Registered package SNAFU

BryceM

I checked tracking today on a package that was mailed from the east coast on Dec 28. Nothing new there....... It was stuck in New York for over a week.



Tracking showed that my local PO received it this AM. Then, a bit later it showed that it was out for delivery, but I have a PO box. I go over at lunch. No notification. No package. The safe is empty.



They scurry around for about 10 minutes and do a trace..... "Huh, I don't know where it is. Can I have your phone number?"



I'm sure it will show up (small town, know most of the people at the PO and even most of the carriers), but little breaches of procedure like this make me crazy. There's no way I'd trust a big bunch of my most important coins to the mail.



This package is insured for five figures and almost all the coins are ones that I'll be trying to sell. In fact, I'd almost rather have the insurance than the contents, but at a minimum I'll be over there again today to pick up something that should have been in the safe. At worst, I'll be dealing with postal inspectors. Sigh.

oih82w8

Tis the season...similar situation, minus the registered mail part, and nowhere near five figures, the tracking system at the USPS really is lacking on timeliness.



I wonder if the same people who updated the PCGS Forum are behind the Mint and USPS systems?

Rampage

You are perhaps a little overly anxious. Even with a PO Box, the tracking always shows as "out for delivery". The package was probably still in their safe locked up waiting to put a slip in your PO Box. They would not have left the package in there.

TopographicOceans

So you're the guy that is always in front of me in line at the blue door pickup, where the clerk disappears looking for a package and then comes back and asks them for their phone number.

I don't know where it is is something you never want to hear from the PO about a registered package.

I'm sure it will show up tomorrow, or in your case maybe you'd rather take the insurance. I can relate to that.

BryceM

The package was probably still in their safe locked up waiting to put a slip in your PO Box.

VERY small PO. The safe was EMPTY.

TPRC

Bryce: You are smart to be diligent and to be tracking this closely. I live in a large metropolitan area, but I still do this, and I have found it helpful. My packages are usually delivered, but I have had to call the local post office to track a package that was shown as out for delivery and was not delivered. Generally, the PO has been helpful and can call the driver to ensure that no mistakes are made. I have also had packages shown as delivered when they were sitting in the PO undelivered. Diligence generally pays off.

coindeuce

You're certain that the shipper addressed it to your P.O. Box ?



I'd be asking the shipper to fax a copy of the Registered application form, as well as a copy of the counter acceptance receipt.

Bochiman

A forum member sent me a package once (was overnight express) and needed my signature.



I was watching everything.....showed as attempted delivery (never did near the doorbell nor a knock, and I was home). I immediately drove to the PO and the "new guy" looked and looked for it....then said went and got a supervisor.



The "new guy" had given it out to someone else that came in for a package. "Well, the addresses were close" (they weren't). Luckily, they tracked that person down within the hour and hand delivered the package to my house as well...unopened.



So, nothing may be wrong with your package, but they may be having some accountability issues (that they shouldn't be).



Stay on them and I believe your package will be fine.

epcjimi1

Originally posted by: BryceM
I checked tracking today on a package that was mailed from the east coast on Dec 28. Nothing new there....... It was stuck in New York for over a week.

Tracking showed that my local PO received it this AM. Then, a bit later it showed that it was out for delivery, but I have a PO box. I go over at lunch. No notification. No package. The safe is empty.

They scurry around for about 10 minutes and do a trace..... "Huh, I don't know where it is. Can I have your phone number?"

I'm sure it will show up (small town, know most of the people at the PO and even most of the carriers), but little breaches of procedure like this make me crazy. There's no way I'd trust a big bunch of my most important coins to the mail.

This package is insured for five figures and almost all the coins are ones that I'll be trying to sell. In fact, I'd almost rather have the insurance than the contents, but at a minimum I'll be over there again today to pick up something that should have been in the safe. At worst, I'll be dealing with postal inspectors. Sigh.

What's the deal? It's out for delivery.

At worst, I'll be dealing with postal inspectors. Sigh.

Yep, at worst.

BryceM

Update from my local PO guys:



"The package never showed up here and was never signed for here. The last place it was signed for was in Salt Lake (150 miles away). It should be here tomorrow........."



Well, OK, but USPS tracking shows that it arrived at the local PO this AM at 8:21 and that it went out for delivery at 8:31.



@coindeuce: The package is on its way back from CAC, and they've had my address on file for a few years. Their shipment invoice shows the correct mailing address.

@epcjimi1: It shouldn't be out for delivery. My PO box is 15 feet from the counter. Registered packages always say "Available for pickup" on the tracking. Registered packages should be in the safe.



Entertaining, but if it was something truly important to me I'd be sweating bullets.

CuKevin

Originally posted by: BryceM

@coindeuce: The package is on its way back from CAC, and they've had my address on file for a few years. Their shipment invoice shows the correct mailing address.

I and another friend have had two different packages come back from CAC RECENTLY where both of our addresses were on file for a long time, their shipping invoice had the correct address, and the box had a DIFFERENT address.

Both of us were lucky. His postal carrier recognized the name on the box, and I was lucky enough to get to my box before it was misdelivered from the postal center.

BryceM

Hmmmmmm. That's NOT GOOD!

TommyType

I've learned not to trust their scanning/tracking system. I use it as a "general idea" point of reference, but I tend to get packages that show as "delivered" either 2 hours before I get them, or 2 hours after.



Granted, getting scanned as "out for delivery" before it even gets to town might be odd.....but who knows what kind of errors are possible with those scanners and hurried fingers.....

CoinRaritiesOnline

Update from my local PO guys:



"The package never showed up here and was never signed for here. The last place it was signed for was in Salt Lake (150 miles away). It should be here tomorrow........."



Well, OK, but USPS tracking shows that it arrived at the local PO this AM at 8:21 and that it went out for delivery at 8:31.

I have had this exact same thing happen.



The tracking had been updated by the people at the previous stop in error, causing a wild goose chase in my branch until they figured it out.

AnkurJ

Easy solution. Private insurance + express mail. I can't remember when I last used registered for this exact reason.

sparky64

Would cause me great angst.



I admire your calmness and positive attitude.

BryceM

Easy, fast, and convenient, but not exactly inexpensive......



I'm about there though.

BryceM

John from CRO nailed it. It arrived today, of course. At about 8:30 "my guy at the PO" called to let me know they received it. The tracking page is all sorts of goofy, showing things that are physically impossible, but all's well that ends well.......

kaz

Once again, the USPS defies logic and physics to deliver a package...



glad it worked out!

etexmike

Glad that it all worked out for ya'.



Just got a registered package this past Saturday (9th.) It only took 17 days from N.J. to Texas.



Not one of the biggest supporters of the USPS by any means.





Mike

MonsterCoinz

Glad it worked out. Also made me think of a possible new scenario where people could have their own shipping label and just tape it on top of a package they find. What keeps a thief from doing that? A lot easier than opening the package w/o being caught..