USPS and Murphy's Law go hand-in-hand

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by Vess1, Oct 3, 2012.

  1. Vess1

    Vess1 CT SP VIP Supporter

    I usually use USPS because that is what I have available locally. I have used it many trouble free times. I have a habit of either taking the receipts of an item I ship and sticking them in my wallet or setting them on my shelf until I receive positive feedback. Then I pitch them.

    Friday I listed a $5 AGE for sale on ebay. Literally 3 minutes after I listed it, my phone buzzed saying it sold and then buzzed again saying the buyer paid. Pretty cool. So Saturday, I shipped it out in it's air-tite, in an envelope, inside of a small USPS priority mail box. Maybe a 4"x4" box. I had the receipt and phone in hand at the same time. I marked the item as being shipped on my ebay app. It then asks if I want to enter the tracking # in at that time. For the first time I said "no" because I was frustrated by my 3g service and had to go.

    The day goes on with it in my pocket. End up with a lot more receipts before the day is out. I usually throw receipts in the recycle bins. Most of them were. Somehow, I think this receipt accidentally got thrown away in the garbage upstairs, which was dumped for Monday's garbage pickup.

    I'm in Illinois, the buyer's in Indiana. Here it is Wednesday aaaaaand! You guessed it. The buyer claims he doesn't have the package! How does this happen? So a box didn't get there 2-3 day priority since Saturday. What's the chances it shows up tomorrow? I spent $10 cash for packaging shipping and insurance on this. I purposely bought a box so it couldn't accidentally get torn or lost.

    I know as a seller I have the luxury of some time to give it a chance to get there, but if the guy's lying or it never shows up, I'm on the hook. Yay.
     
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  3. appliancejunk

    appliancejunk Silver Bullion Investor


    I would give it another day.

    When you print your postage online you get free delivery confirmation number and it saves the number for you so there is no receipt to loose.

    Maybe that is not a option for you.
     
  4. Conder101

    Conder101 Numismatist

    I agree, give it another day or two. Yes Priority usually gets there in just 2 - 3 days but it isn't guaranteed to. People like to beat up on the postal service but they actually do a terrific job.
     
  5. mrbrklyn

    mrbrklyn New Member

    They are much much better than UPS.
     
  6. appliancejunk

    appliancejunk Silver Bullion Investor

    I agree with that.
     
  7. Vess1

    Vess1 CT SP VIP Supporter

    It didn't get there today either. Since Saturday from Illinois to Indiana isn't looking good. They occasionally send something the wrong way and it has to take the scenic route to the destination. They've cut management, cut sorters, cut hours and now I heard they're closing and consolidating sorting facilities. I just heard the Rockford facility is shutting down and everything will be sorted in Chicago now. This isn't good IMO.
     
  8. mrbrklyn

    mrbrklyn New Member

    I had them misdirect a package to the other side of Long Island once, resulting in it taking six days.

    FWIW, the best way to send is USPS, Priority and tracking..
     
  9. rlm's cents

    rlm's cents Numismatist

    All the more reason you ought to be using Pay Pal or eBay to print your postage. The tracking numbers are automatically entered in the system for you to find at any time; it is cheaper than the PO; it is much more convenient at least for me; believe it or not you get eBay protection against such nonreceipts that actually works (from personal experience); and the tracking is free. The only reason I know of to use the PO is that you enjoy getting frustrated at you 3g service.
     
  10. jjack

    jjack Captain Obvious

    Yea the print your shipping label feature is a time saver, you can grab those shipping labels from staples for pretty cheap price as well.
     
  11. Detecto92

    Detecto92 Well-Known Member

    The usps in IL sucks. It's taken a week for priority before. They move like dead lice.
     
  12. green18

    green18 Unknown member Sweet on Commemorative Coins

    How so? Can't beat UPS for 'real time' tracking and timely delivery.


    Sorry to hear of your woes Vess. Hopefully this package shows up at your customers door tomorrow.
     
