posted on April 7, 2001 03:04:56 PM
I have wondered about the U-PIC insurance that is available thru Auction Watch. It is cheaper than USPS, but is it worthwhile using.
Do any of you eBayers have experience using U-PIC? If so, I would like to hear about the pros and cons.
Thanks,
Dick
posted on April 7, 2001 03:22:25 PM
Hi there, two months now using u-pic and so far so good!
Feel that the less amount of insurance is a boon to the bidders cost at end of auction.
[email protected] is very helpful and right there whenever I need her for questions or concerns.
Only drawback--a bit more paperwork at the end of the week. Because I don't use a spreadsheet--manually note auctions.
But it works for me and very very happy with u-pic so far.
edited to add--Canadian buyers are covered by u-pic!! That is a great bonus.
[ edited by cavemanjohn on Apr 7, 2001 03:24 PM ]
posted on April 7, 2001 03:27:29 PM
Hi,
I've been using it for a few months.
Pros;
*very quick friendly service (with a live person)
*covers shipping costs as well as item
*never refuse a USPS claim, but if you have too many your premium will go up
*not a ton of paperwork in case of claim
*no little green pieces of paper to fill out, just log into spreadsheet and e-mail once a week, hardcopy via snail-mail once a month.Keep the copies and you have a record of insurance costs for taxes.
*Covers Canadian shipments as local
*covers international shipments (as per their list, some are excluded)
Cons;
*are my own because I have a hard time remembering to send logs, so far they've been very patient.
*I guess it's different according to volume, but I had to pre-pay and then use these stamps that they sent me as I use up my credit, and mail them via snail mail.
So far no one has questioned the insurance, I try and let the bidder know that I'm using U-Pic and there will not be an insurance stamp on their box. Certainly no one is complaining that they're getting charged .60 instead of 1.10.
posted on April 7, 2001 05:50:11 PM
My only regret is that I waited so long to switch over to U-PIC. Beats the heck out of filling out the little green or blue slips. Saves a lot of time at the Post Office as the clerks don't have to complete the forms and sometimes I can just drop the insured package in the slot.
[email protected] is very helpful.
posted on April 7, 2001 06:28:42 PM
Hi, I've been using U-pic since last year and have had no problems whatsoever. But can I ask what you guys are talking about when you say you mail them once a week? I only email them a log I keep track of all month long on Excel and email it to them once a month. Maybe I'm on a different plan?
posted on April 7, 2001 06:32:35 PM
We've been using U-pic for 9 or 10 months. Thankfully, we haven't had any sort of claim yet, so I can't comment on how they handle that. However, they say that it's relatively hassle free and handled in within 15 days (if I'm not mistaken?).
It's cheaper than US Postal and this could be a small incentive to your bidders if they can save a little on insurance costs.
The only con I can think of (so far) is they have most users (sellers) on a $500 limit per package. This is sometimes a problem for me because I do ship items that cost over $500.
Mostly it's great though and I agree that Candi is very nice and professional.
posted on April 7, 2001 06:49:23 PM
I love U-PIC. For all the above reasons, PLUS:
I hate USPS insurance, and am thrilled that there's someone out there who does it better.
I've had one claim, on a package gone permanently AWOL. Went fast enough, certainly faster and less hassle than USPS would've been. And getting postage and ins. premium covered (unlike USPS) is reason enough to use U-PIC IMO.
Think of it this way: if it were only "as good as" USPS, it's still cheaper. But it's BETTER than USPS. What's not to like?
posted on April 7, 2001 10:28:57 PM
Well sounds good, but I've written/applied to them twice and have never heard anything back, which I don't see as very efficient. We do a fairly high volume, and my assistant is sick of green slips, and such, although we do use UPS a great deal, and their insurance is so cheap that it wouldn't be worth using anything else.
You know if you ship larger, more costly items with UPS, AND you insure for at least $1,000, you item is handled completely differently than standard packages. Anytime we are shipping an expensive breakable, we insured via UPS for $1,000 –( which is only $3.50) and it is handled very well.
