On mailing coins

Swappers on Numista turn packaging of coins into a form of art, subjected to laws that must strictly be obeyed to. But why do so difficult? Just read what happened to a colleague of mine  

My colleague Harry had bought a present for another colleague who was parting from the team. The rest of the team 'went Dutch' on damage, and had to contribute 5 Euros each (actually, the story is set in the Netherlands, where 'going Dutch' is indeed a popular way of settling financial issues).

One of the team members didn't have the cash at hand, but insisted on settling in cash some later time (instead of transferring). But then, the whole transaction got forgotten and the remainder of the team dissolved.

Weeks later, Harry ran into his debtor on some occassion and reminded him of the 5 outstanding Euros. Again the former team member insisted on settling in cash, which again, he didn't have at hand - "Just give me your address and I'll mail you the money".

A few days later, to his utmost amazement, Harry did not receive an envelope with a 5 Euro note in it, as expected, but a postcard with five coins of one euro attached to the shiny side with self-adhesive tape...

So, if ever you swap to somebody in the Netherlands - don't worry about packaging because our mailmen are dead honest!

Though I don't fancy the self-adhesive tape part of the story...

Last year I had 2 swaps with collectors from the Netherlands. One from Huizen and one from Veghel, at that time I was in my beginings of swapping and was still sending/receiving by normal mail.

My coins went OK by normal mail to both. The coins from Huizen came all OK by normal mail (10 coins) While the coins from Veghel (just 2 coins!) never came... Both collectors are highly recomended and I am sure the coins were mailed by him, but just never came from Netherlands...A replacement coins envelope this time by registered mail came. Had the same problem once from Germany, and since than I decided only by registered mail!

I highly recommend all collectors sending to any country in the world to use only registered mail. It will cost a little more, but at least you will get the coins!

Very interesting, thanks:)

I heard the post service in Italy isn't that good. Is it true?

Over here in Vietnam, we use normal post or express service to exchange/buy locally. I did a few swaps with others by asking my friends to bring the coins back and forth between VN and Europe/the US. Not very often but quite safe.

GB

I'll bet not all of them are that honest.  On the whole the NZ post is good but there was this case last year

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/queenstown-lakes/234490/undelivered-mail-found-postie-arrested

Quote: neilithicI'll bet not all of them are that honest.

In the Netherlands, too, the case of a hoarding postman came to the surface a few weeks ago. And postmen selectively stealing parcels have also been reported. But these are rare cases.

Don't let my story withhold you from using your common sense. That wasn't my intention anyhow.