I am going to the post office to hopefully collect five 1/10th oz proof platinum this morning at my post office box (unless someone took them). I know they are coming the way I received three of them on Monday: crap box, no signature, etc. The post office is no better than UPS, or not much better.
Mitch, I will call her and thank you for giving me a name and extension. I really do appreciate it.
<< <i>1. Got an email last night that the US Mint was shipping me out a ton of stuff today which I had ordered back in 12/08.
2. I Have watched UPS leave every package for me in 01/09 without requiring a signature. There was too much money at stake with these expected packages - I made myself available from 6:00 a.m. onward to "see what would happen" with these shipments.
3. UPS driver shows up this morning, drops off the (7) large packages without signatures being required on any of them and is ready to drive off when I confronted him to ask about the packages. He shows me on the shipping labels where NO SIGNATURES WERE REQUIRED on any of the packages.
4. I spent the next hour getting to a top supervisor of UPS in Arizona to confirm what driver had shown me. Then, we set up a conference call with the US Mint where the US Mint Supervisor insist a signature is required on packages over $300 - that is before I told her the UPS supervisor was on the phone with us.
5. The UPS supervisor intrduces himself to the US Mint Supervisor and tells her that their account with UPS is not set up to require any signatures and that the US Mint is confused by thinking that just because the packages are going overnight mail that signatures are required - they are not.
6. It appears to me that the US Mint Supervisor is very surprised by the comments of the UPS supervisor and asks for some time to investigate what UPS is telling her. In the meantime, the UPS supervisor calls me back an hour later to reconfirm that the US Mint packages are set up to NOT require a signature - even if they are for $5,000, $10,000 - any amount!! No signatures required!!
7. No word back from U.S. Mint - even though she promised to get right back to me and the UPS Supervisor.
I have names and phone numbers of all involved at UPS and US Mint if anyone else has had a similar experience and wants to try to put an end to (what appears to be at this point) the US Mint not having set up their account properly with UPS. Just PM me if you want to speak with / leave messages for the Supervisor in charge at US Mint (or if you want to confirm with UPS that it is not their fault based upon their investigation).
Hopefully, what happened today will help the US Mint along in trying to fix this problem. If anything changes, I will post again - but I would be very surprised if UPS has this "all wrong".
Wondercoin >>
I had that same experiance - lots of gold and plat literally left at my front door all day where anyone could take it. Spent 30 + min. on the phone with the Mint to no avail. - just clueless. If by some miracle my last 4 coin plat proof set ships, hopefully I'll get it before one of the yard guys. What great progress with the new contractor. Also frustrated that the order numbers are not on the boxes like they used to be which made keeping track of things easier.
<< <i>Dosent matter much since ups dosent insure coins. >>
Neither does FedEx, however I am sure that the USM has a UPS account representative that struck a much larger deal with UPS than any of us can do, they can make exceptions. >>
FedEx does not insure coins?? I've shipped coins via FedEx and taken out insurance on the package. Does this mean that if they were stolen that - after paying insurance - when they investigated that I would not get any $ back??
It is my understanding that all of the shippers (USPS, UPS, Fed Ex) will not insure regular, circulating coins and currency. It has to do with money laundering and interstate transfer of such, at least that is how it was explained to me. However, collectable/numismatic coins are looked at differently and are insurable.
FedEx Express U.S. Terms and Conditions. Prohibited Items You are prohibited from tendering the following items for shipment, and they will not be accepted: a. Cash, currency, collectible stamps and coins.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the FedEx Service Guide, we are not liable for delay of, loss of or damage to a shipment of any prohibited item. The shipper agrees to indemnify FedEx for any and all costs, fees and expenses FedEx incurs as a result of the shipper's violation of any local, state or federal laws or regulations or from tendering any prohibited item for shipment.
Thanks Placid, I couldn't find it...Ihad a client that mailed a statute and some gold coins and the box got smashed coins were gone and he was outta luck. They said the wouldn't pay the claim for the statute because they didn't package it. I think had the fedex/kinkos will package stuff and then they'd pay the claim at least for the statute...
