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 Replies: 48 / Views: 8,489 |
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Valued Member
Canada
453 Posts |
I had set out to join the Master Club.
(Currently at 45%)
Then I saw the saga of the Silver 5 coin set - Farewell to the Penny.
With regard to the coins that took me to 45%, I could have bought them at the local Post Office without the shipping charges that I paid for the mint orders.
So what is the advantage to Master Club Membership?
Even members could not order the 5 Coin set - Farewell to the Penny.
What good is MC when the mint appears to prefer dealers over MC members? It appears that dealers have held back the coins until the Mint is out of stock, so that the dealers can add an obscene (IMO) premium.
Your thoughts are welcome!
Edited by Jerry_B
11/23/2012 8:24 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1528 Posts |
I've just recently became a MC member. I think most MC members could ordered the 5 coin set if they had ordered at the first 2 weeks before it went out to the public and if you were a MC member, you would of got a chance to ordered the 5oz penny before it sold out as well. Just like anything else, you have to act fast.
I don't go out of my way to get the MC membership but the way I look at it is, if I am already spending that much anyway, might as well get some kind of reward for it (sneak peak at what is coming out soon or free shipping). The bad part about MC membership is that it does not guarantee that you will get the item before everyone else. You might be the first to order but you may end up being the last to receive it.
Edited by Lostwords
11/23/2012 09:13 am
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Valued Member
Canada
234 Posts |
can't beat free shipping!
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5324 Posts |
with the 5 coins penny set, almost all dealers held back their allotments and sold this set for above original prices. jm was one of the only dealers who didnt sell the set above the RCM price plus canada post. only advantage is first crack at the only 1 or 2 items per year that is popular, the rest of the issues are duds. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3690 Posts |
These are the advantages of MC from the mint website. My comments in italics. •Free shipping and handling on all orders within the US and Canada, no minimum! (bullion products excluded)Great! Who wouldn't want to save on shipping? •Advance notice of our latest coin releasesHit and miss. Sometimes you get an e-mail sometimes you don't. Most often you'll hear about new coins here on this forum before the RCM tells you •Priority access to limited-edition coinsYes you usually get a week before coins are released to the public. Very, very few coins sell out before they get to general release •Access to a restricted toll-free Masters Club Info LineI've never called them. Prefer to use the website. •VIP invitations to special eventsI used to get these frequently but haven't been invited to anything in at least a couple of years. I've never attended an 'event' and if you don't live in a major city, there will be no events near you anywayOther benefits noted on the website: Special products and exclusive offers I know of no special products or offers that are exclusive to MC Email sell-out alerts You get spam when coins are nearing sell out. It's hit and miss and you'll only get e-mail about coins that have been on sale for months, not the really hot ones that sell out in days. Coins Listing Online! Everyone can see coins on-line. But MC get a special page that is basically the same as the 'new releases' available to the public. Once a coin is public, the special MC page is redundant.Free access to Mint tours - - " Drop by our Ottawa or Winnipeg facilities and learn about the minting process, from design to striking of the coins.As an MC, you can also arrange a free tour of the mint - of course, you have be in Ottawa or Winnipeg to take advantage of that. They don't really encourage you to just show up and take a tour. It's 6 bucks weekdays and 4.50 on weekendsYou get a 'holiday' card in the mail around Christmas time. It is worth it? Only you can determine that. If you want the very odd coin that sells out in MC release, then maybe. But if you're getting everything you want from dealers (like CP) then likely it is not. CP now offers free shipping on almost every coin so the RCM MC is not as special anymore. IMO, it's certainly not worth buying $1000 in coins that you don't want just to get free shipping. Edited by CC-Ottawa
11/23/2012 09:41 am
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Valued Member
 Canada
453 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
789 Posts |
I think it certainly worth it, especially if you are going to subscribe any series from the Mint. The saving from shipping alone can add up to a hundred dollars. Also you have a higher chance to get the hot items.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3690 Posts |
Suppose you live in Canada: You place 10 orders of $100 each at 7.99 for shipping. You spent $80 plus tax for shipping but, you reached MC status. You order the O Canada subscription and now save the $41 plus tax in shipping. Spent 80 to save 41 - not really a good deal IMO. Then again, if you are buying a $500 subscription, chances are you're already MC. Incidentally, if you live near a boutique, you can buy your coins there and save the shipping cost. Those purchases now count towards MC status. edit to add: I forgot to mention one other thing that you'd think would make sense but doesn't. In my experience, MC status does not get you priority for shipping. I have a non-MC family member who orders infrequently, but they invariably receive their coins before I do (even when I've ordered a week or more before them). And of course dealers get coins sometimes months before MC orders are filled. Apparently, the shipping department did not get the memo about MC members being special.  Edited by CC-Ottawa
11/23/2012 10:30 am
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
567 Posts |
I think CC-Ottawa has said the pros and cons already perfectly.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1528 Posts |
cc: is the mint tour for 1 person only or is it free for your spouse or family too?
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
567 Posts |
I believe you are allowed to bring a guest. I went for a free tour in July and I took my girlfriend with me. Neither of us paid.
I would mention the fact that you want to bring somebody with you when you are making the arrangements with the person at the mint.
Edited by jpaiva83
11/23/2012 12:51 pm
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Rest in Peace
Canada
1360 Posts |
With regards to the "free tour" Granted, it's only $6 for the tour, however, each time I've gone, I took my guests with me, and we all got in free. So, at $6/head, we saved $24, and thoroughly enjoyed the tour of the Ottawa Mint.
I wouldn't say I've ever bought anything to get to the $1000 mc status, but it does add up quickly, if you start any of their series. Even if you only subscribe to the F15 series it will put you over the limit within 12 months.
One thing I was advised however, is any purchases made at the "Mint Boutique" will NOT count towards your membership. But it is really nice to physically have in hand some of the coins prior to pulling the trigger to purchase.
Edited by Dcadon
11/23/2012 3:04 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3690 Posts |
Quote:
One thing I was advised however, is any purchases made at the "Mint Boutique" will NOT count towards your membership. That was true for many years but the policy was recently change. Boutique purchase do count towards MC status now. "NEW! When you make a purchase at a Royal Canadian Mint boutique, it now counts towards your Masters Club membership status. Becoming a Masters Club member is now much more convenient!" http://www.mint.ca/store/mint/custo...club-1100006 |
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Rest in Peace
Canada
1360 Posts |
I stand corrected... good to know.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1528 Posts |
Do you have to call ahead of time for the tour or can you just show up with your spouse and expect a free tour? One thing I worried about bringing my wife to these tours is... she goes in mint boutique and buy stuff I deem garbage
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
567 Posts |
For sure you need to call ahead and arrange it.
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Replies: 48 / Views: 8,489 |
Posted 11/23/2012 08:47 am
