Miffed at the Mint

I don't know entirely why, but I'm quite upset with the latest change in the delivery of my 5-oz ATB's - Mount Hood from the mint. I work 12-hours a day M-F and can't sit around at home waiting for a delivery from UPS. I was able to sign the back of UPS first delivery form for the first 3 ATB's and get my ATB on the next day at my doorstep. Now, the mint has changed the rule and requires my actual presence during signing. I couldn't believe that they changed the rules on this one. I live in a safe neighborhood and get lots of stuff delivered to my doorstep. I can't sit around waiting for UPS to deliver all my packages. Why would the mint change the rules with UPS? I called customer service at the mint and spent 20 minutes pleading my case. If I sign the back of the form, I'm taking the risk. If someone steals it from my doorstep, I'm taking the risk. You have my signature telling you that I'm taking the risk. What's the issue? I will have to say that the customer service rep was quite polite and dealt with me in a professional manner. After the long discussion on their change in delivery requirements, I asked for the next step in the complaint process. She gave me a number to call for complaints. It really erked me that that complaint line is only open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM EST. Does anyone other than me work for a living? Can I complain to them from my work. How do their employees get stuff from the mint if they're working durng the UPS delivery hours? What happens if you're calling from Hawaii? Boy, I'm ........

 

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You should call to complain about their complaint hotline hours. Also, this is why I don't order from the mint. I find the time I save is worth more than the extra costs.

 

I do and have been annoyed quite a bit by such deliveries - first with the ATB sets from certain APs an now these. I'm planning to pick my latest 5oz and last one probably up from the distribution center that's ~15 miles away on Friday. That drive takes about 45 minutes each way in the metro I find myself planted in.

But....I don't blame the shipper as much as I do the delivery company. Consider that FedEX will drop such packages at any nearby FedEX services store for you to sign in person at your leisure. Now look at how many UPS stores of that type are around, but no such option is given! I'm not at all pleased with UPS. The shippers just make it worse.

 

Is there anyway you can request a certain day of the week for deliveries when you don't have to work and can be around to accept it? I usually can give delivery instructions when I order from apmex or a different seller that only applies to the shipping company. Whenever I recieve a package that needs to be signed for or won't fit in my mailbox it is sent to the post office and I have to physically go pick it up.

 

Wait...I've always gotten my US Mint coins delivered via USPS...did something change? :scratch:

 

You can go to the nearest UPS shipping center and pick the item up. They're open longer than 9-5, so you might be able to do that. I had to do that with FedEx for work, when we needed a package that was rescheduled for delivery on monday (I ran to the FedEx place on saturday to pick it up). You may just need to confirm where your package actually is.

 

I understand your frustration. As a suggestion, You can have the item shipped to and held for signature at your nearest UPS Store. Your Packages will be available even after normal business hours and saturdays. Give them a call, and see what can be done.

 

I've called UPS and the mint on this one. I tried to remain calm but I got more disgusted as each conversation went forward. I must say that I can't get to upset with UPS since they are just following the mint's requirements. Apparently, they didn't follow directions on the first four ATB's that were left on my doorstep during the second delivery attempt after I signed the back of the form. I would delay delivery to Saturday but that does cost $4 and it forces me to await around on one of my precious day's off to wait for the UPS guy (pay more and ruin my weekend plans). I could go and pick up the package at the nearest UPS store, which is 1-hour away and has poor hours. I don't think so. Will someone remind me again why the mint doesn't use the postal service to deliver the coin? It is cheaper and they put it in my mail box. It is also another government agency that seems to work rather well. I can't remember issues with delilvery of anything from the postal service. In my company, we always prefer goods from other company facilities before going to another company. Considering the recent budget fiasco, I guess I shouldn't expect financial aptitude from the government.

 

Crazy stuff. I'd think there'd be more around in New York. I just checked my zip code on the website and there's 20 UPS stores within 20 miles of me.

 

Phil, the reason they use the UPS system is because it's tracking capabilities are second to none. The Postal Service tracking leaves much to be desired and it's not done in "real time". Any way you could have a neighbor (one who is home all the time) accept the delivery?

 

government employee's do you expect anything less

 

I live in Chenango county. The edge of the earth is about 10-miles southwest of my home.

 

I agree that the UPS has a better tracking program than the post office but that is not my point. The mint should permit the delivery of the item to meet the needs of the customer. I'm not around to accept a package from UPS. I'm willing to take the risk of delivery by the post office to my mail box. I've had thousands of things delivered by them to my house without one issue. I'm just asking the mint to give me the option. It saves them money and uses another government agency to deliver my package to boot.

 

Unless it has recently changed, the Mint only charges $4 for shipping no matter what you buy from them. This is incredibly cheap compared to anyone else selling PMs. In exchange for this low price, they state that a number of different carriers will be used and this is probably the reason you can't give specific instructions.

 

Quite true indeed. Ever check out what "over night" shipping costs today? The mint still charges you the flat shipping rate.

 

Have you actually done this? I just spoke to UPS to see if I could have my mint sets dropped at one of these much more convenient locations, but the service representative said that only 'customer centers' could be selected and of course, that one is my 'usual' 15 mile hike.

FedEX is eating their lunch. I really have been developing a preference for every other carrier of late.

 

Can it be shipped to your work?

 

Quasi-government that is.

I was thinking about this today...that I'm not the customer from the Mint's perspective. They are the carrier's customer and they show this relationship by placing their preferred limitations on the way in which the delivery takes place. Turns out that their wonderful $4.95 overnight delivery cost me more like $10 after the fuel I burn to go get it from them.

 

Boy that would be a great idea! I've not asked if this is kosher at my current workplace - just figured it wouldn't be. Prior work sites have strongly frowned on personal deliveries being sent there. They seem to think that the cost for them to do the receiving and marching it to your desk outweighs the clear benefit that a worker could appreciate - al la be happier and therefore more productive? Bah! that's too much like thinking for most managers this day and age.

 

unfortunately most companies will only ship to the billing address assigned to the credit card, probally applies to the Mint as well.