It seems they have been researching the very problem I identified here (and obviously read our US Coin Forum) and have asked me for the UPS Supervisor's name to assist in their story, among other things.
I should be speaking with them today.
Wondercoin
Please visit my website at www.wondercoins.com and my ebay auctions under my user name www.wondercoin.com.
It seems they have been researching the very problem I identified here (and obviously read our US Coin Forum) and have asked me for the UPS Supervisor's name to assist in their story, among other things.
<< <i>It appears, even though it's a Mint product, the culprit appears to be Pitney Bowes? Am I reading that correctly? ... The new fulfillment center and the items shipped are both run by Pitney Bowes aka PBGS ... >>
Pitney bowes is just the software. It does what the mint tells it. GIGO. >>
Pitney Bowes Government Services is a private company contracted by the mint to mail out the orders. It seems like the mint was under the impression that they were getting signature service.
I've received 3 different shipments over $5,000 each recently, and the UPS driver in each case has dropped a couple packages at my garage door and left without requiring anything.
Yesterday, it was raining and he put it into plastic.
I really hope that this gets resolved. I've been contemplating what to do next if this continues.
Typical Mint schlock operation.
Q: Are You Printing Money? Bernanke: Not Literally
I had a shipment arrive yesterday of 500 dollar coins direct ship and I had to sign for it. UPS website shows shipping weight of 133.7lbs. I think the mint might've overpaid by a bit for next day air on my order.
<< <i>It appears, even though it's a Mint product, the culprit appears to be Pitney Bowes? Am I reading that correctly? ... The new fulfillment center and the items shipped are both run by Pitney Bowes aka PBGS ... >>
Pitney bowes is just the software. It does what the mint tells it. GIGO. >>
Pitney Bowes Government Services is a private company contracted by the mint to mail out the orders. It seems like the mint was under the impression that they were getting signature service. >>
PB does the softward for paypal shipping. I think they do the software for a lot of the shipping programs that businessses use. I wasn't aware they were actually the packagers at the new "Fullfillment Center" until I read this thread...so it would be ironic if PB, the experts at communicating with the shipping services, actually missed the "signature required" box checked on all the mint shipments and they screwed it up. I'd say it is more likely that the mint gave PB incorrect directions.
15 minutes ago - another sizeable order dropped off without a signature. Of course, I had someone standing by just for this expectation. Very disappointing.
And, no call back from the PBGS supervisor after 2 days now.
I received another call from the UPS supervisor - telling me the "media" is now involved in the matter. He is referring to Coin World - I believe Paul's story at CW goes to print today.
Wondercoin
Please visit my website at www.wondercoins.com and my ebay auctions under my user name www.wondercoin.com.
I just got a prosperity gold set sent to my father's office. It had a confirmed signature on the UPS tracking site though just a name no real electronic signature. However, they may have just got the signature because someone was there. I wish the U.S. Mint would go back to Fed EX at least there is an electronic signature with them.
Wondercoin. Is it possible to tell UPS and the U.S. Mint you would like to pick up all your shipments at their local facility?
If I had a dollar for every item that was seny to my house that was in excess of 10K in value that was left in the doorway with every kind of confermation you can ask for from the USPS i'd have fifteen bucks right now....;.
What surprises me more than anything else is that some would find this surprising. Nothing will get fixed until damages arise, the right people get involved, and a few heads roll. It's going to take time. In the meanwhile, expect nothing logical.
John
John Maben
Pegasus Coin and Jewelry (Brick and Mortar)
ANA LM, PNG, APMD, FUN, Etc
800-381-2646
The next step towards "resolution" should be the Coin World article coming out next week. I got a call (voice mail) from the US Mint / PBGS supervisor this weekend informing me that the matter has reached the "top" people now.
Wondercoin
Please visit my website at www.wondercoins.com and my ebay auctions under my user name www.wondercoin.com.
I bet this is the real reason that most Ultra coins have not been released yet. Someone is finally using their head and waiting until they can send securely.
