USPS Registered Mail Sucks...Your experiences?

Outhaul · February 21, 2020 2:50AM

Mailed on 15 Feb and it took four days just to make the 31 mile trip to Chicago. Who knows how long it's going to take to get to MA. USPS says it could take another 14 - 15 days.

What's your experience?

Cheers

Bob

Jimnight · February 21, 2020 3:01AM

No problems here.

gonzer · February 21, 2020 3:23AM

Registered requires more scrutiny during it's handling, thus the delay.

CoinJunkie · February 21, 2020 3:46AM

I haven't used it in many years, but do recall delivery times being hugely variable.

ms70 · February 21, 2020 4:07AM

For me delivery is usually made in 5 - 7 days. You'd think when something is considered valuable they'd want to get it out of their hands ASAP.

jmlanzaf · February 21, 2020 4:10AM

@ms70 said:
For me delivery is usually made in 5 - 7 days. You'd think when something is considered valuable they'd want to get it out of their hands ASAP.

It can't travel with regular mail. It is under lock and key the whole time and most be signed for every time it is handed off.

Registered mail provides security not speed

Cameonut · February 21, 2020 4:14AM

I have never had an issue with Registered mail. Slower but secure.

MFeld · February 21, 2020 4:28AM

@Outhaul said:
Mailed on 15 Feb and it took four days just to make the 31 mile trip to Chicago. Who knows how long it's going to take to get to MA. USPS says it could take another 14 - 15 days.

What's your experience?

Cheers

Bob

Bob, I would have thought you were already aware of the disadvantages AND advantages of registered-insured mail. Haven’t you been around here for a while?

SaorAlba · February 21, 2020 4:53AM

With foreign it gets even more variable. I have had stuff come from the Netherlands and Finland in literally 2-3 days, but Scotland took 6 weeks.

Outhaul · February 21, 2020 5:03AM

@MFeld said:

@Outhaul said:
Mailed on 15 Feb and it took four days just to make the 31 mile trip to Chicago. Who knows how long it's going to take to get to MA. USPS says it could take another 14 - 15 days.

What's your experience?

Cheers

Bob, I would have thought you were already aware of the disadvantages AND advantages of registered-insured mail. Haven’t you been around here for a while?

Yes, Mark, I have been. But my experience with registered mail has only been deliveries within 30 or so miles. I have never experienced registered mail outside of that.

Cheers

Bob

thisistheshow · February 21, 2020 5:04AM

As others said, much slower. The normal, non-registered is still very secure. Some things require registered.

Mgarmy · February 21, 2020 5:09AM

I just sent a package into our host. Heavily insured, registered and three day service, sig delivery. Does it cost a lot...yep but paying the 100 ish is worth the price if it makes it to CA from Va in three day’s.

Mgarmy · February 21, 2020 5:12AM

Now there insurance policy sucks they will let you insure it for whatever you want and charge you accordingly but if they lose it, then you have to have receipts. Which we know is BS because the coins are likely worth more than we bought them for...thus the insurance.

messydesk · February 21, 2020 5:21AM

Safe, reliable, and unpredictable. I've had cross-country packages take 2 days or 2 weeks. If stuff actually ever went missing, then I'd say it sucks. If you want fast, use express mail.

2ndCharter · February 21, 2020 5:26AM

As I've said in other threads - over the past 40 years, I have sent and received over a thousand Registered Mail packages all over the country and have NEVER had a problem. The average delivery time was 7 to 10 days. However, I have had them take as little as 4 days and as long as 17 days (to get from New York to Oklahoma) but every package arrived safe and sound.

jmlanzaf · February 21, 2020 5:38AM

@Outhaul said:

@MFeld said:

@Outhaul said:
Mailed on 15 Feb and it took four days just to make the 31 mile trip to Chicago. Who knows how long it's going to take to get to MA. USPS says it could take another 14 - 15 days.

What's your experience?

Cheers

Bob, I would have thought you were already aware of the disadvantages AND advantages of registered-insured mail. Haven’t you been around here for a while?

