Shipping Insurance

D

Don Nguyen

Joined
Oct 4, 2011
Messages
1,043
Hows it work? Is this the "declared value", or is it separate?

I know nothing about this stuff. I've heard horror stories and whatnot, and some people choose not to insure because of such. Anything I should be aware of? Other bits of advice?

Thanks. Sincerely,

-Don
 
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Getting the insurance from the USPS only take 15 seconds....collecting after the USPS looses your package can take a year...and they may still not want to pay it.
Many ship by FedEx or UPS.

The guys with big collections and such get "Collection Insurance", and that covers anything mailed to or from you. Look at the ads in the knife magazines for more info.
 
I did collect once, it took a while but they paid. I think to have a valid claim you need to use priority mail with delivery confirmation. That worked for me, really was not much trouble to make the claim but they sent me and the client several letters asking if we found the package, at one time someone came to the door and asked the same. but got the $$, I was more pissed that they lost (or was stolen) so it was worthwhile.

BTW if you do your shipping online you get a discount and free delivery confirmation, plus email status reports to you and the reciepients. You can print the label (1/2 page) on a regular printer and tape to the box with packing tape, has your address and delivery address on it so is pretty convient.
 
Patrickknives said:
You can print the label (1/2 page) on a regular printer and tape to the box with packing tape, has your address and delivery address on it so is pretty convient.
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But ALWAYS write the address either under that label you tape on, or inside the box somewhere. Taped on labels can come off.
 
Since my last (still ongoing) fiasco with USPS I've gotten so paranoid about shipping stuff now that I've started photo documenting the process. I take photos of all the contents, including photos of the stuff in the shipping container. Make sure you save any and everything that proves value!
 
Phil Dwyer said:
Since my last (still ongoing) fiasco with USPS I've gotten so paranoid about shipping stuff now that I've started photo documenting the process. I take photos of all the contents, including photos of the stuff in the shipping container. Make sure you save any and everything that proves value!
Click to expand...

When I first started dealing with Paypal, I was super paranoid too.

Photos are almost free now, just takes time and computer storage space.

I take photos of the items themselves, the items in various stages of packaging, the items with the shipping label together, the package showing all 6 sides of the package with HUGE shipping labels
(It's hard for a sneak thief to quickly readdress a package when every inch of the package is covered in original address labels and fully taped over.) and so on.

I also take the camera to the PO and take a pic of the package with the shipping receipt, sometimes with the clerk and the package too.
and a close up or scan of the receipt too.

The post office folks think it's odd, but they just smile for the photo now and don't complain.

I send some of those pics to the customer while it's shipping too - communication is crucial and it keeps them happy until it arrives.
 
Good point Sam. Today, photos are considered proof of existence. A photo of the scale readout with contents will save a lot of headache.
 
Thanks for the replies everybody. I am kind of confused on how to deal with the insurance on a passaround knife. Since there won't be a purchase and receipt, I wouldn't be able to verify the value would I?
 
Don Nguyen said:
I am kind of confused on how to deal with the insurance on a passaround knife. Since there won't be a purchase and receipt, I wouldn't be able to verify the value would I?
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I'm just thinking out loud here... If it's a factory knife, you'd be able to show what it goes for on the open market, if no one involved has a receipt. If it's a custom/handmade knife perhaps the maker could include an invoice with the value.

So far I've only used USPS Priority and always get insurance. (the insurance is so cheap I just consider it part of shipping & handling, like buying a roll of tape)
 
james terrio said:
If it's a custom/handmade knife perhaps the maker could include an invoice with the value.
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It would be (in this circumstance), the gyuto I just finished recently. I have never sold a knife before and have barely started in general to begin with, so I am a bit stumped on what to do.

Approximately, lets say it's worth $--- to me. How do I justify that? Would the invoice route even apply to me?
 
What would you ask for it if you put it up for sale? More directly, whatever you need to recoup your loss in terms of materials and labor. I would go ahead and write up an invoice, and take pics of it with the knife before packing it up.

Which reminds me, I shipped a pair of knives today and forgot to write up the invoice :o
 
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