I have never bought anything directly from the US Mint because I have heard so many horror stories about the service. What is everyones opinion on them?
I've bought a decent amount from them and the only complaint that I have had is sometimes shipping takes forever. I received one damaged box but I attribute that to USPS and not the mint.
I've been pretty happy buying coins directly from the mint. OxJaw is right about the shipping sometimes but it's usually OK. I try to buy several items at the same time because shipping is always $4.95 if you order 1 item or 10 items. Even when some things are backordered and they make two or three shipments - you still only pay the $4.95 They made a slight change this year, but there is a link on their site explaining that when you buy large bags of coins or the display boxes there are additional shipping charges.
I am very happy with them. They have the best prices, and the products often increase in value shortly after release. Look at a US mint VS Littleton price cross examination. No comparison.
they are getting better but quality control is still not quite there. If you get spotted coins (this is common on the dollars and cents) send the set back for a refund.
I've :smile ordered proof sets and had to return only one order because the Sacagewea lamination(I think) problem. no problem getting refunded. WELCOME RUSHMORE!
While there are no shortage of Mint haters on this forum, I'm not one of them. I buy from them several times a year and have been completely satisfied.
I get commems (if i like them) and the usual proof and mint sets... Only ever had ONE problem. I purchased two silver proof sets in 2005, one of them had a cracked case. I returned them and never heard from the mint again, i actually forgot about it and by the time i remembered it had been over a year, so i have no idea what happened. I guess don't try to return anything to them
I have been buying annual coin sets, and the occasional commemoratives since I became active again around 2000. In that time, I have found that I sent back maybe 5 sets of coins because of quality issues. I have always had new sets returned to me within a month's time frame. No questions asked by the mint either. The only major negative I ever had with the mint was when there was a data entry error for credit card information and they did not contact me about the issue. It resulted in me not getting the 20th anniversary silver ASE set (I really wanted the reverse proof coin). Otherwise I have had positive interactions with the mint.
