UPS PO Box versus USPS PO Box for Coin Purchases?
C0inCollect0r
Posts: 374 ✭✭
Hi folks,
I have long used a USPS PO Box to receive coin purchases and other valuable shipments. Frankly though the service at the local USPS branch seems to be getting worse and worse by the day (missing packages, 30+ minute lines, failure by the staff to require proper signature confirmation, etc).
I am just curious if anyone has used the UPS "PO Boxes" instead for this similar service? I rarely use UPS personally but the few times I have used the local branch the service has been excellent and I becoming tempted to try one of their PO Boxes instead.
Any experiences or advice would be appreciated.
0
Comments
There's some good information in this thread that may help (not quite what you asked, but UPS vs. USPS boxes do come up). https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/comment/12162606
If there are issues with things like signatures, I'd talk to the postmaster. That's an issue that goes beyond poor service like slow/long lines.
I have used US Postal P.O. Boxes in two different locations for many years. Both have been well serviced for my numismatic items including both US priority and registered mail as well as deliveries from Great Britain, Australia, and Germany. Guess that service depends on the individual post office and I have been most fortunate.
Start by comparing prices. I had a box at a private place once and I think the monthly cost was about half of the annual cost of a USPS box. Also, the UPS store (or whatever it was called) closed after a couple years so the boxes were gone as well.
If you don't like your PO see if there is another smaller branch nearby.
Lastly, USPS employees are held to a higher standard for employment and for punishment for any infractions. The local UPS/shipping store can hire anyone they want, temps, unscreened people, etc. Also, the UPS store does not have Postal Inspectors.
@c01nc0llect1ng
Talk to the postmaster... not a supervisor.
Postmaster lookup:
https://webpmt.usps.gov/pmt002.cfm
Maybe you need to go to another post office (less busy branch).
My local Post Master is worthless. Awhile back I was expecting a bullion order from APMEX,,,,, signature required. APMEX uses private insurance and I was tracking the package to my PO Box.
I was quite concerned when I got an e-mail saying the package was delivered.
I rushed to my Post Office and opened my PO Box. Inside I found a key to one of their lockers. When I opened the locker the package was there. I checked the label and it indeed said "Signature Required" so I went to the counter explained what happened and asked who signed for my package because it wasn't me. The clerk showed me the name. I didn't recognize the name so I asked her did she know who it was? She hesitated and sheepishly said that is the Post Master. So I was quite upset because my Post Office oftens puts other peoples mail in my PO Box so I suspect they put my mail in other boxes. I always take it to the counter and explain this is not my mail. Nobody seems too concerned about it. So what if the key was put in the wrong PO Box? My package could be gone if a less than honest person got it.
So I asked to talk to the Post Master,,,,,,, I went into her office and explained and told her I didn't sign for this package and asked her who did? She looked it up and said it looks like I signed for it. I asked her why? She just looked at me with a stupud look upon her face. I pushed the question and she finally said a new clerk brought a group of packages to her to check and she just signed for all of them so they could deliver them. I explained that my package was worth several thousand dollars and what would happen if the key was put into the wrong PO Box? Again no answer. So I pressed the question and she finally responded well the clerk was new and she messed up! I said well you signed for it so it looks like to me that YOU mess-up? I asked what she was going to do to correct this problem and she said,,,,, look people mess what do you want me to do? I said if you have to ask that question you should not be running this office and I got up and left. I was quite upset at this point.
When I got home I got on line and filed a written complaint and I also called and talked to someone at USPS. I asked what would have happened if I had not gotten the package and I was told the person who signed would be personally responsible for the value of the package.
Two weks later I had another package coming from APMEX and AGAIN a key in my box and NO SIGNATURE. This time nobody signed for it. I called the USPS again and complained and then for 6 months ANY package I received to my PO Box had a slip in it and I had to go to the counter and pick it up. After the 6 months ended I still get other peoples letters in my box. Usually box numbers to the side of mine or above or below my box.
I get really frustrated by the USPS,,,,,, or at least my local office.
Rant over,,,,,
What a shoddy operation! Amazing how a fool like that becomes a postmaster!
