I just learnt there's such a thing as "fragile coins"

[sin-n-dex]

So I sold a medal... a circulated/used medal, it's in a vinyl flip. It's not in a breakable capsule or anything like that.

Buyer asked for extra bubble wrap on it. It's not such a big deal to put it in a bubble mailer that wraps it up, inside a bigger mailer if that makes the buyer happy. I tend to do that anyway when it's just a capsule because those things are easily crushed.

I agreed to the "extra bubble wrap" request and now he wants me to mark the package as "fragile". As I read this, I said out loud "it's made of metal".

C.

[12345jamesstamps]

I hate the rules of mailing.

I mailed something in a bubble envelope...it was just a small diamond...got charged as a 'parcel' because it stated 'bubble mailer' on the outside. It was sealed and I said the heck with it and got charged a big fee...It was going to Canada. LOL.

We in the USA are not allowed to even write 'do not fold or bend' on an envelope...it's like playing Russian Roulette as to whether it arrives 'postage due' or 'return to sender'.

I prefer to follow the clerks at the post office.

'fragile' and extra bubble wrap...I can't imagine the cost of postage and what happens writing 'fragile' on it.

Good luck with that one.

[wastingtime101]

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@sin-n-dex wrote:

now he wants me to mark the package as "fragile".

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Most package sorting is done by machines and they will not read "fragile" markings. Doesn't stop lots of buyers from requesting it. Buyers are often uninformed about the inner workings of shipping.

[sin-n-dex]

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@12345jamesstamps wrote:

I hate the rules of mailing.

I mailed something in a bubble envelope...it was just a small diamond...got charged as a 'parcel' because it stated 'bubble mailer' on the outside. It was sealed and I said the heck with it and got charged a big fee...It was going to Canada. LOL.

We in the USA are not allowed to even write 'do not fold or bend' on an envelope...it's like playing Russian Roulette as to whether it arrives 'postage due' or 'return to sender'.

I prefer to follow the clerks at the post office.

'fragile' and extra bubble wrap...I can't imagine the cost of postage and what happens writing 'fragile' on it.

Good luck with that one.

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Two bubble mailers and the medal will be 8 oz. It was already going to be big and thick (this medal is something like 80mm wide, it's the Bay City Dime if you're wondering). It's definitely over the 4 oz threshold, so I'll ship as 8 oz, but not until I weigh it and make sure it's not heavier than that. I'm sometimes surprised by how much my medals weigh.

I suppose I could do it in a small box, but then it might be over 8oz and cost more to ship.

C.

[sin-n-dex]

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@wastingtime101 wrote:

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@sin-n-dex wrote:

now he wants me to mark the package as "fragile".

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Most package sorting is done by machines and they will not read "fragile" markings. Doesn't stop lots of buyers from requesting it. Buyers are often uninformed about the inner workings of shipping.

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I did know that, and at Stallion Express when I drop my packages off at the bottom of the sorting bin (because I arrive when they open), shortly after someone with big heavy boxes will dump theirs on top of my small bubble mailers. The packages don't read other packages in the sorting bin, so I'm not expecting anything to come of that... but it will humour the buyer.

I'm going to check the weight of those really small eBay boxes.. if I can do it for 8oz I might put it in a box to make him happy. It's not like I use small boxes for much else... I've had them in my supplies closet for like 5 years now and only used 1 out of the 12 I got from eBay.

C.

[ajs_coins_and_alchemy]

Hey, at least you got to laugh about it!

I love when buyers want to take control of the shipping. I mean, I know there are plenty of sellers who are just sloppy and careless, i hate when i get a padded envelope with a bunch of loose NGC or PCGS slabbed coins in there. Throw 5 PCGS/NGC slabs in an oversized padded envelope and call it good? Come on man! I have to remind myself that sellers like that exist because I get a bit offended when buyers try to micromanage me when i take a lot of pride and care in how I ship.

[sin-n-dex]

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@ajs_coins_and_alchemy wrote:

Hey, at least you got to laugh about it!

I love when buyers want to take control of the shipping. I mean, I know there are plenty of sellers who are just sloppy and careless, i hate when i get a padded envelope with a bunch of loose NGC or PCGS slabbed coins in there. Throw 5 PCGS/NGC slabs in an oversized padded envelope and call it good? Come on man! I have to remind myself that sellers like that exist because I get a bit offended when buyers try to micromanage me when i take a lot of pride and care in how I ship.

