Thread: track your packages or lose $200

IMHO USPS Insurance is worthless. They make you jump through hoops until it is too late because you did not jump through a particular hoop which they failed to mention. Just like any Insurance, the idea is to collect money and not pay out. We are all, in reality, self unsured!

Originally Posted by sharptonn

IMHO USPS Insurance is worthless. They make you jump through hoops until it is too late because you did not jump through a particular hoop which they failed to mention. Just like any Insurance, the idea is to collect money and not pay out. We are all, in reality, self unsured!

Interesting, what did you experience?

I sent a fellow 9 razors from which to pick. He sent 7 back and bought 2. He paid for 500.00 insurance. The box did not show up and was tracked sitting at a large PO for for 4 weeks. As it did finally show , it was empty with a note inside from the PO. Unfortunately he did not tape it and the bubblewrapped roll fell out. We both had numerous calls and conversations with PO folks at both ends, supervisors, customer service, from 1 week to 10 weeks. Many things were advised, call here, do that. He could not get proper forms to submit, online or at the PO. I took pics of the box, clearly marked with insurance as well as detailed descriptions of contents AND a letter put in the box which began with "WE CARE" and submitted this. After further review, I was told Tough stuff. Said I WAITED too long! 6 weeks and thats it! Value was 640.00 and Insurance was SUPPOSED to be 500.00 but I got nothing! I feel it throwing money into the street JMHO

Usually shipping overseas, insurance is limited by country. For most it's shockingly low or non existent. When I ship overseas I have the buyer agree to shipping terms by sending me an E-mail practically with his blood on it. He basically accepts total responsibility for not received goods.

There is still a chance that some months on the razor will return if you included a sender's address.... unless it was stolen..

IME insurance to countries I've mailed razors or stones ..... a high end bicycle to, limit the insurance to $600.00 USD. Go FedEx (air international) and it is actual value but be prepared to pay big bucks. As for USPS paying claims ... I had a statue of Batman in bronze that I sold for over $1,200.00 IIRC. It was insured, damaged in shipment, and they paid the $. My only experience with loss in my mailing with any of the carriers. YMMV.

I'm sorry for you. Here in Italy there are many thieves. When I buy some expensive thing, I contact the seller and ask him to don't write the really cost on package, if I buy something cost 200 $ I ask to write 20 $, and also the description, don't declare there's a razor or a blade, I ask to write camping tool.
I don't use a insurance because if you make insurance they can understand there is something of precious inside the pocket and they stole that.
Hope my tips can help you in the future, greetings from Italy.

Originally Posted by HNSB

Postscript: I attempted to get rid of Paypal after that; the unfortunate reality is that if you do certain kinds of transactions online, you are stuck dealing with the thieves there.

I can't shake them either. I wanted to use google check out and/or pay directly with my card but it just isn't doable in some circumstances. Someone will run them out of business eventually (hopefully Google)

Been there too.. =[ sent a razor that did not get to its destination in Europe. The one i was supposed to receive was stolen out of the envelope. -.-
DOUBLE FAIL.

Most shippers or carriers insurance is just short of worthless. Most of my customers carry private collectibles insurance which insures things like guns, knives, pipes, razors etc when in their possession and when they ship it.

What kills me about most carriers insurance is the fine print. If you read the fine print on a Fed-Ex box it states they will only pay out up to $500 on a claim for anything except electronics. They will happily sell you $20K worth of insurance and not mention that they have a $500 pay out cap. Hows that for honest? UPS insurance isn't a whole lot better. USPS also has a limit they will pay out no matter how much insurance you buy on most of their shipping services unless your item meets certain perameters. Anything that can be deemed collectible, unique or antique and rare is out of luck. It has been a long time since I checked but I beleive registered mail is the only service they offer where they will pay full amount.

Many of my customers have been burned by this at one time or another so most have just gone to carrying their own Collectibles Insurance so they are covered no matter what they are shipping to where.