We would like to try U-PIC insurance, but can't seem to get them to contact us.
[ edited by insightwatcher on Apr 7, 2001 10:30 PM ]
posted on April 8, 2001 08:37:30 AM
I signed up for UPIC last fall. Prepaid and all that. Then in February, I got a letter telling me my rates would go from .40 to $1.00 per $100-no explanation, I had not had any claims. I just threw the rest of the stamps away and said the hell with them.
C'mon, a 150% increase ?
I don't think so.
posted on April 9, 2001 11:27:19 AM
Good morning/afternoon everyone:
I was e-mailed direct by a couple of customers referring me to this thread. I thought I would clarify a few things.
For the poster that applied but has not heard from us. We truly apologize for not being able to communicate with you. All applications are telephoned within 24 hours, then e-mailed within 48 hours if we could not reach you via telephone. However, I was at a post office trade show in Orlando for a week and possibly your application was missed by those covering for the online group. I apologize and would be happy to assist you. Please feel free to telephone me direct or e-mail me and I will pull up your application and get you going.
For the poster that received the rate increase and then threw away the stamps. We apologize for any inconvenience or frustration it may have caused you. We made several pre-rate increase announcements and send out endorsements a month prior to the increase. The increase was across the board and solely for USPS shipments. This was the first increase we have had for USPS shipments in 9 years. The rate you mention is not for domestic, but for International. International did go from .45 cents to $1 for stamp users, due to increased International fraud and claims submitted last year. We had the option of dropping International entirely or raising the rate significantly for our underwriter to accept the coverage.
Per an e-mailed request and to clear up any confusion I thought I would list our current post office rates:
**************************
For pre-paid/stamp accounts (those shipping less than 75 packages a month)
For values from .00 to $50 = .60 cents versus the PO rate of $1.10
For values from $50 - $100 = $1 versus the PO rate of $2
For each $100 increment thereafter = an additional $.60 cents versus the PO rate of $1
Rate comparison examples:
Shipment valued at $20 would run you .60 cents with U-PIC and $1.10 with the Post Office.
Shipment valued at $60 would run you $1.00 with U-PIC and $2.00 with the post office.
Shipment valued at $125 would run you $1.60 with U-PIC and $3 with the post office.
******************************************
For standard accounts (those shipping from 75 to 3,000 packages a month)
For values from .00 to $50 = .60 cents versus the PO rate of $1.10
For values from $50 - $100 = .60 cents versus the PO rate of $2
For each $100 increment thereafter = an additional $.60 cents versus the PO rate of $1
Rate comparison examples:
Shipment valued at $20 would run you .60 cents with U-PIC and $1.10 with the Post Office.
Shipment valued at $60 would run you $.60 with U-PIC and $2.00 with the post office.
Shipment valued at $125 would run you $1.20 with U-PIC and $3 with the post office.
*******************************************
Other U-PIC values:
*12 years experience in the package insurance industry
*International shipments are covered at the rate of $1 per $100 of value - irregardless of the type of account you have
*Shipments originating in Canada are covered
*Claims are paid within 14 days and never denied for PO shipments
*We also insure UPS, Fed-Ex, DHL and Airborne shipments
*$5 paid for any referral that joins and makes their first premium payment
*No monthly fees, equipment to purchase etc. you simply pay for the insurance you request
In addition, those shipping in excess of 3,000 packages a month can e-mail or call me for a reduced rate.
We also reduce our rate for those using Delivery Confirmation. Regardless of volume, those using Delivery Confirmation will be given a rate of .40 cents per $100 which is a significant reduction in comparison to the USPS rates.
Please feel free to post any questions or telephone me direct.
posted on April 10, 2001 05:20:57 AM
Prior to your increase, my rate for USPS up to $100 domestic was .40. Now it is 2 tier in that it is .60 for 0 to $50 and then $1 for $50.01 to $100. This is for domestic not international according to the letter I received. That's a 50% increase on the first $50, but a 150% increase over the prior rate for $50 to $100. I received no prior announcements before the letter.
