What is the best way to ship a $5000+ custom knife?

You can easily ship and insure something like that though FedEx. You will just need to declare it's value up front and that will be used to determine the shipping rate. I would probably take it to a FedEx office and ship it from there. Would definitely use the express service. What you read prior was probably just for a normal shipment with no declared value. AKA: You can't just ship a 1lb box with a $4000 ring, not make the carrier aware of it's value and then try and file a claim for $4000 if it gets lost. They will only pay up to a certain amount. However, when you declare the value upfront and pay for the extra insurance you are covered. It's really all just common sense.
 
colubrid said:
I read somewhere on a watch forum that Fed Ex does not pay out more than $500. for things like watches and jewelery.

So would a pocket knife fall under that category with Fed Ex?
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If that should be the case, then try UPS.

I can't fathom as to why since I see a lot of online watch sellers who sell very expensive watches using FedEx as their preferred method of shipping!
 
I insure with my homeowner’s, rider, or even a special policy for these types of items where applicable. I have a replacement cost appraisal (on file with insurance company if necessary), and a receipt proving I own it.

Then I skip the shipper’s insurance and send UPS or Fedex.
 
colubrid said:
Those of you who have experience, what is the best way to ship, say, a $5000 custom knife (and insured for whatever that value may be)? This shipment would be within the continental US.

Has anyone had experience with loss of such a high end item and how does the insured amount process go? How is value determined by USPS. Fed ex, UPS ? Is the Paypal receipt enough to prove the value? Or can anyone ship a $10. knife and insure it for $5000?
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Hey R! I hope this is helping fund another trip over to Maui! ;)

I haven't had the luxury in ever dealing with the sale/purchase, of a folder valued in the $5000 price range. I have however, had a relatively few, higher dollar knife transactions.

I'm sure you remember BF's MidnightSuperMod- Esav Benyamin (Miss you EB)? As many member's here know, he was a retired USPS employee with a vast knowledge regarding the USPS & the services they offer. Here is a direct quote posted by Esav, in a older GBU thread regarding this same type of inquiry:

"I have seen it so many times, a seller says he takes no responsibility once the package is mailed out properly. The buyer agrees. The package is lost. The buyer no longer agrees and files for his refund with PayPal.

Unless the buyer signed for the package, the seller loses.

If you are using PayPal, use it right, go by their rules. If you are shipping a high value item, Registered mail is the best security you can get. Period.

If the mailman does not get a signature from the buyer, he pays for the package reported missing."

^^^ I've heeded this advice 2x, and both times everything worked out perfectly. In fact, every single transaction I've had via the USPS, has worked out 100% perfect, without ever a lost package or any type of incident.

Good luck, R! :) :thumbsup:

And could you please send me a picture of this $5000 knife? ;)
 
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Registered mail, USPS.

With registered mail, the package is always in the hands of a named USPS employee, they have to sign off on the passage of the package at each move. It's more expensive, but if you want to eliminate the potential for "loss", that's the way to go.

When I bought my wife an expensive watch ($5k), it came registered mail. The recipient will have to sign for it as well.

best

mqqn
 
I would drive it across the country myself.....especially if it's going somewhere nice. As soon as it leaves GA, it's getting jacked for sure.
 
KELAMA said:
Hey R! I hope this is helping fund another trip over to Maui! ;)

I haven't had the luxury in ever dealing with the sale/purchase, of a folder valued in the $5000 price range. I have however, had a relatively few, higher dollar knife transactions.

I'm sure you remember BF's MidnightSuperMod- Esav Benyamin (Miss you EB)? As many member's here know, he was a retired USPS employee with a vast knowledge regarding the USPS & the services they offer. Here is a direct quote posted by Esav, in a older GBU thread regarding this same type of inquiry:

"I have seen it so many times, a seller says he takes no responsibility once the package is mailed out properly. The buyer agrees. The package is lost. The buyer no longer agrees and files for his refund with PayPal.

Unless the buyer signed for the package, the seller loses.

If you are using PayPal, use it right, go by their rules. If you are shipping a high value item, Registered mail is the best security you can get. Period.

If the mailman does not get a signature from the buyer, he pays for the package reported missing."

^^^ I've heeded this advice 2x, and both times everything worked out perfectly. In fact, every single transaction I've had via the USPS, has worked out 100% perfect, without ever a lost package or any type of incident.

Good luck, R! :) :thumbsup:

And could you please send me a picture of this $5000 knife? ;)
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Hey thank you for all that info Kelama.