  13. mrweaseluv

    mrweaseluv Supporter! Supporter

    simply put i won't ship or buy from seller that ships only ups. The have screwed up my stuff more times then i can count. Best one was leaving a new comp on the doorstep in the rain (could have opened screendoor to put it in the mudroom. Then again he probably unemployed now
     
  14. silentnviolent

    silentnviolent accumulator--selling--make an offer I can't refuse

    UPS won't ship coins. They have it in their policy and will tell you so over the phone. Some people insure them as 'collectible metal disks' but, if there was ever a claim buster it would be having to explain what those 'disks' really are.
     
  15. green18

    green18 Unknown member Sweet on Commemorative Coins

    Gee.......wonder how the US Mint gets around that little trifle.......
     
  16. silentnviolent

    silentnviolent accumulator--selling--make an offer I can't refuse

    From the UPS rules on "Prohibited Items" Wow they don't really want to ship anything do they :D


    ITEM 780-A

    PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED ARTICLES

    SECTION 1: PROHIBITED ARTICLES: The following goods will not be accepted for shipment nor as premiums accompanying other articles. Carrier will not be liable for delay, loss or damage to a shipment of any prohibited item. Shipper agrees to indemnify Carrier for any cost, fees and expenses incurred by Carrier as a result of Shipper’s violation of any municipal, state or federal law or regulation or resulting from the tendering of any prohibited item for shipment.









    Animals - Live or carcasses (other than lab specimens or trophies)




    Asbestos products




    Automobiles (other than amusement rides or children's)




    Bank Bills



    Carbon Black or any similar product (in powder form)




    Checks - not cashed and/or endorsed




    Coupons - value exceeding $ 1.00 per pound




    Currency - U.S. paper or coins, government shipments are accepted (Note 1)




    Deeds




    Diagnostic specimens (to include, cultures, DNA, etc)




    Etiological agents (infectious - Typhoid, Polio, etc.) over class 6.2




    Explosives, Gunpowder and Dynamite (see NMFC 64302) (Note 7)




    Fluorescent bulbs or ballast, New or Used




    Fruit, fresh or frozen




    Guns - (50 mm or larger caliber; military) (see also Section 2)




    Hazardous waste (see Item 565)




    Human remains, fetal remains and human body parts




    Insects, live, live specimens or live bait




    Illegally obtained or manufactured substances (i.e. Cocaine, Heroin, Marijuana, etc.)




    Jewelry, not released to a value of less than $5.00 per pound, including costume or novelty jewelry




    Leaking or wet package, container, or drum (Note 8)




    Medical waste (i.e. used needles, gloves, garments/laundry contaminated with bodily fluids)




    Meats, fresh




    Milk, fresh




    Museum exhibits




    Nitrocellulose - all types




    Other inherently fragile, unique, or custom items, including but not limited to prototypes, etc.




    Photocopiers - new and/or used




    Postage stamps




    Polychlorinated Biphenyl’s (“PCB”)




    Precious metals, including gold and silver bullions, platinum and sterling silver




    Precious stones




    Produce, fresh or frozen




    Radioactive Materials, Level II and III




    Tanning beds




    Valuable Papers of any kind (Bonds, Personnel Records, etc)




    Waste (i.e. environmental, hazardous, medical, or any other that requires a waste manifest) (see table below)






    Hazard Class or Division

    Label Name

    Except as Noted



    1.1

    EXPLOSIVES 1.1

    NONE



    1.1

    EXPLOSIVES 1.1

    NONE



    1.2

    EXPLOSIVES 1.2

    NONE



    1.3

    EXPLOSIVES 1.3

    NONE



    1.5

    EXPLOSIVES 1.5

    NONE



    1.6

    EXPLOSIVES 1.6

    NONE



    2.3

    POISION GAS

    ZONE A - 1 liter or less per package
    ZONE B - less than 119 gal per package



    6.1 (Inhalation Hazard, Zone A or B)