The way I see it somebody probably the US mint is taking a huge risk by going cheap on the shipments. If they pay an extra $3-4 per $1000 that risk is gone with proper signature from customer
The mint will probably have to get the people who negotiated the contract to review it, I bet this was accidentally left off, then the third party who now has the contract will demand to re-neotiate it, since the move has already been done they can play hardball to make more.
<< <i>The mint will probably have to get the people who negotiated the contract to review it, I bet this was accidentally left off, then the third party who now has the contract will demand to re-neotiate it, since the move has already been done they can play hardball to make more. >>
You are most likely correct, and I'm sorry if some of my CU friends disagree, but I do consider this to be quite a scandal.
I got a $12k shipment today but forgot to ask my private mail box attendants if they had to sign for it or not. I didn't have to worry, there is always someone there to sign if necessary or put it securely away if no signature is required.
I don't think the mint cheaped out. I think either they are just not clicking the right box when they ship it or there was a misunderstanding in the contract negotiations. Most likely the latter because the former would be very easy to fix. --Jerry
As I posted in another thread, I received packages today from the US Mint through UPS and at my PO Box at the Post Office. Neither box needed to be signed for and also neither box had any date stamps.
For those interested in any first strike designations, it would be hard to prove it was within the first 30 days without going to the UPS or USPS websites. This may be an issue.
<< <i>As I posted in another thread, I received packages today from the US Mint through UPS and at my PO Box at the Post Office. Neither box needed to be signed for and also neither box had any date stamps.
For those interested in any first strike designations, it would be hard to prove it was within the first 30 days without going to the UPS or USPS websites. This may be an issue. >>
Were you one of the ones who was forced to do a chargeback through your credit card due to non receipt of the items from the mint?
<< <i>Dosent matter much since ups dosent insure coins. >>
Surely the Mint has private insurance. That's how dealers send with FedEx all the time, as well. >>
I think the US Mints "insurance" is that if they need to, they can always just "make" more unlike a coin dealer who must "obtain" more.
I also think that this has been one giant mixup with the switch to another Fulfillment Center and that it had better get resolved quickly! Leaving $10,000 or $20,000 worth of merchandise on someones doorstep is nothing short of stupid!
For all the honest folks reading these forums and the upcoming Coin World article, there will be just as many "dishinest" folks that will be taking advantage of the situation to double their holdings. Some will get caught but others will not and the US Mint will suffer the losses.
I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.
And, while I have no intention of returning any of the coins delivered to me, I did think it was rather odd that at the time of placing the orders, the conditions were 30 days to return the confirmed order, but at the time the coins showed up the return was unilaterally changed to 7 days. Usually, those types of changes are not retroactive.
Wondercoin
Please visit my website at www.wondercoins.com and my ebay auctions under my user name www.wondercoin.com.
Looks like the problems are the result of a poorly planned transition to a new vendor. I've seen such things happen. The manager responsible for the transition is now the head of the team fixing the problems. They're working 7 days a week and holding high profile meetings with a daily report to the director. When everything is fixed they will get bonuses and promotions for their hard work to resolve the problem--it will be forgotten that they should have never let it happen in the first place.
The other managers in the organization who do a good job and keep their responsibilities on track such that they never have to participate in a fire drill like this never get recognized or rewarded. This is how the less competent get promoted over the competent.
I just received the boxes mentioned above, they were overnite UPS, I spoke with the driver about the signature fiasco, he had not heard about it however I did have to sign for the packages because they were delivered to a business which he claims is a UPS rule.
A little while later a friend called to say that UPS had just left (10) boxes from the mint on his porch this morning valued at 8K......
A few years back when I ordered 50 proof Ben Franklin commems from the Mint, I came home from work and there they were, on my front porch, no sig required. Over $2K worth of coins just sitting out in broad daylight.
With this crisis going on at the Mint right now, one would think that our Congress is running the show there! Great to see that you care enough to TRY to make a difference in this mess...
-> Have you had a lost shipment or stolen shipment from or to the mint? -> Ever get a wrong item in the box and had trouble with correcting the error? -> Tired of the fulfillment center's Recent and egregiously long hold before shipping backorder times on high dollar value items? -> Think the 800-USA-MINT are failing on their service performance? Remeber this time last year when this topic would not have come up? -> Were any of your online orders cancelled by someone else without your permission?
