$&%@%! Post Office

Coinosaurus · December 21, 2012 6:19AM

I had to send a couple AGEs to Colorado yesterday. Put them in flips in a cardboard safe-t-mailer inside a business envelope, taped it up with the special registered mail tape, filled out the registered mail form, and headed over the PO.

The postal clerk looked at the insured value and REFUSED to take the delivery on the basis that "the declared value is too high for this kind of packaging - it has to be in a box." WTF??? I have been sending and receiving higher value coins out of this PO for 20 years the exact same way, w/no issues. I ask to see the supervisor, who backs up the employee. WTF?????? Are they just trying to be extra mean during the holiday season?????

I drove over to the PO in the next town, where there was no problem.

LindeDad · December 21, 2012 6:32AM

Another proof that most don't know the rules.

blu62vette · December 21, 2012 6:33AM

I was told once when I received a registered item it should not have been accepted based on the package. I start at a small priority box for registered mail and move up in size.

coindeuce · December 21, 2012 6:35AM

They're using their own interpretation of the DMM to cover their @$$e$. That being stated, I would never send two ounces of gold in anything less than a rigid cardboard (CD mailer) package. Hope you carry a rabbit's foot for luck !

mozin · December 21, 2012 3:07PM

I am convinced most USPS counter workers were hired because of the government quotas for minority hiring, or they have some sexual specialty, or some kind of a disability requiring their special treatment. The counter workers at the USPS, in my opinion, mostly do not deserve to have such important jobs. Sorry, but that is how I feel about USPS counter workers.

derryb · December 21, 2012 3:14PM

Clerk accepting registered mail becomes responsible for it. Judgement call on part of clerk, that's why supervisor backed up the clerk.

JamesM · December 21, 2012 3:21PM

<< Mozin - I am convinced most USPS counter workers were hired because of the government quotas for minority hiring, or they have some sexual specialty, or some kind of a disability requiring their special treatment. The counter workers at the USPS, in my opinion, mostly do not deserve to have such important jobs. Sorry, but that is how I feel about USPS counter workers. >>

I fail to understand how anything you posted is relevant to the OP.

I will simply respond in saying that the people who work at USPS have always displayed the highest level of integrity; in addition I have found that the employees who work at my local branch are hard working, friendly and knowledgeable.

PerryHall · December 21, 2012 4:18PM

<< 

<< Mozin - I am convinced most USPS counter workers were hired because of the government quotas for minority hiring, or they have some sexual specialty, or some kind of a disability requiring their special treatment. The counter workers at the USPS, in my opinion, mostly do not deserve to have such important jobs. Sorry, but that is how I feel about USPS counter workers. >>

I fail to understand how anything you posted is relevant to the OP.

I will simply respond in saying that the people who work at USPS have always displayed the highest level of integrity; in addition I have found that the employees who work at my local branch are hard working, friendly and knowledgeable. >>

I've also had great experiences with my local post office.

SeattleSlammer · December 21, 2012 4:45PM

<< I had to send a couple AGEs to Colorado yesterday. Put them in flips in a cardboard safe-t-mailer inside a business envelope, taped it up with the special registered mail tape, filled out the registered mail form, and headed over the PO.

The postal clerk looked at the insured value and REFUSED to take the delivery on the basis that "the declared value is too high for this kind of packaging - it has to be in a box." WTF??? I have been sending and receiving higher value coins out of this PO for 20 years the exact same way, w/no issues. I ask to see the supervisor, who backs up the employee. WTF?????? Are they just trying to be extra mean during the holiday season?????

I drove over to the PO in the next town, where there was no problem. >>

If only you had started with the last sentence, paused to take a breath, and then resisted the urge to add yet another postal rant thread where everything turns out just fine.

Meanwhile, Mozin is feeling the need to do justice to his avatar.

It's a crazy Friday night on the forum.

