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Help on ebay policy

slum22slum22 Posts: 2,594 ✭✭✭✭
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
If I am returning a $375 item do I need to ship back with insurance or just delivery confirmation. I remember the old price amount was $250, but I thought they raised the minimum price for the insurance requirement. Thanks for you help!
Steve

Comments

  • GuruGuru Posts: 3,127
    I would send it UPS. For an item that is that much of value I would never send USPS. However, if you're going to use USPS...get insurance. Oh, and take pictures because if it gets lost, you'll need them.
  • charrigancharrigan Posts: 2,293
    Signature Confirmation minimum is now $750 for PayPal. It was recently raised; new threshold is now in effect. I do not even know of there ever being an insurance requirement or of it being required by eBay (vs. PP).
  • slum22slum22 Posts: 2,594 ✭✭✭✭
    Thanks for the quick help. You are right. I meant signature confirmation not insurance. Thanks guys.
    Steve
  • charrigancharrigan Posts: 2,293


    << <i>I would send it UPS. For an item that is that much of value I would never send USPS. However, if you're going to use USPS...get insurance. Oh, and take pictures because if it gets lost, you'll need them. >>



    I would highly recommend you get Collectibles Insurance. It covers mail transactions and quickly pays for itself by avoiding overpriced USPS insurance. I would not have any problem sending it USPS. If you were extremely concerned, send it Registered Mail and you'll be fine.
  • DoctorKDoctorK Posts: 868 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>I would send it UPS. For an item that is that much of value I would never send USPS. However, if you're going to use USPS...get insurance. Oh, and take pictures because if it gets lost, you'll need them. >>



    I would highly recommend you get Collectibles Insurance. It covers mail transactions and quickly pays for itself by avoiding overpriced USPS insurance. I would not have any problem sending it USPS. If you were extremely concerned, send it Registered Mail and you'll be fine. >>



    Reading through their brochure, it states that UPS and FedEx are covered but USPS requires an additional cost. Any idea how much extra it is for USPS coverage?

    Plus a $200 deductible for loss including mail (if coverage elected).
  • charrigancharrigan Posts: 2,293
    Do you have a link to where it says USPS not covered/extra cost?
  • DoctorKDoctorK Posts: 868 ✭✭✭
    I pulled up the dealer brochure pdf document from their website. Let me see if I can figure out how to link it.

    http://www.collectinsure.com/forms.aspx

    Click the Brochures option


    This is for the Dealer option..not sure what qualifies one a dealer as opposed to personal.
  • charrigancharrigan Posts: 2,293
    The Collector Brochure explicitly includes USPS.

    Yes, deductible, but $200 is pretty manageable, given risk (actually low, despite complaints about USPS reliability)
  • vladguerrerovladguerrero Posts: 4,077 ✭✭✭
    A $200 deductible is nuts.
  • DoctorKDoctorK Posts: 868 ✭✭✭
    I concur. I do not know if that applies to the collector's policy or just the dealer's. It would not make much sense in the scenario presented by the OP. Additionally, what constitutes a dealer vs. a collector for these policies?
  • charrigancharrigan Posts: 2,293
    A $200 deductible is great. The insurance covers your entire collection, so you're covered for nearly everything in the event of a loss. In the case of mail damage/loss, the worst you're ever out is $200. That's pretty fine be me. I wouldn't love it, it would stink to have to pay, but given the overall reliability of USPS, it's a pretty fine risk to take. Plus, you don't have to nickle and dime out the USPS insurance rates. Bank those up and you'll likely get to the $200 deductible mark before you ever file a claim.
  • DoctorKDoctorK Posts: 868 ✭✭✭
    I agree that $200 deductible for an entire collection is worthwhile but coverage on shipping is lacking. Basically anything shipped valued at $200 or less is not insured. You can justify not having to pay USPS insurance for these items but one would not collect on loss or damage for any of them either. Even the scenario presented by the OP for returning a $375 item. If it gets lost he is still out $200. Through my ebay account I get $100 free insurance w/ priority shipping but it does get costly for higher dollar items.
  • charrigancharrigan Posts: 2,293
    I maybe should have been more direct about my point: if you are shipping low-medium valued items (a couple hundred), you are better off not paying for the insurance. The chance that you'll need to collect is low enough that you're better off just banking it and taking the occasional loss. One time thing, sure, pay the USPS rate. Over time, cover the big items and write off small losses. Many disagree with me because they see USPS as an error-prone disaster machine, but it's not. We think it is because we mostly hear about the times where things go wrong.
  • GuruGuru Posts: 3,127
    I'm reading what you're saying and having worked in the shipping industry in the past AND having my fair share of issues with USPS, I wouldn't send something worth $375 through the mail. That's just my opinion. I'm not saying that every post office is bad or carrier is bad, but A LOT can happen between your home and the destination that will pit you against USPS in a he said/she said situation. UPS, especially, more than FEDEX is going to work with you and has better customer service if something is lost or stolen.

    I've also seen how these companies handle boxes and for the most part they are all the same. You would cringe if you could see it. However, in my personal experience UPS has been better about handling and taking care of their customers. The drivers are held to high accountability and really understand the consequences for providing crappy service. Just sayin...
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,742 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I'm reading what you're saying and having worked in the shipping industry in the past AND having my fair share of issues with USPS, I wouldn't send something worth $375 through the mail. That's just my opinion. I'm not saying that every post office is bad or carrier is bad, but A LOT can happen between your home and the destination that will pit you against USPS in a he said/she said situation. UPS, especially, more than FEDEX is going to work with you and has better customer service if something is lost or stolen.

    I've also seen how these companies handle boxes and for the most part they are all the same. You would cringe if you could see it. However, in my personal experience UPS has been better about handling and taking care of their customers. The drivers are held to high accountability and really understand the consequences for providing crappy service. Just sayin... >>



    USPS is extremely reliable in my experience, both as a seller and a buyer. Both UPS and Fed Ex have limitations on coverage amounts and also restrictions on what they will insure, as far as collectibles go. Ron Burgundy just had his package from Fed Ex stolen and sold to a couple local card shops. All couriers are generally reliable, but USPS gets an unfair amount of criticism, imo.


    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
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