Yes, Mark, I have been. But my experience with registered mail has only been deliveries within 30 or so miles. I have never experienced registered mail outside of that.

Cheers

Bob

They will warn you right at the post office when you purchase registered mail that it is slower than regular mail.

jmlanzaf · February 21, 2020 5:39AM

@Mgarmy said:
Now there insurance policy sucks they will let you insure it for whatever you want and charge you accordingly but if they lose it, then you have to have receipts. Which we know is BS because the coins are likely worth more than we bought them for...thus the insurance.

If you are selling a coin then they will pay based on your sale price now not your purchase price 20 years ago.

If you are sending to PCGS, it is trickier to establish "value", but you can't blame them for not assuming that your "MS66 pop 1 gem" is really MS66.

Bigbuck1975 · February 21, 2020 5:41AM

My experience is 1-2 days longer that priority. No worries when shipping this way on losses.

fivecents · February 21, 2020 5:49AM

Super slow, super secure.
Package travels from one key locked safe to another key locked safe until it finally arrives.

Mgarmy · February 21, 2020 5:54AM

@jmlanzaf said:

@Mgarmy said:
Now there insurance policy sucks they will let you insure it for whatever you want and charge you accordingly but if they lose it, then you have to have receipts. Which we know is BS because the coins are likely worth more than we bought them for...thus the insurance.

If you are selling a coin then they will pay based on your sale price now not your purchase price 20 years ago.

If you are sending to PCGS, it is trickier to establish "value", but you can't blame them for not assuming that your "MS66 pop 1 gem" is really MS66.

JM agree however like real insurance you should have to show appraisal then. Total bs they will let you ensure for whatever you want and if they lose it onus to prove value is on you. They have no prob taking the money and if they bone up the delivery they absolve themselves. Total crap. I am going to go with fedex from now on. Cost more but they pay declared value (and charge accordingly) which is fine

Dscoin · February 21, 2020 5:54AM

I shipped a silver eagle last month via registered mail and as stated on here previously it took 8 days to get there but it arrived safe and secure

ricko · February 21, 2020 6:11AM

I have used Registered Mail a couple of times when shipping items of value. It did take 10-14 days.... but very secure and arrived safely. Sometimes, the security of the process outweighs the time involved. Cheers, RickO

MasonG · February 21, 2020 7:36AM

@Mgarmy said:
Total bs they will let you ensure for whatever you want and if they lose it onus to prove value is on you.

How could it work otherwise? They have to trust that you know the value since there's no way they could confirm what's in the sealed-up package you're handing them without opening it.

numbersman · February 21, 2020 7:47AM

My worst experience was on the other end...the receiving end. I have a PO Box and am there each day, sometimes several times a day, and am known by most that work there.Back late last year, when I walked in I was informed (by a clerk yelling across the room) that I had to get in line to get my registered package.My sig is on file and I don't usually have to get in line to get my stuff except for certified and registered items.Got in line, got the package, started walking out.....then took a close look at the package only to realize it wasn't addressed to me....it wasn't mine! It was for the PO Box next to mine....a jeweler.Safe and secure?.......well.....most of the time.

DollarAfterDollar · February 21, 2020 7:53AM

At every stop your package has to be put under lock and key if not in transit. My packages seem to always be forgotten someplace for a few days before someone remembers to open the cage. It's slow but secure.

Lakesammman · February 21, 2020 7:58AM

Never lost a package - that's my yardstick.

derryb · February 21, 2020 8:06AM

the only way to fly.

BUFFNIXX · February 21, 2020 8:40AM

@derryb said:
the only way to fly.

I concur with this. My experiences have all been positive though they sometimes takes a bit longer to get to get
there. The safest way to go.

amwldcoin · February 21, 2020 8:57AM

Unless it's changed, Fed-Ex Insurance will not cover coins.

@Mgarmy said:

@jmlanzaf said:

@Mgarmy said:
Now there insurance policy sucks they will let you insure it for whatever you want and charge you accordingly but if they lose it, then you have to have receipts. Which we know is BS because the coins are likely worth more than we bought them for...thus the insurance.

