Registered/Insured shipping--does anyone else find the process of doing this way too much trouble? You have to use the special tape which cannot be a self-stick adhesive. The entire packages creases have to be covered by this tape. And then, after the package is done, you affix an address label and it gets there in several times the time frame of express or priority so it is a guessing game when it will finally arrive. I know, it is 100% secure or nearly so. So why not send express or priority if you have a good external, low cost insurer?
Are you referring to using USPS? I've shipped with package insurance before and they didn't require me to use any special tape, etc.
USPS Registered Mail is what requires the special tape. BTW: I got a registered package from Israel last week and DIDN'T have to sign for it. Still shows as in transit on the PO web site. Good thing for the seller that I'm an honest guy!
If you have a reliable low cost third party insurer that costs less than the USPS then sure skip the Registered. Registered is the way to go if one or more of the following is true. 1. You require the maximum safety. You don't care about reimbursement, you WANT it to get there. 2. The item is worth over $1K and you don't mind the wrapping hassle and slower delivery. (Over about $800 Registered is cheaper than insured and it gets much cheaper quickly as the value rises. The insurance rates for registered are much lower because it is so much safer.) 3. The item is worth over $5K. $5k is the maximum you can insure for with insured mail, Registered can be insured up to $25K. If you have a reliable third party insurer and it is less than the Postal insurance you may be better going that way. If your item is worth over $25K and your third party will insure higher amounts then that would be the way to go. One thing though often the third party insurers have two sets of rates as well and if the package is sent registered they use the lower rates, once again because Registered mail is so safe and they know the chances they will have to pay out is almost zero.
Too much trouble ? Not at all. I once sent off 2 packages at the same time, each insured for $25k. It was worth every bit of the trouble to me.
How long did it take you to wrap the parcels? And with any mailroom, like the one at NGC you have experts at every phase of the shipping process. "Ship and Insure" gives me the same level of insurance coverage at comparable rates, $25K or so maximum per package. You ship a box in a box, a lot easier than all that pesky tape. Priority USPS, they offer only $5K coverage maximum. Overnight express is one of the most reliable IMO in terms of safety, impractical with serious weight.
Owle - they always put the tape on the package for me. I never did it myself. They do that automatically when you use Registered mail. The purpose of the tape being on every joint in the box is to ensure that no-one can open or tamper with the package without leaving traces that it was done. The advantage of Registered Mail is that every single person who even touches the package has to sign for it first. That way the chain of responsibility is unbroken. If you don't like Registered Mail, don't use it. But is absolutely the most secure method of shipping that there is. And if you are going to ship something expensive, it's worth the hassle.
I've never had a problem with domestic registered mail other than the delayed shipping time due to the extra security. I do know that above a certain insurance coverage amount it becomes cheaper to ship registered. Never sent an international registered package, so I can't address that.
Registered mail is more about guaranteed, traceable delivery than about insurance. The boxes are free, paper tape is available from Office Depot (or have PO do it), and there's only one simple To/From form to fill out at the PO. Not much trouble IMHO.
That's a new one on me. They gave me the tape and the sponge in water, and basically told me to go to it. They never did it for me.
The "special tape" thats is used for Registered Mail has to be able to accept a non-smearing ink stamp. If maunfacturers made self adhezive paper tape, it would be totally acceptable. BTW, I avoid registered and instead prefer Insured Express Mail. That way, I know within a day or two if they lost my package!
As a buyer, I appreciate the extra security because I have lost two medals through the post office. They did not cost a lot to many people here, but to me the two hundred dollar loss was a lot.
Same here. With express/insured, you can go to the PO with your goods, use the USPS materials, and be done with it. Experienced numismatic and grading comanies have a system that works for them--they are professionals. But the rest of us do not want to spend 10 minutes working with the R/I tape and the right box. I guess it is part of the whole numismatic experience for many companies to make the arrival of a registered/insured package feel like you are a VIP, and the package is the just deserts of someone who knows that he is smart by buying material that is so special, they require unique paperwork and shipping for it. :smile
