There are different types of shipping and not all are available through eBay. I will skip out on the "discounted" shipping to get the shipping I need.
I will ship items registered mail. A slower delivery process, but a much more secure process as well. Registered mail required every person that handles the package to sign for it as it moves in transit. There is a trail for the package. Do some research on it. Best service the USPS offers by far from a security standpoint.
Never had a complaint about the signature requirement. I think, and it is my opinion, that people buying higher priced items appreciate the added layer of protection. Nobody wants to come home expecting a $500.00 item showing delivered, only to find an empty mailbox or missing package. Heck, I shipped out a ring this week that someone I have known for 5 years purchased from my store. She sells retail out of her B&M jewelry store here locally. Sent insured and signature required....lol I didn't do registered mail though....lol
I believe, and again only my opinion, that the signature required, insured etc puts potential "scammers" on notice that I am not an easy target. Like any law enforcement official will tell you, most criminals want a clean and easy target. They want to get in and out and they don't want human interaction. The more obstacles you put into play the more likely they are to move on to that easier target.
Nothing stops a rock in a box from being returned. Just as nothing stops a buyer from taking a hammer to anything you sold and sending back to you in pieces.....lol In both instances, eBay expects us to refund the buyer.
Other things I do include requiring a phone number at checkout (a feature in your account settings). I have called buyers to verify orders after they have been placed. I use google maps to check addresses. I go to county tax records to match names. I simply google the buyer using the details on the order. Takes about 10 minutes to do most of these things.
When I first started selling on ebay, one of the problems I figured out early was shipping to apartments. Inevitably, you get a item not received claim because many apartment complexes the postman/delivery driver leaves the package outside the apartment door. The packages then just "walk away". I have a general rule on anything I ship to an apartment (I don't just sell jewelry), or where there is a "unit number" of some type (condo's etc), I will spend the extra $2.35 for a basic signature required. A lot of that depends upon the dollar amount naturally.
The signature requirement in general to apartments & condo's saved me a hundred bucks on one item not received claim a few months ago - first I've had since I started doing it. No telling how many it has prevented since I started doing it. However, before that, I dreaded shipping to these places because inevitably someone emails you 3 weeks or a month later and says "where is my package". When it shows delivered, not a lot you can do. You write it off and refund the order or you fight it out with ebay when the buyer files a claim and then tags you with a negative to boot. That was way before eBays policies changed to a point most season sellers will tell you the policies encourage illicit activity.
So...you have to figure out what works for you, what will make you sleep better at night when dealing with transactions on eBay. My process works for me, but most sellers will tell you it is a waste of time & money. They are probably right, but I'm OK with that. It's why I say you gotta do you.
Cheers
