Is "Signature on delivery" really necessary?

[parfashopofficial]

I sell high value items that often pass the $750 threshold where it requires signature delivery, and usually the buyers have relatively old accounts with good feedback. I find it is sometimes an inconvenience for such buyers when I include signature confirmation, and it also costs slightly more on shipping. Recently, one buyer with a 10+ year old account wasn't there when USPS tried to deliver and had to go pick up the item days after the initial delivery attempt for example. Do any of you who sell such items always include signature? I am debating on only including it when I feel it is necessary rather than always...

[pikabo-icu]

It is if you want seller protection for claims of INR.

 I require it on items $500+ personally. 

[katzrul15]

Signature confirmation policy | eBay

It might be a hassle for you or your Buyer, but if you ever just have one situation where you end up eating 100% of a high-dollar transaction, you will wish you had spent the $2.70 for the SC and the "inconvenience".  Most Buyers fully realize that SC is going to be required on a high dollar purchase - and not just on this site.

[a_c_green]

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@parfashopofficial wrote:

I am debating on only including it when I feel it is necessary rather than always...

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What it's necessary for is your own protection, per eBay rules. eBay requires Signature Confirmation on sales of $750 or more, or else an Item Not Received dispute will be awarded to the buyer, even if you have Delivery Confirmation showing that it was Delivered to the City and ZIP of the address you received with the payment.

That is, even if it shows Delivered, eBay will disallow it if you did not have Signature Confirmation on the shipment. There's no need to add it on shipments below $750 as it can be an inconvenience to the buyer, but above the $750 threshold, you need to add it regardless.

[newdealpawn]

yes its not the buyer per say ITS THE FUMBING BUMBLING POSTAL SERVICE. With out the signature you WILL eventually get one showing NON DELIVERED in the system, oh that buyer has it allright but if the system says he DOESNT what happens rekon? Do yourself a favor SPEND THE 2.50 for the signature on hv stuff pay off BIG eventually promise.. 

[fashunu4eeuh]

Seller protections are limited on eBay. This is a major one. If you don’t want to lose your money and your item to a fraudulent buyer, then you will add the signature confirmation for transactions of $750 and higher.

Without it, eBay will automatically grant a refund to the buyer if they open an Item Not Received claim. You would lose even if there is proof of delivery. That you were not aware of this critical point, makes me very nervous for you. Run, don’t walk, to the Money Back Guarantee policy. I also urge you to study the eBay User Agreement, if you haven't done so. Links below.

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy...

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/member-behaviour-policies/user-agreement?id=4259

[vintagecraze50]

Never would I chance an over 750 dollar item to an inferior shipping service.  That item would probably be sent registered mail over the top I know with signature tracking and maximum insurance. 

[vintagecraze50]

I always message the buyer alerting them that this shipment is going to require a signature. If they are not willing to go along with that shipping method, I tell them we are doing it for their protection and ours and because one certainly would not want to loose such an item in a postal mishap. Just ther other day my postman put a 500 dollar parcel in someone else’s mailbox in my neighborhood. BLESSED SOUL, NEIGHBOR RETURNED IT TO ME. POSTAL SERVICE, IF it had nor been given back to me, SORRY CHARLIE tracking shows it was delivered, Ebay, NO SIG, buyers files INR , sorry Charlie.

[gjs_16]

I have learned to "politely follow policy."
Yes, it was and is a learning experience.

That being said I wouldn't dare not using SC for a purchase where policy requires it.

[ed8108]

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@parfashopofficial
a_c _green wrote:

 There's no need to add it on shipments below $750 as it can be an inconvenience to the buyer, but above the $750 threshold, you need to add it regardless.

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I would suggest having  sig confirmation even on items that cost under $750, that are worth a couple of hundred, a buyer would likely find a porch pirate to be a greater  inconvenience.

[a_c_green]

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@ed8108 wrote:

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@parfashopofficial
a_c _green wrote:

 There's no need to add it on shipments below $750 as it can be an inconvenience to the buyer, but above the $750 threshold, you need to add it regardless.

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I would suggest having  sig confirmation even on items that cost under $750, that are worth a couple of hundred, a buyer would likely find a porch pirate to be a greater  inconvenience.

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Well, yeah, I'm not arguing all that hard against it when it's not mandatory. I mean, if it gives you peace of mind and your buyer is expecting to have to sign for it, fine. (I have had a couple of buyers over the years actually request it.) I just think it's important to know when it's required for seller protection vs. when it's just optional; that's all.

[slippinjimmy]

Getting a Signature for shipments over $750 is necessary only if you encounter a less than honest buyers.

Most buyers just want their item, if it arrives they are happy. There are no doubt a few buyers out there who might see that they bought an over $750 item, received it without Signature required and know that it's an instant win if they file a INR claim even though tracking shows a successful delivery.

Bottom line, if you know your buyers are honest a signature is unnecessary. I like to think all my buyers are honest and probably 99.9% are, would hate to encounter the 0.1% on a high value item!

[aarond270]

Please email me how i can always require a signature upon delivery? Homieskater1@yahoo.com 

[lando74-5]

Say what you want as the seller, but as a buyer who just wants his $90 lighter delivered to my mailbox or front porch, Signature Required just plain SUCKS. 

I just got another one today exactly like that.  Not only do I have to take time out of my day to go to the post office to pick the darn thing up, but since it's a Saturday and I had to work when delivery was attempted, I can't even go pick it up tomorrow.  I have to wait until Monday and forgo leaving for a family member's house early because I have to go to the flipping Post Office to get a ~$90 lighter that would have been perfectly safe in my darn mailbox or on my porch that isn't visible from the road (It's a safe extremely low crime area and I've never had anything stolen here). 

I've had items from the same ebay vendor in Japan where sometimes it's delivered and sometimes it's signature required.  I have no idea why.  My local mailman told me they don't have to honor overseas requests (do a couple of bags of Japanese Kit-Kat bars worth $20 really need a signature?), but they must have changed the guy on my route because it seems like it's signature required all the time now.  Yet I get two deliveries of 4 total speakers the same day worth over $700 and they're both sitting on my front porch with no signature needed.  But $20 candy needs my signature and a trip to the post office since I'm rarely home or awake when the postal guy delivers?  I feel like letting them send it back that's so darn annoying!!!

If you sellers keep putting signature required on relatively low-value items, I'm done with eBay for good.  Making regular trips to the local post office is not my thing and it's been even more annoying with Covid around in recent times (get that awful face diaper back on and stand in line with people coughing!)

[carolynnq]

If I list the an item for $750 or more, I try to remember to mention in the listing that the item will be sent with signature required. If it's an auction that could potentially end at $750 or more, I say that the item may be shipped with signature required.  I've had buyers thank me for letting them know in advance because then they can choose to have the item shipped to their office.