posted on October 24, 2001 09:03:54 AM
Glad to hear this was resolved. My mother called me in a panic the other day because she forgot to put insurance on a package. Sometimes it happens. I think she notified the buyer and said she would replace the item if anything happened. My parter and I have been considering self-insuring our cheaper stuff. I guess in a way we already do as we're quick to solve the few shipping problems we've had.
Now to go off topic. Eventer - do you sell horse related items? I'd love to check out your website and auctions. Here's my email if you'd like to send me your site.
[email protected]
posted on October 24, 2001 09:27:18 AM
"Also, if I really wanted to argue the terms stated. Delivery Confirmation, which is what the seller used, is not the same as tracking. Delivery Confirmation offers NO tracking information or help whatsoever."
Why do you say that? I use Endicia postage, and all my DC items have a specific DC number that I can use to track the package at www.usps.com. When I have purchased DC over the counter at the Post Office, my receipt always has a number, too, for the same purpose.
Tracking at the web site tells you when the item was first delivered to the sender's Post Office, and the date & time it was delivered to the recipient's Post Office. Isn't that what tracking means? What more would you want to know?
Maybe what you mean is that because the seller didn't give you the DC number, you had no way of tracking the package?
Or maybe that's not what you mean at all. I know that UPS tracking tells you everytime a package is scanned in & out of a facility enroute... is that what you mean?
posted on October 24, 2001 09:28:33 AMMy parter and I have been considering self-insuring our cheaper stuff.
It is irrational to charge $1.10 insurance on a small value item, and self-insurance makes sense.
It is however important to communicate to customers what they are paying for. The seller in the present case did so badly.
Two ways which work for packages for which insurance will be in some sense collected but not used to purchase insurance from the carrier:
1. Explain. "For items under $50, we do not purchase USPS insurance, however we do absolutely guarantee delivery". Or, "$5.00 for Priority mail and 3rd party insurance".
2. Don't explain. "Total shipping by priority mail will be $5.00".
Most people would interpret "$5 for Priority shipping and insurance" to be promising to buy USPS insurance.
For those who think it doesn't matter, consider this statement: "isn't it more important to drive safely than where or even if you buy automobile insurance?"
posted on October 24, 2001 10:03:39 AMdoes that mean you prefer your customers to NEVER ask you a question?
I think there is a line that can be crossed where you become a "high-maintenance" bidder. In my category, a basic sale has relatively low profit and quite honestly, I am not making enough money off of sales to justify having a lengthy email debate with someone over $2.00 worth of insurance, or whether I'll send it on Monday vs. Tuesday, or whatever.
A lot also depends on the tone of the email. When the person comes across as accusatory, saying they paid money and didn't get the service, that immediately puts folks on the defensive - especially when they really did get the service.
I also self insure and I find it is better to use "don't ask, don't tell". If a package truly is lost and they are willing to sign the USPS affidavit, then they get a refund or another item.
posted on October 24, 2001 10:15:00 AM
A theoretical question...
If the item would have failed to reach you, would you have held the shipper accountable for the loss? Of course.
The seller obviously assumed responsilbilty for the safe delivery of the product to you. Many sellers do this and endless arguments from both side of the equation can be had to the merits and legality of this policy.
Personally, I'd rather have the seller grab a few extra bucks and guarantee delivery. If lost, sellers who do this usually resolve lost/damaged package issues much more quickly than Postal or third party claims. For those of you who have never experienced to wonderful process of filing a Postal claim, the process usually takes around 3 months to resolve and the issurance claim usually ends ub being less than what is insured.
Let's give professional ebay sellers a break! Many are very hard working entrpreneural operators who do a hell of a better job than most corporate operations. Better prices, better service & less policy!
posted on October 24, 2001 10:35:11 AM
Just for the record, I self-insure all the time. If the item is under $20 or so, I self-insure. If higher, then I go through U-PIC. I didn't pay for Endicia just to have to stand in line at the post office for insurance on a $2.00 item.
The seller is not required to tell you who they insure with up front. It's nobody's business. I don't even tell who I'm shipping with up front, because if things change I want to keep my options open. So far, I've used USPS 100% of the time, but that could change tomorrow, who knows?
If you pay for insurance and get insurance, then let it go.
