Another reason to not use USPS

Ed62

- - - - if you need another reason.

I was expecting a shipment of coins of very substantial value coming by USPS express mail today. I had the tracking number, so I knew when the shipment had passed through the local PO.

About a half hour ago I heard the sound of the ordinary mail, etc. being inserted in the front door mail slot. I waited a minute or so expecting the knock on the door that I had to sign for the coin package. Hearing no knock I did go open the front door anyway. There sitting on the front porch in plain view of all passers-by was the "express mail" package with the coins.

For some reason I thought such packages required a signature of receipt; which, of course, was never given.

BAJJERFAN

Originally posted by: Ed62

- - - - if you need another reason.



I was expecting a shipment of coins of very substantial value coming by USPS express mail today. I had the tracking number, so I knew when the shipment had passed through the local PO.



About a half hour ago I heard the sound of the ordinary mail, etc. being inserted in the front door mail slot. I waited a minute or so expecting the knock on the door that I had to sign for the coin package. Hearing no knock I did go open the front door anyway. There sitting on the front porch in plain view of all passers-by was the "express mail" package with the coins.



For some reason I thought such packages required a signature of receipt; which, of course, was never given.

If your carrier is still in the neighborhood, chase him down and ask him why he didn't get signature. Or call your PO and ask them. Just because you "thought" a signature was required doesn't mean it actually was.

DNADave

My mail carrier goes ahead and signs for packages himself,
and leaves them on the porch. You're just not getting good service.

oih82w8

Did the package label actually have signature confirmation on it?



"Price includes proof of delivery signature record (if requested at time of purchase), and tracking information with USPS Tracking"



https://www.usps.com/ship/priority-mail-express.htm

robec

Doesn't Express automatically include Signature Confirmation?

ebaytrader

Originally posted by: robec
Doesn't Express automatically include Signature Confirmation?

No.

It is specifically excluded.

There's one 3rd party reseller (stamps.com) that makes Express Mail signature difficult to include. One seller on feepay of expensive items lost thousands of $$$ because they thought they had requested a signature for Express Mail, but inadvertently had not, and the "buyers" (thieves) filed non-receipt claims.

KbKards

USPS recently changed their Express Mail Forms. A signature required used to be default and there was a checkbox that had to be checked for waiver of signature. Now waiver of signature is the default and there is a checkbox that needs to be checked for signature required. When I fill out the form I check and circle the area. When I take it into the PO for shipping one person, unsolicited for some curious reason at the time, also yellow highlighted the area after removing the upper copies. As noted above when I initially used Ebay/PayPal shipping to generate the Express Mail label for a high value package I assumed a signature required would be automatic for Express Mail. I printed the label and noticed it came out noting a waiver of signature. I went back and tried printing it out with signature required and there was no option to do that. I cancelled the label and hand wrote a regular USPS Express Mail form, and then manually uploaded the tracking info to Ebay. It was an awful change made to the service level and forms, and for the people who are used to using the forms during prep and delivery.

jwitten

Signature is not required for express mail. Not their fault if that was not chosen as an option when shipped.

MWallace

The label will show if a signature is required or waived by the sender. This is true with Express mail as well as Priority. Your beef may be with the sender.

LanceNewmanOCC

Originally posted by: KbKards

there is a checkbox that needs to be checked for signature required.

i dont know how recent the change was but ive been having to check the box for signature required for as long as i can remember using the express form and always do use it. fwiw



used one recently, so it seems to still be the modus operandi.

.

epcjimi1

Originally posted by: KbKards
USPS recently changed their Express Mail Forms. A signature required used to be default and there was a checkbox that had to be checked for waiver of signature. Now waiver of signature is the default and there is a checkbox that needs to be checked for signature required. .

Yep.

It's yin/yang, USPS style.

TomB

"For some reason I thought such packages required a signature of receipt; which, of course, was never given."



A signature for Express Mail is not required for delivery. However, there is a box that the shipper may check on the Express Mail label that will require a signature be obtained. This box is midway down the left-hand half of the Express Mail label that says-



"DELIVERY OPTIONS (Customer Use Only)"



By placing a mark, check or X through "SIGNATURE REQUIRED" then a signature will be required for delivery.



We don't have enough information yet to know if the shipper didn't request a signature when they shipped the coins via Express Mail or if the USPS dropped the ball.

ElKevvo

For me often USPS is the easiest choice. I have had items sent via UPS and they show up when I am at work. Well after 2 more delivery attempts they go out to the dist center for pickup which is about 30 miles away. Never mind that I have the main dist center at the airport (where I used to pick up stuff) 10 minutes from my house. Now if I miss them I am looking at more than an hour to get my package between driving and traffic. Not fun.



K

Cougar1978

I use USPS for both buying and items I sell. No problems. Would not go without them.

All of my numismatic purchases shipped to my POB. I wish they would hire more people to man counters plus stay open a little later.

mannie gray

Originally posted by: Cougar1978

I use USPS for both buying and items I sell. No problems. Would not go without them.



All of my numismatic purchases shipped to my POB. I wish they would hire more people to man counters plus stay open a little later.

I agree with you!

garrynot

The intent of Express Mail is to get there faster. If you want a signature confirmation you would have to add certified mail to it or registered mail. Then everyone who touches it has to identify themselves.

ricko

When I ship valuable items, I use registered mail... have never had an issue with that method.

Cheers, RickO

TwoSides2aCoin

One good thing, thankfully that you got your coins. And let's hope they meet or exceed your expectations.