FedEx delivery of SF commems? Be concerned! Be very concerned.

LanLord · October 25, 2006 2:06AM

So my Unc half eagle was shipped by the mint on 10/19

FedEx delivery number shows no activity on that tracking number!!!!!!

The delivery disappeared between the mint shippment center and the FedEx delivery person.

The person at the mint said, "you never know" when I asked when or if I can expect delivery.
The person at FedEx said they don't even recognize the shipper (THE US MINT!!!!) I stated it is the US MINT and they still said
I have no idea who that is!

I think someone is swiping packages from the mint to <anyone>

bigbadchad777 · October 25, 2006 2:08AM

That don't surprise me!

Cladiator · October 25, 2006 2:10AM

That sucks.

Coins101 · October 25, 2006 2:10AM

The packages do not come from the Mint. They come from "Fullfillment Center" or something like that.

fastrudy · October 25, 2006 2:22AM

Yes, the fulfillment center in Memphis, Tennesee. But the size and shape of the boxes would be a dead giveaway for anybody (incl. Fedex employees) who ever received proof sets from the US Mint. Consider also they may have 20 such boxes in the truck or depot. If they get an inkling from the first recipient that they are coins, and they have larceny on their minds, it is quite possible that the other similar boxes might 'disappear', and the insurance companies would pick up the tab.

Graphix · October 25, 2006 2:28AM

WOW...in an earlier thread I said I was a little shocked that I had my SF Old Mint Proof sent reg mail and the mint didn't require a sig on delivery just dropped on the front porch...sounds like this isn't much better (except it is insured I guess)...maybe they can outsource to the other big name in shipping merge them together and just call um Fed UP

Cladiator · October 25, 2006 2:30AM

<< Yes, the fulfillment center in Memphis, Tennesee. >>

So if I live in Northern California less than 100 miles away from the SF Mint and I order coins they go from SF to TN and back to me right next to SF?

CoinHusker · October 25, 2006 2:38AM

<< ...maybe they can outsource to the other big name in shipping merge them together and just call um Fed UP >>

RichR · October 25, 2006 2:40AM

I spoke to the Mint yesterday...due to a "new employee" screwing up the shipments, they were sent USPS, not FedEx. But they were not necessarily sent Priority Mail.

But anyhow, mine did finally get delivered yesterday via USPS...no signature required!!!

The Mint had told me to wait until the end of the week...if I still had not received it, call back and they could attempt to put a trace on it.

Imagine how many of these coins might be stolen in transit....in fact, an unscrupulous person might claim never to have received it and demand a "replacement"...but that would be wrong...very wrong!

fastrudy · October 25, 2006 2:44AM

Cladiator,
I don't know if all of the orders go through Memphis. I live in NY, and mine did.
BTW, if you Fedex something from one location in NYC to another location in NYC, Fedex must ship it to NJ first!! Something to do with one of those stupid legalities. Makes no sense, but what gov't agency does?

FatMan · October 25, 2006 2:44AM

The mint showed FedEx as the ship method for mine. However, the tracking number was a postal tracking number and the coin arrived USPS. FedEx tracking numbers are usually 12 digits. How many digits is the tracking number they provided to you?

RichR · October 25, 2006 2:51AM

The tracking numbers were just plain wrong. They were erroneously sent out via USPS...and this is being officially blamed on a new employee in the "Distribution Center."

BTW...99.9% of all FedEx packages go through Memphis...even if you're only trying to ship it across the street...crazy no? All FedEx packages are flown to Memphis (it's their mega hub), sorted and then redistributed...EVERY NIGHT! In fact, FedEx has the largest private air force in the world to accomplish this feat every day! That's why when Memphis has bad weather, you're FedEx packages are usually disrupted regardless of where they originate!

19Lyds · October 25, 2006 2:52AM

I don't understand why the mint would use FedEx anyway since they don't insure coins............do they? Or am I confusing these guys with UPS brown?

RichR · October 25, 2006 2:56AM

I think FedEx automatically has a blanket level of coverage for their packages against loss...that's probably why it costs $13.00 to mail a single sheet of paper FedEx.

They can afford to eat the cost of the occasional lost delivery.

FatMan · October 25, 2006 2:59AM

<< I don't understand why the mint would use FedEx anyway since they don't insure coins............do they? Or am I confusing these guys with UPS brown? >>

Under the general use contract FedEx does not insure coins. However, they have many individual contracts with companies where they do insure coins. Be very careful if you are returning coins to a dealer that sent them to you FedEx. Chances are they were insured when shipped to you, but won't be insured when returned.

53BKid · October 25, 2006 3:47AM

I was very suprised that the mint is sending out gold coins via Fed Ex. I had been told last year that Fed Ex and UPS don't insure gold coins. (though I was shipping gold coins that had signficant value.)

USPS Registered mail is how I send any coins to PCGS for grading as signitures are required by anyone who handles the package every step of the way.

I was told that registered, insured is the safest way to go. From my recollection, packages can be insured for up to $25,000 and the insurance differs from the normal first class shipping in that it is insured against theft, loss and/or damage. From the advice given me by my local post office, as long as I have the receipt the remainder is their responsibility. If a package is damaged or tampered with, the receipt and the package are all you need. If the package is lost or stolen - they will pay the full amount insured with proof of receipt.

Thankfully, I've never had to take 'em up on this.

I can't imagine how the mint handles lost/stolen packages---if it is anything like how they handle other aspects of their business, I'd be quite anxious.

