To all those who complain about auction house shipping

[Mr. Zipper]

I've shipped items worth up to $60,000. Here is my experience:

* I am insured for shipping through Collectibles Insurance. I only purchase postal insurance to cover the $200 deductible. This keeps shipping rates down and I can pass the savings onto my clients.

* For high value items, I use USPS Registered Mail. It may move slowly, but it is the safest and least expensive option for high value items. For instance, $30,000 worth of insurance on a recent item only cost around $55.

* DO NOT use FedEx for anything worth over $1,000. FedEx will take your money for the insurance without question, but if you ever need to file a claim for a "collectible," they will tell you the limit on collectibles is $1,000.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Mr. Zipper

* DO NOT use FedEx for anything worth over $1,000. FedEx will take your money for the insurance without question, but if you ever need to file a claim for a "collectible," they will tell you the limit on collectibles is $1,000.

Didn't know that, that's terrifying. They maintain that policy when an item has been purchased for more? Even the post office accepts purchase price as insurance value.

[Mr. Zipper]

From FedEx website: http://www.fedex.com/cm/shippingguide/terms/

Emphasis is mine.

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18.4 For Shipments containing the following items of extraordinary value the Declared Value for Carriage is also limited and depends on the contents and destination of the Shipment:

- Artwork, including any work created or developed by the application of skill, taste or creative talent for sale, display or collection. This includes without limitation, items such as paintings, drawings, vases, tapestries, limited-edition prints, fine art, statues, sculptures, collector's items, customized or personalized musical instruments or similar items.
- Antiques or collectable items, or any commodity that exhibits the style or fashion of a past era and whose history, age or rarity contributes to its value. These items include but are not limited to, furniture, tableware, porcelains, ceramics and glassware. Collectable items may be contemporaneous or relating to a past era.

....

The Sender should refer to the FedEx rate sheets in effect at the time of shipment or call FedEx for an explanation of the declared value limits.

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[Sterling Sports Auctions]

If you are self insured than your insurance company kicks in with signature confirmation. It is good information to know if you are not self insured. It is amazing what you find out when it can be too late.

Another red flag shipping is to NEVER send anything of value internationally with USPS, they will only cover it is you send next day with signature. I sent a package registered with signature and they would not do anything about the fact the package was misplaced. Waited over 2 months before the package actually came back. I always use Fed Ex or UPS for international packages with value around $400 or more.

Thanks for the info,

Lee Behrens

[edhans]

Originally Posted by Mr. Zipper

* DO NOT use FedEx for anything worth over $1,000. FedEx will take your money for the insurance without question, but if you ever need to file a claim for a "collectible," they will tell you the limit on collectibles is $1,000.

I think UPS works the same way.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by edhans

I think UPS works the same way.

Just read their Maximum Value terms for 2018 and there is nothing about a limit on collectibles.

[Baseball Rarities]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Just read their Maximum Value terms for 2018 and there is nothing about a limit on collectibles.

I just copied this off of their website (note #11):

F. Shipments (packages or freight) containing all or part of the following items are
limited to a maximum declared value of US$1,000:

1. Artwork, including any work created or developed by the application of skill,
taste or creative talent for sale, display or collection. This includes, but is not
limited to, items (and their parts) such as paintings, drawings, vases, tapestries,
limited-edition prints, fine art, statuary, sculpture and collector’s items.
2. Film, photographic images (including photographic negatives), photographic
chromes and photographic slides.
3. Any commodity that by its inherent nature is particularly susceptible to damage
or the market value of which is particularly variable or difficult to ascertain.
4. Antiques, or any commodity that exhibits the style or fashion of a past era and
whose history, age or rarity contributes to its value. These items include, but are
not limited to, furniture, tableware and glassware.
5. Glassware, including, but not limited to, signs, mirrors, ceramics, porcelains, china,
crystal, glass, framed glass, and any other commodity with similarly fragile qualities.
6. Plasma screens.
7. Jewelry, including, but not limited to, costume jewelry, watches and their parts,
mount gems or stones (precious or semiprecious), industrial diamonds, and
jewelry made of precious metal.
8. Furs, including, but not limited to, fur clothing, fur-trimmed clothing and fur pelts.
9. Precious metals, including, but not limited to, gold and silver bullion or dust,
precipitates, or platinum (except as an integral part of electronic machinery).
10. Stocks, bonds, cash letters or cash equivalents, including, but not limited to, food
stamps, postage stamps (not collectible), traveler’s checks, lottery tickets, money
orders, gift cards and gift certificates, prepaid calling cards (excluding those that
require a code for activation), bond coupons, and bearer bonds.
11. Collector’s items such as coins, stamps, sports cards, souvenirs and memorabilia.
12. Guitars and other musical instruments that are more than 20 years old, and
customized or personalized musical instruments.
13. Scale models (including, but not limited to, architectural models and dollhouses)
and prototypes