Insuring USPS / UPS Shipments

[Vaporstang]

What are your thoughts on insuring your knives you ship via USPS (or UPS for that matter)? I understands it protects the shipper (seller), but from what? Lost mail? or does it go beyond that. How hard is it to collect?

Also - do you insure for the new replacement cost? Selling cost? Collector value? Or enough to take out some of the sting - for example insuring a $400 knife for $200 and risking $200.

Thanks!

(Mods - Hopefully this is in the right section - please move if not- thanks.)

 

[Leftytwogunz]

I don't know all of your answers, but I was spending big bucks there for a while at my local Fedex store in shipping and ended up sending back a brand new Microtech knife to them for repair of a bent pocket clip, on like the second time I pocketed the thing.

They accepted the package, then claimed when it was opened there was no knife inside. I think the fedex had an automatic $50 or $100 on the package and that is all I got back. My Fedex lady had to file a claim, then she wrote me a check a while later for the $100.

Now, I mostly ship USPS priority now due to the free boxes I can take home and pack at my leisure, and I just go ahead and pony up the extra 10 bucks or so to fully insure whatever I am shipping. I don't know how it all works, I asked my postal clerk but she didn't even know, but I don't wana be out that kind of money again, so I just pay for the insurance. I insure for whatever the guy paid me, that I would have to replace if the item got stolen in transit, don't know how, or want to try to prove collector value or whatever so XXX in paypal = XXX in insurance.
Best of luck.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

I insure all packages over $100. I insure for the sales price, there is no benefit to buying more insurance than the value you can prove. I have yet to file a claim, so I am not sure how hard it will be to collect, but there are at least a few hoops to jump through whenever dealing with the PO. I will just do my best to collect if a claim is needed. It is most likely best to get a signature confirmation otherwise the PO can just claim they delivered it.

 

[Vaporstang]

I don't know all of your answers, but I was spending big bucks there for a while at my local Fedex store in shipping and ended up sending back a brand new Microtech knife to them for repair of a bent pocket clip, on like the second time I pocketed the thing.

Anyway, they accepted the package, then claimed when it was opened there was no knife inside. Anyway, I think the fedex had an automatic $50 or $100 on the package and that is all I got back. My Fedex lady had to file a claim, then she wrote me a check a while later for the $100.

Anyway, I mostly ship USPS priority now due to the free boxes I can take home and pack at my leisure, and I just go ahead and pony up the extra 10 bucks or so to fully insure whatever I am shipping. I don't know how it all works, I asked my postal clerk but she didn't even know, but I don't wana be out that kind of money again, so I just pay for the insurance. I insure for whatever the guy paid me, that I would have to replace if the item got stolen in transit, don't know how, or want to try to prove collector value or whatever so XXX in paypal = XXX in insurance.
Best of luck.

I guess I need to stop being a tightwad and pony up the extra money like you said - which I have been doing.

I insure all packages over $100. I insure for the sales price, there is no benefit to buying more insurance than the value you can prove. I have yet to file a claim, so I am not sure how hard it will be to collect, but there are at least a few hoops to jump through whenever dealing with the PO. I will just do my best to collect if a claim is needed. It is most likely best to get a signature confirmation otherwise the PO can just claim they delivered it.

I suppose a person has the emails or posts to prove what you sold an item for and that is all you really want. The $100 limit seems like a good one since you get $50 free to begin with at the USPS.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

"I guess I need to stop being a tightwad and pony up the extra money like you said - which I have been doing."
If I had perfect for-sight, I would not have bought insurance. With the number of sales I have done with no losses I would easily now be ahead with self insurance even if I lost a future package. Unfortunately you never know which one might go missing. It could have been my 1st.

 

[mqqn]

Luckily, I have not ever had to deal with the actual USE of the insurance, so I can't help in terms of how that process goes, although the USPS has very detailed documentation on how it is supposed to work.

There was a fairly recent thread on what was insurable and what evidence is required to show the value of any lost items, but you are probably better off just reading the USPS regulations.

It boils down to this: Can you afford to self-insure the item you are shipping? If not, get the insurance. If, on the other hand, you can afford to replace the item without hardship, then you can gamble and save the cost if insurance.

