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Replies: 6 / Views: 2,124 |
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Valued Member
United States
68 Posts |
Hello, CCF!
I would like to know from your personal experience, how do you guys package and ship your coins? I thought that shipping would only be a matter of ~$5 per coin (or batch of coins), but I was shocked to find out that even with a USAA membership discount, FedEx would ship standard ground for a <1 lb package for no less than $9. This is disappointing, because after purchasing hundreds of envelopes / padded packages for coins, each individual shipment would put me in the negative unless I were to sell but the most valuable specimens in my collection, and even then, unless it were to sell far above the book value, I'd be in the negative regardless!
I see sellers offering free shipping, $0.99 shipping, and wonder: how? What is the post priceworthy, cost-effective delivery method available to the average consumer such as myself that can ensure the safety and pristine condition of enclosed coins? Where can I purchase my seller's supplies cheaply? How do I go about printing my own shipping labels?
I appreciate the feedback!
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
I use USPS mail which is usually cheaper than fed ex. Under 100 dollars I give the option for grist class or priority, over 100 is priority only. Over 200 you need signature confirmation for ebay seller protection. For your own labels if you're selling on ebay printing them there will be the cheapest. USPS.com is cheaper than paying at the post office but you can't do first class mail on their site last I checked. Amazon has really cheap bubble mailers, 100 for under 20 bucks shipped, and much cheaper labels than going to the store. The coin mailers are an okay price if you buy in bulk.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2373 Posts |
If you pay for USPS first class mail on line you can send a bubble envelope up to 3 ounces for $1.93 that includes tracking. 13 ounces costs $3.47 so you can interpolate the middle. If you take the package to the post office to pay it will cost more. nlp
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Why would you use FedEx vs USPS? Coins and currency are NOT insurable through FedEx but you can insure up to $25,000 through USPS Registered Mail(First Class limit is $5000). If you are selling on ebay, you can easily print discounted USPS shipping labels online through PayPal(under under $2 with Delivery Confirmation for a bubble mailer).
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Valued Member
 United States
68 Posts |
biokemist6, that is precisely the information I am looking for! I appreciate all of the replies thus far. I did not know that FedEx didn't insure coins, nor did I know that PayPal sold printable shipping labels for under $2. I did not know that you could order bubble mailers online so cheaply, either! All great information.
How does one send individual coins vs batches of 5-25 coins? 50 coins? 100?
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
Quote: How does one send individual coins vs batches of 5-25 coins? 50 coins? 100? I do a coin mailer inside either the bubble mailer or the small flat rate usps envelope depending on what shipping was selected. Bubble wrap inside a bubble mailer would be fine. Batches go in a tube into a bubble mailer usually with some bubble wrap inside.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Quote: How does one send individual coins vs batches of 5-25 coins? 50 coins? 100?
I use a regular First Class envelope with a rigid cardboard insert for inexpensive coins in a 2x2 while more expensive coins are shipped in a bubble mailer. For multiple coins, you can roll them up or use a clear plastic coin tube and then place in a bubble mailer. For bulk coins or many 2x2s, the best shipping method is using a USPS Small Priority Mail Flat Rate box, available at your local post office. I have shipped 1500 wheaties in a small flat rate box and all of the flat rate boxes have a maximum weight limit of 70lbs so you could ship bricks in those things  . The postage for a small box is around $5 so it is quite cost-effective.
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Replies: 6 / Views: 2,124 |
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