I've noticed a disturbing trend with my recent eBay purchases. Whenever I purchase a coin, and that coin is shipped with a tracking number, I receive it. But when a coin is shipped without a tracking number, it never arrives. This has happened 3 times in a row now (over a month or two), from sellers who otherwise have decent feedback. I've filed cases and received refunds, but I'm starting to wonder if it's a problem on my end. So why do I suspect the USPS? Because if it was typical mail theft (somebody reaching into my mailbox), the packages would be stolen regardless of whether they have tracking. The fact that it's only those envelopes without tracking that are disappearing leads me to believe it might be postal worker theft. I have a subscription of the Numismatist delivered to my house, so it'd be easy to recognize me as a coin collector. Any thoughts? Is this a legitimate cause for concern or do I need to remove my tin foil hat?
I'm not even going to get into the number of issues I've had with USPS. Others have apparently had no problems at all...but I MAKE them scan every tracking number in while I'm standing there so I have a receipt for the act of mailing. Yes, that bad.
Have a friend or relative mail you a common circulated Wash clad quarter in an envelope or pkg similar to what is going missing. That may give you reason to have a talk with your local postmaster if it goes missing.
Aside from a single damaged package, I've never had an issue with the USPS. However, what you are describing leads me to believe that someone has figured out that your mail may be a worthwhile target. Get a PO box.
I have similar issues with missing mails, unrelated to coin shipping, and when I went to my local post office to talk to the supervisor, she looked at me like.... ' why are you bothering me? I think the post office have an excellent system but poor employees. I wish UPS can handle those light packages with cheap rates.
Thanks for the input everybody. Unfortunately, I don't think getting a PO box will do any good as I assume the mail will still be routed through the local post office. That office has a ton of customer complaints on Yelp, including some allegations of theft. I think I'll try this. If it goes missing as well, I'm definitely going to file a mail theft complaint. I might also claim a personal check went missing, as that should generate more of a serious response than just collectible coins.
You are not alone. I sell on ebay and have had 4 packages get "lost" in the last year at in my local sorting center that I sent with tracking. The tracking just mysteriously ends. The local post office just gives a "sorry we can't find it". That is money I lose since I refund the money and have not coins.
I don't have an issue with USPS, as I live in a condo (is that it?): Our mailboxes are locked, and any package not fitting in the mailbox is NEVER (in my experience) left outside of our security door, but always delivered to our unit, or at least PLACED in front of our unit door. Unfortunate are those with mailboxes out on the street in front of their house, or worse, those mailboxes at the ends of very long driveways in the countryside...
Sure looks like the mailman is taking them from all the information you provide. Best advice really is to use another address for valuable shipments (PO Box preferably). If I were in your situation I would really want to confront the mailman, but that's probably not the best thing to do considering you still need them to deliver your mail (and you don't have actual proof). Sometimes it's best to bite your tongue and move on. Be sure to report it to USPS though. Chances are this mailman is doing it to others and if enough of a pattern is formed he/she will get resituated or fired.
It sounds like a possible case for the postal inspector, I would most definitely report it. When filing a police report of any kind be careful about false information such as the missing check. The misinformation can cause the investigators to follow the wrong leads, which could make the investigation more lenghty. If it is the carrier he may have a specific pattern of theft (specific items taken). Not to be stinker it is also (FYI) actually a crime to file a false report I am sorry about it, but there is always a few bad eggs out there.
I got you confused with the other post about making the report, sorry tired. Gd luck with it and if you do make a report I hope they catch the suspect!!!!
Just mailed a package from Illinois to Indiana...it's in Los Angeles right now. Because that makes sense.
I've bought plenty of coins and never had a problem until recently. A package from Norway never arrived, from a seller with 100% positive feedback. Clearly it was stolen, but where? Norway? Somewhere else in Europe? US Customs? The USPS? Out of my mailbox? I've given up on it. I hope someone is enjoying their six-dollar coin.
