Posted By:
Judge DredHello Lee,
I guess I wasn't too clear in my post (that happens a lot - I think I have adult ADD - or at least the inability to convey what I'm thinking).
The method of payment doesn't really matter. It's the method of shipment that I was trying to explain:
Here's what happens with my local post office:
1) I present the package to the clerk.
2) The clerk meters the package and places a postal sticker on that shows the cost of the delivery service.
3) The clerk provides me with a receipt that shows the destination zip code of the package sent. This receipt is dated so that I can prove that the package was sent on a certain date. This, of course, would prove that I shipped the package after the auction ended and after receiving funds for the transaction.
4) I retain the receipt until the buyer has indicated that they have received the package.
You are correct, the receipt only indicates the date and zip code to where the package was sent, it does not provide proof of delivery, but that's fine with me. Again, at least I have a document that proves an item was shipped to a particular zip code on a specific date.
I completely concur with you that delivery confirmation should be used. But there are a few considerations:
a) A lot of people shy away from what they perceive as high shipping charges. I know this sounds crazy, but it seems to happen.
b) I offer people different shipping options (insurance, 1st class mail, priority mail - just about anything possible). There are many buyers that are very shipping and handling charge conscientious and they don't want to pay for anything but the cheapest service (no insurance, no delivery confirmation). It's their choice at that point. I don't want anyone to feel that they are obligated to pay for anything except for what they chose. It makes for happier buyers.
Personally, it's probably smarter to force someone to pay for all of the other services but I figure that empowering people to make their own choices makes for a happier transaction on the buyers side. Or as a buyer I could eat a few bucks per transaction for my own peace of mind and pay for all the extras.
Now back to the insurance question and points made:
"would it be wrong to keep the insurance money for yourself and self insure...?
It's all in the eyes of the person that paid for the insurance. Some people feel intimidated by the expression "I am not responsible for lost or damaged packages that are not insured." PSYCH 101 - Some buyers might feel that the seller wont ship the package if the package is not insured. If the buyer sees that the package was not insured then there might be feelings of being cheated. Like I posted earlier - It would be very wise if someone is going to sell "self insurance" on an item. If the item does not have delivery confirmation what (besides being an honest person) would hold someone back from saying they never received the package?
Does anyone know what the rules and regulations for insuring this type of memorabilia? It would be a nice post.
"Would you be made (sic) if you paid for insurance only to find out the seller kept the money? I believe this is the way grading companies handle insurance...."
I think Jay's post is right on the money - large companies have the ability to self insure because of their financial resources. I'm not implying that you wouldn't have the ability to self insure.
I just feel that you really expose yourself if you self insure because what if the person got a bargain on the item and it doesn't show up. They would think that (more Psych 101) the seller didn't want to send the item because they didn't get enough for it.
About the only way to rectify the problem would be to go out and find a similar item and possibly lose money on the deal. I guess that would be extreme.
I apologize for the lengthy post - It's just an opinion and a few thoughts on a very good topic.
Insurance is something that you don't need but you buy it in case you do need it - isn't that what Yogi says (or something like that) in the Aflac commercial?