(01-18-2022, 05:17 AM)JimmyH Wrote: I'm in the US and I don't routinely sell much, but have off and on. In any case I usually go USPS unless the item is large enough to be more economical with UPS.Be careful in relying on the insurance...
In either case I insure it for the full value. Years ago I'd assume it would get where it was going without the extra $, but came to the conclusion that the relatively few dollars is worth the peace of mind. So far I haven't had anything I've sent lost or stolen.
I sent a package (gift, no BST - so less stress, it was all on me) to a friend on this board. The package was sent at the beginning of December and after 2 weeks I started pushing back. I did an inquiry. Then I did a lost package search. Finally I tried to do an insurance claim.
It was insured for $50, the base you can insure for, I believe. The form was so convoluted... It asked for detailed description of each item in the package, pictures, proof of value, etc. You couldn't just say "it's lost, check your tracking and give me my $50". Nope! You had to prove the value of each and every thing in the box (or they wouldn't give you all of the insurance? I don't know). I gave up. It was too much of a hassle for a $50 return... Maybe!
Luckily for me, the package turned up after a month on the Road (NY to GA). In 30 days, I'm pretty sure you can walk from NY to GA (@10 hours a day... Yep, you can. Thanks Google!).
I used to be of the mindset that USPS insurance was a good protection. Now I think it's just a scam. Why do I get to choose how much insurance is on it, if they are going to pay me based on the value of the items - of which I must declare in such gross detail?
We do a lot of shipping in this hobby. I hope none of you good folks ever have to deal with the insurance side of USPS. I hope I never have to again, either.