One way to minimise postage cost for coins

[JeffH]

A forum member, who has never posted coins before, recently asked my advice on posting coins. I have my own techniques to send coins as cheaply as possible so I thought I might put up some notes here. Comments and suggestions are welcome.

First thing to note is the cost of posting letters is much less than parcels;
•Small letter Up to 130 x 240 x 5mm   Up to 250g $1.00
•Large letter Up to 260 x 360 x 20mm Up to 125g $2.00
•Large letter Up to 260 x 360 x 20mm Up to 250g $3.00
•Large letter Up to 260 x 360 x 20mm Up to 500g $5.00
Registered post (optional) costs $3.90* including signature on delivery and $100 insurance cover.
Compare that with the cheapest parcel rate -up to 500g is $7.60. Signature on Delivery (optional) costs $2.95* and has no insurance ($1.50 extra for $100 cover).
* Registered and SoD stickers can be purchased in boxes of 50 for a discounted price.

So there is a cost advantage to post coins in a letter. One possible snag is "To be considered a letter, your item must.... contain flexible items only (if being sent within Australia)". Coins are not flexible (except with rather brute force applied!) but I have never been questioned on that. I would argue anyway that sending, say, photos or a certificate  enclosed between two sheets of cardboard, is analogous and that is a common practice.

I will consider only small letters here but the principles apply for large letters too. 250g weight limit would include up to around twelve 50¢ coins with a generous allowance for packaging. Here arises the next snag -to fit that number of coins withing the maximum allowed dimensions requires an envelope close to the 130mm x 240mm size but nobody makes such an envelope; except me and it is simple....

Find a C4 envelope -readily available at newsagents. Post Offices Big W etc. I prefer the Kraft paper ones as they are sturdier than the white ones. Fold it lightly in two and cut on the fold line. Mark 128mm from the uncut ends and score it hard with a ballpoint pen. Cut the corners of the "flaps" at an angle and tear off the 'back' flap along the score line. The front flap of the one that has the original flap can be folded over and glued -the other will only be glued when you have loaded it for posting.
Now you have two envelopes that are a smidgin less than the maximum allowable size of a standard letter.


To pack the coins I cut down an old album page to suit. If it is only a few coins in a small envelope I might use a Saflip instead.
Then cut some thin cardboard to a slightly smaller size than the envelope, stick the enclosed coins on, so they will not move in transit and seal between two layers of cardboard. (Could be one piece of cardboard, twice the size, folded in the centre.) I seal the cardboard with either a flat clinch stapler or adhesive tape -either works.
If I use a recycled PVC holder I add a note about the undesirability of leaving the coins in it -for transit convenience only. In the example pictured are some round 50¢ coins I just sold on eBay. The cardboard is cut from an old manila folder -I scored a big box full of those when a local office was having a cleanout. Cereal boxes and cracker boxes are a good source for suitable cardboard.




Now slip the packed coins into the envelope and seal and it is ready to post. This one is 134g, 226x128x4.9mm. Actual size will depend on the brand of the original C4 envelope as they do vary slightly. I have been able to fit a couple of crowns in 2x2 holders in a small envelope but have to choose the cardboard carefully, to keep within 5mm thickness, as they are relatively thick coins.


When I first tried this stunt I had a couple of envelopes destroyed by Australia Post and the problem was corners getting caught in sorting machinery, ripping the end off the envelope. I always now tape diagonally across the corners and wrap around to also catch the edge of the flaps. As well I tape the centre of the flaps. Never had a problem since.

[purplepennyhunter]

I thought with parcels you got a standard $50 "insurance" but I can't find any reference to that except here (quick google search) News Story

Also for parcels, put a tracking label on, these are free don't be fooled into paying for one (they look like a signature on delivery label which costs). I see people paying for these on eBay when you don't have to.

Thanks for the link Jeff :good:

[jens coins]

Parcels don't come with standard insurance but you can pay $1.50 per $100 insurance and don't need signature if item is less than $300 dollars in value.

[Pedro]

Handy info Jeff :good:

Pedro

[purplepennyhunter]

Parcels don't come with standard insurance but you can pay $1.50 per $100 insurance and don't need signature if item is less than $300 dollars in value.

Did you read the news article?
"Mr Warnock said if Australia Post was relying on the "parcels boom" to return to profitability, "given how hard it is to find this liability cap in their store or one their website, I think the $50 cap should be shouted from the rooftops".
"The maximum $50 liability was set in 1987, increased to $75 in 1989, and then returned to $50 in 1996. I challenge you to time yourself finding this information on their website," he said.
"To tell you the truth I couldn't give two hoots [about the package], but nobody I've spoken to knows about this $50 thing. Most have used delivery for stuff that's worth a bit more.""

