Buy U.S. Mint Products? Lost Shipments Aren't Their Problem. 1 1

[Sandon]

   Yesterday I went to the Mint's website to subscribe for a couple of regular (clad coin) 2024 proof sets, which are scheduled to be released in March.  The final step in submitting an online order is an acknowledgement of certain terms of sale, including that the purchaser is over 18 years of age, accepts the Mint's privacy policy, and the like. Yesterday, however, I noticed that an apparently new term had been placed directly above the "accept" button.  The version of this term that I copied from the terms and conditions under the "Customer Service" tab of the website reads as follows: "The customer assumes the risk of loss during transit. Issues arising from delivery need to be resolved with the shipping carrier." The terms and conditions also indicate that the Mint ships packages uninsured.  Years ago, the Mint used to ship more expensive packages through insured registered mail, but apparently no more. 

   As the Mint chooses the carrier and uses different carriers--I have had orders shipped to me in recent years through the U.S. Postal Service, Fedex Smartpost (shipped primarily through Federal Express but delivered by the Postal Service), and UPS--it seems profoundly unfair that the mint would place this burden upon its customers.  This is especially true for more expensive bullion and commemorative products, which I don't buy but whose individual purchase prices may run into thousands of dollars. When added to the currently outrageous prices for some mint products, such as $130 for silver proof sets that sold for $56.25 as recently as 2020 and $50 or more for clad commemorative half dollars, I am finding the proposition of continuing to order anything but the least expensive items (annual base metal proof and uncirculated coin sets) from the Mint quite unpalatable.  A number of topics on these forums have noted the marked increase in difficulties with deliveries by various carriers in recent years.

   Although I doubt that complaints from a few small Mint customers would make any difference, perhaps the threats of or actual cessation of business by numerous customers, including dealers who order in bulk, would lead to a change in policy. In any event, I did want to make it known that if you buy U.S. Mint products, "you pay your money and you take your chances."

[Henri Charriere]

Your post is deserving of at least one reply.  It might as well be mine.  You muse that lost shipments aren't their problem. Well, maybe they shouldn't be.  The last time I dealt with the Mint -- that escapade is memorialized at Moderation's discretion on the Unsolicited Comments thread -- was around the time either before or after they were blindsided by orders and decided to farm that function out to authorized dealers. What a mess! That way they wouldn't have to deal with the public directly.  I became disenchanted with the Mint and Mint products.  You could not pay ME to place an order for coins made from synthetic (non-bullion) metals.  I don't know if it's legal or not, but I have effectively boycotted their entire product line.  There are others who have adopted the same tack. I was unaware of this latest wrinkle in abdication of responsibility to their loyal subscriber base which I would think they would want to continue if only to maintain cordial customer relations.  I guess it is up to the consumer marketplace to decide whether that is a cost-effective move on their part.  And to think there was a time when you could acquire a proof set for only two dollars and ten cents!

Thank you for taking the time to share this development with the membership.

Edited February 21 by Henri Charriere
Die polishing.

[Coinbuf]

I stopped ordering from the mint over ten years ago, best decision I ever made.   That bit on the shipping is way over the top.

[GoldFinger1969]

Do any of you recall threads discussing lost/stolen shipments 10 years ago ?  20 years ago ?  

[Henri Charriere]

On 2/21/2024 at 3:13 AM, GoldFinger1969 said:

Do any of you recall threads discussing lost/stolen shipments 10 years ago ?  20 years ago ?  

Only the chartered, long-time members would know.  Anecdotally speaking, that activity has either picked up, or may seem so due to better reporting.  🤔