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I'm OK with the directions being given about packing since I know some people just suck at it.

I was mailing a small computer controller chip and I got a very long paragraph about how to pack it. I wrote back "they will be sent in a static free bag inside a box" and he wrote back "that was the right answer". The paragraph I got was instructions on how to use a mile of bubble tape to wrap it. I figured the static free bag is what he wants (and I bought those for shipping my small parts, we were liquidating left over stuff from a project.

C.

[gurlcat]

It is very common for people buying aquarium fish online to request all kinds of stuff written on their boxes.  I would always have to explain the insider knowledge from numerous postal workers - that doing so would actually put their fish in more jeopardy than a totally clean box with a simple label, because if/when "special treatment" phrases are read by facility workers, 1 of 2 things is likely to happen: they'll drop-kick the box and have a good laugh about it because that's what they think about being told how to do their job, or, they'll try to be kind by setting the box aside for careful placement later, then it doesn't end up getting included in the shipment and spends an extra day there. 

What perishable contents really need is to keep moving as fast as possible and the way to achieve that is maintaining a "nothing to see here" package, but I would think even someone waiting for a coin, pair of sneakers, crystal vase, etc. could appreciate the same facts.  

[sin-n-dex]

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@gurlcat wrote:

It is very common for people buying aquarium fish online to request all kinds of stuff written on their boxes.  I would always have to explain the insider knowledge from numerous postal workers - that doing so would actually put their fish in more jeopardy than a totally clean box with a simple label, because if/when "special treatment" phrases are read by facility workers, 1 of 2 things is likely to happen: they'll drop-kick the box and have a good laugh about it because that's what they think about being told how to do their job, or, they'll try to be kind by setting the box aside for careful placement later, then it doesn't end up getting included in the shipment and spends an extra day there. 

What perishable contents really need is to keep moving as fast as possible and the way to achieve that is maintaining a "nothing to see here" package, but I would think even someone waiting for a coin, pair of sneakers, crystal vase, etc. could appreciate the same facts.  

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I just messaged the buyer and passed that along.... and assured him I'd pack well.

I'll see about digging those little boxes tomorrow to see if that will help, if it's too heavy I have jewellery boxes that might fit the medallion.

C.

[gurlcat]

It's too bad a flip wouldn't QUITE fit in either of the little storage containers they sell at Dollar Tree in packs of 10.  I sure do love those things for jewelry shipping, and buyers are happy they get a free reusable container.  

[dirk12955]

I just message them No problem,   Happy to do it.    Whatever "it"  is.

I refrain myself from saying,   "Thanks for the guidance.  After 25 years selling and 45,000 sales I find

                                                                your suggestions to be priceless,  and will be engraved in stone"

[femmefan1946]

Stone is too fragile. Have you not invested in diamond sheets ?

[jg.mason]

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@wastingtime101 wrote:

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@sin-n-dex wrote:

now he wants me to mark the package as "fragile".

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Most package sorting is done by machines and they will not read "fragile" markings. Doesn't stop lots of buyers from requesting it. Buyers are often uninformed about the inner workings of shipping.

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Most of us know that but most buyers don't. I've got a roll of fragile stickers and use them on "breakable" items because I think a lot of the buyers would appreciate it. I think a two cent sticker to show a buyer I care about their order is worth it.

As for the op I'd just slap the sticker on it all the while laughing about it.

[pickapaper]

I've got a roll of fragile stickers and use them on "breakable" items because I think a lot of the buyers would appreciate it. I think a two cent sticker to show a buyer I care about their order is worth it.

I have always done the same thing: put fragile stickers on breakable items even though I know they are meaningless to the post office.  I feel the same as you do, that hopefully it will relate to the buyer that I care about their order. 

[lux.ra_14]

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@wastingtime101 wrote:Most package sorting is done by machines and they will not read "fragile" markings. Doesn't stop lots of buyers from requesting it. Buyers are often uninformed about the inner workings of shipping.

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I use  Fragile/Do Not Bend stickers when shipping paper ephemera in padded envelopes. 

It's more for the carrier at the end of line, so they don't bend or stuff it into a too-small mailbox or slot. I put one sticker on the rear of the envelope and one near the address label on the front, so they have to see it right at the point of delivery. It's not foolproof, but at least the carrier is alerted, and the buyer knows some care was taken with the package.