New Mint Shipping Contractor shipping coins without requiring signature!

Coin World reports (March 2 issue) that the new shipping contractor for the US Mint (Pitney-Bowes government solutions) has been shipping coins (even gold coins worth thousands of dollars) without requiring signatures for delivery.

This is a violation of the US Mint's own shipping policy, but apparently the contract between Pitney-Bowes and UPS does not require signatures.

Apparently the US Mint and Pitney-Bowes have so far refused to answer questions about this to Coin World staff.

 

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It has to be better than Fed Ex

 

I have never had a problem with Fedex, except when they delivered shipments without signatures. After I called the mint and asked them to require a signature, they always did. What problems have you had?

The new policy concerns me a lot because if a shipment gets lost or stolen from your mailbox or front porch, UPS will show a delivery confirmation and the customers will have no recourse. I think it's imperative for customer to flood the US Mint with complaints about this policy.

 

UPS will indicate where they put your shipment...front door, rear door, Between front door, etc. While this is indeed a confirmation of delivery it is by no means actual proof that you received the shippment. I would hope that high value packages (excess of $1000) would require a signature. Back in my delivery days excess value packages always did. I've received many packages from the mint via FDX and at all times have had to sign for the shipment.

 

But it all comes down to the customer possiably getting the raw end of the deal.

 

I received a shipment from the Mint today, left on my porch in plain view from the street. I kinda wondered who it was from since it was labeled PBGS, opened it and found my US Mint coins. Anyone could have easily picked up the package before I got home. I've had to sign for packages of much less value, seems odd and like a liability to the shipper and sender.

Fred

 

I got an e-mail from the Mint today stating that they shipped my proof and uncirculated Lincoln $'s today. Only 2 days after my last available ship date. The shipping # comes up as two shipping numbers on the UPS tracking website!? Tried it on USPS.com. Still too many numbers. Who exactly are they using for shipping now? Oh, and the e-mail said to check usmint.com for shipping info and tracking. Imagine my surprise when the page came up 'temporarily" unavailable. As far as i can see this temporary issue has been permanent for about a week. And getting the Lincolns before the UHRDE... PRICELESS!:desk:

 

Its fedex, use the larger lower number

 

the best things in life are from the us mint for everything else there is ur credit card

 

Fedex requires a signature for all mint deliveries. The post office does not.

 

Yeah, most of the time the post office just drops the package at the front door. Then too, if the package is small enough, into the mailbox (located on the street) it goes. The chances of someone pilfering the package, (be it delivered by FDX, UPS, or the USPS) are all the same no matter who the carrier is.

 

Thanks for the info sittingguy. Right on the money. It's a shame they had to get a kid on a bike to deliver it. They weren't kidding when they said 5 -10 days for delivery. Delivery estimate of 3/2 for my Lincoln's.

 

Had $2100 worth of gold on my door step when I got home from work last week. UPS left it there with NO signature required. I was lucky, I have good neighbors.

 

Very interesting....from UPS's tarriff......

F. Definition of Articles of Unusual Value Which Are Not Accepted By UPS For
Transportation​

1. Shippers are prohibited from shipping articles of unusual value via UPS.
Articles of unusual value shall be deemed to include, but are not limited to:
a. Any package with an actual value of more than $50,000;
b. Coins, cash, currency, bonds, postage stamps, negotiable instruments
(such as drafts, bills of exchange, or promissory notes, but excluding
checks), and money orders;
c. Unset precious stones, and industrial diamonds;
d. Any article that contains more than 50 percent by weight of gold or
platinum, or any combination thereof in raw form, including, but not​

limited to, bullion, bars or scraps of these metals.

 

I worked my last three years for UPS on the customer counter and we were instructed to not accept, for shipment, coins or bullion related items. I do know that coins were sent through the system (in my driving days I delivered items from the mint) and as Doug stated there are ways to get around the so called rules. What bothers me is that an item of extreme value was left on Chiefbullsit's door step. That package should have required a signature. In my day anything in excess of $1000 declared value required a signature.

 

the mint should change that new shipping contractor. the previous one is the best.

 

Do tell why?

 

Harvey,

Nice to see you again.

 

I don't see how you could get around those rules at all.

Which means when you make a claim for a high value item they can deny it even though it isn't specifically on the list.

But this is a numismatic item with collectible value. "Is it a coin?" Well,yes. "Claim denied, coins are not eligible."

You may say that they meen raw bullion, but the highlighted portion says ANY ARTICLE where the gold or platinum is 50% of the weight.

There are enough gray areas in those rules that they could potentially deny the claim on any high value item.