Don't Use USPS to Delivey Your Gold

[FarmerD]

USPS has reached new lows in customer service.  I've had a couple unsettling episodes with my last 2 gold shipments.

1) I received a email from the gold seller telling me the ordered had shipped.  After 6 days I still hadn't receive it so I looked up the USPS tracking number for the shipment and discovered no such tracking order existed. After a few frantic phone calls between my seller and the USPS it appeared the USPS somehow gave the wrong tracking number to my seller.  My shipment came in 9 days after it was reported shipped 2 day priority. 

2) I got my last shipment when a neighbor (who I don't even know) knocked on my door and handed me my package.  He said the USPS guy was at my doorstep a couple hours earlier and when I didn't answer the door, asked the neighbor if he could give me a package for him.  This is despite the fact the shipment was "signature required."

Given these experiences, I will demand FEDEX or UPS deliver my packages to me from now on even if I have to pay extra for this service.  USPS is just too risky. 

Anyone else have these experiences or an I just the only one?

[sophie]

Not with USPS, but UPS is a total nightmare around here and I avoid them like the plague.

Did they not send the package registered and insured??  That's what I'd insist on.  There is someone responsible for the package at all times during its journey, and if it goes awry you won't lose your investment.

I'd also call the local postmaster to complain about the signature delivery issue.  That's potentially quite serious.

[dragoncar]

Yeah, any carrier will pull those shenanigans once in a while.

[FarmerD]

Not with USPS, but UPS is a total nightmare around here and I avoid them like the plague.

Did they not send the package registered and insured??  That's what I'd insist on.  There is someone responsible for the package at all times during its journey, and if it goes awry you won't lose your investment.

I'd also call the local postmaster to complain about the signature delivery issue.  That's potentially quite serious.

Yep, each package was registered and insured with signature confirmation required.  The "signature required" part is concerning as well since USPS apparently does not require you to show proof of ID when you pick up your package from the Post Office.  Several times I brought in the slip of paper left dangling from my door jamb (delivery missed) by the postman, took it to the post office and the package handler just went back and got the package and handed it to me at the window.  He didn't even bother to look at my ID cards proving who I am nor did I sign for anything.

I'm surprised more people don't lose their packages that way. 

[Jay-UMN]

I've had issues with USPS as well, but not to that extent. For packages where signature was required, once I missed the delivery and they failed to actually move the package on two rescheduled redelivery attempts, and once the package only got as far as the USPS office and never went out for delivery. At least it was stuck in the post office and I just had to go get it - much preferred over dropping the package off at someone else's house.

[Ad Orientem]

I am not sure if we are using the same terms correctly here. There are a number of different services available from the USPS. Registered Mail is the highest level of security. Normally it is not put on trucks for delivery. Maybe times have changed, but you used to have to actually go to the post office and sign for it there. Is it possible you are talking about Insured or Certified Mail? If it was sent Express that's usually trackable and insurable but it's not the same thing as Registered Mail.

[MachineGhost]

I am not sure if we are using the same terms correctly here. There are a number of different services available from the USPS. Registered Mail is the highest level of security. Normally it is not put on trucks for delivery. Maybe times have changed, but you used to have to actually go to the post office and sign for it there. Is it possible you are talking about Insured or Certified Mail? If it was sent Express that's usually trackable and insurable but it's not the same thing as Registered Mail.

I never understand the difference between registered, certified, insured mail.  Care to explain?  Are you a retired postal worker?

[Ad Orientem]

I am not sure if we are using the same terms correctly here. There are a number of different services available from the USPS. Registered Mail is the highest level of security. Normally it is not put on trucks for delivery. Maybe times have changed, but you used to have to actually go to the post office and sign for it there. Is it possible you are talking about Insured or Certified Mail? If it was sent Express that's usually trackable and insurable but it's not the same thing as Registered Mail.

I never understand the difference between registered, certified, insured mail.  Care to explain?  Are you a retired postal worker?

I ran the shipboard post office when I was in the Navy. Registered Mail is used for items that require high security. Once an item is accepted as Registered Mail it is kept separate from all other mail and it's movements are recorded by an unbroken chain of custody. Each piece of mail must be signed for every time it changes hands. Registered Mail is also stored in special secure facilities such as a safe or a special registered mail security cage in larger post offices. Typically Registered Mail has to be signed for at the Post Office. Things might have changed but it never used to be delivered to a house because ordinary postal delivery vehicles were not considered sufficiently secure. Registered mail can also be insured for a lot of money. Ordinary postal insurance used to be capped at $400. Registered mail though could be insured for up to $25,000.

Certified mail generally just provides proof of mailing and a signature when delivered. Insured mail is certified mail + indemnity in case of loss or damage. But there is not usually any special security arrangements in place. Express mail is normally trackable. A signature on delivery can be required as well if the sender requests it.

[dualstow]

On a national level, I think the USPS is very impressive and I think I posted the Esquire article (about their struggles) at this forum.
Locally, they're notorious here. It always takes me several redelivery attempts, like Jay's experience above. Right now I'm in a building with a guard and a package room, so it's less of an issue. When we're at our house, it's often hard to get a package, much less on time. So, I get a lot of free redeliveries from Amazon (by FedEx) when I complain.

That said, my current gold dealer uses USPS and Priority mail, insured.

Is Navy shipboard mail insured against boating accidents?