I'm looking into this insurance situation. eBay has a request in from me
for clarification and the Power Sellers Program has passed it along to
someone in the company more knowledgable. I also have the direct number
for a regional claims manager for the USPS. I'll report back when I
learn more.
Meanwhile, your personal insurance company can cover you, too. I have
them cover all domestic shipments I make, albeit with a $200 deductable.
Unfortunately international shipments can't be covered this way. By USPS
insuring each parcel for the deductable, I never have to pay out more
than $2.75 to the USPS, yet I'm fully covered - or at least I thought I
was. If I could only get a $50 deductible, then the 85 cents USPS
insurance would be all that was needed. The advantage there is that the
local post office can pay your claim immediately.
I maintain files on each auction and print out the end of auction
notice. That gives me a paper copy in file even after the eBay database
deletes the auction record. It'll be interesting if the End of Auction
notice better fits the USPS interpretation of evidence of value than
does the Completed Auction page (which I send to the buyer as a signed
receipt). I think that I'll also need to scan each check/m.o. received
from now on.
Another tip I think is worth passing along regards repairs. I've had two
straight reports of deep cuts on top or bottom plates of expensive
cameras once they got through the mails to the estimate bench of repair
facilities. In both cases I thankfully had photographs of the equipment
when it left my hands - without the cuts. It would seem most likely that
the receiving clerks aren't being very careful and/or they are
frustrated with my cellophane tap sealed bubble wrapping technique. John
H. recommends about two inches of peanuts all around the item. Wise
move, folks.
Finally, a Lloyd's claim can be made within 60 days on fraudulent
shipments or no shipment at all from an eBay seller. But if the goods
were shipped and lost, Lloyd's won't cover it. The limit is $200, with a
$25 deductible.
Gary Reese
Las Vegas, NV
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