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Shipping via USPS
Broadstruck
Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
I've only mentioned this to folks sending me stuff and figured others should also be aware. If you are sending anything via USPS in a box with preprinted non adhesive paper label, make sure to cover the entire label with clear tape and also write the whole To: & From: address info on the box under the label. Whatever sorting machines they are using since the beginning of the pandemic are at times ripping off the paper labels on the free USPS small and medium flat rate priority boxes. Also tape the entire perimeter of each with tape as they are also at times getting tattered and torn arriving like they have been tentatively tampered with. I've in the last 2 years had a few items arrive purely by some sort of miracle.
To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
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USPS sucks. Prices go up, and quality goes down. And they lose stuff constantly. They don't respond to inquiries, despite their promises. Super-frustrating.
I have had no problems, although I do routinely put tape over the address part of the label.
USPS rules.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
USPS is still the best way to ship coins. Have had no issues. A well known dealer switched from USPS to FedEx only to return to USPS because of delivery issues. Very reliable and timely.
Completed All CAC approved Classic Head $5 set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/mysetregistry/album/344241
CBH Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/everyman-collections/everyman-half-dollars/everyman-capped-bust-half-dollars-1807-1839/album/345572
Very easy solution, use an adhesive label! They probably don't cost any more than the tape you are using. I do overlap the top and bottom of the labels a little on the envelope as a precaution when I tape the flap of the envelope.
I used eBay tape to tape on the edge of every side of the label. So far no issue heard back from buyers.
On the rare occassion I have used these sorts of labels I use glue on the back and tape all around the edges. Sometimes i put tape across the whole label.
Anyone who just tapes a couple edges and expects no issues is being foolish.
.
good suggestions. an ounce of prevention...
i got paranoid several years back and started taping over the addresses in case something smeared the delivery address especially or if it got wet. iirc, carrying some packages to the post office a couple times over the years, while it was sprinkling smeared a label or two.
the address on the box under the tap is pretty snazzy and i haven't seen it mentioned very often.
fwiw, i've had a couple times where postal clerks harassed me a bit about taping over the bar/QR codes with tape as they stated sometimes it makes them harder to scan. so i got in the habit with the bar code anyway to just tape it half way down.
So what is the best was to ship coins? USPS, UPS, FedEx, other?
I guess it depends on what you mean by best. 1. Price, including insurance? 2. Reliability on safe delivery?
3. Service? 4. Claims problems if "lost in the mail"
Personally I think 2 is most important.
Your thoughts and why?
Depends on the value of what you're mailing. Registered mail is reliable and safe but given the option, I'm guessing most people would pass if they had to pay for it.
I only ship coins USPS Registered mail.
Slow? YES
Safe? YES
Expensive? YES
Cost of doing business.
Mike
My Indians
Dansco Set
If you sold inexpensive coins, you'd be out of business shipping by registered mail unless your customers paid for it. Which they wouldn't, so you'd be out of business again.
have you checked into private insurance? given the probable savings, IF you ship enough over the course of 12 months, with their required shipping method(s), is a worthwhile option to consider. i gotta believe trustworthy firms specializing in insuring/shipping numismatic items, could/would handle legit problems much easier/quicker than most other options. fwiw
I am not "IN BUSINESS"
I'm just talking about shipping to auction, PCGS, CAC, and such.
The OP never said anything about being in business.........
Mike
My Indians
Dansco Set
My current USPS situation. I still prefer them to other services though.
Service lately has been very slow, but only at certain locations it seems. Last 3 or 4 packages have all been delayed. Packages are usually delivered here a day or so after St. Louis, but not so much any more.
Collector, occasional seller
Sorry for the confusion, I was only responding to what you wrote about shipping by registered mail:
"Cost of doing business."
Ok, maybe I should have said "conducting business"
Edited: Better yet, While sending coins to auction, PCGS, CAC. Leave the "business" out completely.
Mike
My Indians
Dansco Set
I am in a similar situation with the last update having occurred on June 13th. Post office told me it was likely filed into the wrong bin and hasn't been checked in at the next location.
Custom album maker and numismatic photographer.
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Hope your tracking info is more accurate than USPS "Informed delivery" is. On Friday, I received an email that said "Nothing today." There were two packages in my PO box when I checked.
I once had a USPS priority mail package from CA to OR that went to several places on east coast arriving in about 3 weeks, instead of 3-4 days.
I always place a strip of scotch tape over both the return and destination addresses. However, you should not tape over the bar code for tracking. I always use self-adhesive shipping labels, also.
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
@Broadstruck... I actually do it that way, and have for years. To me, it was just precautionary, but made sense. Never had an issue, or at least no recipients ever told me there was a problem. I have received packages with the label tattered and torn though. Cheers, RickO
in the past, they did not want tape over barcode, not sure if that has changed
That is still the case.
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
I put tape over entire plain paper labels and also put a copy of the to and from addresses inside the package.
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko
Bad transactions with : nobody to date