My local post office installed boxes for larger items, so I don't have to get in line to get them.
Great idea they put the key in my regular po box so I can open the locker.
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Yes, but what happens if they put the key in the wrong PO Box? That is my concern as my Post Office oftens puts mail in the wrong PO box. I have no reason to believe that a key can't be misplaced especially when they don't get a signature when required.
@GRANDAM
That only happen to me once and, and it was no problem.
I get notification from USPS about delivery to my po box, I found the item wasn't in my box and went directly to the counter and they retrieved it right away.
The worst problem I ever had was back in 2000 I was living in the Lakes region of NH. My local po was general store, post office, pizza and local hang out.
Any how a shipment from a TPG arrived there, they thought it was a package for them . So they opened it.
It was several gold coins that I had graded.
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Multiply that by xxxxxxxxx times & you’ll know how our local, state & federal gov work & why they’re gouging us on taxes to pay for incompetent* gov bureaucracy.
*I’ll let someone else put in “crooked” for incompetent
All of these examples of mishandling of packages that should have been signed for are frustrating to say the least, but what would have happened had it been a UPS store? Either the UPS store would have signed for them, which puts you back in the same place, or the USPS would have made you come to the PO to get the package. Not sure how a UPS store is better in these scenarios. As a matter of fact, I think it is far worse. If the USPS screws up you can go up the chain of command at the USPS. If the UPS store screws up you can complain to the Millennial who manages the place.
Boy, you’ve got that right. Too bad some of these states can’t find a person similar to Warren Buffett and his financial acumen and figure out what needs to stay and what needs to go as far as where the finances go. Unfortunately, I don’t see that happening anytime soon. Sorry, got a bit off topic.
Get a PO box at a different branch. Even out here in the sticks where I live there are a half-dozen offices within a 10 minute drive.
USPS around here is absolute garbage. Unmotivated "service" rules with carriers and the package pickup annex. I use a private mail depot place, similar to UPS store. Service there is stellar. As an added bonus, they are not thieves. So many advantages over USPS
Home delivery puts you face to face with USPS when a signature is required.
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
I have been using a UPS store mail box for over 10 years now. They have never lost a delivery. They sign for the packages and leave the receipts in my box. I have never used a USPS box, so I don't know how they perform. I will say this, do NOT have coins sent to your residence, that is just asking to be robbed.
that's a novel concept. Letter carriers here NEVER even attempt to deliver to the home. They just leave the package at the office and bring you a pink slip, typically two or three days later. They suck.
Ok, so you live in a $hity town. Home delivery always put me face to face with USPS when a signature is required.
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
ups store treats me good. they are generally there to serve you.
in the end, I think it is about the employees at whichever location
My mail box is right next to my front door. I know the mail people who deliver here. I do get coins and other packages of value... some require signatures. If not at home, they leave a yellow slip telling me to pick it up. No issues here...one mail person even brings doggie biscuits for my dogs...I know what time the mail is delivered (within a 20 minute window) and usually I am home...If away, a neighbor picks up my mail...Been working well for the last ten years at this address. Cheers, RickO
Since we have mail delivery six days per week there is always one day where a substitute mail person delivers to my home. Even my regular mailman messes up occasionally. Everyone's human.
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Official USPS maybe better.
I don't have to burn gasoline to walk down the driveway to the mailbox.
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
My local USPS is absolutely awful. Everyone working there seems very unhappy and that is transferred to the service they give. I simply can't wait in line so long for their slow service and their attitude when an issue arises, as when they have lost packages - happened 2x including a registered package from NGC. These lost packages were ultimately found via 'strange' discoveries - they were not where they were supposed to be apparently in the back shelves but finally found - or so I was told. No exact explanation was ever given to me in either case.
So after all of that, I decided to get a UPS box for both coin and wine shipments. The biggest issue with them is that because they pay low, the turnover is high and seem to be understaffed some times when I go in, but never have the lost a package, they sign for me, and the longest I have ever had to wait to get my package is 10-15 minutes and 90% of the time less than 5 minutes. But security for the packages is low, they just pile them all into the same open shelves behind the counter even the registered ones. If they did have a dishonest employee, things could go south. But they never have so far.
