posted on January 7, 2001 05:16:57 AM new
I like to insure all the packages I send out because I get a nice proof of shipment slip and the buyer knows their shipment is safe, or at least can get reimbursed. Only a few buyers have asked for a lower shipping charge by opting for none.
Now the price for items under $50 goes from $.85 to $1.10 or a 29% increase! I thought I read a while back about other options available for insurance outside of the Post Office? Does anyone have any experience with other insurance?
posted on January 7, 2001 06:34:24 AM new
There is a private company called U-Pic, which has been doing insurance for USPS and UPS since 1987. I have read a number of comments here on the board by people who use them and are pleased. I just contacted them last week for an information packet. I "believe" they are at upic.com, but can't swear to that -
As far as rates go, we require insurance on every package, but what we are going to do is drop back to 1st Class Mail (Instead of Priority) on our smaller size pieces (1st Class Actually went down, over 1 oz), and then add the standard insurance, till we see about this insurance with U-Pic.
On our larger pieces we always use UPS anyway as they are less expensive on items over 6 pounds (and their insurance is included).
BY THE WAY UPS has an increase coming mid February.
posted on January 7, 2001 07:35:29 AM new
Insurance is going to cost the post office a lot of business. A $300 dollar item cost 70 cents to insure with UPS, and $4.00 with USPS. Some items will will ship and INSURE with UPS cheaper.
posted on January 7, 2001 08:52:56 AM new
Thanks for the information. I looked at U-Pic.com and it looks very interesting. I only ship about 5 to 10 packages a day so one of the lower volume programs would work.
Is there some kind of stamp that you put on the package from U-Pic that shows it is insured? Some customers may feel they are overpaying if its not shown as insured in some way.
I also noticed a link between U-Pic and Auctiva. Does anyone do that now?
posted on January 7, 2001 09:17:45 AM new
I always ship 1st class, unless the package weighs to much and it has to go Priority so what I do is charge S/H of a base of $2.00 and that includes insurance. Then I put on the insurance which part will be taken up by the S/H charge. I don't charge for packaging. Most of my packages go for $2.25 or $2.50 so then I am only out the 25 or 50 cents. Seems to work well for me. I hope it is legal. I think the USPS should stop giving away the Priority Boxes all together and not have them. That has to be costing quite a bit of money. Boxes, you can get for nothing if you know the right businesses to go to. Some businesses would be happy to give you the boxes free. Does anyone know if bookrate changed? I got the information from the USPS but it didn't say anything about that.
