Registered Mail

SAFE AND SLOW. Usually it seems to sit in every city for 2 days when I receive something.

The more stops, the slower it is. I get registered mail packages in Monterey, shipped from Oakland, in 1-2 days. About 100 miles.

When I ship registered from coast to coast it is usually a week. Quickest, 4 days. Longest, 16 days.

Also, the PO doesn't seem too keen on updating each hop. Maybe for security. Or maybe employees just don't scan.
Lance.

Slow but super secure! Your wait time isn't unusual but, personally, I'd rather have security than speed (to a point, of course.)

@PhilLynott said:
Yep the one downside of registered is the snail pace. That and having to use the stupid paper tape. Otherwise it's an amazing service for getting expensive stuff to places safely.

The paper tape is not that bad once you figure it out. I use a wet sponge and it works like a charm.

You have to seal the pkg with paper tape ?

Send flat rate priority registered. Really improves the time, usually

@coinlieutenant said:
Send flat rate priority registered. Really improves the time, usually

USPS has confirmed with me that priority registered gets treated no different than first class registered when it comes to handling and delivery time. It's all treated as registered. Only difference is that priority registered cost a little bit more but allows one to take advantage of priority flat rate discounts. Anything over thirteen ozs. gets charged at the priority rate. A shipment less than 13 oz. gets a discount (if not in a priority box or envelope) if sender specifically requests "first class registered" at time of shipping.

@derryb said:

@coinlieutenant said:
Send flat rate priority registered. Really improves the time, usually

USPS has confirmed with me that priority registered gets treated no different than first class registered when it comes to handling and delivery time. It's all treated as registered. Only difference is that priority registered cost a little bit more but allows one to take advantage of priority flat rate discounts. Anything over thirteen ozs. gets charged at the priority rate. A shipment less than 13 oz. gets a discount (if not in a priority box or envelope) if sender specifically requests "first class registered" at time of shipping.

Agree that for larger heavy shipments, this saves tons. For smaller ones, I still see the priority get there faster. USPS won't guarantee it, or say it, but it does move faster. And I've spent about 4K in shipping so far this year....large sample size.

@derryb said:
unusual but not rare. If it sits too long in one place you can call the USPS toll free number and they will put a boot where it belongs.

Because it's registered, it normally gets scanned at each hand-off. It's like a hot potato for the last guy that signed for it and scanned it. Jobs are lost over register mail being lost - that's what makes it so reliable, even if slow. Cheaper too for insured items over $750. Also one can send heavy items registered mail and take advantage of a flat rate with priority flat rate boxes. But if shipment is under 13 oz. always specify "first class registered," it's a bit cheaper.

Best to call the sitting on it PO branch directly yourself.

@BAJJERFAN said:

I thought that you automatically got first class registered if the weight was under 13 ounces.

Not always, manually entered by the clerk. He has two choices unless you specify. Hey, it's not his money.

@coinlieutenant said:

@derryb said:

@coinlieutenant said:
Send flat rate priority registered. Really improves the time, usually

USPS has confirmed with me that priority registered gets treated no different than first class registered when it comes to handling and delivery time. It's all treated as registered. Only difference is that priority registered cost a little bit more but allows one to take advantage of priority flat rate discounts. Anything over thirteen ozs. gets charged at the priority rate. A shipment less than 13 oz. gets a discount (if not in a priority box or envelope) if sender specifically requests "first class registered" at time of shipping.

Agree that for larger heavy shipments, this saves tons. For smaller ones, I still see the priority get there faster. USPS won't guarantee it, or say it, but it does move faster. And I've spent about 4K in shipping so far this year....large sample size.

for REGISTERED, there is no different handling of priority mail. Derryb is correct. They go in the pouch and must be signed for. There is no "1st class pouch" and "priority pouch", there's only one pouch. Go ahead and pay for an overnight shipping - it'll still just go in the registered pouch if it's registered with NO overnight guarantee. Go to your post office and try it.

You are deceiving yourself with confirmation bias.

@BAJJERFAN said:
I don't ever recall a window clerk trying to charge me priority rates for a 5 ounce first class envelope. For a single slabbed coin, put it in a Safe T Mailer and put that into a regular letter envelope. Wrap brown tape around it and you're good to go. Registered mail gets kinder and gentler handling so no damage worries.

They shouldn't try to charge priority unless you use priority packaging. They also SHOULD not try to upcharge you on the shipping like they do for a regular package since there is only one registered shipping tier.

For items of value, I always use Registered mail....Yes, it is slow, but I have never had a problem with that system. I have heard (on this forum) once or twice of issues, but very rare. Cheers, RickO

Funny registered mail story - after all the discussion here.

I took some gold to the P.O. I ha put it in a bubble envelope which was then in a manila envelope with the appropriate tape. Since it was a little thick an a little uneven, I did it as small package with registration which was $19.35. [I use discount postage.]

I get to the window and the woman says to me, "You know registered can be slow."

I said, "I know."

She said, "it could be as long as a month"

I said, "I know". [Although I've never had one take quite that long.]

Then she rang it up as $17 and change. She had rung it up as 1st class 3 ounces. I said, "shouldn't that go small package". She said, patting the envelope, "it'll probably go through, these don't go through any machinery."

I said, "whatever gets it there. Keep the change."

Now, per the earlier discussion - there is NO advantage to sending it priority. And now I'm wondering if I could save a couple bucks an send them all 1st class registered rather than 1st class package registered.

Not to beat a dead horse, but do you want to "know" it will get there or "hope" that it will get there? I know what I prefer, especially when I am returning someone else's coins.