Anybody Know what to do?

Sounds like a postal employee with sticky fingers helped himself to a freebie. I used to be completely cash and carry. But it is better to use the banking system to your advantage if possible. I sent a couple of US eagles gold to Ron Paul for a speaking engagement, that were lost in the USPS--and it was sent well-wrapped in a priority envelope, delivery confirmation. Never arrived, PO offered to reimburse me for shipping but nothing else!

Whenever they catch these crooks, they send them up the river to bust rocks for a while. I hear they are still able to collect their bennies!~

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Have to point something out guys. The bubble envelope doesn't make it safe, you're still taking a chance. Some employees will rip open the packaging and re-tape it. Also some of the cheaper bubble envelopes are made with thin paper stock. If you hold a strong flashlight to them you can make out small details out of dollar bills.

 

I got a box of those corrugated brown sticky mailers most coin dealers use to ship certified coins. The same letter sized mailers can be used to stash cash safely. Makes it a snap.

 

There is most likely nothing you can do, you just gotta take it as a loss

 

How I package things, You probably couldn't make out it is money. I fold it into odd sizes, and wrap it 3x in paper using a security envelope. From my super dooper detective skills, I can make out the imprint of a silver dime coming loose from the plastic flip, getting stuck in the machine, and starting a whole world of trouble. I honestly can't tell you if it were sticky fingers, but I can say the ripping shows sign of pull-tearing. Not just ripping. Somebody may have found the coins and cash and pocketed it, but that's something I don't know.

 

If you don't want to fool with banks or paypal then your safest bet would be to send postal money orders. They cost a small amount but they are safe and if they do disappear in the mail you can get those refunded. If you receive one and don't have a bank account you can cash them at the post office for up to something like $300.

 

Okay, here's the way I see it. I lost some money to learn a lesson. Lesson is I shouldn't stall to open my checking account. But I am going to open it soon and get paypal in my pocket. But to prevent my "WOAH! THAT'S AN AWESOME COIN" Feebay browsing sessions, I'll have a standing amount of $20 in there. When I want to make a purchase, I'll put some money into that account and then make the purchase. Does my logic confuse you as it confuses me?

 

I will put in my 2 cents, but I am sure others have echoed this point. You sent coins and cash in a regular mail envelop. That was the problem. Envelopes go through such a violent sorting process. If you plan on sending coins to another person, do yourself a favor and buy a rigid bubble mailer at the PO and send it first class. If you care enough to send valuable items, at least send them that way. I don't want to sound like I am harping on you, but I believe this a very inexpensive numismatic lesson.

 

i send cheaper coins in regular envelopes with no problems i put the coins in 2x2s and i staple them to cardboard and use 2 envelopes. that being said i only do this on coins im trading people or giving away in contest. i have a ton of older stamps that i cant use anymore the 37 cent ones? so im trying to use them up

cody

 

I have my bank account and debit card linked to my paypal. so if I make a purchase it takes it from my account, the seller gets paid right away (not an echeck) even though it takes a couple of days for it to clear. I can also transfer money from my paypal to my account.

but if you want money in your paypal account with out a bank account you can purchase a "Green dot money pack". they sell them at most convenience stores. you can add what ever amount you like on the card.
the store will charge you $5 extra dollars.

 

Was planning to buy the ASE in paradisemint before but it took like almost a month to create a Paypal account. That is, after weeks of creating a saving's account in the bank. The "verifying stuff" was so frustrating!

 

Hi Cannyn,
You almost must have a checking account nowadays.
Banks have very many fees and high minimum balance requirements to avoid fees.
Use a credit union.
To join a credit union, you have to have a share savings account and maintain a balance of $5 to $10.
With that you can open a checking account, usually with no required minimum balance and no maintenance fees.
You can get a debit card to draw on your checking, also with no fees (except out of network ATM fees).
CU's are Federally insured just like banks.
As a member of a CU, you are an owner of the CU.
Good Luck,
Rick

 

Hey thanks for the info. For now, since I am in High School, I am going to inquire about a (free) Student Checking Account at Chase Bank for now. I can't deal with a credit union because the nearest is a nice eight mile drive, and seeing as I don't have a street legal motorized vehicle I can't do much with it. But once I get out of High School, I will definitely be using a credit union.
Thanks for all your support fellow CTers! You all have been nothing but good to me

 

The cheapest checking accounts I know of are TD Bank's student account which I think is free, they also have the regular checking but you have to have a balance of $100 in it. For Chase You need direct deposit or the account to be linked to your parents otherwise they charge you for it.

 

/ woops

 

That will never happen...

 

you cant get the ATM card yet, you have to be 18, unless that is just a new england rule

 

One of the questions you need to ask is if there is an inactivity fee and, if so, how much it is and how quickly an account goes inactive.

Most of the banks I've talked with in the past few years flag an account as inactive if it hasn't had any activity in one year. Some say in one-half year. And then they charge $5 / month for inactive accounts.

 

That's true, so banks LOVE that inactivity fee. There have been many people who have had entire savings account completely wiped out by those fees. Somone opens a saving account for a new child or grandchild with a few hundred dollars and then let it go inactive, When they are ready to turn it over to the child they discover it was closed years before after the balance dropped to zero from the fees.