EBAY question: what is the most secure way to send a valuable package?

[Puffy2]

I have an ebay question for yall. What is the most secure way to send a package to a buyer (to make sure that you, as the seller, are covered in case the package is lost or the buyer claims to never have received it.)

I know I can have them "sign" for it but how practical is this with people working these days etc...? Is delivery confirmation enough? Would you send it Postal Serivce or UPS? Any suggestions? It would be a rather small package. THanks!

 

[Magickndm]

I'd go with insuring it and sig. confirm. If they can't be there to sign for it, they can ask a neighbor I believe, if that doesn't work, it's out of your hands.

 

[brivers222]

I would suggest sending it either First Class (under 13oz) or Priority Mail. Now since I don't know the exact value of your item here are two(2) add-ons thare almost necessary to accomplish what you want

OPTION A: Add Registered Mail which Provides maximum security. Includes proof of mailing at the time of mailing and the date and time of delivery or attempted Delivery. Insurance can be added up to $25,000. Fee based on Value of Item.

OPTION B: Add Insurance and Delivery Confirmation (free if using PRIORITY MAIL Click & Ship online). Rate varies depending on amount of product insuring (insure up to $50 for $1.30)

Personally, I would choose Option B... Delivery Confirmation tells you exactly where and when it was delivered (AKA Proof they received it even if they say other wise) and Insurance to cover lost or damaged items (if the buyer claims the item is damaged you are covered). All around you are covered and you know when the item was delivered.

Now remember, Add in Insurace (either optional or required) when you list your item to let the buyer know they will be responsible for that cost. If you want Delivery confirmation and are not doing Click&Ship you could also include that in your Shipping costs as well. You shouldn't lose money because of shipping.

I have an ebay question for yall. What is the most secure way to send a package to a buyer (to make sure that you, as the seller, are covered in case the package is lost or the buyer claims to never have received it.)

I know I can have them "sign" for it but how practical is this with people working these days etc...? Is delivery confirmation enough? Would you send it Postal Serivce or UPS? Any suggestions? It would be a rather small package. THanks!

 

[tlbwriter]

Requiring a signature is probably overkill. Just make sure you get delivery confirmation and insurance. As for UPS vs USPS, both provide these services, and you can check their rates online. I'd go with whichever is cheapest (UPS is usually cheapest for larger packages).

 

[poohj80]

I know I can have them "sign" for it but how practical is this with people working these days etc...?

If you want signature confirmation and the buyer is not home for delivery, they will receive a pink slip in their mailbox for them to pick it up at the post office starting the next morning so they can get it at their convenience.

 

[Colinsmom]

If they pay via Paypal, you MUST get a signature upon delivery in order to receive protection from Paypal. If you just use DC or insurance and the package is left without a signature, they can claim they never received it and you will lose your money.

For a package like that, I prefer to ship via FedEx Ground with insurance and signature upon delivery. I find that it is cheaper than the USPS, particularly if the package is over 2-3lbs. You can ship from a FedEx office or from Kinko's without paying a surcharge.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Do not use United Parcel for delivery to a residence. If there is nobody home they will often "attempt" to deliver by leaving the package under a bush or on a porch or something else.

If you use USPS Certified Mail (or insurance over $50) it must be signed for; getting a return receipt is an option for both of these. If nobody is home when they attempt to deliver they will leave a slip telling the location of the Post Office where the item can be pciked up. Most people can stop by a Post Office on the way to or from work or lunchtime, or on a Saturday.

 

[marriedmarylander]

UPS will leave the package if it's a townhouse or house, they won't leave it at apartments but will usually leave it with the rental office. Or they leave a slip so the resident can pick it up at the UPS location. UPS is better because the tracking is more accurate and the first $100 of insurance is included. Thing of it this way - Major stores like Dell, JCPenney, etc use UPS for shipping. If you use the signature required option, UPS wo'nt leave the package at all without getting a signature first.

 

[rflorek]

If they pay via Paypal, you MUST get a signature upon delivery in order to receive protection from Paypal. If you just use DC or insurance and the package is left without a signature, they can claim they never received it and you will lose your money.

According to the Seller Protection Policy on Paypal's site, a signature is only required for goods totalling $250 USD or greater:


The seller provides reasonable proof of delivery from an independent shipper. The delivery must be trackable online. Proof of delivery should show that the address shipped to corresponds to the address on the Transaction Details page (see 4.d above). If a reversal occurs, you will need to provide PayPal with the name of your chosen shipping provider and the online tracking number. For your convenience, PayPal provides a list of popular and currently approved shippers.


For transactions equal to $250.00 USD or more in value, the seller needs to provide a proof of receipt signed, or otherwise acknowledged, by the buyer. A proof of delivery from the shipper which does not contain the buyer’s signature or other acknowledgement will not be sufficient. The equivalent transaction amount in non-USD currencies at which the seller must provide online proof of receipt acknowledged by the buyer is as follows:


$250.00 USD


$325.00 CAD


€200.00 EUR


£150.00 GBP


¥28,000 JPY


$350.00 AUD

 

[debbiedoo]

We have always used Fed Ex services -- never have been disappointed. I would ask for signature release--and they are not home they leave a notice -- they will try to deliver a couple of times or they can go to the Fed Ex place.

 

[my3kids]

If it is valuable, use FedEx.

 

[MinnieMe2]

We just ordered a rare, valuable Hummel for a retiring faculty member. It took a lot of leg work to find the figure to begin with, it came from Europe to Arizona, and was shipped via FedEx overnight to MA. FedEx lost the package. Tracking on the computer shows it got as far as Memphis, TN. The retirement party came and went without a gift to give. We paid $325 for the Hummel, and as far as we know, it's still in Memphis.

We've called FedEx repeatedly, and every time we were told they'd get back to us. They never did. Customer Service is definitely not their thing. Would I use FedEx to ship something valuable? Not on your life!

 

[Puffy2]

I'm thinking certified mail with the postal service with insurance. That way - if they aren't home , the package will go back to the local post office and it seems like it would be easier for the people to get the package from there.

 

[Colinsmom]

According to the Seller Protection Policy on Paypal's site, a signature is only required for goods totalling $250 USD or greater:


The seller provides reasonable proof of delivery from an independent shipper. The delivery must be trackable online. Proof of delivery should show that the address shipped to corresponds to the address on the Transaction Details page (see 4.d above). If a reversal occurs, you will need to provide PayPal with the name of your chosen shipping provider and the online tracking number. For your convenience, PayPal provides a list of popular and currently approved shippers.


For transactions equal to $250.00 USD or more in value, the seller needs to provide a proof of receipt signed, or otherwise acknowledged, by the buyer. A proof of delivery from the shipper which does not contain the buyer’s signature or other acknowledgement will not be sufficient. The equivalent transaction amount in non-USD currencies at which the seller must provide online proof of receipt acknowledged by the buyer is as follows:


$250.00 USD


$325.00 CAD


€200.00 EUR


£150.00 GBP


¥28,000 JPY


$350.00 AUD

I just presumed that since the OP was sending a "valuable package", that it fell over the $250 requirement. I should have clarified my response.