UPS SurePost - beware!

[kyppy]

I recently shipped an item by UPS SurePost and it was damaged  by the post office.  Even though eBay says that the item is insured up to $100 they don't tell you that this only applies to the transit of the item with UPS.  The post office considers it uninsured once they receive it unless you specifically bought insurance which is actually not possible to do on eBay.  You are led to believe the item is insured but this is not true.

eBay says it is the sellers responsibility to read the fine print of all of the carriers shipping terms.  They seem unwilling to add a caveat to the option of UPS SurePost to inform the seller that the item is only insured for part of the journey.

[simba6]

SlowPost have never been a good deal.   They don't handle the packages with care either.

[robbie31415]

I do agree that it's a bit misleading.

And people who aren't familiar with the service would think the $100 insurance transfers to the PO.

However you are correct the insurance only covers while it's with the UPS. If UPS decides to do delivery then it will be insured the whole journey.

I'm curious about the insurance part. I don't see any reason you wouldn't have been able to add insurance.

[robbie31415]

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@simba6 wrote:

SlowPost have never been a good deal.   They don't handle the packages with care either.

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Idk about this.

I send a lot of packages with surepost with no issue.

Surepost is ups ground that's typically delivered to the PO.

[asset_liquidators]

Any service that involves two carriers UPS/USPS, Fedex/USPS, etc, is a bad idea. If an issue arises both carriers will just blame it on each other. You will get no resolution. Plus , they handle the packages even worse than normal. Bad bad news.

[kensgiftshop]

If it was going to be delivered by USPS, why not just ship with USPS?

[wastingtime101]

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@robbie31415 wrote:

I'm curious about the insurance part. I don't see any reason you wouldn't have been able to add insurance.

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eBay recently implemented a change where you can't purchase ShipCover unless the item's value exceeds what's already included by the carrier. The insurance option is grayed out. Seller would have to purchase from a third party if they want additional insurance coverage.

[robbie31415]

That's stupid.

Since the item isn't covered by the carrier for the full journey.

When I attempted it showed i could add shipcover for $1.70 for a $30 dollar item.

It wasn't greyed out like that.

I see your example is USPS GA. Does it say the same for surepost ?

[wastingtime101]

This is interesting @robbie31415 . When I switch to UPS Ground Saver (Surepost) or FedEx Ground Economy (SmartPost) all of the 'Package Protection' and 'Additional Options' shown in my above screenshot disappear completely.

I'm testing this with a $38 item on the single label purchase page.

When I switch to bulk shipping, I am able to add insurance, sig conf, the works.

CORRECTION: It's also missing from bulk shipping. I didn't realize the service switch didn't translate when I moved over to bulk earlier.

In addition, on the single label page and on bulk shipping, when I switch to any other UPS or FedEx service, I can add sig conf, but no ShipCover or other options.

[robbie31415]

I can confirm they disappear for me. No 'additional' section for UPS and Fedex.

However I had no issue adding the shipping cover to GA for a 20 dollar item.

(Within the app)

 

 

 

[wastingtime101]

I'm seeing the same on the app. I started a clean thread to check in with eBay about this:

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Shipping/eBay-Labels-Insurance-Changes-amp-Inconsistencies/m-p/3470810...

[tsme35]

Yep, lesson cost me $60, UPS told me to contact ebay, ebay told me to contact UPS. What gets me is UPS dropped off at USPS and buyer picked up at PO, wasn't even sent out on their route. Main reason I don't use USPS is they broke too many fishing rods and they don't cover shipping on the insurance.

 Lesson learned, when the label comes up sure-post, I'll cancel the order because its not insured at all.

[vsbelgians]

Agreed! Like an idiot I thought that Surepost was covered under the $100 insurance...WRONG. Just tried filing a claim and was told by UPS that if USPS touches the package then its their responsibility to cover damage. I was told months ago by CORPORATE USPS that "we have no intention of ever paying claims even if you bought extra insurance" (honest). That was the last time I ever shipped through them and all my family, who works for them, agrees. So, if you want to be covered for damage do NOT ship UPS Surepost unless you want to fight with USPS. 

[robbie31415]

They have nothing to pay.

I'm not sure you understand the service or why you'd expect USPS to cover it.

The service USPS uses for both UPS Surepost and Fedex Smartpost is Pacel Select. This is a non insured service. So of course they wouldn't pay anything out.

There should be no fight because there is no insurance. Insurance is only before it gets to the USPS.

Ebay doesn't do a good job explaining. Pirateship does better.

https://www.pirateship.com/ups/ground-saver

"

$100 carrier liability included*

$100 of free carrier liability *applies to the portion of the journey that UPS has the package."

[heyjuliebean]

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Ask-a-Mentor/WARNING-UPS-GROUND-SAVER-SUREPOST-HAS-BEEN-TERMINATED-AS-...