    POISION INHALATION HAZARD

    ZONE A - 1 liter or less per package
    ZONE B - less than 119 gal per package



    6.2

    INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCE 1

    NONE



    7

    RADIONACTIVE YELLOW-II

    NONE



    7

    RADIONACTIVE YELLOW-III

    NONE



    Medical waste



    NONE



    Nitrocellulose, UN0342, UN2556, UN2059

    4.1, 1.1, 1.3

    Nitrocellulose membrane filters



    Hazardous waste



    NONE



    PCB's (Polychlorinated Biphenyls)



    NONE



    Asbestos



    NONE



    Wastes



    NONE



    Used fluorescent bulbs and ballasts



    NONE





    Hazardous materials may not be accepted for transportation unless the hazardous material is properly classed, described, packaged, marked, labeled and in condition for shipment.




    Section 1A: ITEMS REQUIRING PRIOR AUTHORIZATION

    The following items can be picked up but REQUIRE written approval by Carrier prior to pickup. Approval can be granted by specific Regional or UPS Freight corporate managers




    Antiques - Collectibles, Furniture, Glassware, Jewelry and Memorabilia (Note 3)




    Appliances, major appliances (refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers, etc.)




    Artwork – Original or Limited editions, including but not limited to paintings, drawings, etchings, sculptures, statues, tapestries,




    watercolors, and artwork that is signed and numbered (Note 4)




    Automobile body sections, not in wooden crates




    Bundles of Pipe or other materials, over 12 feet in length




    Carbon Black, (liquid or solid)




    Exceptional value items – any shipment that exceed $100,000 in value




    Fine Porcelain - vases, dishes, figurines




    Fireworks




    Frozen Goods (i.e. chemicals, drugs, foods, medicines, etc)




    Household goods (see Item 615)




    Lottery Tickets




    Mattresses, with or without box springs




    Metal Sheets, goods, flat not in solid wood crates.




    Paper, pulp board sheets (printer stock), flat, other than packaging material not in a solid wooden crate




    Plants, live




    Pottery or Earthenware of any type (ie.nursery supplies, etc.)




    Skids of freight over 8' long




    Televisions, 24” or Larger (excluding computer monitors with a released value (See Note 6)




    Temperature Sensitive Products - protect from heat and freezing (See Item 810)




    US Mail - any postcard, letter, package, with U.S. postage stamps applied (Note 2)




    Windshields - Automobile



    Read more here. http://ltl.upsfreight.com/shipping/rules/index.aspx#780

    Just saying, they have refused to pick up items (coins) for me from auction firms in the past. They still charged me for the 'scheduled pickup' though :rolling: And caused both the auctioneer and myself considerable unneccesary stress...

    Edit: Here's 'Note 1' as referred to in the non-acceptance of coins/currency:

    Note 1 Monetary coins will not be accepted as premiums with other articles except as authorized in NMFC Item 310.

    Edit again: Unable to locate NMFC Item 310.
     
  17. green18

    green18 Unknown member Sweet on Commemorative Coins

    Yada, yada. I worked for 'em for thirty years. I know the tariff.
     
  18. silentnviolent

    silentnviolent accumulator--selling--make an offer I can't refuse

  19. silentnviolent

    silentnviolent accumulator--selling--make an offer I can't refuse

    I see now: "government shipments are accepted"
     
  20. mrbrklyn

    mrbrklyn New Member

    How so?

    Let me explain it..

    A) All deliveries from UPS are at the discretion of the driver
    B) UPS has no access to apartment buildings or locked mail boxes, thereby requiring you to be there waiting with baited breath for them
    C) When UPS can't/won't deliver, then you need to go to a depot miles away instead of the local post office at 8AM
    D) UPS local help with such problems is one sassy women for the entire NYC region of 24 million people who operates with a pink princes telephone in a corner of the 42nd street offices (with river view). This is intentional on the part of UPS to stop complaints.
    They have no escalation serives either. Essentially nobody in management can do anything other than antagonizing the union and vice-versa.

    I'd rather die than use UPS.
     
  21. mrbrklyn

    mrbrklyn New Member

    I worked for them as well for a time as a younger man. Its a tough job. But there management is in such disarray at this point...
     
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