--> Do you feel you are a victim of Fraud, Waste, or think the 800-USA-MINT people are abusing the citizens and government?
then you're a perfect candidate to contact the "real mint" and the Treasury's Inspector General's Office in Washington DC, not the Pitney-Bowes Government Solutions people at 800-USA-MINT.
I called the Treasury's I.G.O. today (800-359-3898) and they gave me their e-mail....
Believe it or not, the Office of the Inspector General at the REAL Treasury wants to hear from you!
e-mail them: Treasury's Inspector General's Office (these guys care about "waste, fraud, abuse, etc"}
-> Have you had a lost shipment or stolen shipment from or to the mint? -> Ever get a wrong item in the box and had trouble with correcting the error? -> Tired of the fulfillment center's Recent and egregiously long hold before shipping backorder times on high dollar value items? -> Think the 800-USA-MINT are failing on their service performance? Remeber this time last year when this topic would not have come up? -> Were any of your online orders cancelled by someone else without your permission?
--> Do you feel you are a victim of Fraud, Waste, or think the 800-USA-MINT people are abusing the citizens and government?
then you're a perfect candidate to contact the "real mint" and the Treasury's Inspector General's Office in Washington DC, not the Pitney-Bowes Government Solutions people at 800-USA-MINT.
I called the Treasury's I.G.O. today (800-359-3898) and they gave me their e-mail....
Believe it or not, the Office of the Inspector General at the REAL Treasury wants to hear from you!
e-mail them: Treasury's Inspector General's Office (these guys care about "waste, fraud, abuse, etc"}
mailto: hotline@oig.treas.gov
Please, please, please go for it. >>
You don't honestly believe that sending an email to yet another government agency is going to do any good, do you? It was a government agency that hired these people in the first place! I've made more phone calls to the mint than I care to remember & nobody knows what the hell is going on. Different story with every phone call.
The Treasury couldn't care less about a bunch of coin collectors not getting their coins - just look at how much money is being wasted every single day by the US government. And the so called customer service reps at the mint or Pitney Bowes or whoever is handling the shipments of coins from the mint, well, they probably couldn't get a job at McDonald's cleaning the restrooms.
Well, if enough people e-mail, they will likely look into it.
Sure, it may go as far as the SEC investigating Bernie Madoff, but on the other hand....
the person I talked with was really piqued with the "boxes worth hundreds or thousands of dollars left on the steps unsigned for." The person asked me to e-mail them and gave me the e-mail.
Also, wondercoin certainly has tongues wagging enough to get higher level "real" Mint people involved.
so, Yes, I think it is possible to get real people with real power involved in these issues.
the Inspector General's Office is an Oversight position. I'm certainly going to do my best to get them to scare PBGS straight, in the least. I hope everyone else with a story will try to do the same.
My e-mail to them was almost 4 pages single spaced.
No one has to do that much, but anyone willing to put their name and contact info on a horror story to them would certainly be working towards a benefit to all Mint consumers.
cast your vote with an e-mail to them!
(ps: 800-USA-MINT is not the mint... it is PBGS people (governtment contractors) answering the phones that as "the mint".) The e-mail and 800 number I previously provided is to the Treasury's Inspector General's Office in Washington DC. That's a way different set of people. These guys have the power to investigate issues and contact the right government people and ask them to take corrective actions.
<< <i>Well, if enough people e-mail, they will likely look into it.
Sure, it may go as far as the SEC investigating Bernie Madoff, but on the other hand....
the person I talked with was really piqued with the "boxes worth hundreds and thousands of dollars left on the steps unsigned for." The person asked me to e-mail them and gave me the e-mail.
Also, wondercoin certainly has tongues wagging, and enough to get higher level "real" Mint people involved.
the Inspector General's Office is an Oversight position. I'm certainly going to do my best to get them to scare PBGS straight, in the least. I hope and we all really need to try to do the same.