I have shipped literally hundreds of packages USPS priority flat rate, and to this point not one package has been lost or tampered with, including a good many shipments to overseas locations.

If you were a business, you might make the business case that it is less costly to replace the odd package that is lost or damaged rather than paying insurance on all of the thousands of packages that one might send out each year, but that is not the equation for the typical "trader / seller" hobbyist.

best

mqqn

 

[asdf12345]

ǘ͇͈͙͙̞̯̩͑b̠̭͎͙̠̲͖̐ͧͬ̌ͣ̈̒7͖̹̰̟ͣͧ͛ͫ́͊8̱͈̫̮͙̓̒n̲̹̖ͧ́̇̂̊̒ͅ*̠̪̖͖͈͍ͪ̉̉̾ͥ̓

 

[BITEME]

If they say they delivered it to the address postmarked,but the buyer says he didn't get it ,I am pretty sure your chance of collecting any insurance is very small-I lost a 200.00 knife when I sent it to Australia(never again will send overseas)they said they never received pkg. and usps says they do not have any control once pkg leaves the states,I even had it certified,I think I got back 35.00.....I think usps is very decent service (have had tons of items sent and received with only 1 pkg. not making it),but the insurance they offer is just a side scam to pacify the sender.just my .02 ¢

 

[mqqn]

USPS insurance is bullshit. I would just send anything below $350 or so signature confirmation, and anything above via Registered Mail. With Priority insurance, you won't be getting a payout.

Any personal experience to share with us?

I do agree that registered mail is a good way to go.

best

mqqn

 

[robgmn]

USPS insurance is bullshit. I would just send anything below $350 or so signature confirmation, and anything above via Registered Mail. With Priority insurance, you won't be getting a payout.

Having gotten a "payout", I'm wondering what your basis for your statements are.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

There are so many ways to say the same thing. Unless you're discussing cattle, "bullshit" is probably not one of them.

This subforum often discusses contentious topics. Antagonistic terminology adds heat, but not light.

 

[jill jackson]

USPS insurance is bullshit. I would just send anything below $350 or so signature confirmation, and anything above via Registered Mail. With Priority insurance, you won't be getting a payout.

Not true, I've collected on a lost Usps package and it was straight forward and they paid up. What more could you want?

 

[mqqn]

I had a student in class that works for the USPS tell me that if you send your package via registered mail, every step of the way an employee is responsible for the package by name, and signs off on the package each time it moves to the next location.

That is why it is highly recommended to only use registered mail when shipping a rifle/shotgun.

Thanks, Jill, for posting your experience.

best

mqqn

 

[Mossyhorn]

I sold a bench grinder years ago on the forum, and shipped it via UPS. I had it insured for the replacement value and was glad I did. It was delivered with a huge gaping hole in the box and the motor housing and brackets were busted.UPS requested photos of the original and of the delivery. Once they received them, I was reimbursed. The buyer was refunded his money as well. Insurance is for the seller and should be paid by the seller.

 

[robgmn]

There are so many ways to say the same thing. Unless you're discussing cattle, "bullshit" is probably not one of them.

This subforum often discusses contentious topics. Antagonistic terminology adds heat, but not light.

+100
I almost want to make this part of my sig line.

 

[choombak]

What are your thoughts on insuring your knives you ship via USPS (or UPS for that matter)? I understands it protects the shipper (seller), but from what? Lost mail? or does it go beyond that. How hard is it to collect?

Also - do you insure for the new replacement cost? Selling cost? Collector value? Or enough to take out some of the sting - for example insuring a $400 knife for $200 and risking $200.

Thanks!

(Mods - Hopefully this is in the right section - please move if not- thanks.)

I ship USPS, and only USPS. All packages above $200 are fully insured on my dime (seller) and require signature confirmation. Anything overseas goes Registered First Class (see the excellent sticky post above for details).

