eBay Ramifications of a shipment with signature required.....

[websight.2020]

Since there is a lot of difficulty expressed in the Community about false claims by buyers concerning what was shipped vs listed, condition, "the box was empty"......plus valid issues the buyer had of damage that occurred through shipping, what exactly does "signature required" do for the seller/ (I would probably only use this for higher-value items.)

When they sign, does it put the onus on the buyer to inspect the package at the door and refuse it if it is not as described of if it is damaged?

Does it free the seller from the worry that someone can simply claim that it was an empty box?

It certainly would clarify that the package was delivered.

Any other thoughts on advantages of doing so?

[pjcdn2005]

eBay requires a signature for seller protection for item not received claims if a sale is $750 or more. IMO that is the only time that requiring a signature helps a seller.  The carrier is not going to stand at the door while the receiver opens and inspects the item.  If a buyer buyer claims a box was empty or that it held a pair of dirty shoes rather than a camera, ebay would not rule in favor of the seller just because there was a signature.

[nobody*s_perfect]

Signature Confirmation doesn't do anything except to confirm that the package was handed to a person rather than being left on the porch steps to possibly get stolen. The carrier is standing there waiting for you to sign, he is not going to stand around for an inspection.  Plus, if the buyer refuses the package they lose their coverage under the Money Back Guarantee.

[websight.2020]

So what CAN we do to protect ourselves? If someone claims there were horseshoes in a flat rate box instead of the described item, what can we do in advance to show that this is NOT what was in the box? We don't get our money OR get our item back?

[wastingtime101]

Nothing.

That's not the answer any seller wants to hear, but it's true.