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 Replies: 28 / Views: 2,837 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1227 Posts |
. . . they're so darned HEAVY!! I have an entire shoebox full of flips, loose bags, etc. of coins. I don't want to ship them because holy shipping prices, Batman, and also I don't trust them to not become lost. On the plane I get one carryon (my backpack) that weighs up to 40lbs, plus my checked luggage (which can be opened, without me being present, by the TSA, a group I trust about as far as I can spit while facing into a high wind). I'm pretty sure putting my collection in the backpack would immediately put the bag overweight for anything else I wanted to put in it, even clothes.
What should I do? The option where I leave the box with my mom until I can arrange to pick it up is also not an option for family drama reasons (would she take it? Happily. Would I get it back? Maybe not). How should I get these from Arizona to Texas?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2077 Posts |
Are you shipping a car? If so, hide them in there. If not, split them up and put a bit in each box. Then no box will be heavy enough to arouse suspicion.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2077 Posts |
Also, a priority mail flat rate box has no weight limit. Probably less than $10 without insurance.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1227 Posts |
OldSkool, I'm not. My car is a hoopty worth so little that when I was offered total loss coverage I laughed and asked what seven hundred bucks would buy me to replace it. Splitting it up may be the best option, although the idea of losing some of my coins in transit seriously breaks my heart. I guess if I ship UPS it'd be safer . . .
On the other hand, I'm still using makeshift flip holders made out of the containers I got the flips in. I could buy myself some nice boxes from Whitman when I get to TX and welcome my coins by putting them in a proper home.
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
Personally I would get a couple of the USPS flat rate priority mail boxes and ship them. If you print the labels on their website you get free tracking which I would definitely use and probably insure it as well. The flat rate box will keep the cost reasonable though the insurance may be a little bit of a hit but its worth it as opposed to risking it. But I've never had a single problem with a package with tracking not making it where it should
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New Member
47 Posts |
Do you have to fly or is it possible to take a train or coach bus with less restrictions on weight? It may also be possible to upgrade your plane tickets to a higher carry on weight allowance...
I've had boxes arrive from UPS broken and opened! Wouldn't trust that method with my personal collection.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1227 Posts |
Basebal, I have--had some CDs coming to me from Sweden that made it to the border, then disappeared. I think I might carry as much as I can and ship the stuff that it wouldn't hurt me as much if it gets lost.
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
Thats because before they get to customs the baggage handlers at the airport get to handle them. If theres no tracking itll go missing for international and sometimes even if there is. They just dont care and lose stuff all the time. AZ to Texas no one will touch it but the post office. If you use priority or express mail the offices have a vested interest in getting it there since thats how their branches are rated off those types of packages.
If you have anything of high value I would try and pack that in the carry on although I am not sure what the policy for that is. They usually dont react to well to metal disks like that that could be hiding explosives. Theres not really any great options other than driving them yourself but if I had to pick one Id ship it tracking and insurance USPS and declare a value where even if I overpaid for everything I know for a fact I could replace everything
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3540 Posts |
Flat rate USPS or Fed Ex ground...insure the contents, and call it a day.
The large flat rate USPS boxes are $15, insure for a grand, and send the signature required.
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Rest in Peace
 United States
1380 Posts |
Flat rate USPS large box, you can put up to 70 pounds in it for the same price, very safe with tracking and insurance, BUT tape the living bejezus out of it. Take no chances on it splitting open!
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Valued Member
Guatemala
357 Posts |
The OP didn't mention whether this was an international move, or just within the country. I basically had to leave most of my collection in a safety deposit box in the U.S., when I moved internationally, as the laws in Guatemala make it extremely difficult to export *ANY* item over 100 years old, regardless of where it was made. Plus, here, you are supposed to pay an "export tax" if you ship anything overseas.
Couple that with an average 9 week wait to get mail from the U.S., unless I have it shipped to my freight forwarder in Miami.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
How should I get these from Arizona to Texas?
Almost sounds like a joke. From Arizona to Texas. Almost could do that in any car. I suggest just goin to a rent a car place, rent a car and drive your coins there. Not sure where in Texas or in Arizona but those should be only several hours driving. AND you just drop the car off in the state you end up in. Quote:
The OP didn't mention whether this was an international move, or just within the country. Yes it was noted he is going from Arizona to Texas. Not to far unless the trip goes around the entire world first. Then it would be almost 25,000 miles. Otherwise not far at all. AND a rentacar today costs really little. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1231 Posts |
Most airlines allow you a personal bag (small backpack) and a carry on bag (which is usually a 20" case). They don't actually weigh your carry on bag. Last Christmas my carry on 20" bag weighed about 65 lbs.
Or just drive like Carl said
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1432 Posts |
Just using Phoenix to Dallas as example = 1100 miles and 17 hours. Doable but not a casual drive. Plus you pay out the wazoo for one-way rentals.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2541 Posts |
Fedex or UPS with a tracking number and you can track it on your iphone. But take the most valuable individual coins with tou on the plane.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1195 Posts |
You'd probably want to stop off at a hotel for a night in the middle of that if you opt for the drive.
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Replies: 28 / Views: 2,837 |
Posted 08/19/2012 2:40 pm
