Priority Mail has changed.

[little_shop_big_heart]

If you have been in a post office, you have noticed, I am sure, the way things are tossed into the bins. We dropped a priority mail package that contained some glass rock tumblers onto the counter, not the drop box. Unfortunately during shipment one of the tumblers broke. I reimbursed the buyer right away and filed a claim with USPS. I had photos and proof of value and all that because this had happened before and one of the reasons I use priority mail with breakables. Instead of being approved as normal, they want me to bring in the broken glass and shipping label to prove it. I have never had to do this before. The buyer threw the pieces out. I have since started just putting eBay  shipcover insurance on breakables. Has anyone had to use their eBay ship cover insurance and how did it get resolved?

[redlmc]

I tried to get USPS to pay an insurance claim when one of several items in my package was broken.   USPS refused to pay for that one item; instead, USPS wanted the entire box of items.  I have never had good luck with USPS on broken items.   The only time I did get reimbursed was for a lost package.   

I have heard good reports regarding Shipcover.  

[kensgiftshop]

USPS is getting picky about insurance claims.

You have the buyer hang on to the items and package so it can be inspected if needed.

[stainlessenginecovers]

Yes; they changed because

a.) too many were 'abusing' the 'refund me because it's insured'

b.) Everyone is selling/shipping "items" sold on the internet and they have no way of knowing if you sold it broken or not 

If the package shows actual damage (and the buyer must be the one to present; they cannot ship it back to you as that voids any claim) then they MIGHT refund you if insured. If the package doesn't show any obvious damage (crushed, hole in it etc.) then they won't pay you anything. 

"breakage" of a breakable is on the seller to 'package it right'.

And finally; packages have been 'thrown around' for 100 years. They get thrown in the bin, on a belt, onto a truck, onto a cart, onto the plane, back on a cart, in a truck or another plane etc. etc. 

All packages; All the time. The only way to protect is to double box with spacing and popcorn, bubble wrap etc. between the boxes, as well as around each item themselves. 

[dirk12955]

Depending on another entity to help or protect us is a waste of time.    USPS "Handling with care"  

is a good example of wishful thinking.

Anything mailed out should be prepared as if the worst employee at the USPS is going 

to try to destroy it.

Remember the suitcase commercial years ago where the gorilla is pounding on, and 

trying to destroy the product,  and fails?    Sort of like that.  

[redmodelt]

If it can't take the drop down the shoot at your local PO, it isn't going to survive very long after it leaves there.