The US Mint is Sending Out Letters CAUTION

Here is a letter the US Mint had circulated to some if it's heavier purchasers of $1 Direct Ship Coins: My comments are below the letter.

"October 27, 2009

Dear Circulating $1 Coin Direct Ship Customer:

The Circulating $1 Coin Direct Ship Program was developed to make $1 coins readily available to the American public at no additional cost. Indeed, the United States Mint is the only place to obtain Native American $1 Coins at this time. The intent of the program is to encourage use of the $1 coins in ordinary day-to-day cash transactions. Increased usage of $1 coins in commerce saves the nation money due to the coin's 100% recyclable and durability - it lasts for decades.

However, it has come to our attention that some customers are not using the program as intended. For example, a small number of customers are repeatedly ordering large quantities of $1 coins to acquire points on credit card plans, then turning the coins in to their banks. This type of activity is not in the spirit of the Circulating $1 Coin Direct Ship Program and is costing the government money in processing, handling, and postage for these orders.

Please note that the United States Mint is monitoring Direct Ship transactions. If an abusive ordering pattern exists, we will no longer fulfill future orders.

We are pleased that the Circulating $1 Coin Direct Ship Program has been a great success, with over 100 million $1 coins issued to date. We hope that all future purchases will honor the intent of the program to encourage robust circulation of $1 coins.

If you have questions about the program, please contact the United States Mint's Office of $1 Coin Programs at (202) 354-7603.

Sincerely,
The United States Mint"

First off, it only took them over one year to realize the issue???? That is our government for you.

Second I never registered with the Mint. I always log in a a guest when making a purchase. I have not had any problems with orders. Will this save me??? I don't know, but I'm still receiving my coins and have not received The Letter

As with any mileage producing program, greed is always the killer of the deal. I take that back, stupidity, runs a close second.

I can't make a judgement on how to draw the line on greedy ( I'm into 6 figures of coins myself). Greed is for each individual person to determine. The guy that reserved 40+ weekends at the La Quinta Resort and Spa at $40 per night, that was greedy and killed that deal.

And stupid is easily explained by using the telephone to answer your own unique and special circumstances re: the deal. For example:

"I've got my tickets booked on this mistake fare (which happens to still be live) but I have a hang nail and need to get my first class upgrade NOW. I'll call the mistake provider now. I know others may be trying to book the deal, but I have a hang nail."

Bullshit. Try to think of others for just one second.

In my eyes, greed is gray, but being stupid is black and white. You are, or you are not stupid. Stupid greedy people kill deals quickly. I'd better step off the soapbox now.

Now Going Forward

The more you order, the more you risk shut down. I don't know the number of coin orders that is OK. Nobody does.

You will want to use different addresses for delivery. (I have an arrangement with my private post office drop off spot). When a heavy box comes in, they look for the name on the shipment. ( I can't always remember what my box number is??? I may miss the number by one or two digits every so often.)

Don't register future orders with the Mint. If you are afraid to order as a guest, don't play the game or, at least accept the fact it will be easy for the Mint to monitor your purchases.

Use a different credit card each time, for a while anyway. It may not have been a key before, but I'm guessing it might start to be now. A free mile or point in some program is better than no points in any. Switch it up a bit. This is pure speculation on my part but I'm now using 4 cards instead of one to place my orders.

Will These Suggestions Save You?

I honestly have no idea. But I know that they are logical, not stupid moves that may keep you in the free miles and points.

Good luck, and if you get the letter, let me know what you were doing order size, registration wise, frequency, same credit card, multiple cards etc, so maybe we can help some of your fellow frugal travellers avoid, the letter.