Question about Registered Mail and Insurance

[VAB2013]

Since you guys send coins to TPG's for grading, please tell me how the insurance on Registered Mail works. I have gotten mixed information from the Post Office. What I was told by FedEx and UPS is they require proof of what's in the box and if it gets lost you have to have a receipt showing how much you paid for it. Like... how do they know really what is in the box to begin with? From what I have read in forum posts, Registered Mail is the way to go... but I am confused on the Insurance?! Thank you for helping!

[WaterSport]

Honestly, I never bother with either - I put my coins in Flips and put them in a padded envelope along with the form in a Priority envelope and send it priority mail. As long as I can track when it arrives, I am good. I tape both sides of the envelope and I add tape across the top flap to just seal it up. $7.35 and its gone. Its really about how much you trust the system. I have heard that the Post Office is not suppose to mail Valuables so you might get that reaction when you tell them whats in it ...

WS

[makecents]

I have never done the insurance or registered mail, I personally think it throws up flags for the wrong folks. If it's 16 ounces or less, I send it out first class mail with tracking in a padded envelope. The only time I use priority mail is when it is more than 16 ounces and have no choice. Most times the first class with tracking gets there quicker than priority mail and is cheaper. I've sent out literally hundreds of coins and have never lost a one. Also I do not publicly announce it!

[WaterSport]

My post office thinks I am mailing Circuit boards. Also even if I send coins to Great Collections...I list it as GC.

WS

[GrumpyEd]

Some issues...

The PO will not insure "money" so if you say coins or money they won't insure it, better off to say collectable or something.

I think Registered has a certain amount of insurance for free then costs more if you add more but in the end you would still need proof of value to get covered.

Bottom line.....
You seal the box in brown tape or paper, use a good mid size box that nobody can pocket. They stamp the seams.
When registered goes from one step to the next they sign for it. So regardless of the insurance, it's way less likely to vanish or arrive opened and empty. That's why I would use it for high value stuff and almost ignore the insurance, it's like 99.999% likely to get there ok.

[GrumpyEd]

And be sure they stamp and hand you back the receipt and keep it, in case you need to ask them to track it down.

[VAB2013]

Thank you so much guys for helping! I have debated on what seemed like the best option and I like using a box idea since the post office told me that bubble mailers will go through a sorter that could smash the coin or bend it, unless you pay more and they stamp it not to go through the sorter. I would think that Priority Mail even with a bubble mailer would not go through the sorter. When I could not get a straight answer about the insurance I thought... geez... this just seems like a rip off. What good does showing a receipt for what you paid for the item help anyway unless the post office actually packed the box and did some kind of notarized statement as to it's contents!

[Jacob]

I don't send coins in mail anymore
Even if I found a new variety. There are quite a few thieves in area here. We have a few people stealing FedEx and UPS boxes in neighborhood. Also I had some issues with Johnstown area postal in PA. It's one of the reasons I don't sell on eBay anymore. I have trust issues what can I say.

[VAB2013]

Yep, I've heard news stories of front porch box thieves around here too! I guess having the package signed for at the time of delivery would help with that, but it's a bother having to make sure the recipient is at home or then they have to go to the post office to get it.

[GrumpyEd]

Viv, With registered they need your signature. If you are not home then they leave a card and you go pick it up.

On your submission, you are stating a value. That might not matter to the USPS, you have no proof. That's why I rely on Registered, it is so unlikely to get lost.
When the TPG returns it, they will ship Fedex or UPS for most things but they will insure it and at that point it is graded so you have proof what they sent and a value. Sometimes they do leave it on your doorstep!

I think the best bet for a high value coin is registered mail, mid size box and let them worry about return shipping and cross your fingers.

I often used brick boxes. They are sturdy, too big to pocket. They have picky rules for registered about your tape. It can not be plastic tape since they must stamp every seam. You can use brown packing tape and mumify your box. You can also use a brown shopping bag, smear Elmers on it and use it like packing tape. It adds a bit of weight but if it gets the coin there safer I feel best. You must cover every seam with brown stampable paper or tape.


My first submits I had a dealer friend do. He used a flat mailer, no bubble pack. Scribbled in the submission form in about 30 seconds. Tossed in my 4 flips. Closed the self adhesive thing, no tape, nothing. Told me not to worry that he never had one get lost. I worried for over a month. It made it there fine.