Does the Post Office ask you?

A Postal Requirement Spawned By Inconsiderate Shippers.

The postal system is being inundated with inconsiderate sellers who believe that they can profit from shipping improperly packaged coins through the postal system, and the automated systems destroyed their packaging.

I've had 7 instances in less than 2 months where sellers feel that they can charge excessive amounts for S/H, and ship in a first class or padded priority envelope, rather than proper packaging (e.g. small flat rate box, 2 x 2 envelopes secured between 2 recipe cards, etc). 3 of the incidences resulted in exploding packages when the plastic coin rolls failed, and the coins were extruded out the sides/ends, resulting in the loss of product, and damage to rolls of uncirculated dollars.

The postal employees are required to locate much of the contents as possible, and repackage in a transparent envelope which shows the damaged envelope, and a notice of the incident including the applicable postal regulation which prohibits shipment of loose coins, keys, etc....

There is a regulation requiring a surcharge for envelopes/packages requiring manual handling through the postal system, which shippers often try to avoid, in the namesake of privacy. The postal employees are required to attempt diversion of these troublesome commodities, and often as my local postal employees will manually feel the package, and when applicable will attach appropriate notice, return for insufficient postage.

I personally have decided to request refund of funds for lost coins, or excessive S/H fees above the inexpensive actual cost. Sellers of this caliber virtually never feel responsible, are generally indignant, and receive earned case contact from eBay/PayPal, negative feedback when unresponsive.

Rich :thumb:

 

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Just check the little box on the print label screen and it's done.

 

The Post Office says you can ship up to 70 lbs in their flat rate boxes. I received a sealed Mint bag of copper pennies (cents...whatever) and it could barely fit in the largest box with bubble wrap included.

That's a 34 lbs package and you should of heard the gripes I got from the postal workers. If the box hadn't been encased in tape, it would never have made it in one piece. I can't imagine anyone actually shipping a 70 lbs package.

You would have to ship a solid block of marble the same dimensions as the box...and that might not be 70 lbs. I doubt anyone would ship gold bars in a flat rate box.

 

Don't ask, don't tell!!

If I understand your question correctly, I believe most with common sense know that necessity required the postal system to generate a protective system of compliance. The system is somewhat analogous to the military "don't ask, don't tell" system of which virtually everyone was aware, but many circumvented.

The proposition that because some have been avoiding regulations by using automated self-discipline postal alternatives, doesn't negate the queries of responsible employees, who are compelled to implement reasonable regulation compliance.

I believe your question, like that posed in the military, or the subject of national security, deals with the enormity of compliance enforcement. One can always argue that since many circumvent regulations to protect the majority, there should be no enforcement, or why even try?

Why can't we package in any manner that WE deem reasonable to ship our dog or loose coins across the country without controls/interrogation? Why can't we expect USPS to pay for our dead dog or missing coins that were unreasonably over-insured and illogically shipped? Why did my package with a canine gift need to be confiscated/opened? It's not required of a business to know how/what is sent through their system.

I believe that most understand that ignorance isn't an excuse, or an argument for direct hostile confrontation because of self regulatory avoidance alternatives which have circumvented compliance.

Simply stated, the errors/freedoms of an inconsiderate few, now burden many with new regulations and proposed/implemented enforcement.

I believe that most who've waited in a seemingly stagnate USPS shipping line appreciate the alternatives, and avoidance of petty nonsensical bickering by the uninformed. I suspect that most front desk employees would rather not ask their assigned questions, mandated by others.

Individuals with a public challenging demeanor generally can't seemingly accept/understand a logical/plausible explanation.

 

Same as on my Local Post Office..anything liquid, fragile, or perishable?...

 

They usually just ask the usual if its anything liquid, fragile, or perishable. Beyond that they should be asking much. I always tell them its something fragile (if you dont they have machines they may run it thru that will break a slab). At one post office the clerk would want to know what is in it. I saw this person as a low IQ type or thief and said something like "model rr parts." I hated this locn as it was a long line being served by two lazy people. All it takes one person with something more difficult than the norm to jam up the line then they take all day while their little bird brain tries to figure it out. I hate it when the low IQ types are working at the post office (I think their relative must be the postmaster) - try to find one that has experienced sharp people.

 

Thanks For The "Expansion"

Thanks for the clarifying statement: "They usually just ask the usual if its anything liquid, fragile, or perishable. Beyond that they should be asking much."

One of my most recent purchased shipments was a complete set of Uncirculated Franklin halves, in what I believe is a Capital Holder. The Holder is a large single page "fragile" holder consisting of the 35 coins in a cardboard page of pockets sandwiched between 2 plastic pages, secured together with plastic screws. The ~3/8" thick "assembly" fits lengthwise with some clearance in a medium flat rate box, but has ~ 2.5" height clearance. There was some additional paper in the box, but the assembly was unrestrained.

The album assembly came in pieces with uncirculated coins rattling about.

The shipment should have been labeled "FRAGILE", but I believe the packaging would not have protected the album. The majority of destructive postal occurrences that I've viewed, have been when sellers ship coins in the plastic screw cap tubes, contained by an economical flexible padded pouch.

I recognize that the tactful inquiry by postal employees avoids conflict, but doesn't meet shipping regulations, nor benefit the recipient, inasmuch as I have yet to hear an affirmative response when customers receive this pleasant inquiry.

 

A friend of mine re-casts bullets; he had some extra lead sheets that he sold on ebay. He sent it out in a medium flat rate box that weighed 54 pounds.

 

same here. i've never been asked about the contents outside of "is there anything liquid, perishable, fragile, flammable, etc.?" that includes international shipments.

 

It's covered under the Patriot Act. Since the 9/11 attacks, any package now comes under scrutiny. I've taken things to UPS, and they require the package to remain open so they can inspect the contents, and have been asked by USPS workers what's inside packages I've sent through them. I don't tell them what is inside but I do tell them the package does not contain any HAZMAT, or firearms.