Additionally, proper and bomb-proof packaging, timely communication and follow-up also plays a key role in ensuring it reaches destination without any damage. Owning responsibility for the package till it reaches safe and sound to the buyer has been a cornerstone of my exchange philosophy here, and so far it was worked extremely well (been active on the exchange for around 5 years now). It is indeed very difficult to protect against a malicious buyer, insurance or not - you may recoup funds at the expense of time and mental stress.

 

[Monofletch]

To collect on USPS insurance you need 3 things..... and a PS form 1000

If your insured mailing has been lost or damaged in transit, you may file an insurance claim:
Online. Go to www.usps.com/ship/file-insurance-claims.htm for articles with USPS domestic insurance.
By mail. Download and complete PS Form 1000, Domestic or International Claim.
At any Post Office. Download and complete PS Form 1000 and take it to any Post Office, or request a copy and complete it at a Post Office.

1-- Evidence of Insurance

You must retain evidence of insurance for your claim. This includes evidence that insurance, COD, Registered Mail, or Express Mail service was purchased for the mailed package. For a detailed list of acceptable evidence, see “General Filing Instructions” in Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) 609.

2-- Evidence of Value

You must submit evidence — such as a sales receipt or invoice — showing the value of the article when it was mailed. For a detailed list of acceptable evidence, see “General Filing Instructions” in DMM 609.
For Internet transactions conducted through a web-based payment network, provide a computer printout of the online transaction identifying the purchaser and seller, price paid, date of the transaction, description of the item, and assurance that the transaction status is completed. The printout must clearly identify the web-based payment network provider through which the Internet transaction was conducted.


3-- Proof of Damage or Partial Loss of Contents (or non delivery)

You must retain any damaged item, packaging, and all contents until the claim is resolved. If you receive notification from the Postal Service, you will be required to bring the item, packaging, and all contents to a Post Office

 

[Vaporstang]

To collect on USPS insurance you need 3 things..... and a PS form 1000

If your insured mailing has been lost or damaged in transit, you may file an insurance claim:
Online. Go to www.usps.com/ship/file-insurance-claims.htm for articles with USPS domestic insurance.
By mail. Download and complete PS Form 1000, Domestic or International Claim.
At any Post Office. Download and complete PS Form 1000 and take it to any Post Office, or request a copy and complete it at a Post Office.

1-- Evidence of Insurance

You must retain evidence of insurance for your claim. This includes evidence that insurance, COD, Registered Mail, or Express Mail service was purchased for the mailed package. For a detailed list of acceptable evidence, see “General Filing Instructions” in Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) 609.

2-- Evidence of Value

You must submit evidence — such as a sales receipt or invoice — showing the value of the article when it was mailed. For a detailed list of acceptable evidence, see “General Filing Instructions” in DMM 609.
For Internet transactions conducted through a web-based payment network, provide a computer printout of the online transaction identifying the purchaser and seller, price paid, date of the transaction, description of the item, and assurance that the transaction status is completed. The printout must clearly identify the web-based payment network provider through which the Internet transaction was conducted.


3-- Proof of Damage or Partial Loss of Contents (or non delivery)

You must retain any damaged item, packaging, and all contents until the claim is resolved. If you receive notification from the Postal Service, you will be required to bring the item, packaging, and all contents to a Post Office

Thanks! Hopefully I'll never have to reference this....

 

[craytab]

The only reason not to insure as a seller is if you are willing to afford the loss or, as Mr. asdf12345 has displayed, complete and utter ignorance.

I had a family member send me a framed picture across country with UPS. The UPS store packaged the picture very poorly. I could tell right away it would be broken before opening the package the way the picture moved around inside the box. When we moved out east I packaged all our pictures without one being broken. It is not rocket science it just requires some time and attention. Anyway, collecting on the insurance was easy. Spoke on the phone and sent in some pictures. Then sent in the receipt for the reframing. Not hard and totally worth it.

 

[Ankerson]

For me it depends on the cost of the item and were it's going.

For knives I sell I charge for shipping and insurance etc.

Unless it's going overseas then I don't insure it normally because it makes the package a target.

For knives I test it depends on how they were shipped to me, insured or not insured, I send them back the same way they came to me.

For sharpening, it's as above, send back the same way I get them.

I ship everything USPS Priority Mail using USPS boxes.