The PO is really breaking my b_!!s these days!

[Leothelion]

I wish they'd make up their minds about how I'm suppose to package up coins and slabs for mailing. Just about everytime I mail something, the packaging has been wrong. I could write a book on the headaches I've taken from them. Yesterday, they told me that I couldn't send plastic in one of those vanila bubble envelopes.

The plastic are three slabs and each of those is tightly wrapped in more bubble wrap and sometimes I'll use the brown cardboard mailer sealers. I've just received an order of all this stuff and I've been mailing coins or slabs this way for several years.

The mail clerk said, "Oh, we can't insure it for that much if it's in a vanila envelope. He said that I need a box and so I used their priority box which is free but cost $3.50 to mail it. And that doesn't include the insurance. The guys reason was, "that if a large box sat on it (the vanila bubble envelope), it would break the plastic. I said, that box could easily cruch that little box as well! He came back with,"all I know is, I can't insure it packaged that way. Anyone want to take a gander at how many pounds a slab can withstand before it breaks? So by this time I'm having some conspiracy thoughts running through my head but I hold my frustration in and simply say, "well then, may I have a few of those boxes to take with me and they said,"sure!" So now I'm over at some table, assembling the box, transfering the addresses and shoving the bubble envelope into the box. I'm wondering what will it be next time? Sure, I can understand how they have to sit through some seminar to learn all this stuff and that someone is probably coming down on them to keep the insurance losses down but I wish they would let me know one way or the other or at least be consistent with their policies. The cost was over $7.00!

 

Leo

[gmarguli]

I've never had the PO complain about sending slabs in the bubble mailers. I've seen the PO refuse to insure regular envelopes, but it either isn't an actual rule or it isn't followed too much.

 

If you want to use the Priority boxes, just cover them in shipping paper. The PO won't know the difference.

 

As for how much pressure a slab can take before breaking, I've cracked them with my bare hands before. Of course I've also cut my hands into bloody pieces doing stupid stuff like that, but it doesn't take too much pressure.

 

Just never mail a slab in an envelope that can go thru the regular sorter. It will crack the slab in half. Always use an envelope that is too big so it has to be hand sorted and stamped.

[truthteller]

Many, many times, the PO clerks don't know what the regulations are and they 'make up' their own regulations. Rules for shipping are: Insured packages with the blue tag over $50 can use bubble envelopes to mail. Registered packages with red tags CANNOT be bubbled wrapped and must be sent in sealed envelopes or boxes with NO outside tape, only paper wrap with paper tape so that they can be registered stamped. You can use Safe-T-Mailers within regular sized letter envelopes for registered mail, but not bubble wrap inside the envelope. If you know more than the clerks, they back down, else ask to see a supervisor. Often times you will 'educate' the clerk. If the clerk asks what is inside, tell them 'merchandise'. They are not allowed to inquire further unless it is perishable, flammable, or dangerous chemicals.

 

TRUTH

[Leothelion]

Greg

I'm not certain about this but isn't there a weight limit to what the PO handles and the heavier stuff goes through UPS or elsewhere. I can see the force of a box breaking a slab if it's dropped or thrown but setting a box down on the envelope, the chances the slabs would break would seem low.

I use to send the raw cheap coins in regular white business envelopes but I would have the 2x2 coins taped to a letter size paper, folded up inside the envelope until one day they said that was not a good idea. They said the coins needed to be inclosed in the cardboard self sealers. So I started doing that until they said the envelopes were now too thick and that they would jam the mail sorter so this is when they moved me up to the bubble mailers but now with slabs, it's boxes. I'm wondering what's next?

 

I didn't think about the brown paper wrap. That should eliminate the $3.50 priority rate. Thanks for the heads up!

 

Leo

 

[Leothelion]

Thanks Truth

I don't sell too much stuff but it sounds like I need to get the manual and read up.

It gets frustrating when these people jerk me around. All they need to do is, get it mailed but I think I have tongue tied them a couple of times and they seem to

remember me when I come in.

 

Thanks again.

Leo

[EZ_E]

Don't forget that if you use brown paper wrapping then it must be sealed with the brown paper tape (the kind that you usually wet before hand). This is mandatory to send something registered.

[MikeKing]

Thanks, TRUTH, for laying down the real guidelines.

 

Boy have I been having trouble with my PO.

First of all, this one guy always asks "What's in it?".

Finally, I had a talk with the manager, because sometimes I send people to do my mailing for me and I don't want them asked that question. Secondly, it raises my suspicions about the clerk (s).

 

Then, there's the issue of how to package!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Paper tape for registered mail? Where do you buy it?

I bought tape from Staples. The PO rejected it. Too shiny.

I bought tape from KMart (my favorite store by the way); rejected; too shiny EVEN THOUGH IT SAID MEETS REGISTERED MAIL STANDARDS.

 

So, disgusted with my PO, I sent my last package from a neighboring PO.

They rejected the envelope I had the coin in.

The other PO had accepted it!?!

So, I had to buy another envelope.

AND THEY USED THE SAME KIND OF TAPE I GOT IN KMART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I'm about to lose my mind.

 

 

[MikeKing]

Sure, I can understand how they have to sit through some seminar to learn all this stuff

 

I mean, really.....this is not brain surgery...this is ther xxxxxxx job!!!!!! Can't they figure it out????

