Is insurance a must for purchases?

Jaded81 · Jul 16th, 2008, 02:31 AM

... if the item is sent via USPS?

Aurora · Jul 16th, 2008, 07:02 AM

I think this should be posted in the eBay forum? If insurance is not purchased then if the bag goes missing, you lose your money you paid to the seller and the bag.

jmen · Jul 16th, 2008, 08:46 AM

Has anyone bought the ins from USPS and had to file a claim?

Just from their "tracking" system, which is frankly non-existant, I'm skeptical that their claim system actually works. Their ability to track a package is a farce (worthless). The package may get scanned into the "tracking" system but rarely, if ever gets updated. One's thoughts turn to the package is lost as it is 10 days or more since the mailing date. If you want to avoid a case of p.o. stress, don't try to find that package until it lands at your door. And if you want to experience post office rage, call and ask what can be done to find the package. You'd be better off shooting yourself in the foot (you know that outcome).

Jaded81 · Jul 16th, 2008, 08:51 AM

Whoops.. sorry if this is the wrong place to post this!

Jmen.. you made me laugh.. hehe

gators · Jul 16th, 2008, 09:31 AM

Quote:

if the item is sent via USPS?

I've always purchased insurance when shipping USPS.

Quote:

Has anyone bought the ins from USPS and had to file a claim?

Luckily, I've never had to file a claim. Everything arrived safely. I totally agree with you about their tracking system....it's worthless.

Last time I sold a Chanel I sent it via UPS 2nd day w/out insurance. I was worried and skeptical, but it arrived safely. I've also shipped Fedex.

burberryprncess · Jul 16th, 2008, 09:39 AM

I've lost one package due to USPS's mishap. Fortunately, I bought insurance and the package required a signature, so I was able to win the claim. Always, insist on full insurance coverage to cover the entire price of the item. UPS and Fedex provide better tracking but still, nothing is perfect.

Jaded81 · Jul 16th, 2008, 09:48 AM

Sorry I am not familiar with this but what is the usual rate for insurance?

burberryprncess · Jul 16th, 2008, 10:30 AM

For information on USPS insurance, check this out:

http://www.usps.com/insurance/welcome.htm

Jaded81 · Jul 16th, 2008, 10:31 AM

Thank you!! =)

xegbl · Jul 16th, 2008, 06:02 PM

Actually, the seller is the one responsible if the bag goes missing. The buyer is able to file a chargeback if he/she does not receive the item and they will win in a Paypal claim. That is why it should always be the seller's responsibility to pay for insurance or at least insist for insurance to be paid.

northerndancer · Jul 16th, 2008, 07:30 PM

ITA ^^^ One of the most valuable things I have learned in the eBay forum is that if a seller cannot prove an item was delivered, the seller has to absorb the loss. So a seller has to assume responsibility for an item lost by the post office AND potential claims of non-receipt from a flakey buyer. I ship everything with insurance and delivery confirmation now.

lorihmatthews · Jul 16th, 2008, 08:08 PM

Whether or not you pay for insurance I think depends on how much you're willing to lose.

For any item over $100 or so, I always require signature confirmation for non breakable items. Thankfully I haven't had any problems.

Of course, for any other item of lesser value, I always do delivery confirmation as proof of mailing.

jjyounger · Jul 17th, 2008, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xegbl

Actually, the seller is the one responsible if the bag goes missing. The buyer is able to file a chargeback if he/she does not receive the item and they will win in a Paypal claim. That is why it should always be the seller's responsibility to pay for insurance or at least insist for insurance to be paid.

ITA! On all of my auctions, insurance is required and is included in shipping and handling charges. If the buyer does not receive the bag, it's the seller who has to make good on the refund. CYA, sweetie!

onegirlcreative · Jul 17th, 2008, 12:43 PM

I've learned to not ship anything via USPS worth over $100. Although I have never had to file a claim (knock on wood), I have heard nothing but horror stories about the post office pretty much never sending the insurance money that was claimed. That is so not cool.

So now whenever I am shipping something worth any value over $100, I ship FedEx Ground. I have to ship a laptop I sold tomorrow, and I am definitely shipping FedEx Ground for this one.

They're so much more reliable and not as careless as the post office. JMHO.

jjyounger · Jul 17th, 2008, 12:49 PM

Funny how different methods work better for different people, isn't it?

I much prefer shipping via USPS, particularly if I am shipping internationally. I have had awful experiences with Fed Ex Ground as a buyer, so I'm not about to ship an item I have sold via Fed Ex. They left a package containing a Chanel bag leaning against my garage in full view of the street for three or four days when we were out of town. This was a package that was supposed to be signed for. Scary!

