Do you mail insured in long envelopes?

topstuf

I have. For 40 odd years or more. Reinforce paper tape over the back and insured.



Well... today... at our SMALL post office, I proffered such a thing and Ms. Blupnugg had to go IN THE BACK...to ask a question.



On her return, she told me that if the envelope OPENED and the coin (in Saf-T-Mailer) ensconced in the envelope which was back taped ....well.... my insurance claim would be....AIYEE....REJECTED!



I informed her that this was how I have mailed for years and years and even when I had a claim denial 30 years ago, a CONGRESSMAN could settle the issue of the rejection and quiz her a bit on her indignant demands.



Now..... am I wrong in thinking this is a safe enough method to mail a slabbed coin in a corrugated mailer with tape on the back?

coindeuce

The method used to be commonly used by dealers to ship certified coins by Registered Mail. I personally would use a more secure method for a less secure level of service.

Also, when the USPS changed the criteria for what constituted a large letter vs. a package, as to the rates involved, that shifted the economy of shipping for objects of high value with thickness above 1/4".

OnWithTheHunt

I've used a similar method for years, only with the transparent postal tape instead of paper tape. Don't use mailers, but simply encase the 2X2 holding the coin in a piece of folded cardboard, because the corrugated mailers make the envelopes too thick to pass through the processing machinery. The clerks at my post office check by putting the envelopes through a slit in piece of cardboard to determine that. Have packaged several coins in the same envelope and shipped without a problem, and can't recall every having to make a claim. My claims have usually been on bigger packages, including padded envelopes and priority mail boxes.
This is for raw coins obviously. Slabs go in a padded mailer, and everything I mail is insured.

grip

For 20 years I have been mailing anything under $300.00 in a

bubble envelope and taped. Never had a problem.

topstuf

This was $1600.



However I may have covered my butt by expressing pleasure that she had finally gotten over her laryngitis that had her holding all required questions re: hazardous, flammable, explosive, infectious, misgraded, need any stamps, click the button, stay in a neat line..... on CARDS that she held up.



Not the ONLY thing she ...held up... for THREE WEEKS!



But I wouldn't want her to WASTE her sick days.

derryb

bubble wrap envelope at a minimum.

topstuf

Jeez, I hope this goes.



Will use the tracking and hope.



I had SUCH issues with a post office when we had the pawnshop.

Damn people wouldn't let the wife pick up from PO box unless HER name was on mail.



SHE was the owner of the box.

Under the company name.



It turned SO ugly that one hag hassled me to the point of TAPING the actual PO reg on the INSIDE door of the box.



ANYONE with the key can pick up and sign for mail.



And ESPECIALLY if they OWN the box lease.



PO clerks (and SUPER-vizers) get a bit uppity and unruly at times.



Will go BACK to bubble envelopes.



Just to keep the cretins feeling IMPORTANT.



AND....to save them from hauling their obese hulks ...."to the back to ask questions."





WHEN did WE lose it all?

OPA

Originally posted by: derryb
bubble wrap envelope at a minimum.

Absolutely. ( I prefer the plastic ones over the paper). In addition, place the slab or coin in a bubble bag or pouch. PO does not insure bullion nor "bullion coins," unless they are mailed via registered mail.... I do not insure.

jwitten

She can claim your insurance claim will be rejected, but they are the one who accepted the package like that, and insured it. The few times I've had to file an insurance claim took MONTHS and tons of letters to them, but they all finally paid. You will need to be a thorn in their side until you get your money.

topstuf

Originally posted by: jwitten

She can claim your insurance claim will be rejected, but they are the one who accepted the package like that, and insured it. The few times I've had to file an insurance claim took MONTHS and tons of letters to them, but they all finally paid. You will need to be a thorn in their side until you get your money.

I'm not going to assume ANY claim being needed.

This old gal just LOVES to mess with postal customers.



I bet it arrives just as it left.

ricko

I do not ship a lot of coins... however, when I do, I always use a cardboard box...Cheers, RickO

logger7

For ebay, I use their branded bubble mailers, free if you have a store and use the coupon. Over a certain amount I use the priority or express packaging, flat mailers. I don't see any difference or risk between a box or a well wrapped envelope and many of the auction companies do not ship in boxes, they must know something. I have never had a certified coin damaged shipped in an envelope and don't know why PCGS ships 5 plus coins in the heavy blue box, as most of my certifieds are not high value.

thebeav

I used to ship insured in a long envelope, coin between cardboards. That is, until I ran into an uppity temp or trainee. "You can't insure an envelope" I replied that I've been shipping like that for years. The regular clerks, even though we all knew each other by name, stood by the trainee. I went into the DMM online and found the section that did , indeed,say a 'letter'could be insured. I printed it and looked for that temp the next day. She was never to be seen again. I didn't want to get into a poop-storm with the regular clerks as I had to live with them, so I started using bubble envelopes at that time.

drwstr123

Never an envelope.
Low value I use safe t mailer and padded envelope.
(that's anything I'm will to cover the cost myself)
Anything else - Priority box.

DollarAfterDollar

I use a bubble mailer with the coin also wrapped in bubble wrap. I ensure that the package is at minimum 3/4 inch thick (Post Office Rules). The package comes with tracking. I no longer insure as I'm told the P.O. won't cover loss or theft anyway. I may be mistaken on that. On expensive packages I add signature confirmation.



Never had an issue..............knock on wood.

Lakesammman

Inexpensive items, all the time.



Expensive - never. If insurance is needed, at least a box, if not box-in-box.

cruisersk1

There are also boxes you can order online but not get from the post office itself. They are free and are called priority mail regional rate box. https://store.usps.com/store/b...amp;productId=P_RRB_A1 They are cheaper than the plain old flat rate boxes if the item is not going too far. They are also a little larger for the cheaper price. And did I mention free?

topstuf

Welll....... the tracking number is behaving nicely.



I may skate thru.





I think my concern for the blub's laryngitis could have stopped her from ripping it open and stealing it right there.