posted on November 14, 2000 04:14:04 PM new
Hi I am having so much trouble with one of my buyers. I insured her small padded envelope at her request. The item was only 5.50 and I didn't think it was necessary but she insisted. Now she says she never received it. She is threatening my feedback. Could some wise person here tell me if insured mail has to be signed for and who files the claim with the post office. This lady is really confused and has written to me several times about the wrong item and has threatened my feedback several times. I have the feeling she has received it and has overlooked it or misplaced it. I just want to be done with this. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
[ edited by mommoo on Nov 14, 2000 04:16 PM ]
posted on November 14, 2000 04:33:13 PM new
I just had to collect on a USPS insurance claim as the buyer. My seller obtained the paperwork from her post office, filled out her part of it, and sent it to me (along with an invoice proving how much I had paid for the item). I filled out and signed MY part, took the whole thing to the P.O., and received my money back. That's really all there is to it.
Basically, the seller has to initiate the request for reimbursement because he or she is almost always the one with the insurance slip/proof. The buyer, OTOH, must also sign that the item was either never received or was damaged in transit. The buyer also has to have kept the item AND the packing to show the P.O. that it was packed right to begin with and that the damage came in handling and not because of bad wrapping.
It's been the experience of most sellers that fraudulent claims for reimbursement are usually cut off at the pass when you tell the buyer that he/she must sign an official federal document swearing that the item really is missing or damaged. An honest buyer won't have a problem signing the paperwork (and then collecting the money).
BTW, in case you didn't know, the reimbursement covers only the actual cost of the item, not the postage. Sometimes, on inexpensive sales, the cost of the insurance and mailing is actually more than the item is worth, making recovery moot.
posted on November 14, 2000 04:48:07 PM new
Either buyer OR seller can start the claim for the missing or damaged item. I've had it done both ways. Of course, I haven't had to file one in over 2 years, but that's how it was last time I had something show up missing or damaged to my customer.
If it was for less than $50, you should have only received the little green insurance slip and NO ONE has to sign for it. If it was insured for over $50, you would have received the blue insurance slip and the customer is supposed to sign for it.
Since it's for under $50, I believe you can just bring the green insurance slip to the post office clerk and show them proof of value of the item and they will refund your money over the counter.
[ edited by ExecutiveGirl on Nov 14, 2000 04:49 PM ]
posted on November 14, 2000 04:48:15 PM new
Anything insured under $50.00, does not have to be signed for. The carrier can leave it at the residence, if he feels comfortable doing so. Anything above 51.00, has to be signed for, and a record of delivery is kept at the delivering post office.
posted on November 14, 2000 07:44:55 PM new
Go TO...www.new.usps.com..... the USpostal service web site and use the "Delivery Confirmation" box that you type the "number" into to track the item. It works a lot of times with the "Insurance Number" given on the blue and white barcoded tag. It should tell when you shipped and when the insured item was signed for. Insured items must be signed for; or are returned to Post Office of origin after about 10 days. GOOD LUCK.
posted on November 14, 2000 07:46:49 PM new
Buyer only has to sign if a return receipt request was filed (costs an extra 1.25, and well worth it for expensive items). But I believe only items insured for 51.00 and more, can request return receipt. Otherwise, it's a Delivery Confirmation, when purchased.
******************** Gosh Shosh!
