shipping insurance opinions wanted

[LMT66]

I had a collector blade get lost in the mail. $800 sale.
I was questioned as to the original manufacturers selling price of the blade which was about $227. I asked them why they want to know that if I'm presenting you with a Paypal receipt for current $800 sale and my postal receipt insured for that amount.
Still in the claim process and don't know what the outcome is going to be.

 

[LMT66]

Many people have had problems collecting on lost packages and feel that insurance is worthless. It is even worse if the item is destroyed in shipping, as most shipping companies will say that the packaging was insufficient and refuse payment on that basis.

There is another problem that can occur if you insure for a large amount. It lets a potential thief know how much the item in the box is worth.

As far improper packaging goes..... i use only USPS to ship and USPS supplied packaging. In addition to that, I cover the Entire box in quality clear tape. Literally no carboard left exposed. All labels get clear tape over them also. Should the box be open and the contents missing, they can't say it was improper packing/packaging.
The best thing you can do is put tape over the rip cord on USPS boxes. Will prevent a lot of headache.

 

[DE OPPRESSO LIBER]

would a paypal transaction be considered "proof of value" and essentially be the equivalent of a m.o. receipt?

Yes it would, and i recommend always ship fully insured with delivery confirmation. absolute Must protects me and the Buyer or vise versa cant have to much docs plus it lets me track on line and the other party as well.

 

[resinguy]

I print my shipping labels on line using USPS Click-n Ship. Delivery confirmation is free when you do that, which is really all it's worth anyway. Delivery Confirmation simply means that the carrier asserts that the parcel was delivered. There is no way to confirm or dispute that. A carrier could throw it in the bushes, and confirm delivery, and you would have no recourse. I was told that if you buy insurance, then Signature Confirmation is superfluous, as insured parcels have to be signed for anyway. Having said all that, the best option for really valuable items is Certified, Insured. It is slow but secure. The parcel gets a signature by USPS employees at every hand-off during the shipment, all the way to delivery.

 

[MORIMOTOM]

As far improper packaging goes..... i use only USPS to ship and USPS supplied packaging. In addition to that, I cover the Entire box in quality clear tape. Literally no carboard left exposed. All labels get clear tape over them also. Should the box be open and the contents missing, they can't say it was improper packing/packaging.
The best thing you can do is put tape over the rip cord on USPS boxes. Will prevent a lot of headache.

i can confirm this.

packages from him will survive a nuclear blast.

 

[STR]

The post office is very slow to pay if they pay at all. This is why I say its worthless and the one guy that I know who ever filed for something the post office lost never got a dime from them because the post office didn't accept his proof that it was worth what he paid to insure it. They just took his money to insure it for that amount not requiring proof up front. I guess that would make too much sense. So, those two things make me wonder.

STR

 

[DE OPPRESSO LIBER]

I had a collector blade get lost in the mail. $800 sale.
I was questioned as to the original manufacturers selling price of the blade which was about $227. I asked them why they want to know that if I'm presenting you with a Paypal receipt for current $800 sale and my postal receipt insured for that amount.
Still in the claim process and don't know what the outcome is going to be.

the original selling price means nothing, its a collector piece!!! value is determined by what someone is willing to pay!!!! I guess a $20.00 GOLD piece from 1876 is still worth $20.00 or a Hemi Cuda for original sticker price !!!!! LOL. Do you have documentation of the sale??? I really hope so thats why i do not like money orders cash it and its gone!!!! paypal is a permanent record, i can go back as far as i want and still look at the transaction

 

[Lock1454]

the original selling price means nothing, its a collector piece!!! value is determined by what someone is willing to pay!!!! I guess a $20.00 GOLD piece from 1876 is still worth $20.00 or a Hemi Cuda for original sticker price !!!!! LOL. Do you have documentation of the sale??? I really hope so thats why i do not like money orders cash it and its gone!!!! paypal is a permanent record, i can go back as far as i want and still look at the transaction

That's why the entire situation is kind of sticky, time for some devil's advocate. I have a 'collector' item that I paid $5 for. My friend Bill and I decide to scam the PO - I set up a sale with Bill where he pays me $500 for said item. Package is mailed with insurance for the $500 amount. The parcel is 'lost', I should be covered for the full $500 because that's what Bill was 'willing to pay' for it, right?