My e-mail to them was almost 4 pages single spaced.
No one has to do that much, but anyone willing to put their name and contact info on a horror story to them would certainly be working towards a benefit to all Mint consumers.
cast your vote with an e-mail to them. (ps: 800-USA-MINT is not the mint... it is PBGS people (governtment contractors) answering the phones that way.) The e-mail and 800 number I provided is to the Treasury's Inspector General's Office in Washington DC. That's a way different set of people. These guys have the power to investigate issues and contact the right government people and ask them to take corrective actions. >>
Uh- huh, sure.. you keep on believing that. And be sure to say hi to the Tin Man for me there in the Land of Oz.
Comments
Mitch, I will call her and thank you for giving me a name and extension. I really do appreciate it.
<< <i>1. Got an email last night that the US Mint was shipping me out a ton of stuff today which I had ordered back in 12/08.
2. I Have watched UPS leave every package for me in 01/09 without requiring a signature. There was too much money at stake with these expected packages - I made myself available from 6:00 a.m. onward to "see what would happen" with these shipments.
3. UPS driver shows up this morning, drops off the (7) large packages without signatures being required on any of them and is ready to drive off when I confronted him to ask about the packages. He shows me on the shipping labels where NO SIGNATURES WERE REQUIRED on any of the packages.
4. I spent the next hour getting to a top supervisor of UPS in Arizona to confirm what driver had shown me. Then, we set up a conference call with the US Mint where the US Mint Supervisor insist a signature is required on packages over $300 - that is before I told her the UPS supervisor was on the phone with us.
5. The UPS supervisor intrduces himself to the US Mint Supervisor and tells her that their account with UPS is not set up to require any signatures and that the US Mint is confused by thinking that just because the packages are going overnight mail that signatures are required - they are not.
6. It appears to me that the US Mint Supervisor is very surprised by the comments of the UPS supervisor and asks for some time to investigate what UPS is telling her. In the meantime, the UPS supervisor calls me back an hour later to reconfirm that the US Mint packages are set up to NOT require a signature - even if they are for $5,000, $10,000 - any amount!! No signatures required!!
7. No word back from U.S. Mint - even though she promised to get right back to me and the UPS Supervisor.
I have names and phone numbers of all involved at UPS and US Mint if anyone else has had a similar experience and wants to try to put an end to (what appears to be at this point) the US Mint not having set up their account properly with UPS. Just PM me if you want to speak with / leave messages for the Supervisor in charge at US Mint (or if you want to confirm with UPS that it is not their fault based upon their investigation).
Hopefully, what happened today will help the US Mint along in trying to fix this problem. If anything changes, I will post again - but I would be very surprised if UPS has this "all wrong".
Wondercoin >>
I had that same experiance - lots of gold and plat literally left at my front door all day where anyone could take it. Spent 30 + min. on the phone with the Mint to no avail. - just clueless. If by some miracle my last 4 coin plat proof set ships, hopefully I'll get it before one of the yard guys. What great progress with the new contractor. Also frustrated that the order numbers are not on the boxes like they used to be which made keeping track of things easier.
<< <i>
<< <i>Dosent matter much since ups dosent insure coins. >>
Neither does FedEx, however I am sure that the USM has a UPS account representative that struck a much larger deal with UPS than any of us can do, they can make exceptions. >>
FedEx does not insure coins?? I've shipped coins via FedEx and taken out insurance on the package. Does this mean that if they were stolen that - after paying insurance - when they investigated that I would not get any $ back??
mbogoman
https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/classic-issues-colonials-through-1964/zambezi-collection-trade-dollars/7345Asesabi Lutho
Anybody for a Post Office Box now?
Sounds good.... until they ship via UPS anyway.
I thought the USPS said to send cash via Registered. Would it be uninsured even if Registered?
Prohibited Items
You are prohibited from tendering the following items for shipment, and they will not be accepted:
a. Cash, currency, collectible stamps and coins.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the FedEx Service Guide, we are not liable for delay of, loss of or damage to a shipment of any prohibited item. The shipper agrees to indemnify FedEx for any and all costs, fees and expenses FedEx incurs as a result of the shipper's violation of any local, state or federal laws or regulations or from tendering any prohibited item for shipment.