Jcarney · December 21, 2012 6:27PM

<< I am convinced most USPS counter workers were hired because of the government quotas for minority hiring, or they have some sexual specialty, or some kind of a disability requiring their special treatment. The counter workers at the USPS, in my opinion, mostly do not deserve to have such important jobs. Sorry, but that is how I feel about USPS counter workers. >>

So, are you saying they don't deserve their jobs BECAUSE they are minorities or have disabilities? (I'm not even going to touch the "sexual specialty" comment...I have no idea what you're talking about there.) This is either the most bigoted post I've ever seen on these boards or the most poorly written.

Patches · December 21, 2012 8:17PM

<< 

<< I had to send a couple AGEs to Colorado yesterday. Put them in flips in a cardboard safe-t-mailer inside a business envelope, taped it up with the special registered mail tape, filled out the registered mail form, and headed over the PO.

The postal clerk looked at the insured value and REFUSED to take the delivery on the basis that "the declared value is too high for this kind of packaging - it has to be in a box." WTF??? I have been sending and receiving higher value coins out of this PO for 20 years the exact same way, w/no issues. I ask to see the supervisor, who backs up the employee. WTF?????? Are they just trying to be extra mean during the holiday season?????

I drove over to the PO in the next town, where there was no problem. >>

If only you had started with the last sentence, paused to take a breath, and then resisted the urge to add yet another postal rant thread where everything turns out just fine.

Meanwhile, Mozin is feeling the need to do justice to his avatar.

It's a crazy Friday night on the forum. >>

I like the Avatar adoption...I'm guessing beer and some role playing brought this comment out

Barry · December 21, 2012 9:38PM

Len,

I suggest you call 800-ask-usps and file a complaint.

Surpringly, for a bureaucracy like the post office, they are very repsonsive to problems that occur in their branches. They'll assign a case #, call you with their findings, etc. This way, you won't have that problem again next time.

Coinosaurus · December 21, 2012 10:10PM

<< 
I suggest you call 800-ask-usps and file a complaint.

Surpringly, for a bureaucracy like the post office, they are very repsonsive to problems that occur in their branches. They'll assign a case #, call you with their findings, etc. This way, you won't have that problem again next time. >>

Nah. I've calmed down since yesterday. I think Mr. Slammer had it right

Senex · December 21, 2012 11:23PM

<< I am convinced most USPS counter workers were hired because of the government quotas for minority hiring, or they have some sexual specialty, or some kind of a disability requiring their special treatment. The counter workers at the USPS, in my opinion, mostly do not deserve to have such important jobs. Sorry, but that is how I feel about USPS counter workers. >>

The clerks at my PO are friendly and helpful.

tincup · December 21, 2012 11:28PM

The problem is when you use a business sized envelope when sending merchandise. I have run into the same situation; there does appear to be a regulation regarding this. They view the business size envelope use as correspondence, and as such do not allow use for merchandise (at least for allowing insurance to be added). They also seem to require a minimum thickness for an item to be processed as merchandise.

Although I understand your frustration, as I have felt myself when this has happened, I can also understand their reluctance to allow the 'package' to be sent in that format. Especially for registered mail, in which they have to make sure the package is secure enough (and all seams covered, etc) for the journey and arrive safely at the destination without any damage.

I don't understand why everyone seems to have to pile on the USPS when they attempt to comply with regulations... yes, they will screw up at times. But so do the other services such as UPS, etc.; we have threads regarding problems with the others also.

Why not just use a priority box to begin with, and avoid the issue?

TwoSides2aCoin · December 21, 2012 11:31PM

The problem with the counter clerk is his pay grade. He's on a need to know basis and he just don't know what he needs to know. Hope this helps cheer you up, friend.

Unknown · December 21, 2012 11:39PM

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grote15 · December 22, 2012 11:34AM

<< I am convinced most USPS counter workers were hired because of the government quotas for minority hiring, or they have some sexual specialty, or some kind of a disability requiring their special treatment. The counter workers at the USPS, in my opinion, mostly do not deserve to have such important jobs. Sorry, but that is how I feel about USPS counter workers. >>

This is a rather ignorant post, imo.

