Gold possibly lost in mail

Discussion of the Gold portion of the Permanent Portfolio

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dualstow
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Gold possibly lost in mail

Post by dualstow »

Well, this is the reason I was reluctant to get into physical gold in the first place. I went with a vendor recommended at this site and had a very good experience. Thus, I was emboldened to try a bigger order. This time, the package appears to be lost. I'll let you know what happens. I know the goods are insured, but I have no idea what the next step is.

Has this happened to anyone before?

I'm suspicious of the local post office, not the vendor, by the way.
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MediumTex
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Re: Gold possibly lost in mail

Post by MediumTex »

I would wait the amount of time the vendor says to wait and then begin the process of filing a claim or whatever the post office says is the next step for lost registered mail packages.

Are you sure it has shipped?
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Re: Gold possibly lost in mail

Post by dualstow »

Hi MediumTex. The twenty days passed yesterday, 1-1-11. Not a great way to start the new year. Due to the holiday, I have not yet heard back from the vendor with my most recent questions about tracking #, description of container, etc. When I contacted them earlier, they assured me that it had been drop-shipped and that I would receive it "soon, if not already."  I just went to the main post office -- yes, open on Sunday -- and they looked and looked, saying that my street name was familiar, but they had no parcel for me. I'm getting on a plane the day after tomorrow, so even if the coins have not been stolen, they will probably make their way back to the vendor or drop shipper.

I should add that since I don't yet have any info from the vendor, I cannot even be sure that it was sent by USPS like the earlier smaller order was. When I went to the post office today, it was without any slip or tracking number.
Last edited by dualstow on Sun Jan 02, 2011 11:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Gold possibly lost in mail

Post by dualstow »

I appreciate the replies.
Package RECEIVED. What a relief.
Craig, feel free to delete this thread, unless you feel it may assuage the fears of future panickers. ;-)
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Re: Gold possibly lost in mail

Post by moda0306 »

Glad to hear it.  What a nightmare... I suppose you're looking at your GLD etf with a whole new appreciation now.
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Re: Gold possibly lost in mail

Post by MediumTex »

I think this sort of experience is useful to document.  

It is probably something that happens all the time.

I'm glad it turned out okay for you.
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Re: Gold possibly lost in mail

Post by craigr »

I'll leave it be. Good to hear it worked out. Maybe it was a holiday delay? We had a gift that was delayed almost two weeks.
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Re: Gold possibly lost in mail

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moda0306 wrote: Glad to hear it.  What a nightmare... I suppose you're looking at your GLD etf with a whole new appreciation now.
Hah! I did think about the convenience of GLD today, just as I hesitated for a long time before getting into physical gold in the first place.

I actually live in a city where I can visit bullion dealers on the other side of town. Even after all this, I feel safer using the mail than walking or riding home with coins in my pocket. In the future, I may try a local dealer for small purchases, but I'll probably stick with this vendor. It's probably going to be a year before I have to deal with any of this again.

Well, the fact that these came just in time (before tomorrow's flight) is going to make for a happier week.
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