I recently returned 6 clad proof sets to the mint because there were discolorations on the presidential dollars. One plastic lens was cracked. The box they sent me seemed awfully heavy. It contained 12 clad proof sets! I don't know why this happened; I indicated on the return slip that I was returning 6 sets. Before you get jealous, I checked my credit card and they charged me for the extra 6 sets. I'll have to send them back. Has anyone else had this happen?
It happens rather often. It is caused of course because all of the staff are in a huge rush trying to make people happy because of all the complaints they get. Of course the more they rush the more mistakes they make - which only generates more complaints. It seems to be the way of the world these days - everyone wants instant gratification. And God help those that don't give it to them. This comment is not directed at you dreamer, but rather at everyone - I think we would all be better off in life if we learned a little patience.
I wasn't bashing the mint. I think that overall, they do an amazing job. I was just curious about why this might have happened. I'm sure they'll set it right
I didn't take it that you were bashing the mint dreamer. But it certainly does seem to be a favorite pastime for a lot of people based on the posts made in various forums. I just thought it might be a good idea for people to consider that they too play a large part in what happens at the US Mint. And that their own personal actions directly affect the outcome. Members of the US Mint staff read this forum, they hear all the complaints, they try to act on them. But like I said, when people rush they make mistakes. So it might do some good if we the customers let them know that we understand once in a while. That's all I'm saying.
It happened to me once before, I think in 1999, it was simply an oversight and was resolved without a hitch. Overall I have been quite pleased the mint performance with orders and subscriptions and resolution of problems. My father before me and now me have been dealing with the mint since the mid 1900's and I think basically their M.O.O. has remained pretty much the same except for the out-sourcing some of the shipping. This year I think they simply took on too much for ther striking, packaging and shipping capacity. I think I have returned more items this year than in any other. Generally speaking I don't have a problem with most of the uncirculated coins but the proof versions, "struck for the collector", should, in my opinion, be flawless to "us common folk". This year was a notable exception. Even the sets I received on return and initialed by an inspector were well below prior year mint standards. I'm hoping they "right the ship" before next years releases. Time will tell. I agree GD, we live at a time when instant gratification is expected. The electronic age has come at a cost.
I think you are taking it to easy on the mint Doug. It would actually cost them LESS in operations to beef up quality control in the long run. If they hire more people to check coins before they are sent out, they could get rid of expense on the returns side (and have happier customers).
I heard the mint has hired a swami to project order returns before shipping, so they add the extra return coins beforehand. PS Just kidding.
I must admit that I'm pretty happy with the US Mint and their services and products. So what if they get it wrong every now and then. I can't go through a day without committing a dozen "shouldn't have done that"s
I've never had any complaints with the mint. But, it's understandable they make screw-ups on occassion. The US Mint is one of the most profitable businesses in this country and it's no secret they're short staffed. I think if they actually gave a hoot for their customers needs, they'd hire more employees and get the job done right. But, when you're peddling something that nobody can do without, you have no reason to run a smooth operation. Just my three cents... Guy~
I agree, the cost of shipping alone has to be killing them. They are most likely already losing money on the intial shippng (they collect $4.95 and then often ship Fed-Ex. What is the actual minimum cost of a Fed-Ex shiment ? $9?), then they will refund for the return shipping at actual cost (if you ask for it), and then have to pay again to reship the replacements! So they have collected $4.95 and spent about $27 or more (If you bought a single proof set and returned it, they end up spending more on shipping than you paid for the set in the first place.). And what happens if the replacement sets are defective and returned again? And that is for a simple order. What if you ordered several different items and they break up the order and ship seperately? Shipping and return shipping costs could really explode if you have to start returning items from the different parts of the order. With that kind of potential expense I would think that it would be much more cost effective to have an additional layer of QC people making sure that defective sets are not shipped.
I don't really think that's the issue. I think the issue is that what we call defective and what they call defective are two different things. At least in the majority of those cases.
I have the right background for it and I know what we call defective, now I just have to get the philly mint to move to the greatest football town on earth ... Really, it's not that big a move...
P-burg is a nice place Darryl - now. But when I was growing up I used to cuss you guys up one side of the river and down the other. Ya see, I lived - downstream.