Wishing you good luck LanLord--Keep us posted.

airplanenut · October 25, 2006 3:50AM

<< I was very suprised that the mint is sending out gold coins via Fed Ex. I had been told last year that Fed Ex and UPS don't insure gold coins. (though I was shipping gold coins that had signficant value.) >>

It's common for dealers to do this--they use private insurance, so there's no declared FedEx value.

Jeremy

WoodenJefferson · October 25, 2006 3:53AM

This may explain delay, but no record...hmmm.

Bochiman · October 25, 2006 4:04AM

<< Cladiator,
I don't know if all of the orders go through Memphis. I live in NY, and mine did.
BTW, if you Fedex something from one location in NYC to another location in NYC, Fedex must ship it to NJ first!! Something to do with one of those stupid legalities. Makes no sense, but what gov't agency does? >>

FYI....Fedex is NOT a government agency......so, they make "no sense" for their own reasons

(probably, in this case, has to do with the case that many packages don't just go "across the town" and it would take longer and require more resources to sort those than if everything was just lumped and dumped)

RotatedRainbows · October 25, 2006 4:36AM

<<

This may explain delay, but no record...hmmm. >>

What can brown do for you????

ABC123 · October 25, 2006 5:28AM

FedEx has a special business deal with the US Mint !

fastrudy · October 25, 2006 5:42AM

Bochiman,
I know Fedex is a private business, but the governmental agencies regulating that private business cause them to ship out-of-state, even if the destination is in-state. The laws governing shipping make no sense.

Conder101 · October 25, 2006 7:55AM

<< BTW...99.9% of all FedEx packages go through Memphis...even if you're only trying to ship it across the street...crazy no? All FedEx packages are flown to Memphis (it's their mega hub), sorted and then redistributed...EVERY NIGHT! In fact, FedEx has the largest private air force in the world to accomplish this feat every day! >>

UPS is pretty much the same way. They may have other hubs but their main distribution hub was located in Louisville. At Standiford Field the passenger flights would stop at 10PM and the UPS flights would start coming in. About 1 every two minutes and it would last for hours. Everything would be sorted redistributed and then about 2 AM the flights would start going back out til 6AM when passenger service would resume. Everything not going by UPS ground flew through Louisville.

LastExitInNY · October 25, 2006 8:36AM

<< Cladiator,
I don't know if all of the orders go through Memphis. I live in NY, and mine did.
BTW, if you Fedex something from one location in NYC to another location in NYC, Fedex must ship it to NJ first!! Something to do with one of those stupid legalities. Makes no sense, but what gov't agency does? >>

They get sent to Newark, NJ because thats where the sort hub is edited to add: FedEx has hubs in several states not just Memphis..packages going fairly local stay at the closest hub for sorting, when I worked there anyway

CoinHusker · October 25, 2006 8:52AM

OK, OK, we have the shipping dilema fully covered...How do your coins look?

WACoinGuy · October 25, 2006 9:15AM

I'm actually glad they're coming USPS instead of FedEx. At least with USPS, they get delivered into my locked mailbox (if no signature is required), or I stop by the post office on my way to work (just 2 blocks out of the way) to sign for them in the morning. If it's sent FedEx, it means an extra 10 mile hike to the FedEx distribution center to sign for the package, which half the time they don't have on hold even after I've requested it. Argh.

BAJJERFAN · October 25, 2006 9:15AM

<< The person at the mint said, "you never know" when I asked when or if I can expect delivery. >>

What the hell kind of response is THAT?

Conder101 · October 25, 2006 10:49AM

<< What the hell kind of response is THAT? >>

It means that once we hand them over to the shipper it's out of our hands and we have no control of how long it will take or when they will be delivered

DubbleDee · October 25, 2006 11:20AM

I received my unc. SF coin monday via USPS, after the mint showed online as shipped by fedex. I've tried my tracking number with fedex and USPS, and item is not found on either, though I've gotten it already. I ordered a couple of the 2006 westward journey sets that show shipped 10/21 by USPS, but again, no information found with tracking. I've never had any problems with tracking orders before. The shipping sticker attached to my SF commem had the usual USPS stuff printed on it, but I also noticed that DHL was printed on the label too. Is the mint now using DHL for some of their shipping? Maybe thats part of the crap going on.

CC2GO · October 25, 2006 11:37AM

And the condition of the coin??????????

BECOKA · October 25, 2006 11:50AM

I always have mine shipped registered mail. Signature required and usually takes a week and a half. Packing is usually better than the standard Fed-ex.

DubbleDee · October 25, 2006 11:56AM

It was still in its capsule suprisingly, after hearing of many that weren't. The obverse has very small, shiny spots spread throughout, but the reverse looks fine. I haven't had the chance to use a loupe yet.

CC2GO · November 1, 2006 6:33AM

My SF GOLD PROOF shipped Oct. 21 but still haven't received it and
the FedEx link from the Mint website is a fluke! States "Not Found"
at FedEX site. Arriving parcel post I assume.

Just got off phone with Mint and they said give it 30 days
then they may replace or refund if not received.

BECOKA · November 1, 2006 6:53AM

Got mine end of last week by registered mail. Everything was intact. Very disappointed with the proofs. I got 8 and several of them had swirl scratches and there are more pin points in the stretched metal than I would like.

The MS coins are spectacular.

CC2GO · November 2, 2006 8:59AM

Just picked up my Proof at the Post Office! It was supposed to ship FedEX!
The coin was out of the capsule and has tiny nicks and swirls!
SENDING BACK FOR REFUND!

This is a really nice Commem! I can't believe the Mint!
This is the worst case of negligence I've
ever experienced by them!

FedEx delivery of SF commems? Be concerned! Be very concerned.

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