[Triggersmob]

Jeff, pretty much the same method I use. Except I stack two or three lots of coins on top of each other,
with some thin foam padding between. I usually send a heap of coins at one time, but try to keep them
under 250g and less than 20mm thick, so they can go as a large letter. Cost to send overseas is $8.00.
My number one priority is to stop the coins from rattling, so the postie doesn't know what's in there.
Instead of PVC sleeves, I usually wrap each coin in tissue paper and stick that to the cardboard.

[jens coins]

Posted a parcel today and was told by Australia Post employee that there is no insurance or compensation on any parcels posted as it was removed last year. You have to take out extra insurance if you want cover.
If I am paying $1.50 insurance I always insure for the maximum amount. eg $1.50 = $100 insurance value  
$3.00 = $200 insurance value

[rollycoins]

Hi everyone, just wanted to add a point that I've realised while checking AusPost's website. It says that there is no compensation is payable for damage or loss of mail items containing coins, bank notes, bullion or similar items. It has a whole list of other exclusions as well. Here's the link to the page <<https://auspost.com.au/parcels-mail/missing-mail-items/compensation>>, under exclusions. They however have another section that recommends you getting extra-cover when posting valuables, of which coins have been listed as one. I've sent them a query, but as expected, no one is replying. I'll post their reply here if I ever get one, but has anyone ever tried claiming from AusPost for a lost coin? How did that go?

[JeffH]

Their letter guide also says;
"L4.1.2 – Items sent via mail that should always be sent by Registered Post
The following items should be sent by Registered Post when you send them
via mail:
• banknotes and coins
• jewellery and precious stones
• important documents such as passports, wills, or titles
• negotiable securities and non-negotiable securities
• other valuable items.
Notes: Australia Post does not accept liability for items lodged via the
ordinary letter post service. A standard compensation limit of $100 applies
to domestic Registered Post. Senders of valuables should also consider the
suitability of Extra Cover or a parcel or courier service."

Before they withdrew registered post as an option for parcels they also had a similar clause that also said maximum value of coins and banknotes that could be posted is $200.
Talk about a mass of contradictions! And, of course, the Mint and Australia Post both offer mail order services for currency they sell and send them in parcels everyday.

Incidentally, when taking out 'extra cover' on registered items you do not pay for the first $100 cover as that is included in the registered post. For example a mule I sold recently for over $800 I insured for $900 and paid 8 x $1.50 (per $100) = $12.00.

I have never claimed for a lost coin but have claimed for some other things lost or damaged. You have to fill in a "Customer Service Complaint" form and wait and wait and wait -I think it pays to enquire about the progress from time to time so they don't forget you.
Eventually they will pay.
If you receive an item that looks damaged* take  it to the P.O. and open it in front of the staff. It does help to have a report from a staff member attached to your claim to confirm that claim. Also take photos as you unpack to confirm it is well packed as they will first up counter claim that it was not packed sufficiently well. Of course, if it is poorly packed then any argument then is between you and the sender because A.P. can, and will, deny any responsibility.
*For example my wife once received a box of china that 'tinkled' when shaken and another time a partly crushed box with a tyre track across it -the Postie mentioned it when delivering but apparently nobody further up the chain could be bothered doing anything about it.

[trout]

Aus Post lost some of AJ's $50 notes he sent another member and he didn't even get a refund for the postage costs let alone the notes :dash1:

[Basil]

Aus Post lost some of AJ's $50 notes he sent another member and he didn't even get a refund for the postage costs let alone the notes :dash1:

What's happened to AJ?,hardly seen him post since he moved.

[Unicorn]

Aus Post lost some of AJ's $50 notes he sent another member and he didn't even get a refund for the postage costs let alone the notes :dash1:

Poor bugger, that would be the last thing AJ needs.

[Triggersmob]

What's happened to AJ?,hardly seen him post since he moved.

I think he has been busy around his new house and now that it's
starting to cool down, he will hibernate.

[runway]

Hi everyone, just wanted to add a point that I've realised while checking AusPost's website. It says that there is no compensation is payable for damage or loss of mail items containing coins, bank notes, bullion or similar items. It has a whole list of other exclusions as well. Here's the link to the page <<https://auspost.com.au/parcels-mail/missing-mail-items/compensation>>, under exclusions. They however have another section that recommends you getting extra-cover when posting valuables, of which coins have been listed as one. I've sent them a query, but as expected, no one is replying. I'll post their reply here if I ever get one, but has anyone ever tried claiming from AusPost for a lost coin? How did that go?

AP are hypocrites they themselves send coins from PHILATELIC BUREAU :dodgy:

[robbiegal]

Yes
I reckon our boy is something akin to a winter butterfly
We have chatted recently and he was going OK