Link
It seems they have been researching the very problem I identified here (and obviously read our US Coin Forum) and have asked me for the UPS Supervisor's name to assist in their story, among other things.
I should be speaking with them today.
Wondercoin
<< <i>Good show Coin World.
It seems they have been researching the very problem I identified here (and obviously read our US Coin Forum) and have asked me for the UPS Supervisor's name to assist in their story, among other things.
I should be speaking with them today.
Wondercoin >>
Great job!
<< <i>
<< <i>It appears, even though it's a Mint product, the culprit appears to be Pitney Bowes? Am I reading that correctly? ... The new fulfillment center and the items shipped are both run by Pitney Bowes aka PBGS ... >>
Pitney bowes is just the software. It does what the mint tells it. GIGO. >>
Pitney Bowes Government Services is a private company contracted by the mint to mail out the orders. It seems like the mint was under the impression that they were getting signature service.
Yesterday, it was raining and he put it into plastic.
I really hope that this gets resolved. I've been contemplating what to do next if this continues.
Typical Mint schlock operation.
I knew it would happen.
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>It appears, even though it's a Mint product, the culprit appears to be Pitney Bowes? Am I reading that correctly? ... The new fulfillment center and the items shipped are both run by Pitney Bowes aka PBGS ... >>
Pitney bowes is just the software. It does what the mint tells it. GIGO. >>
Pitney Bowes Government Services is a private company contracted by the mint to mail out the orders. It seems like the mint was under the impression that they were getting signature service. >>
PB does the softward for paypal shipping. I think they do the software for a lot of the shipping programs that businessses use. I wasn't aware they were actually the packagers at the new "Fullfillment Center" until I read this thread...so it would be ironic if PB, the experts at communicating with the shipping services, actually missed the "signature required" box checked on all the mint shipments and they screwed it up. I'd say it is more likely that the mint gave PB incorrect directions.
--Jerry
And, no call back from the PBGS supervisor after 2 days now.
I received another call from the UPS supervisor - telling me the "media" is now involved in the matter. He is referring to Coin World - I believe Paul's story at CW goes to print today.
Wondercoin
Wondercoin. Is it possible to tell UPS and the U.S. Mint you would like to pick up all your shipments at their local facility?
Box of 20
But, until 1/09, there was never a problem with FED X.
Wondercoin
and a few heads roll. It's going to take time. In the meanwhile, expect nothing logical.
John
John Maben
Pegasus Coin and Jewelry (Brick and Mortar)
ANA LM, PNG, APMD, FUN, Etc
800-381-2646
Wondercoin
<< <i>The mint will probably have to get the people who negotiated the contract to review it, I bet this was accidentally left off, then the third party who now has the contract will demand to re-neotiate it, since the move has already been done they can play hardball to make more. >>
You are most likely correct, and I'm sorry if some of my CU friends disagree, but I do consider this to be quite a scandal.
<< <i>"Wondercoin,
It was a bit surreal this morning "lying in wait" in order to nab the UPS driver dumping boxes at my door without asking me to sign for them. >>
Mitch,
That was funny. "Lying in Wait" - Did you have the Binoculors going and all dressed in black? JK
Gardnerville, NV
=========================
Our Website -->Innovation, Native & Presidential Dollar Errors, Lincoln Cents and more
Check it out --> Our eBay Auctions
Wondercoin
I don't think the mint cheaped out. I think either they are just not clicking the right box when they ship it or there was a misunderstanding in the contract negotiations. Most likely the latter because the former would be very easy to fix. --Jerry
Neither box needed to be signed for and also neither box had any date stamps.
For those interested in any first strike designations, it would be hard to prove it was within the first 30 days without going to the UPS or USPS websites. This may be an issue.
<< <i>As I posted in another thread, I received packages today from the US Mint through UPS and at my PO Box at the Post Office.
Neither box needed to be signed for and also neither box had any date stamps.