If you are selling a coin then they will pay based on your sale price now not your purchase price 20 years ago.

If you are sending to PCGS, it is trickier to establish "value", but you can't blame them for not assuming that your "MS66 pop 1 gem" is really MS66.

JM agree however like real insurance you should have to show appraisal then. Total bs they will let you ensure for whatever you want and if they lose it onus to prove value is on you. They have no prob taking the money and if they bone up the delivery they absolve themselves. Total crap. I am going to go with fedex from now on. Cost more but they pay declared value (and charge accordingly) which is fine

amwldcoin · February 21, 2020 9:01AM

I sometimes wonder if the USPS allows registered packages to accumulate. I've had local registered's deliver the next day and sometimes a week later.

I had a registered stolen once. Took some back and forth providing receipts and pictures but was finally paid.

jwitten · February 21, 2020 9:02AM

Slow, but safe. It's how I ship my really expensive packages.

divecchia · February 21, 2020 9:18AM

Yes, Registered Mail is very slow. I talked to my mail carrier about it once and he told me it was the safest way for mail to travel because it must be signed for every time it changes hands. He did admit that sometimes it will sit at a location for a while before someone decides to take responsibility and sign for it to take it to the next location.

Safe, but unpredictable as far as speed.

Good luck, Donato

ms70 · February 21, 2020 9:53AM

@jmlanzaf said:

@ms70 said:
For me delivery is usually made in 5 - 7 days. You'd think when something is considered valuable they'd want to get it out of their hands ASAP.

It can't travel with regular mail. It is under lock and key the whole time and most be signed for every time it is handed off.

Registered mail provides security not speed

I know that, that's my point. If I was handling something very expensive for another party I'd want to eleviate my responsibility as fast as possible.

Veep · February 21, 2020 10:08AM

Sent a couple of hundred packages with zero losses. I’m paying for security not speed.

derryb · February 21, 2020 10:18AM

@amwldcoin said:
Unless it's changed, Fed-Ex Insurance will not cover coins.

And USPS will only cover bullion if it's sent registered.

astrorat · February 21, 2020 10:42AM

@jmlanzaf said:

@Mgarmy said:
Now there insurance policy sucks they will let you insure it for whatever you want and charge you accordingly but if they lose it, then you have to have receipts. Which we know is BS because the coins are likely worth more than we bought them for...thus the insurance.

If you are selling a coin then they will pay based on your sale price now not your purchase price 20 years ago.

If you are sending to PCGS, it is trickier to establish "value", but you can't blame them for not assuming that your "MS66 pop 1 gem" is really MS66.

And the Postmaster will ask you if it will sticker.

jkrk · February 21, 2020 10:57AM

3 years ago I would estimate a cross country trip, remote location, registered, 8-10 day delivery.

This past year, between 4-8 days.

TroyW · February 21, 2020 11:01AM

Yes it sucks.
I made the mistake of buying priority flat rate box with my registered mail....what a scam.

They are more than willing to sell you 2-day priority mail shipping with your registered package knowing full well that it takes 2 weeks to be delivered. I did not know better and I think they should have told me that buying the priority flat rate mailing selection would not speed up the delivery process.

How the fluff can they sell a product (2or 3-day priority flat rate box) that is undeliverable within the advertised timeframe of a couple days.

But then again, that is why I use FedEx now.
.

MasonG · February 21, 2020 11:39AM

This is the advertised delivery timeframe for registered mail:

What is the estimated delivery time for Registered Mail and Registered Mail Restricted Delivery?

There is no estimated delivery time for Registered Mail, regardless of class. Registered Mail is kept highly secured and is processed manually, which naturally slows the speed at which it travels. Registered Mail is not recommended if speed of delivery is important.

Just sayin'.

