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    LanceNewmanOCCLanceNewmanOCC Posts: 19,999 ✭✭✭✭✭
    .
    i'll admit after reading all these threads about problematic packages, i have taken my packing a couple of steps higher. i put items within envelopes, within envelopes, stapled shut, tape to the inside of boxes etc. Losing the financial value for some coins is frustrating but for me having to deal with situations where customers aren't satisfied is considerably less-enjoyable.

    a little extra care, tape and staples goes a looooong way!

    I even have stapled items in envelopes, inside envelopes TO the overnight envelopes and then just taping over where the staple shows so it won't snag.

    now i'll just hope the trucks are robbed, flooded, exploded, stolen completely or abducted by coin collecting aliens etc image
    .

    <--- look what's behind the mask! - cool link 1/NO ~ 2/NNP ~ 3/NNC ~ 4/CF ~ 5/PG ~ 6/Cert ~ 7/NGC 7a/NGC pop~ 8/NGCF ~ 9/HA archives ~ 10/PM ~ 11/NM ~ 12/ANACS cert ~ 13/ANACS pop - report fakes 1/ACEF ~ report fakes/thefts 1/NCIS - Numi-Classes SS ~ Bass ~ Transcribed Docs NNP - clashed coins - error training - V V mm styles -

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    LindeDadLindeDad Posts: 18,766 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That last Priority mail small box I used got to Atlanta so fast the buyer left 5 star feedback three days after it sold.image
    My Current project....https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/mysetregistry/album/160794
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    ambro51ambro51 Posts: 14,506 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Whenever you send anything.... Ask yourself "is there anything on this package that can get snagged on a conveyor belt". That includes string, staples, loose tape, lips and or projections on ths box, irregular shapes. MUCH shipping trouble can be saved using those wonderful flat rate boxes.
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    SenexSenex Posts: 483 ✭
    I may be in the minority but I think the USPS does a pretty good job overall.
    Considering the volume of mail, surprisingly few problems arise.
    image
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    jimbux61jimbux61 Posts: 503 ✭
    It's as if one needs to put "Radiation Hazard" on an inner sealed envelope.

    I'm wondering if addressing (or with return address) to a company name such as "xyz rare coins" is a tip off? Did the package have an address such as that as a potential tip off?


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    Dollar2007Dollar2007 Posts: 774 ✭✭✭
    Sorry about your experience, but I just had the fastest USPS shipment ever. First class package from California to North Carolina, given to my postal carrier 5pm Saturday, delivered Noon Monday. That's faster than the Express mail guaranteed time.
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    LanceNewmanOCCLanceNewmanOCC Posts: 19,999 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I'm wondering if addressing (or with return address) to a company name such as "xyz rare coins" is a tip off? Did the package have an address such as that as a potential tip off? >>


    i stopped putting my business name on customer packages a long time ago. figure it has to decrease the odds a bit.

    <--- look what's behind the mask! - cool link 1/NO ~ 2/NNP ~ 3/NNC ~ 4/CF ~ 5/PG ~ 6/Cert ~ 7/NGC 7a/NGC pop~ 8/NGCF ~ 9/HA archives ~ 10/PM ~ 11/NM ~ 12/ANACS cert ~ 13/ANACS pop - report fakes 1/ACEF ~ report fakes/thefts 1/NCIS - Numi-Classes SS ~ Bass ~ Transcribed Docs NNP - clashed coins - error training - V V mm styles -

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    jt88jt88 Posts: 3,573 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I always tape the envelope all around to make sure the package would not break.
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    19Lyds19Lyds Posts: 26,524 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I may be in the minority but I think the USPS does a pretty good job overall.
    Considering the volume of mail, surprisingly few problems arise.
    image >>

    I'm with ya in this!
    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!
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    jt88jt88 Posts: 3,573 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I am waiting for a express package today but it did not arrive. It is guaranteed arrive today noon.
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    bigjpstbigjpst Posts: 3,238 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I always tape the envelope all around to make sure the package would not break. >>



    I do this as well. With bubble mailers, flat-rate envelopes and boxes. I figure a couple extra strips of tape is worth the peace of mind. I am sometimes surprised at how I receive coins, and that they actually make it to me.
    JRobinsonRareCoins.com

    My Ebay Store

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    NotSureNotSure Posts: 3,069 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Sorry about your experience, but I just had the fastest USPS shipment ever. First class package from California to North Carolina, given to my postal carrier 5pm Saturday, delivered Noon Monday. That's faster than the Express mail guaranteed time. >>



    I, also had a fast shipment (mine was Priority)....ACCEPTED just outside Boston at 3:43pm Dec 6th-Thurs afternoon, delivered to Newport Beach (our hosts) at 8:34am today. Whether the contents are in it or not, won't know till I see the submission posted.
    I'll come up with something.
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    erwindocerwindoc Posts: 5,454 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>I may be in the minority but I think the USPS does a pretty good job overall.
    Considering the volume of mail, surprisingly few problems arise.
    image >>

    I'm with ya in this! >>



    Id agree that overall they do a great job. Just frustrated for my friend who was on the receiving end of a busted package.
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    NotSureNotSure Posts: 3,069 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>I may be in the minority but I think the USPS does a pretty good job overall.
    Considering the volume of mail, surprisingly few problems arise.
    image >>

    I'm with ya in this! >>



    Id agree that overall they do a great job. Just frustrated for my friend who was on the receiving end of a busted package. >>



    Yes,OVERALL they do good for the VOLUME, but overall, the # of errors would probably seem high, due to, again, volume.
    I'll come up with something.
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    OPAOPA Posts: 17,171 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I had 2 bubble mailers mailed out first class parcel rate on Monday with free DC @ $1.64 each. One to California & one to Georgia. I live in Maryland...both mailers arrived on Wednesday. Now that's what I call inexpensive & quick service. Just make sure that there is nothing on your mailer that might get caught in a machine and it has the proper thickness (at least 3/4" for a bubble mailer in order to bypass the automated letter sorting machines) chances are excellent that it will arrive on time & in good shape. Loose tape on boxes are also a problem, just make sure that there are none.
    "Bongo drive 1984 Lincoln that looks like old coin dug from ground."
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    MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 40,228 ✭✭✭✭✭
    large boxes, lots of tape
    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
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    notwilightnotwilight Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭
    The cheapest insurance you can buy is tape. Generally it is pretty hard to get anything I ship open without a cutting tool. --Jerry
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    NotSureNotSure Posts: 3,069 ✭✭✭


    << <i>The cheapest insurance you can buy is tape. Generally it is pretty hard to get anything I ship open without a cutting tool. --Jerry >>



    Isn't this the truth! I tape over my labels, tracking, ins stickers, just so nothing 'falls off' (read 'peeled off'), but alot of USPS stickers don't stick that well. I only use USPS ins, DC, SC, as they always get scanned. But regardless of how you ship, tape is a must. Got to have clear tape for non-registered, and brown paper tape (with a sponge handy) for registered.
    I'll come up with something.
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    jt88jt88 Posts: 3,573 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>The cheapest insurance you can buy is tape. Generally it is pretty hard to get anything I ship open without a cutting tool. --Jerry >>



    100% agree. With tape it makes harder for someone to steal the coins inside. They have to cut it or take the whole thing.

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