benmaller

if the coins are backordered, they will not query the CC. the CC auth douesn't happen until the order is in stock.

Happy

If the coins are on backorder, the CC would not be authorized.

If the coins are in stock, the CC would be immediately authorized. Cancellation can still occur after CC is authorized.

miller4isu

The person the package is addressed to does not have to be the one who actually signs for the package. Have Fido order away!

dayone

Lying and/or misrepresentation crosses an ethical line for some.

AlohaDaveKennedy

Indeed the fraud prevention staff and management are all over the Direct Ship program now thanks to "he who shall not be named" and "those who boast about violating mint policies." Makes it hard for the little guys to legally and patriotically help our president put money in the hands of Americans. Nothing unethical in helping out the president or in being modestly compensated for our modest effort to inflate the economy

Happy

The Smilie moondog used, tells me he posted this Tongue in Cheek and would be in the same opinion as yours.

nwa330

Anyone get the sold out email today?

Greetings from the United States Mint.
Thank you for ordering from the United States Mint.
We regret to inform you that the item(s) listed below
are currently sold out. A customer service representative
will be happy to assist you in finding an alternative item.


Order # 336xxxx - 1
Sold To xxxxx
Ship To xxxxxxxx

Item: Y08 Qty: 2
MARTIN VAN BUREN $250 BOX $1 COINS

Mike1625

I just got back from a great weekend in New Orleans that would make all those on flyertalk proud of me. (Flight free from Delta dollars earned from taking a bump, to help me requalify for 2011, Hotel paid for by Harrahs, picked the Hilton, so my gold status got me free breakfast and a happy hour I made into dinner each night)

Getting back to being topical for this thread. Had a great time spreading the dollar coins throughout the Big Easy. I don't use them for things that I could have used credit, but I did find these great places to spread them around. I used them to tip the airport shuttle driver, hotel housekeeper and Harrahs waitresses. I used them to gamble at Harrahs (the cage took a roll or two at a time and turned them into paper money that is accepted at the tables). And, well, I used them to buy beers on Bourbon Street.

There was one extra benefit that was very nice. By packing a box of $250 in my carry on, my bag got lighter as the trip went on.

youreadyfreddie

^ I continue to use them at small businesses where credit card fees on small purchases have more of an impact on the proprieter, tips, and I change a couple of bucks/day in the drink machine at work. I wouldn't recommend this strategy to our favorite African Grey who lives in San Diego, but in the quantities that I have, it's slow but steady. The people at two local Vietnamese restaurants seemed to take favorable interest in/notice the coins, and one lady called them "lucky" gold coins.

Aitchly

According to the mint, internal accounting showed an odd pattern of purchases. Letters were sent. THEN, the mint checked FT and FW to confirm the evidence they had accumulated and already acted upon. (In the meantime, thousands were helped by this thread). FOI request showed no evidence of congressional complaint from Voldemort, his claims remain unsubstantiated.

The program became limited due to the diligence of the Mint, not to any complaints or any evidence of large orders.

The upshot is, in order to 'buy presidential dollar coins with CC @ face value, free shipping' you (now) need to buy in quantities that are suggested by the mint, or have a valid reason for exceeding those limits.

aviators99

I don't understand why the Mint would have a problem with our use, in huge quantities, other than the fact that they can use it as an excuse as to why they were not being circulated. In reality, it doesn't matter who buys them, they will never really circulate past the first time they are used (maybe occasionally one additional level).

dayone

You answered your own question.

The reality is that some coins continue to "circulate" since they are either retained by the consumer (a withdrawn coin that is held by a consumer is still circulating) or used by coin-centric enterprises.

With the current lengthy backorders, the Mint really doesn't need to serve the "large order" market.

Aitchly

I agree completely. They met their quota and were pleased as punch.

Then another agency tapped the Mint on the shoulder and asked them about circulation which they forget to measure since all that mattered was the all-mighty quota.

(I think we should get back into the debate of what circulating means.)

WRCSolberg

Maybe if you're one of the few who actually tries to spend your coins.

Otherwise, the Mint is incurring expense with this program, only to have these coins be immediately deposited and out of circulation once they're returned via the Fed.

It's really a shame that these coins aren't more successful. I find the $1 and $2 coins in foreign currency to be extremely convenient and much easier to handle than paper bills.

longtimereader

Just changed in $250 of the NA's for casino chips and made a couple of Bucks playing BJ, the mint keeps on giving.