I am not selling a $5000 knife.. Just wanted to gather info for shipping because that is a lot of money and makes me way more nervous than a $1000-$1500.knife.

And $5000 only buys you half a week in Maui :(. Place is so to darn expensive.

But I will be putting up a $4000 knife up for sale next week. The infamous Seal Team 6 knife :) .
 
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So I guess the consensus is registered USPS.

I just still wonder how the refund process works to prove actual market value of a knife if a knife is lost. That is the part I don't feel we have a definite answer on yet.
 
colubrid said:
Those of you who have experience, what is the best way to ship, say, a $5000 custom knife (and insured for whatever that value may be)? This shipment would be within the continental US.

Has anyone had experience with loss of such a high end item and how does the insured amount process go? How is value determined by USPS. Fed ex, UPS ? Is the Paypal receipt enough to prove the value? Or can anyone ship a $10. knife and insure it for $5000?
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Armored Truck ?
Or consider it a little vacation and go there yourself and pick it up . . . yeah . . . that's the ticket. ;) :cool:
 
19-3ben said:
Someone who would rather have the knife than the money. I'm not that guy, but hell if I'll call someone out for spending their money as they see fit.
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zakly.
Cheeper than a diamond ring (well many diamond rings) and a knife actually does stuff.
What does a ring do ? I guess it winks at you but . . . $5000, $10,000, $20,000 . . . thas got to be summmmmmm wink.
 
Wowbagger said:
zakly.
Cheeper than a diamond ring (well many diamond rings) and a knife actually does stuff.
What does a ring do ? I guess it winks at you but . . . $5000, $10,000, $20,000 . . . thas got to be summmmmmm wink.
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If you look at the history of diamonds the whole thing is a marketing scam by DeBeers company . Diamonds are not uncommon. Debeers came up with a marketing scheme after the great depression that said "a diamond is forever" and then went on to market that a man must spend 2 months of his salary to buy an engagement ring for his future wife.

A $5000 knife is wayyyy better than a diamond ring.. heck 5K will only get you a little over a 1 carat diamond. Then if you go to sell it you can only get about $1100. for it. Knives hold and can increase in value.

Makes me think that men should only buy engagement ring from a pawn shop or better yet from craigslist. Then pocket the money saved and buy knives. :)
 
ONLY a $5000 knife? Pshaw..... Lightweight. :cool:

That's not that unusual whatsoever for my clientele (especially my dealer network). How about 10+ knives of that value in one box? Yup. My dealers exclusively = FedEx Next Day Priority AND his own Insurance through Collectibles.

I tell people all the time that the knives valued over $5000 are generally sold quickest, and waiting list only. There are easily collectors (not users) who spend this without a blink.

USPS Registered for an individual is GOOD advice.
 
SharpByCoop said:
ONLY a $5000 knife? Pshaw..... Lightweight. :cool:

That's not that unusual whatsoever for my clientele (especially my dealer network). How about 10+ knives of that value in one box? Yup. My dealers exclusively = FedEx Next Day Priority AND his own Insurance through Collectibles.

I tell people all the time that the knives valued over $5000 are generally sold quickest, and waiting list only. There are easily collectors (not users) who spend this without a blink.

USPS Registered for an individual is GOOD advice.
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Yeah I agree with you. I didn't think $5000 for a knife was all that expensive. After all these knives are investments and at the very least you can always get your money back easily.
So it is like cash in the bank.

I was actually shocked by some of the replies as to why someone would buy a $5000. knife. From what I have seen that amount is chump change and a common amount for some folks to spend. And they have several knives in that price range.
 
colubrid said:
So I guess the consensus is registered USPS.

I just still wonder how the refund process works to prove actual market value of a knife if a knife is lost. That is the part I don't feel we have a definite answer on yet.
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Registered mail is the safest method of all services. If you are sending something that you can't afford to lose, registered is the way to go.

As for insurance, so long as you meet all the requirements set by USPS registered mail, you will get paid out. Don't listen to people who say otherwise. Monofletch Monofletch has answered questions on this in the past, perhaps he will chime in. Best to contact USPS to inquire about insurance rules than listen to strangers on the internet.
 
Monofletch said:
#1 Registered Mail is the safest way to mail! It has a paper trail. Anyone that touches or accepts that package has to sign for it

#2 Registered Mail pays out easier because of its safety.

#3 Registered Mail isn’t cheap!
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Thank you!
 
You are welcome.
Because it is always accounted for it is very slow. So don’t panic if it takes a while to get to the destination. Very slow.
 
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