For those interested in any first strike designations, it would be hard to prove it was within the first 30 days without going to the UPS or USPS websites. This may be an issue. >>
Were you one of the ones who was forced to do a chargeback through your credit card due to non receipt of the items from the mint?
<< <i>
<< <i>Dosent matter much since ups dosent insure coins. >>
Surely the Mint has private insurance. That's how dealers send with FedEx all the time, as well. >>
I think the US Mints "insurance" is that if they need to, they can always just "make" more unlike a coin dealer who must "obtain" more.
I also think that this has been one giant mixup with the switch to another Fulfillment Center and that it had better get resolved quickly! Leaving $10,000 or $20,000 worth of merchandise on someones doorstep is nothing short of stupid!
For all the honest folks reading these forums and the upcoming Coin World article, there will be just as many "dishinest" folks that will be taking advantage of the situation to double their holdings. Some will get caught but others will not and the US Mint will suffer the losses.
The name is LEE!
From today's Coin World...
Link to Article (Note: subscription required.)
Go Phillies
Good job Mitch! Thank you for your efforts.
And, while I have no intention of returning any of the coins delivered to me, I did think it was rather odd that at the time of placing the orders, the conditions were 30 days to return the confirmed order, but at the time the coins showed up the return was unilaterally changed to 7 days. Usually, those types of changes are not retroactive.
Wondercoin
Looks like the problems are the result of a poorly planned transition to a new vendor. I've seen such things happen. The manager responsible for the transition is now the head of the team fixing the problems. They're working 7 days a week and holding high profile meetings with a daily report to the director. When everything is fixed they will get bonuses and promotions for their hard work to resolve the problem--it will be forgotten that they should have never let it happen in the first place.
The other managers in the organization who do a good job and keep their responsibilities on track such that they never have to participate in a fire drill like this never get recognized or rewarded. This is how the less competent get promoted over the competent.
--Jerry
I received (3) emails from the mint last night stating (3) boxes were shipped to me yesterday (17th), all are over $ 300.00, are these overnight UPS ?
The name is LEE!
I just received the boxes mentioned above, they were overnite UPS, I spoke with the driver about the signature fiasco, he had not heard about it however I did have to sign for the
packages because they were delivered to a business which he claims is a UPS rule.
A little while later a friend called to say that UPS had just left (10) boxes from the mint on his porch this morning valued at 8K......
<< <i>Do you suppose Mr. Moy knows about this?
Has anyone tried to bring this to attention? How would one contact him? Anyone have an email address? This whole fiasco is really very shameful.
A few years back when I ordered 50 proof Ben Franklin commems from the Mint, I came home from work and there they were, on my front porch, no sig required. Over $2K worth of coins just sitting out in broad daylight.
With this crisis going on at the Mint right now, one would think that our Congress is running the show there!
I think the U.S Mint is funded by tax dollars , and like any government agency funded by you and me ;
they could really care less if it gets lost/stolen ......it ain't their money .
(http://coins.about.com/b/2009/02/17/us-mint-web-site-security-breach.htm)
-> Have you had a lost shipment or stolen shipment from or to the mint?
-> Ever get a wrong item in the box and had trouble with correcting the error?
-> Tired of the fulfillment center's Recent and egregiously long hold before shipping backorder times on high dollar value items?
-> Think the 800-USA-MINT are failing on their service performance? Remeber this time last year when this topic would not have come up?
-> Were any of your online orders cancelled by someone else without your permission?
--> Do you feel you are a victim of Fraud, Waste, or think the 800-USA-MINT people are abusing the citizens and government?
then you're a perfect candidate to contact the "real mint" and the Treasury's Inspector General's Office in Washington DC, not the Pitney-Bowes Government Solutions people at 800-USA-MINT.
I called the Treasury's I.G.O. today (800-359-3898) and they gave me their e-mail....
Believe it or not, the Office of the Inspector General at the REAL Treasury wants to hear from you!
e-mail them: Treasury's Inspector General's Office (these guys care about "waste, fraud, abuse, etc"}
mailto: hotline@oig.treas.gov
Please, please, please go for it.
