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.

[simba6]

They might think the shipper will take better care if it's marked that way.   Coins can tear out of an envelope if too.  Could have had an issue like that in the past.   Back in the days of payment by snail mail, a buyer once included a reprint of how to pack the item.

They could break an anvil.

[aeparts1]

"I can't imagine the cost of postage and what happens writing 'fragile' on it"

What happens when you write "fragile" on an item is that the package becomes a target for every disgruntled Shipping company employee to take out their frustrations on.

[ed8108]

You are communicating to your buyer that you value their business & future business

[sin-n-dex]

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@gurlcat wrote:

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.  

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Dollar Tree containers are good, but in Canada these things are costly... the 25 cent bubble mailer I got at a discount in big boxes from Stallion Express seems like a cheaper way to wrap the "fragile" metal medallion.

Also the medallion is big, 75 mm according to the listing.

C.

[sin-n-dex]

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@femmefan1946 wrote:

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

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It's not stone, it's metal. Don't know what kind of metal because I didn't test it.

C.

[sin-n-dex]

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@jg.mason wrote:

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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.

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I passed along @gurlcat 's "nothing to see here" advice with his package, and he actually responded that he agreed because he heard things with fragile stickers get kicked around a lot more. So he ended up responding by "pack it well, do whatever you think is best".

C.

[greatmidwestcoin]

I sell 99% coins and place FRAGILE and DO NOT BEND labels on most of my padded envelopes. I place FRAGILE labels on all boxes. Both of these labels have bright red or fluorescent backgrounds. These labels do two things, as from my experience as a Postmaster for 33 years. It alerts the carriers or clerks, if they care, to take care in handling. The second and most important is that they add bright color to especially small padded bags or boxes. Small items transported in the processing phase/to and from facilities, sometimes get overlooked by mail handlers when they dump the mail sacks. Sure they are supposed to turn the bags inside out to make sure they are empty, but sometimes items do get missed. Labels are inexpensive insurance to make your mail items more visible during the whole delivery process. Just my 2 cents worth from a retired USPS employee who touched the mail. Yeah, I know - that sounded a little creepy, but that's all I got. Let the hate begin.

[sin-n-dex]

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@greatmidwestcoin wrote:

I sell 99% coins and place FRAGILE and DO NOT BEND labels on most of my padded envelopes. I place FRAGILE labels on all boxes. Both of these labels have bright red or fluorescent backgrounds. These labels do two things, as from my experience as a Postmaster for 33 years. It alerts the carriers or clerks, if they care, to take care in handling. The second and most important is that they add bright color to especially small padded bags or boxes. Small items transported in the processing phase/to and from facilities, sometimes get overlooked by mail handlers when they dump the mail sacks. Sure they are supposed to turn the bags inside out to make sure they are empty, but sometimes items do get missed. Labels are inexpensive insurance to make your mail items more visible during the whole delivery process. Just my 2 cents worth from a retired USPS employee who touched the mail. Yeah, I know - that sounded a little creepy, but that's all I got. Let the hate begin.

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The "do not bend" is a good idea, because we all know coins don't really bend... therefore people handling the packages won't realize you're shipping coins with a "do not bend" label on them.

C.

[femmefan1946]

To sum up-- all joking aside.

... they add bright color to especially small padded bags or boxes.

You are communicating to your buyer that you value their business & future business