[BillJones]

Once in a while you run into a postal clerk who is a total pain the tail. After while you learn that some Post Offices are best avoided and deal with those who don't have a staff of clerks who act like government Bozos . These clowns talk about acting like "a business," but if that were true they would learn to treat the public more like "customers."

 

The other day I had a "jack tail" (I found that that the 3-letter "A word" got censored ) postal clerk asked me what I had in an Insured Registered envelope to which I had declared a value. I total him something housed in plastic. So long as I am not mailing something that is illegal, it's none of his business. If I find out that that item did not reach its destination, he'll be on my short list of people who will catch some grief.

[TomB]

Truth has given you good information. Thankfully, I have never had a problem with any of the postal clerks around here.

 

One thing I will add, and I don't mean to say that you do not act this way also, is that if one is polite to the clerks in their questions, answers and explanations on why the clerk my be mistaken, then nearly always there is no problem.

[truthteller]

Dr. Tom,

 

I give all my postal clerks fruit baskets for Xmas, and always a happy smile. This goes a long, long way. They even telephone me at home when a package is waiting.

 

 

TRUTH

[TomB]

I also get a phone call at my home each time there is a package for me!

[gmarguli]

I'm not certain about this but isn't there a weight limit to what the PO handles and the heavier stuff goes through UPS or elsewhere. I can see the force of a box breaking a slab if it's dropped or thrown but setting a box down on the envelope, the chances the slabs would break would seem low.

 

I think the PO will only ship something 70lbs or less. Over that you need to use outside carriers, but I don't think the PO has anything to do with it.

From what I have seen at my PO, they sort the boxes based on size into bins, so a big heavy box wouldn't come into contact with an envelope or small box.

[sanmary]

That is a fact.....they will only ship 70lbs or less. I once sold a 5000ct bag of wheat cents and had to repackage it with less inside protection because the cents alone weigh about 68lbs and it was about 4 oz over. They refused to ship it. Personally I've never really had any problems with The USPS. Like Bill Jones stated it could be better to use a branch or 2 that you know will not hassle you and the workers recognize you after a while creating a smoother process.

[RobertB]

 

As for how much pressure a slab can take before breaking, I've cracked them with my bare hands before. Of course I've also cut my hands into bloody pieces doing stupid stuff like that, but it doesn't take too much pressure.

 

 

I feel better now. Someone else has cut themselves open cracking a slab. I sliced my hand wide open when a piece of slab plastic popped off and flew across my hand.

 

The last packages I mailed were insured for as much as $ 200 and thet accepted bubble wrap envelopes? Everyone is right. They seem to make up the rules as they go along.

[Leothelion]

I realize this is redundant to discuss but I don't think a 70lb box could crack a slab if it is accidently set on top of the bubble envelope. It would if it were dropped but then my package would need to be on the floor. OK I'm stretching it a bit here but the odds of that happening is very slim. Wouldn't they use a dolly to move that 70lb box anyway?

 

Leo

[EZ_E]

PO policies (per my girlfriend, a postal worker):

 

A business-sized envelope can not be sent insured alone, instead (if one wants it insured) it must be sent via registered mail which can then be insured for an extra charge. Registed mail should be sealed with brown, paper tape only! This allows the date stamp to be applied. All other tape is unacceptable if a pkg is to be sent registered. Registed mail is the preferred method to send valuables. However, if lost, an original receipt must be presented of the insured item in order to be reimbursed for the loss.

 

To send an article insured alone, it is recommended to send it in a padded envelope larger than business sized. A padded envelope can also be sent via certified mail, however one can not insure a certified letter. (One can not combine another service, i.e. insurance, with certified mail). Certified mail is NOT recommend for valuables.

 

Express mail is automatically insured up to $100. Additional insurance is also available for an extra charge. An express mail envelope is supplied by the post office. It will usually be delivered w/i 24 hours although it may be up to 48 hours for rural areas.

 

The first question asked when a pkg is to be sent is:

 

Are you shipping anything liquid, fragile, perishable or potentially hazardous? One needs to only answer yes or no. It is not necessary to state that coins, etc. are being sent.

 

Any other questions regarding post office policy can be answered at:

 

1-800-ASK-USPS

 

 

 

[jtryka]

Some good info here. Usually when I ship gold, it goes priority with lot's of insurance (though if over $1000, I usually go registered). The brown tape I use is the paper reinforced tape sold in huge rolls at office depot (I think it's like $6 for the roll, and that lasts about 3 years).

 

I used to go to a PO in Tigard, OR, and the guys there knew me well, never had much problem with them, and one day I asked them what the deal is with the varying postal "regulations" and he informed me of something very interesting. There are two types of Post Offices. Some are run by the postal service, while others are contract post offices, that are run by independent companies (now I am not talking about Mailboxes etc., but real POs that look just like the others). The problems usually come at the contract POs, as they have higher turnover and the employees tend to be clueless. The key is to find a PO that knows what they are doing, and is consistent. Like the situation in Oregon, I dealt with the same thing in Washington when I moved. The PO in my office building while convenient is a contract PO (hence the mail delivery to the building is done from a separate office in the building not a part of the PO). I have had many problems and annoyances with them. So now if it needs much more than a stamp, I go to the PO in my town which is a USPS run facility, and never had the slightest problem with anything, registered, insured, certified, whatever. Now the Fedex office in my town, that's a whole other story!

[gmarguli]

Usually when I ship gold, it goes priority with lot's of insurance (though if over $1000, I usually go registered).

 

It's at $900 when registered mail becomes cheaper than insured mail.