Negative experience with the US Mint

I received my order from the Mint for the Explore and Discover Coin Set 2019 yesterday and it was loosely packed in a large box and when I opened it up, it was missing the nickel and the dime. The box was poorly taped, so the coins could have escaped or more likely, the quality control was so poor it was boxed that way.
I contacted the Mint, via Live Chat and was told I had to send the entire coin set back and they would send me another one. I asked why they couldn't just send the two missing coins rather than make me package and mail it back. She, Nicole, told me they couldn't and repeated everything she had previously typed about me send the whole set back. I told her to forget it, I'd find and replace the items, and added that the packaging was poor and so was quality control, upon which she disconnected. Period. Way to please customers and keep them coming back . . .NOT.

 

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I agree with the mint. If the set was damaged and missing items, send it back for a replacement. This is pretty standard.

I would only take your side if The Mint forced you to pay return shipping for the replacement.

 

I agree with @Mountain Man regarding the mint's packaging procedures. My last order was absolute garbage with a proof ASE, the 2019 proof set, and the "W" cent all inside a much-too-large box with no packing materials. I wonder what the silver proof set will look like when I get it on Friday. I don't have high expectations.

That being said, I agree with @myownprivy as well. As long as the mint doesn't charge you return shipping to fix their mistake. Send the garbage back and get a new one.

 

I agree with the above two statements......this has always been a policy (send the whole thing back) of the Mint.

 

My issue is that living so far away from a post office, having to repackage and then travel to the Post Office to mail back their mistake, is really a hardship and customers shouldn't be expected to do it, but I know also that it is standard business for them. It would cost me way more than the fifteen cents to do it their way, so I'll bite the bullet and put a nickel and dime in it before giving it as a birthday gift.

 

The problem is they DO make you spend money to return it. You have to repackage ($) it, spend your time and gas ($) to take it to the Post Office and mail it back.

 

Can't you just hand it to your mailman?That's what I do with smaller items i have to ship out. He has no problem accepting it and even scans it into the system!

 

Yes, the packaging is certainly atrocious. My sets and some boxed rolls were floating all over the place in a too large box last year. No inner packing materials at all.

 

You refuse the service replacement. That is your fault. Suck it up.

 

I have to agree with others here regarding a replacement, just send it back.
You say repackaging & going to the P.O is a hardship ( really ) and that customers shouldn't have to do it.
Well in reality who else is going to do it ?
If the service is offered then take it or ask for a refund.
None of the above takes away from the fact you received a sloppy service but there is no need to make mountains out of molehills

 

@Mountain Man .....are you sure the package wasn't 'rifled' through? Most of the stuff I receive from the mint is adequately packaged. That's not to say that I haven't had issues, but for the most part, my experience has been mostly satisfyingly OK........

 

The packing is terrible but that is done by a third party, not the Mint itself. Package it up, enclose a note why and state you want a replacement sent. Do your postage online, put in your mailbox and let the carrier pick it up. Be sure to go to USPS.com and schedule the pickup.

 

Hey your dealing with a government employee. Need I say more.

 

You don't have to go anywhere.
Just schedule a pickup:

https://tools.usps.com/schedule-pickup-steps.htm

You can also order free mail labels and supplies from USPS.com. Use the labels as tape or use one of the free envelopes.

 

No, you aren't. The USPS is a private corporation, albeit one overly managed and influenced by USG.

However, if USPS were truly operated as a for-profit corporation, the first thing to go would be universal service:

"You live so far out of town that it's too hard for you to mail a package?"

"Sorry, we only deliver to that address twice a week - and mailing to you costs a $2 surcharge"

 

When I received my two Dora the Explorer coin sets they were just the 2 coin booklet things inside of a small box. No stuffing; nothing to prevent them from bouncing around. I don't recall any single layer cushion between the opening cover and back side to fill in the space there. The space being enough for 2 coins to get disrupted and be somewhere else in the packaging. Luckily it was in the packaging and not lost altogether.

At least the Rocket things were inside a sealed cellophane bag.

 

It's actually a public corporation. USPS employees are federal employees, although they also use a lot of contractors.

 

@Burton Strauss III
I thought we were talking about the US Mint

 

I am a bit surprised at the number of posts overlooking the absolute lack of regard for any semblance of the customer service aspect of this. Any establishment that accepts my hard earned money and does not display grace, appreciation and humility before, during and after the transaction is just simply unacceptable. Period. I don't care if they are an arm of the government. To abruptly end a discussion the way they did is simply atrocious and should never be accepted in any business setting.

 

USPS employees are federal employees. They are not a private company. UPS is private but not the Postal Service.