Question
Several threads here have mentioned this and I'm thinking of changing from postal insurance too. Today we had a used clothing item purchased for $2.99 and the buyer added the $1.30 for insurance!
With the holiday season fast approaching, we don't want to be waiting in longer and longer lines at the post office. Self insurance would elimate this. I don't think many buyers realize that the will only recoup the purchase price and not the s/h. Maybe they can any handling above the actual shipping cost but still too this small amount for us, as we send everything with tracking I think it's a good idea to consider the self insurance, breakable items maybe not. Of course, we recently had another clothing item where the buyer didn't purchase postal insurance, delivered to an apartment number address, and they state they haven't received their package. USPS site indicated a delivery (when buyer stated they were traveling that day and wasn't there!) I can see that 'self-insurance could be misused/abused by some buyers...
So....those here who do the self insurance, would you mind sharing what verbage you use in auctions and/or EOA's. Also what's your procedure in processing a 'claim'.
Thanks.
Answer
i state that all packages are self insured by me. I havent had any complaints, and of 1900 shipments i replaced 1! I saved at least 100 hours not waiting in lines....
Answer
DELIVERY GUARANTEE
Optional-Cost is 50 cents per $50. (Less than half the cost of USPS insurance.) I will refund full costs if item is lost in transit or damaged in shipping. Buyer will agree to provide proof of damage or statement of non-receipt.(For my tax records).
BTW, I also refund shipping and handling costs. In my opinion, if the buyer does not get what they paid for, then there is no acceptable reason why they should be out one penny.
Answer
I call mine a shipping warranty and state that third party insurance is not provided. This is so that no one thinks they're getting USPS insurance just because the default field on eBay refers to it as insurance. Also, charge a lesser amount than the USPS rate to avoid confusion on the part of the buyer.
blackcastlebooks
Answer
I do not advertise the fact that I self-insure and I only self-insure packages for less than $50. Anything over that amount and the buyer will pay the actual USPS insurance amount or I will just insure it through the USPS at my expense.
I charge $1.00 for insurance up to $50 but some buyers will still send me $1.30 because they are programmed to do so. The insurance money goes into a contingency fund and is used to pay out claims. I will refund the price of the item and the shipping cost upon receipt of proof that the item is damaged. I will accept a photo (digital or printed) as evidence and keep them in my files for tax purposes. Only under extreme circumstances (like when I think they are lying) would I make the buyer return the item to me for a refund. I have not yet had to deal with any item not being delivered.
I recently refunded a purchase for a buyer that didn't opt for the insurance just because I felt he was honest that it was broken and I felt bad. He went to the trouble to make the pics of the broken item and have them developed and then sent to me via snail mail.
This has been my policy for the past couple of years and it really has cut down on my post office time and has cut out a lot of paperwork on the shipping end.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Answer
I just say insurance is optional and charge around a dollar per $50 of value. Then I use delivery confirmation on everything. I've not had any problems with items not arriving and as I sell clothing, not problems with damage either.
If someone gripes that their package arrived uninsured, I simply say that I use a different insurance than the PO, so there will be no stamp, but rest assured it is insured. I've never had a problem with that.
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