Jul 16th, 2008, 02:31 AM	#1
Jaded81 Member	Is insurance a must for purchases? ... if the item is sent via USPS?

Jul 16th, 2008, 09:39 AM	#6
burberryprncess Sophie Location: Southern California	I've lost one package due to USPS's mishap. Fortunately, I bought insurance and the package required a signature, so I was able to win the claim. Always, insist on full insurance coverage to cover the entire price of the item. UPS and Fedex provide better tracking but still, nothing is perfect. __________________ *Watch this Turkey video:* http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=501sNcmrwGQ I'm one stomach flu away from my ideal weight -- Emily Blunt in The Devil Wears Prada

Jul 16th, 2008, 10:30 AM	#8
burberryprncess Sophie Location: Southern California	For information on USPS insurance, check this out: http://www.usps.com/insurance/welcome.htm __________________ *Watch this Turkey video:* http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=501sNcmrwGQ I'm one stomach flu away from my ideal weight -- Emily Blunt in The Devil Wears Prada

Jul 17th, 2008, 12:43 PM	#14
onegirlcreative Bond Girls R Easy Location: My loft in front of the computer!	I've learned to not ship anything via USPS worth over $100. Although I have never had to file a claim (knock on wood), I have heard nothing but horror stories about the post office pretty much never sending the insurance money that was claimed. That is so not cool. So now whenever I am shipping something worth any value over $100, I ship FedEx Ground. I have to ship a laptop I sold tomorrow, and I am definitely shipping FedEx Ground for this one. They're so much more reliable and not as careless as the post office. JMHO. __________________ One Girl Creative :: Graphic Design :: Pop Art :: www.onegirlcreative.com

Jul 16th, 2008, 07:02 AM	#2
Aurora Member	I think this should be posted in the eBay forum? If insurance is not purchased then if the bag goes missing, you lose your money you paid to the seller and the bag.

Jul 16th, 2008, 08:46 AM	#3
jmen Member	Has anyone bought the ins from USPS and had to file a claim? Just from their "tracking" system, which is frankly non-existant, I'm skeptical that their claim system actually works. Their ability to track a package is a farce (worthless). The package may get scanned into the "tracking" system but rarely, if ever gets updated. One's thoughts turn to the package is lost as it is 10 days or more since the mailing date. If you want to avoid a case of p.o. stress, don't try to find that package until it lands at your door. And if you want to experience post office rage, call and ask what can be done to find the package. You'd be better off shooting yourself in the foot (you know that outcome).

Jul 16th, 2008, 08:51 AM	#4
Jaded81 Member	Whoops.. sorry if this is the wrong place to post this! Jmen.. you made me laugh.. hehe

Jul 16th, 2008, 09:48 AM	#7
Jaded81 Member	Sorry I am not familiar with this but what is the usual rate for insurance?

Jul 16th, 2008, 06:02 PM	#10
xegbl Member Location: WA	Actually, the seller is the one responsible if the bag goes missing. The buyer is able to file a chargeback if he/she does not receive the item and they will win in a Paypal claim. That is why it should always be the seller's responsibility to pay for insurance or at least insist for insurance to be paid.

Jul 16th, 2008, 07:30 PM	#11
northerndancer Member Location: The Cool Cool North	ITA ^^^ One of the most valuable things I have learned in the eBay forum is that if a seller cannot prove an item was delivered, the seller has to absorb the loss. So a seller has to assume responsibility for an item lost by the post office AND potential claims of non-receipt from a flakey buyer. I ship everything with insurance and delivery confirmation now.

Jul 16th, 2008, 08:08 PM	#12
lorihmatthews Persian Love Location: San Francisco	Whether or not you pay for insurance I think depends on how much you're willing to lose. For any item over $100 or so, I always require signature confirmation for non breakable items. Thankfully I haven't had any problems. Of course, for any other item of lesser value, I always do delivery confirmation as proof of mailing.

Jul 17th, 2008, 12:49 PM	#15
jjyounger Judy Location: Memphis, TN	Funny how different methods work better for different people, isn't it? I much prefer shipping via USPS, particularly if I am shipping internationally. I have had awful experiences with Fed Ex Ground as a buyer, so I'm not about to ship an item I have sold via Fed Ex. They left a package containing a Chanel bag leaning against my garage in full view of the street for three or four days when we were out of town. This was a package that was supposed to be signed for. Scary!