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PSA: Small Flat Rate Boxes

messydeskmessydesk Posts: 20,299 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
When using a USPS Small Flat Rate box, be sure to cover up the ends of the box where tab A folds into slot B using tape or a label. I can open up the end of one of these boxes, remove the contents, and re-close the box in 10 seconds or so. I imagine a thief working at the post office is just as good at this as I am. I also imagine you'd rather have your coins delivered than have to make an insurance claim.
John
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution

Comments

  • FlatwoodsFlatwoods Posts: 4,246 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Good advice.

    I'd like to see you open one of mine ...period.



    I like tape. image
  • lkeigwinlkeigwin Posts: 16,893 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Very smart.



    I use three strips of clear packing tape for the label. The middle one is extra long to wrap around the sides and cover the slots.



    I would add it is also a good idea to tape over the box flap even though it has glue under the removable strip. Its stickiness fades with age.

    Lance.
    Coin Photography Services / Everyman Registry set / BHNC #213
  • LanceNewmanOCCLanceNewmanOCC Posts: 19,999 ✭✭✭✭✭
    .

    good to encourage this.



    i do it to all package types where seams/folds are.



    couldn't find my usual tapes so used duct tape on my overnight envelope to pcgs. image



    no loose contents either. put them inside something bigger and harder to pull out and/or tape to inside.

    .

    <--- look what's behind the mask! - cool link 1/NO ~ 2/NNP ~ 3/NNC ~ 4/CF ~ 5/PG ~ 6/Cert ~ 7/NGC 7a/NGC pop~ 8/NGCF ~ 9/HA archives ~ 10/PM ~ 11/NM ~ 12/ANACS cert ~ 13/ANACS pop - report fakes 1/ACEF ~ report fakes/thefts 1/NCIS - Numi-Classes SS ~ Bass ~ Transcribed Docs NNP - clashed coins - error training - V V mm styles -

  • coindeucecoindeuce Posts: 13,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I always use either the reinforced strapping tape or the reinforced brown gum backed paper tape over those flaps. It certainly acts as a deterrent to anyone having sufficient time to tamper with a package without it becoming obvious..

    "Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
    http://www.american-legacy-coins.com

  • BochimanBochiman Posts: 25,556 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yep...noticed this years ago and, even if not sending something registered, I use the paper registered mail tape to go over those areas.

    I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment

  • epcjimi1epcjimi1 Posts: 3,489 ✭✭✭
    Smallest USPS priority box? I double wrap north -south, east - west with clear tape after closing, that tab A into slot B, elbows needed to close the box and seal the contact tape on the front flap is not very secure.
  • TomthemailcarrierTomthemailcarrier Posts: 660 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Always secure all Priority mail boxes with tape. Not to avoid thieves, but since the adhesive is not very good. In my 34 years of delivering mail I had to deliver some empty parcels that were not securely sealed. Nothing worse than delivering an empty box.....
  • jwittenjwitten Posts: 5,235 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It amazes me that any postal worker would let one ship WITHOUT the ends taped up. I had one get squished in shipment coming to me, and it essentially popped the box open like you are saying. THANKFULLY the seller had taped the coin to the inside of the box, so it did not fall out in shipment. If it had been loose in there, it would have been gone.
  • Jackthecat1Jackthecat1 Posts: 1,122 ✭✭✭
    An excellent point. Tape is cheap.
    Member ANS, ANA, GSNA, TNC



    image

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