Best way to protect a seller sending package?

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Posted By: Dave F

If your sending an item in the mail at say $800-1000 range..what is the best way to protect yourself? Is first class mail with insurance and delivery confirmation sufficient? Should it be sent first class with insurance and sig confirmation? Priority? Registered?

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Posted By: Mark

in my opinion.... Sent first class with insurance and delivery confirmation. That way, they have to sign for it and you can track the package on-line.

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Posted By: Dave F

At what point when you send insured do they have to sign for it? I know I've bought a couple items with insurance and never signed anything.

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Posted By: Mark

anything over $50 insured has to be signed for.

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Posted By: boxingcardman

If you are concerned about the honesty issues. It would cost you under $20 to send it registered with signature confirmation in that value range.

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Posted By: Anthony

If you're worried about it getting there registered is the safest way to go. And I think once you hit about $800-1000 in insurance it starts getting cheaper registered, because it's safer.
It'll take a bit longer, but is worth it.

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Posted By: Rob

I haven't been on usps.com lately, but last time i checked the only "tracking" service they provided for their delivery confirmation is kind of a "yes"/"No" as to whether it was delivered.

With more expensive items, i feel more comfortable shiping with UPS. Their online system tells you where the package is and the destination ETA. But its generally more expensive than usps.

Rob

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Posted By: MVSNYC

i always use Fed-Ex...

i have sent many packages out, in excess of $10,000-20,000.

you obviously have to pay a lot extra for the insurance, but they will do it.

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Posted By: boxingcardman

Fed Ex insurance does NOT cover cards. You are wasting your money paying for their insurance. Better to go registered mail.

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Posted By: Dave F

As far as UPS, I have issues with them. They routinely leave packages on my front porch from the whole world to see in the $500 range...don't even bother knocking. So I've never signed anything coming to me from UPS...but the same could be said for most packages I get from USPS.

My main concern isn't the package getting there...its more covering my bases. I wouldn't want to get into a dispute over a guy saying something is wrong, or something where he could get a paypal reversal on me mainly. I thought as long as you provided a delivery confirmation you were ok as a seller...but have my doubts.

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Posted By: barrysloate

I agree with Adam. Michael, fed ex is not going to ship valuable baseball cards insured. I would say you take 100% of the risk there.

I use registered mail every time. Slow, sure...reliable- never lost a package in 25 years.

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Posted By: MVSNYC

i have heard that before (about fed-ex)...

i guess i got lucky, but have paid an arm & a leg over the years using them...oh well.

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Posted By: DR

FedEx is my favorite but do NOT send baseball cards via FedEx. This is one of the items they refuse to insure above $500. I bet THEY will take your money but good luck filing a big claim! In my opinion, USPS REGISTERED (Priority) insured is the best, then USPS Priority insured with signature confirmation (electronic signature required for Paypal to take your side), and then simple tracking (to avoid most opportunistic buyers claims) and self insure (or insured) if you trust the person and it is under $200 give or take. UPS has been terrible with slow or nonexistent tracking or updates, SEVERAL damaged packages, and if I miss a package the hub is far away. USPS has always been the most cost effective for me and it someone makes a fraudulent claim, it is a FEDERAL CRIME involving the Post Master, FBI and/or local police. This question is a no brainer. I think MVSNYC had a recent issue with a package arriving via USPS with delivery confirmation but claimed it did not arrive. This was based on my message board post inquiry. The irony!

http://www.fedex.com/us/services/terms/us.html?link=4#unassumedliabilities
Declared Value and Limits of Liability (Not Insurance Coverage)

F. Shipments (packages or freight) containing all or part of the following items are limited to a maximum declared value of US$500:

Collector's items such as SPORTS CARDS, souvenirs and memorabilia. (Collector's coins and stamps may not be shipped. See the Prohibited Items section.)

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Posted By: Mark

a few months ago i sent a guy a T206 card worth $100. I sent it with delivery confirmation but NO insurance because the buyer did not purchase it. Well, the mail carrier left it in a bin in the hallway of an apartment building because it would not fit in the mailbox. As you would have guessed, it was stolen. The buyer emailed me and asked where the card was and i produced the delivery confirmation # that said it had been delivered.

The buyer put a claim in paypal as not recieved. Well it took 7 weeks to finally come to a conclusion that since no insurance was purchased and it was delivered then i am not at fault. They awarded the claim in my favor.

Bottom line is, get delivery confirmation at your own cost. It is cheaper in the long run. By the way, if you get a card from USPS that is insured for over $50 and are not asked to sign for then someone is not doing their job.

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Posted By: Anonymous

if the card is over $250, to be protected by paypal, you have to use signature confirmation. i usually use sig conf, insurance, and priority mail for high end cards