Senex · December 22, 2012 11:50AM

<< I agree with the fact that all post offices are not equally on the ball. I dropped off a couple of overnight expresses within a couple of hours at different post offices Thursday; one got to the destination perfectly, the other didn't get logged in 'til this morning, it was a grading service submission. Those here who are spending hundreds a week in shipping know the intricacies of how the usps operates. >>

I'm hardly a bulk mailer but I have a pretty good idea how the PO system works.
In the last 20 years I have lost one item (and I suspect the buyer was lying).
Packing items securely, a clear address label and mailing early in the day is the way to go.

Cougar1978 · December 22, 2012 11:51AM

Coins can not be in a safety mailer in an envelope. Ideally they should be in a box or at least a padded mailer at least 3/4 inch thick (I believe thats the minimum thickness). I had them reject the coins in a safety mailer inside an envelope over ten years ago and simply have adapted to the rules. I use the padded mailers, wrap the coins in bubble wrap so the whole thing is the minimum thickness then seal it with mailing tape. If your sending coins registered the tape has to be the kind they can stamp. Currency, large coin orders, big ticket items go out in a box. For something as expensive as AGE's I would ship them out in a box, securely taped, and registered. If you don't understand the USPS regulations on packing and shipping you need to take responsibility and get up to speed so you don't have hassles at the counter. One thing I don't like is waiting in a long line and then see it delayed because of somebody who did not do their homework on packing and or trying to argue with the clerk at the counter.

I would watch out in sending coins out in envelopes like that as they run those thru machines which can damage the coin. I had a slab broken in half that way. By luck the coin was undamaged. The customer returned it to me for a refund of course. From then on I always have had them mark "fragile" on the package. California is the only state where I have had items damaged or broken while in transit with USPS. Even a box is no guarantee an item won't be broken. I once had a shimpment to Cali of some model RR items in a box. The customer sent it all back saying it had been broken by USPS. A couple were but not all of them - I refunded him but wondered if he was lying. Someone would have had to jump on the box to break them.

fcloud · December 22, 2012 11:57AM

The last time someone sent me a certified coin in an envelope the envelope arrived empty. Luckily the postal worker notice it was empty and when I questioned them he stamped the envelope that it arrived empty and the insurance was paid. I would have rather had the coin.

Use a box.

Unknown · December 22, 2012 2:34PM

This content has been removed.

53BKid · December 24, 2012 8:04AM

<< I am convinced most USPS counter workers were hired because of the government quotas for minority hiring, or they have some sexual specialty, or some kind of a disability requiring their special treatment. The counter workers at the USPS, in my opinion, mostly do not deserve to have such important jobs. Sorry, but that is how I feel about USPS counter workers. >>

Mozin: Your avitar says it all.

gonzer · December 24, 2012 8:12AM

<< I am convinced most USPS counter workers were hired because of the government quotas for minority hiring, or they have some sexual specialty, or some kind of a disability requiring their special treatment. The counter workers at the USPS, in my opinion, mostly do not deserve to have such important jobs. Sorry, but that is how I feel about USPS counter workers. >>

I worked in the PO for 10 years a decade ago. I can honestly say that your comments reveal more about your character than you know. I doubt you could finish an 8 hour shift at your local.

ebaybuyer · December 24, 2012 8:48AM

Mozin is entitled to his opinion without everyone attacking him... or at least that is how i understand the rules here.... has anyone been to his local post office with a differing opinion ?

seateddime · December 24, 2012 11:14AM

It could be worse, GF sent me the Greer 1840WD plate coin and it got lost!

Barry · December 25, 2012 1:16AM

<< It could be worse, GF sent me the Greer 1840WD plate coin and it got lost! >>

If it will make you feel better, I'll send you a photocopy of the page from the book

$&%@%! Post Office

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$&amp;%@%! Post Office

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$&%@%! Post Office