Wrapping for Register Mail

Right Lee, but I tell 'em to just put a piece of clear tape over what they just stamped. No runs (no hits, no errors).........

 

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Costs about $20 to send a HOF gold coin with $700 worth of insurance. FYI... I know the domestic zones change a bit but that's about what it costs.

 

So two and half hours later, I have 13 sealed and addressed boxes. The employee at the post office is going to hate me tomorrow. Should I bring them a Starbucks? Haha

 

When I use the paper tape, I first measure the amount I need by manually wrapping it around the package.

After what I need has been cut from the roll, I then get a simple wash cloth and moisten it. Then it gets folded in half, then in half again then once more in half. This get placed in a saucer and water is dribbled onto the cloth until the saucer begin to gather water.

I then take each precut strip, one at a time and draw it over the moistened wash cloth in a single pull then apply it to the package. Ends are folded over onto themselves and the next strip then gets moistened and applied.

It's a major pain but it works well.

Thankfully, Insured Express meets 99% of my needs.

 

I agree this is the best way to get it done. I used a sponge but just the same.

I just got back from the post office and it took the guy over an hour to process 13 registered packages. Haha. Poor guy.


edited - forum rules

 

Why not just send priority mail with insurance? What is the advantage of registered mail?

 

Security. Everyone that touches the package after you hand it off to USPS has to sign for it.

 

So, it looks like you can turn a priority or first class package into registered mail:

http://about.usps.com/publications/pub370/pub370_012.htm

I wonder if that then eliminates the special tape.

 

Registered Mail requires paper tape so that all tape edges can be postmarked. The postmarks are used to detect tampering, and would smear or be easily erased on plastic tape.

 

Still, considering a maximum $45 indemnity that you pay $11+ for, it's a racket.

 

Registered can be insured for up to $25K.

 

Yes, but Registration BY ITSELF, maximum indemnity is about $45. Lots of shippers don't know that.

As I posted recently on another thread, the break-even point is around $1200-1400 valuation. Above that amount, registration + insurance becomes a better deal than insurance by itself.

 

Maximum indemnity on Priority mail is $50, unless you purchase more insurance.

 

Link please. I need to find out more about this break-even point.

 

Regular usps insurance will not cover gold coins. That's why registered mail is used - it will cover gold coins.

 

No link - you have to calculate from the USPS website. Here is an example:

Small flat-rate Priority box, Columbus 43215 to New Orleans 70124 = $5.80 PLUS

Straight insurance:
$1,000 = $14.25
$1,200 = $16.75
$1,400 = $19.25

Registration with declared (insured) value of:
$1,000 = $16.30
$1,400 = $17.85
$2,000 = $17.85
$2,500 = $19.40

You can see that around $1,200 to $1,400 valuation, Registration becomes the better deal; the higher the valuation, the more you save with Registration. The value of the "free" $50 insurance you get with the box does not apply toward the cost of registration or supplementary insurance. You also must "prove" the value of the lost, damaged, or destroyed merchandise.

 

I'm sure you must have to prove the value of the lost, damaged or destroyed merchandise in a registered package for reimbursment, also.

 

Read the last line of my post.

 

I am not 100% sure but believe regular insurance covers collectible coins but not bullion or currency, which would need to be sent registered mail. The gold HOF coins you sent are not bullion but collectible commemorative coins.

http://pe.usps.gov/text/dmm/s010.htm