CCGGG · February 21, 2020 11:55AM

Never lost any coins (yet) but I often get other peoples mail in my PO Box and I'm sure mine gets mis-delivered too. When I get mail that belongs to someone else, I just drop it back in the mail and I expect (hope) they do too when they get mine. It does help explain why some mail takes so long to get from point A to B. Recently I've been getting "damaged" mail more often too. I've talked to the "girls" at the Post Office and they just give me a blank stare , like, what do you expect for ~50 cents.

Mgarmy · February 21, 2020 12:15PM

FedEx declared value advantage program. They do ship precious metal etc. does not matter if it is in coin form.

tokenpro · February 21, 2020 12:18PM

@CCGGG said:
Never lost any coins (yet) but I often get other peoples mail in my PO Box and I'm sure mine gets mis-delivered too. When I get mail that belongs to someone else, I just drop it back in the mail and I expect (hope) they do too when they get mine. It does help explain why some mail takes so long to get from point A to B. Recently I've been getting "damaged" mail more often too. I've talked to the "girls" at the Post Office and they just give me a blank stare , like, what do you expect for ~50 cents.

When I receive other people's mail in my P.O. Box or have delivery slips with no package to be found, etc., I always turn it in to one of the desk clerks and have a friendly straight-forward talk with the supervisor. If you don't mention the problems, the box clerk will continue to under perform with the resultant errors. The worst fairly recently was a new clerk putting the registered mail with the other packages on the open shelves waiting to be picked up.

In the past having a great travel agent (what's that?) was an invaluable asset; having a good relationship with a postal clerk or supervisor can be just as valuable and of great help to solve the eventual problems that are sure to occur with high volume usage.

koynekwest · February 21, 2020 1:28PM

Never a problem. I'll trade security for expediency any day.

MFeld · February 21, 2020 1:34PM

@Mgarmy said:

@jmlanzaf said:

@Mgarmy said:
Now there insurance policy sucks they will let you insure it for whatever you want and charge you accordingly but if they lose it, then you have to have receipts. Which we know is BS because the coins are likely worth more than we bought them for...thus the insurance.

If you are selling a coin then they will pay based on your sale price now not your purchase price 20 years ago.

If you are sending to PCGS, it is trickier to establish "value", but you can't blame them for not assuming that your "MS66 pop 1 gem" is really MS66.

JM agree however like real insurance you should have to show appraisal then. Total bs they will let you ensure for whatever you want and if they lose it onus to prove value is on you. They have no prob taking the money and if they bone up the delivery they absolve themselves. Total crap. I am going to go with fedex from now on. Cost more but they pay declared value (and charge accordingly) which is fine

You should double check on FedEx - I don’t think their insurance will cover rare coin shipments and even if they do, it’s only up to a rather low value.

logger7 · February 21, 2020 1:34PM

Yes, very slow, like a throwback to the distant past; onerous packaging requirements, and slow as molasses in January.

golden · February 21, 2020 1:43PM

It is very slow but it will get there.

AUandAG · February 21, 2020 1:51PM

Slow as mentioned, but secure in the continental US (perhaps AK and HI too). But, once it leaves the US all bets are off. I sent CASH via registered mail to Austria and it left NY never to be seen again. Lost out on a great coin.

bob

scotty1419 · February 21, 2020 1:53PM

If I do registered mail, I'm definitely not expecting priority speed. It will always take longer to go through the official registered mail cages.

Personally, I'm OK when I choose that service since I'm paying for safety/insurance against loss, not speed.

derryb · February 21, 2020 2:18PM

@TroyW said:

They are more than willing to sell you 2-day priority mail shipping with your registered package knowing full well that it takes 2 weeks to be delivered. I did not know better and I think they should have told me that buying the priority flat rate mailing selection would not speed up the delivery process.

if its over 13 oz. it has to go at priority rate if shipping registered.

Elmhurst · February 21, 2020 2:34PM

For high value shipments, the preferred shipping method is by Express Mail, well packaged, with private insurance. Always remember to check the "signature required" box !

WillieBoyd2 · February 21, 2020 5:29PM

I had a registered mail package which took seven days to get to California.

It was mailed from Istanbul.

USPS Registered Mail Sucks...Your experiences?

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