03-17-2016 08:34 AM
I mailed 2 items to a buyer, and she emailed me through ebay messages that 1 was broken when she opened the box. She basically blamed my packaging (although I haven't had a broken item in 10 years) and wanted an immediate partial refund. I asked her for a photo of the damage, and she said she didn't have anyway to take a picture. I called ebay and the CSR said to refund her and file an insurance claim. I filed a claim with ShipCover as soon as possible. That was almost 2 weeks ago, and when I checked on the claim status this morning, it shows that it's still awaiting the buyers verification. I have emailed this buyer twice with no response, and after getting her phone number I called and left a message on her answering machine, still no response. I doubt that she's going to do anything with the verification request since she already has her refund. Is there any chance I'm going to receive a reimbursement from ShipCover? It's not a huge amount of money, but every little bit helps. I called ShipCover, but the rep wasn't very helpful, she just said to wait until the claim ending date and call back then. Thank you for any help.
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03-17-2016 04:22 PM
It has been a very, very long time since I have had to file an insurance claim although I do occasionally purchase insurance from Shipsaver through my Inkfrog account. Before the verification process became an online process you would need to mail or fax the required documents. I would often have buyers who would either refuse or not know how to get the form back to me. Instead I would submit to the insurer a copy of the message the buyer sent stating damage or loss (well actually loss, never had a damage claim and your buyer stating you didn't pack well isn't going to help). As well as a copy of the Paypal refund. They always accepted this and would honor my claim. Not sure if you have a way to do that with Shipcover, but just a suggestion.
03-17-2016 08:41 AM
03-17-2016 09:33 AM
silkwoodbeach wrote:tyI mailed 2 items to a buyer, and she emailed me through ebay messages that 1 was broken when she opened the box. She basically blamed my packaging (although I haven't had a broken item in 10 years) and wanted an immediate partial refund. I asked her for a photo of the damage, and she said she didn't have anyway to take a picture. I called ebay and the CSR said to refund her and file an insurance claim. I filed a claim with ShipCover as soon as possible. That was almost 2 weeks ago, and when I checked on the claim status this morning, it shows that it's still awaiting the buyers verification. I have emailed this buyer twice with no response, and after getting her phone number I called and left a message on her answering machine, still no response. I doubt that she's going to do anything with the verification request since she already has her refund. Is there any chance I'm going to receive a reimbursement from ShipCover? It's not a huge amount of money, but every little bit helps. I called ShipCover, but the rep wasn't very helpful, she just said to wait until the claim ending date and call back then. Thank you for any help.
A bit off topic but why ShipCover?
It's an eBay default which raises a bit of a flag, cost more than than ShipSaver or U-PIC, is underwritten by Interstate Fire & Casuality (Fireman's Fund) rather than Lloyd's & when I see a complaint about a 3rd party insurer, it's generally ShipCover.
Your choice so just letting you know there are other options.
03-17-2016 10:16 AM
03-17-2016 11:02 AM
Besides the insurances that were mentioned, some of us like to self insure instead. the price of items i see you sell would work good with self insurance.
what we do is everytime we sell/ship something, i put a dollar off to the side which is cheaper than most insurance you buy. if you need to reimburse someone, you just pull the money out of that pile. But if you don't need it and after you built up a good pile to cover everything you have listed plus some then you can dip in it and use it for other things. if you give it to a third party and don't use it, you lose it, not when you self insure.
Most people that have problems with self insurance cause the problem themselves by not keeping up on the habit of putting money aside on each shipment. if you keep it up, you should build up a pretty good savings.
With self insurance, you know you will never get denied but buying third party insurance you just never know for sure if you are covered or not and not find out until you make a claim. some reasons i see for claims denied are insufficient or poor packaging, filed for claim wrong, item inside package is on their list of no insurance coverage and no you cannot get your money back if it is an uninsurable item, you need to know that before you buy it. these are only some of the reasons why insurance claims might be denied and not all of them, just the ones i remember off the top of my head.
03-17-2016 11:04 AM
@silkwoodbeach wrote:
I used ShipCover because it's recommended over USPS insurance; I didn't know about ShipSaver or U-Pic. This is the first time I've ever had to file a claim, so it's all new to me.
I use ShipSaver for the few packages I insure & have had 2 claims in the last 7 or 8 years, both were paid right away.
I opted for ShipSaver because it's a 3rd party application (eBay>Applications) integrated with selling manager to the extent you can start it in eBay & import you sales or automantically (something I wouldn't do) insure every sale.
Terms & costs for U-PIC are pretty much the same. If you do try one or the other, make sure you read the UA & are aware of the exclusions & limits.
03-17-2016 11:05 AM
"This is the first time I've ever had to file a claim, so it's all new to me. "
and how many times did you buy insurance and never used it? seeing you only needed it once, Self insurance might be a better way for you to go to save money.
03-17-2016 11:18 AM
03-17-2016 12:02 PM
you better find a mirror and have a serious talk with that guy! don't let him push you around, the wife maybe but not that guy! 🙂
i make him pay me from another source besides my own wallet to make me feel better(a little) 🙂 once in my wallet, that is sometimes considered investment money or in most cases my slush fund i can go blow depending where i am at, like an auction, resturant ,tavern, strip joint, etc. i don't pay bills or claims out of the wallet.
03-17-2016 12:45 PM
A small amount, but I really just wanted to hear if anyone else had this experience and the outcome.
03-17-2016 01:40 PM
03-17-2016 02:34 PM
@fuzzface50 wrote:"This is the first time I've ever had to file a claim, so it's all new to me. "
and how many times did you buy insurance and never used it? seeing you only needed it once, Self insurance might be a better way for you to go to save money.
Please!
The only time I purchase insurance of any sort is if the state or a lender force me or there's a potential for a "catastrophic" loss & it makes me feel better. My risk tolerance goes down as my age goes up but that's where the "self insurance" argument becomes laughable.
I'll answer the question though, I'm about even. The two claims I've filed roughly equal the premiums I've (actually the buyer) paid & I've never had a concern if a package is going to arrive or not.
If it works for you to put a buck of every sale into a cookie (or beer fund) jar, more power to you but it doesn't for everyone & those who tout assuming the risk yourself as some magical business scheme only demonstrate they have little concept of risk management as it applies to the individual.
How much is a good night's sleep worth?
03-17-2016 03:58 PM
I don't believe you read the part that stated I'd already done a partial refund 🙂
03-17-2016 04:07 PM
03-17-2016 04:22 PM
It has been a very, very long time since I have had to file an insurance claim although I do occasionally purchase insurance from Shipsaver through my Inkfrog account. Before the verification process became an online process you would need to mail or fax the required documents. I would often have buyers who would either refuse or not know how to get the form back to me. Instead I would submit to the insurer a copy of the message the buyer sent stating damage or loss (well actually loss, never had a damage claim and your buyer stating you didn't pack well isn't going to help). As well as a copy of the Paypal refund. They always accepted this and would honor my claim. Not sure if you have a way to do that with Shipcover, but just a suggestion.