Insurance, signature required, or what? (Around $325 value)
I've got a couple items I'm expecting to sell at around $325 (based on previously sold listings from other sellers.) I've never sold an item for that much before and I was wondering what protections I should take. My first thought was requiring a signature, but after some googling, some people say that sellers will be angry about that. (I understand signatures aren't required until $750.) Other sellers suggest insurance, but some people say don't bother.
I'm a casual ebay seller and just wanted to get some opinions about standard practices. Thanks for any input.
11 comments
christworks
·4 months agoThe advice I see being given in this thread boggles my mind. 😵 Are these people telling you not to bother with the insurance going to pay you back if something goes awry? (I had to delete the rest of my rant, but geeze - stop telling people these lies about how USPS tries to get out of damage claims. It's just not the truth!)
@crockalley To answer your question in post 9, you need a scale to weigh your item(s) or have access to one somewhere. If you do not have an accurate weight and dimensions for your packages, you will either overpay or underpay your shipping label cost. That has the potential to cause problems; such as, buyers refusing delivery of the package as buyers do not have to pay for extra postage.
If you have no access to a scale, then yes, you need to take it to the carrier. Be aware that you will pay significantly more for the shipping label at the carrier since you will be paying retail prices. Honestly? I'd invest in a cheap scale. The one I use has a detachable display so I can always see the weight of the package, even i fit is an oversized package. It cost about $25. You can probably find one on eBay, but I got mine from the company that delivers many of their packages themselves. Even if you are only a casual seller, it is well worth the investment. Depending on the size of your package, there could easily be more than a $25 difference between the eBay discounted labels and retail cost labels.
You need to get this sorted out before you list the items. Otherwise, how do you know how much to charge your buyers for shipping?
As far as your original post, I have sent $400+ electronic items without a signature. I'm personally okay with that, unless eBay requires it. If you are going to require a signature, you need to clearly state that in the listing so buyers are aware they may need to make arrangements to be home when their item is delivered. There is no right or wrong answer as to whether you should do it. You do what is comfortable for you and what helps you sleep at night.
Regarding insurance, I used to purchase extra insurance even if the item was just a few dollars over the $100 limit that comes with many services. Like @slippinjimmy , I rarely experience a situation where a package is truly lost. Delayed, yes. Maybe once a year one gets lost. Probably not even that often. Truthfully, the same goes when it comes to damaged items. I've had a couple in almost 4 years and none in my previous stint on eBay which was for almost 10 years. Last year I scaled back my criteria for buying extra insurance. One of these two things must be true in order for me to buy extra insurance:
1. The sale must be at least $250 or
2. My cost of goods must be at least 25% of the sales price.
When I know I will need extra insurance, I include it in the shipping cost that I charge the buyer and I note in the listing that the shipping cost includes extra insurance.
That's how I now do it becuase I sleep comfortably with that. Others obviously feel differently and that's fine, but they shouldn't tell you not do it because they are not in your shoes. Your asking the questions, which tells me you are a bit nervous. That's also hinted at in the question you asked about just taking it to FedEx and let them deal with it. You can't put a price on piece of mind, so if I had your mindset - which is completely normal for a casual seller - then I'd do it and I'd be good with it taking a little bit out of what I'd otherwise make on the sale.
Postscript: I won both my damage claims by the way. One with FedEx and one with USPS. I won because I pack well, and I take a couple of photos when I pack an expensive fragile item to show how I packed it. You can submit those photos in the insurance claim. Don't tell the others I told you that, becuase they will be here to tell you photos do you no good. 🙄 (They don't with eBay - but can help you if you need to file a claim if you packed correctly!)
crockalley
OP4 months agoThanks for the detailed reply. Yeah, I imagine pro sellers are reasonably trying to maximize profits. Makes sense. But I'm still new and very casual. So, just as you say, for piece of mind, I think it makes sense for me to pay a few extra bucks for insurance on a several hundred dollar order.
Regarding charging for shipping: I list with free shipping. I look up my item and see the recently sold listings (price plus shipping) for a guide on what to charge. Whatever shipping costs me, so be it. But your advice regarding retail shipping cost vs ebay's shipping cost has touched me, and I'll be getting a scale.
Thanks again.
christworks
·4 months agoYou are welcome. The way you are approaching setting your price is sound. Nevermind, for some reason you cannot recieve messages.
crockalley
OP4 months agoIs it absolutely crazy if I just drive it down to FedEx instead of using ebay's shipping? I wouldn't know how to weight it at home.
kensgiftshop
·4 months agoSell local for cash.
You have very little protection on Ebay.
ten_o_nine
·4 months agoI'm a casual ebay seller and just wanted to get some opinions about standard practices.
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Skip the signature confirmation for items under $500, most buyers hate it. You can always message buyers asking for their preference, some buyers may want that.
Really no way to protect yourself, it really depends on the buyer honesty no matter what you do.
slippinjimmy
·4 months agoMy theoretical policy.....
Signature; only if a buyer requests it or the point of delivery truly seemed dodgy, in that case I would ask the buyer if it was ok (and on a $300 sale it would be a free add-on)
Insurance; My lost in transit rate for domestic shipments is so low one would need a powerful microscope to see them, so I don't insure any domestic shipments. For a high value item I might upgrade the shipping service (again on my dime).
For an occasional seller with items that are higher than the usual value you might feel better if you insured it. Although you would just be burning money it's not a major expense. Definitely use the third-party insurance eBay offers rather than any type of carrier insurance. When all goes welled you will momentarily feel like you wasted money, if you use carrier insurance you might feel you wasted money on insurance that didn't pay off when you needed it.
12345jamesstamps
·4 months agoWhat is it?
'requiring signature'...I ship certified and priority mail sometimes but give free shipping...never ever had a buyer complain...as long as I mention how it was shipped after shipping it and taking a photo of package with postage on it and send to buyer as well.
'casual seller'...you realize the funds of the sale might be on hold for 30 days as a infrequent seller?
And...because of the high end item I would do only domestic buyers...and due to you not listing any other items at the same time.
Buyers might think you inexperienced and take advantage of you because of selling one item or two or such.
Good luck.
12345jamesstamps
·4 months agoInsurance is mainly for something lost in shipment...not damaged in route by the way.
So, no to insurance.
caldreamer
·4 months agoIf would "purchase insurance" when you print EBAY label. EBAY uses company called ShipCover for insurance (they are great about paying for lost or damaged shipments). No questions asked, they just require customer to open "did not receive item or broken item" case (that is your proof of damages).
USPS supposed has $100 "free insurance" on Priority or Ground Advantage shipments. But USPS will try to weasel out of paying for "damages items" (blame the Seller for bad packaging).
bigtexasyardsale
·4 months agoMost shipping methods come with $100 of insurance so you will have to purchase extra insurance at the time you create the label. Insurance claim recovery for damage in shipping are sketchy at best, but they always will pay for a total loss of the package.