US Mint bags are brilliant. Here's why
jessewvu
Posts: 5,065 ✭✭✭✭✭
The United States mint is a profitable business. I think they have a very good reason for offering the bags AND shipping them seperatly.
Here are some reasons I think it's a great idea.
1. It allows the US Mint to verify credit card information early and correct issues before they are ready to ship products. People get bent out of shape when orders are canceled because of an outdated cc on file.
2. It allows the US Mint to verify order limit compliance and determine how many coins they will need to minted. There are probably many folks that order knowing their order will get canceled, delaying the time for "real" orders to get processed. Now they can do that a day or two after items go on sale.
3. They probably have a discount rate with the shipper due to the large number of small, lightweight packages being shipped so its probably only a buck or two.
4. It's great marketing. Regardless of what the paranoid conspiracy theorists think, people will use these and others will see them and potentially get them to visit the US Mint website. I imagine the people carrying tem will be a little more affluent and the folks they are around would also be affluent.
5. It is a small things that count sometimes. Getting a free bag shipped shortly after you order will probably ease some tension with spending so much money. It shows progress, regardless of when the coins actually ship.
6. It might actually dissuade someone from placing an order knowing they will cancel in a day or two if the item doesn't sell out before the coins ship. This used to be a huge game for flippers (maybe still is). Order something early, wait to see how sales go, then cancle the order when it doesn't sell out or sales are slow. That probably caused all kinds of overminting or coin packaging to be made and then have the orders cancled.
Post your ideas. I think if you try to think about it, instead of blast it without thinking, it makes sense.
Here are some reasons I think it's a great idea.
1. It allows the US Mint to verify credit card information early and correct issues before they are ready to ship products. People get bent out of shape when orders are canceled because of an outdated cc on file.
2. It allows the US Mint to verify order limit compliance and determine how many coins they will need to minted. There are probably many folks that order knowing their order will get canceled, delaying the time for "real" orders to get processed. Now they can do that a day or two after items go on sale.
3. They probably have a discount rate with the shipper due to the large number of small, lightweight packages being shipped so its probably only a buck or two.
4. It's great marketing. Regardless of what the paranoid conspiracy theorists think, people will use these and others will see them and potentially get them to visit the US Mint website. I imagine the people carrying tem will be a little more affluent and the folks they are around would also be affluent.
5. It is a small things that count sometimes. Getting a free bag shipped shortly after you order will probably ease some tension with spending so much money. It shows progress, regardless of when the coins actually ship.
6. It might actually dissuade someone from placing an order knowing they will cancel in a day or two if the item doesn't sell out before the coins ship. This used to be a huge game for flippers (maybe still is). Order something early, wait to see how sales go, then cancle the order when it doesn't sell out or sales are slow. That probably caused all kinds of overminting or coin packaging to be made and then have the orders cancled.
Post your ideas. I think if you try to think about it, instead of blast it without thinking, it makes sense.
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Comments
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
so released after your coin order is "in process"
Box of 20
A couple of months ago, our dumbazz city council decided to make criminals out of large stores that used plastic grocery bags, so they instituted a hidden tax where you now have to bring your own bags instead of the store providing them. (Of course, my grocery store will happily sell you reusable bags for $2-5...)
I've now tried a couple of different reusable bags for groceries, and by far and away, those mint bags are the best! As much as I derided the bags when I got a dozen of 'em 20 months ago, I'm now appreciative!
I've even opened my sealed bag boxes for the bags, making them ineligible for first sewn.
when I did... I saw that coming. Cheers, RickO