Friday, January 18, 2008
US Mint Absurd Shipping Methods
Maybe I'm just angry because the coin I had ordered two weeks ago is now only in Kentucky. Before I say more I want to note that I do realize that the US Mint offers an expedited shipping option but here's the thing: they have "two to three days" for $17.95 (or $18.95 I can't remember) or "we put it on a pack mule and hope it gets to you within the year" for $4.95. Nothing in between. Now, with most other online vendors, even choosing the slowest shipping rate still brings the package to you in a week. Here has been my experience. Order placed on January 4. Email on January 11 stating that my coin has shipped, tracking numbers are included. Despite my best efforts to track my package, the USPS website declared that it had no record of my package until yesterday, then when I checked it this morning it said that it had arrived yesterday morning at a "partner shipping facility" in Hebron, KY. Unlike reliable and competitive carriers (read: FedEx or UPS) the tracking information is updated only once a day, though somehow I even doubt that. Hopefully at some point in my lifetime, my coin will arrive. I think that the mint should use a more reliable and expedited carrier. I know I'm not the only one to be frustrated by USPS.
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1 comments:
Hang in there, Coinman! I too have become educated on Hebron Kentucky. My coin shipped on February 19th from Texas, yet has been sitting at the partner (?) facility since that time. Although the site reports they update the information each night, I have noticed zero updates since it arrived. Beyond the rediculous shipping options (?), my coin was ordered via the mint's subscription option. The coin was actually placed in December 2007, finally shipping in February 2008. Combined with their excuse of the tornado at their warehouse, they also pointed out to me that per their records I was no longer receiving any communication updates because I failed to supply an email address, a phone number, a home address.....and I transposed my name so that it was spelled perfectly backwards. Even though I pointed out I had placed orders with them via subscriptions for years, they sadly pointed out to me that I was the only one that could have corrupted my online account and that I should be careful when keying information. Good luck on your coin. I plan to start using a third party vendor soon, for even if the prices are higher, I will have real shipping options.
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