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 Replies: 19 / Views: 4,099 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
562 Posts |
Received word that the U.S. Mint is ending its mail order program in 2016. What was once a main way to order from the Mint has now been surpassed by telephone and online sales. Thoughts? Full text of the notice here: "The United States Mint in 2016 plans to discontinue distribution of mail order forms after January 1, 2016, and stop all mail order sales at the end of the current fiscal year, on September 30, 2016. The reality of the digital environment means that paper orders placed through the mail are increasingly not accepted as inventory is depleted quickly through online and telephone channels in real time. This is especially true for high-demand products with limited mintages. By eliminating mail orders and encouraging all customers to shop online or by phone, the Mint will be offering more ordering consistency and eliminating those hard copy orders that take longer to receive, process and fulfill. The next mailing of U.S. Mint product brochures scheduled for January will be the first to not include mail order forms for Mint products. Mail order forms still in circulation for current products will continue to be accepted through September 30, 2016. Customers are being informed of the change through web notices, emails and letters, and in catalog mailings. All new catalogs and other marketing materials distributed in 2016 will not include a mail order form. Materials will include information directing customers to place orders by calling (800) USA-MINT, visiting http://www.catalog.usmint.gov or shopping at one of our point-of-sale locations at the Mints in Washington, Philadelphia or Denver. After September 30, 2016, any mail orders received will be returned to customers with instructions to place the order by telephone or online, provided the products are still available." |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5324 Posts |
Probably easier and cheaper for the mint to process.
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Moderator
 United States
189053 Posts |
It supposed is really past due. I always found it somewhat odd that the mailings included an order form, especially for those limited items.
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
One more example of the digital age superseding previous retailing methods.
In 20 years will ANYONE use money any longer?
In 20 years will ANYONE actually DRIVE to a store, other than to pick something up that was ordered on-line?
Any retail business of any type that isn't making every effort to have a current on-line presence is probably not long for this world. Even coin shops.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5208 Posts |
I wondered what the mint would have done if I would have mailed in a check and an order for the Eisenhower or Truman C & C sets and the letter was postmarked the first day that ordering was opened. Did they have a few sets held away from the phone and internet people in case someone mailed and order in?  |
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Moderator
United States
189053 Posts |
Quote:
In 20 years will ANYONE actually DRIVE to a store, other than to pick something up that was ordered on-line? Or when the drones can just deliver stuff to your door.  Quote:
Did they have a few sets held away from the phone and internet people in case someone mailed and order in? I doubt it. |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12843 Posts |
It's very much past due. The last time I actually placed an order for anything by mail was around 30 years ago. And that was for sea monkeys or a really poor-quality "Rambo" (Bowie) knife.
If they can save money by not accepting mail orders, they'll pass it on to us, right? Right?
*sigh*
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Moderator
United States
189053 Posts |
Dream on, friend. Dream on.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4870 Posts |
Very interesting. I'd rather not talk to a rep on the phone. And face it, not everyone has the internet or a credit card for online purchases, a small percentage but still...
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1602 Posts |
It's news to me that one could actually place an order by mail! I don't recall the mint sending a catalog to me in years (if ever). There might have been some direct mail pieces, like bucksheets, but not a major pust to order by mail. I've seen order forms tucked into older mint sets and have considered sending one in to order a 1974 mint set - just to see what would happen. Or, Quote:
I wondered what the mint would have done if I would have mailed in a check and an order for the Eisenhower or Truman C & C sets and the letter was postmarked the first day that ordering was opened. Did they have a few sets held away from the phone and internet people in case someone mailed and order in? I think JJ's point is valid. If they're taking mail orders, they should be prepared to fulfill them! Oh well, I guess now it's a moot point. Unless somebody here wants go give it a try... |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Quote:
I don't recall the mint sending a catalog to me in years I still receive the Mint catalog 2-4 times a year, it is always bemusing to see something in the catalog that sold out several weeks prior  |
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Moderator
United States
189053 Posts |
Quote:
I still receive the Mint catalog 2-4 times a year, it is always bemusing to see something in the catalog that sold out several weeks prior Same here. I still get them, order form included. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Quote:
If they can save money by not accepting mail orders, they'll pass it on to us, right? Right? The savings isn't from not accepting the orders, it's from not spending the money to print and mail catalogs filled with offerings that can't be honored because they are already sold out. And then there is the problem of having to weather all the complaints from customers who can't get what they wanted. Quote:
I wondered what the mint would have done if I would have mailed in a check and an order for the Eisenhower or Truman C & C sets and the letter was postmarked the first day that ordering was opened. Did they have a few sets held away from the phone and internet people in case someone mailed and order in? Nope, coins are sold first come first served. The letter might be postmarked the first day of sales but by the time it arrives all the hot items have already been spoken for. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12843 Posts |
They're not going to stop sending catalogs, they just won't include a mail order form.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
562 Posts |
Two steps forward, one step back. Got this notice from the Mint just now:
"The United States Mint is currently analyzing a policy change to discontinue the distribution of mail order forms in 2016.
Although the next mailing of U.S. Mint product brochures scheduled for January will highlight the online and phone ordering process, mail orders will continue to be accepted as usual.
Updates on the policy will be announced in 2016."
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Moderator
United States
189053 Posts |
Oh, bother. Looks like someone complained with a strongly worded letter.  |
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Replies: 19 / Views: 4,099 |
Posted 12/15/2015 10:02 am