Inspector General Hotline
<< <i>I've already sent many of you here a PM about this:
(http://coins.about.com/b/2009/02/17/us-mint-web-site-security-breach.htm)
-> Have you had a lost shipment or stolen shipment from or to the mint?
-> Ever get a wrong item in the box and had trouble with correcting the error?
-> Tired of the fulfillment center's Recent and egregiously long hold before shipping backorder times on high dollar value items?
-> Think the 800-USA-MINT are failing on their service performance? Remeber this time last year when this topic would not have come up?
-> Were any of your online orders cancelled by someone else without your permission?
--> Do you feel you are a victim of Fraud, Waste, or think the 800-USA-MINT people are abusing the citizens and government?
then you're a perfect candidate to contact the "real mint" and the Treasury's Inspector General's Office in Washington DC, not the Pitney-Bowes Government Solutions people at 800-USA-MINT.
I called the Treasury's I.G.O. today (800-359-3898) and they gave me their e-mail....
Believe it or not, the Office of the Inspector General at the REAL Treasury wants to hear from you!
e-mail them: Treasury's Inspector General's Office (these guys care about "waste, fraud, abuse, etc"}
mailto: hotline@oig.treas.gov
Please, please, please go for it. >>
You don't honestly believe that sending an email to yet another government agency is going to do any good, do you? It was a government agency that hired these people in the first place! I've made more phone calls to the mint than I care to remember & nobody knows what the hell is going on. Different story with every phone call.
The Treasury couldn't care less about a bunch of coin collectors not getting their coins - just look at how much money is being wasted every single day by the US government. And the so called customer service reps at the mint or Pitney Bowes or whoever is handling the shipments of coins from the mint, well, they probably couldn't get a job at McDonald's cleaning the restrooms.
Sure, it may go as far as the SEC investigating Bernie Madoff, but on the other hand....
the person I talked with was really piqued with the "boxes worth hundreds or thousands of dollars left on the steps unsigned for." The person asked me to e-mail them and gave me the e-mail.
Also, wondercoin certainly has tongues wagging enough to get higher level "real" Mint people involved.
so, Yes, I think it is possible to get real people with real power involved in these issues.
the Inspector General's Office is an Oversight position. I'm certainly going to do my best to get them to scare PBGS straight, in the least. I hope everyone else with a story will try to do the same.
My e-mail to them was almost 4 pages single spaced.
No one has to do that much, but anyone willing to put their name and contact info on a horror story to them would certainly be working towards a benefit to all Mint consumers.
cast your vote with an e-mail to them!
(ps: 800-USA-MINT is not the mint... it is PBGS people (governtment contractors) answering the phones that as "the mint".) The e-mail and 800 number I previously provided is to the Treasury's Inspector General's Office in Washington DC. That's a way different set of people. These guys have the power to investigate issues and contact the right government people and ask them to take corrective actions.
Inspector General Hotline
<< <i>Well, if enough people e-mail, they will likely look into it.
Sure, it may go as far as the SEC investigating Bernie Madoff, but on the other hand....
the person I talked with was really piqued with the "boxes worth hundreds and thousands of dollars left on the steps unsigned for." The person asked me to e-mail them and gave me the e-mail.
Also, wondercoin certainly has tongues wagging, and enough to get higher level "real" Mint people involved.
the Inspector General's Office is an Oversight position. I'm certainly going to do my best to get them to scare PBGS straight, in the least. I hope and we all really need to try to do the same.
My e-mail to them was almost 4 pages single spaced.
No one has to do that much, but anyone willing to put their name and contact info on a horror story to them would certainly be working towards a benefit to all Mint consumers.
cast your vote with an e-mail to them. (ps: 800-USA-MINT is not the mint... it is PBGS people (governtment contractors) answering the phones that way.) The e-mail and 800 number I provided is to the Treasury's Inspector General's Office in Washington DC. That's a way different set of people. These guys have the power to investigate issues and contact the right government people and ask them to take corrective actions. >>
Uh- huh, sure.. you keep on believing that. And be sure to say hi to the Tin Man for me there in the Land of Oz.