Agree on USPS insurance. I sold a comic book that was damaged in shipment. My claim was for $45 (and I provided adequate support), but they decided to only pay me $40. No explanation was given as to why they refused the additional $5. I figured they just make a habit of denying the full amount. Note, that I did have the damaged book so there wasn't anything to dispute. I have no doubt that they will refuse to pay out in this current situation.
Most have not had to make a claim, so it seems like an excellent idea to purchase the insurance. It is also an indication you plan to reimburse buyers on losses. It at least gives you a chance of a refund. I have heard many complaints of people being denied what seem to me as valid claims. I have also heard of many(but not as many, but that may be due to nothing to tell ) that were paid. Regardless making a claim is going to require proof of value. They are not going to pay what you insured for unless you can prove that is the true value( which can be a problem with inflated secondary market prices). You also need to plan on jumping through many hoops with USPS before any claim will be paid. Many may give up. I have only dealt with a money order claim(package ripped open in transit and contents gone and stamped so by them) and I must spent close to 3 hours and I believe waited 90 days for payment. I would tell the story to one person and they would go to the back to never return. Another person comes out and you do it all over again. I think there were 4 in all. They paid in the end, but didn't refund the shipping they never completed.I was genuinely interested because as you know at the end of the day as a seller it comes down to purchasing insurance (which seems to be almost universally encouraged on this Site) vs self insuring. As you know in most "Bad" threads in GBU, the question of insurance or there lack of comes up and this Community in here appears to be a huge proponent. I was merely interested in the lone voices of dissent like yours and it wasn't a set up job
I think only the mail carriers would have the time.
Seriously. I've never enjoyed that part of insurance either. I mean, a small flat rate priority box that's insured for $800? Psssh, no reason for me to open THAT box here in the distro center and steal its contents, it's probably just some socks or something, right?
There used to be a box you could check when printing the label so the postage value wasn't on it, but I didn't see the option on the last thing I shipped out...Seriously. I've never enjoyed that part of insurance either. I mean, a small flat rate priority box that's insured for $800? Psssh, no reason for me to open THAT box here in the distro center and steal its contents, it's probably just some socks or something, right?
That's like when I shipped my wife's engagement ring back to the maker to replace some stones, bought the insurance and paid up the wazoo for it to have all kinds of tracking annnnd it disappears a day later. USPS says they don't know where it is but are sure it will arrive safely. Two days go by and nothing.Seriously. I've never enjoyed that part of insurance either. I mean, a small flat rate priority box that's insured for $800? Psssh, no reason for me to open THAT box here in the distro center and steal its contents, it's probably just some socks or something, right?