I would assume if one has the right USPS local, it can be good. But almost every post office I have ever had locally is slow even those that are friendly. UPS is not perfect, but they have never failed me yet after a decade of having a box with them.
Best, SH
This is my biggest concern. Attitudes might be better because when they get fed up they just leave. But, the high turnover would make me less confident. These employees (except the owners) simply have less of a stake in their job because it is not a career for them.
Think about that..."they sign for me". Once they do that, the USPS is out of the picture. USPS insurance, tracking, etc. stops when your mail enters the UPS store. If/when your UPS store package goes missing, who are you going to call? Are the packages covered by private insurance once in the store? If a package is "lost" what evidence does anyone have that you did not already pick it up?
Bottom line: if you are happy with whatever arrangement you have, then that is all that matters. But, it sounds like unfortunately some of you have bad POs nearby. As for mine, the PO staff is trained on how to handle my email, and if I have a package and there is a line, they just hand it to me over the heads of those who are waiting.
First the UPS employees have no idea what is in a given package, how would they know which to take if they decided to take one? I have had 100s shipped and signed for there, not a single loss or indecent despite the packages piled on shelves in the back. In retrospect to my concerns listed above, the anonymity of that approach -gobs of packages for all customers piled together, means that an employee would have to be spending alot of time inspecting alot of packages to figure out which one to take, and I am sure that the other employees would become suspicious pdq. So their system works and I have had no issues.
Yet despite the higher standard for an employee at USPS, they had 2 lost packages including registered mail until I pursued it with a complaint above the locals heads. Hmm......
It seems that the fact that your PO staff are personally trained for your mail, means they seem to know you have valuable stuff and they know your address. I prefer a staff that receives my mail that has no idea about my mail or me instead. So the 'high turnover' at the UPS store is an advantage in that way, they never get to know you or your packages if they aren't around for the long term.
Bottom line: if you are happy having your local PO staff know you and the value of your mail, and by extension your address, then that is all that matters.
Best, SH
You seem awfully defensive, and your primary "protection" seems to that the UPS staff is too clueless to know which among the heap of packages is the valuable one. God forbid they ever hire someone who is criminally minded and on the ball.
You didn't answer the question about whether or not the UPS store has insurance for your packages once they get to their store. The USPS has zero obligations once your agent signs for it. I have no idea about the UPS store's coverage, and I would be very interested in case I ever get deliveries at one. (I have heard that you can get UPS packages delivered to one even if you don't have one of their mail boxes.)
And, no, my local PO staff does not know the monetary value of my mail, and there is no connection for them to make to coins or bullion. All they know is that I take my mail seriously and don't like things bent or wadded up inside the mailbox and they respect that. (And the respect is a two way street).
The same way a USPS employee knows which package to target! From all the negatives posted here I am so glad 3 of the 4 Post Offices I use are stellar!
I looked up the user agreement for "The UPS Store" nearest to me and in signing the agreement you agree that they are not responsible for any damage or loss. They advertise that they will keep your packages "secure" but the agreement clearly absolves them of any actual responsibility.
Also, while the mailbox cost is a bit elusive to locate online (I guess they want you to go in to find out), I did find one price schedule that places the yearly cost at about 4 times what I pay at the USPS.
I am not trying to dissuade anyone from getting a PMB, and they certainly can be convenient if they have 24 hour access as many do, but people need to carefully look at the whole picture to decide what is best for them. Just as I got a PO box because my street carrier is horrendous, some people might get a private mailbox because their local USPS branch is bad.
I feel sorry for some of you that have carpy post office branches. I feel fortunate that mine is great! Many of the employees know me by name, my mail carrier is a gem.
For me, I'd get a USPS box if I felt I needed one.
But some of you ought to use UPS if the USPS isn't getting the job done.
Seems simple enough to me.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
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My Post Office WAS great a few years back but all the long time employees retired over a 2 year period and now is staffed by alot of newbies and temps. My Rural Carrier was GREAT also but she transferred to a different route that paid more money
My Post Master changed over the last couple of years also and I told what I think of her in an above post..
I am longing for the day when my Post Office can become great again,,,,,,,,,,,,,