posted on November 15, 2001 05:21:44 AM new
No matter how many pecautions i take, there is always someone who tells me that they didn't get the item, or it's broken.
I learned to use insurance, but can anyone tell me how well Tracking works for them? I want to stop the buyers who are trying to rip me off. which in some cases i know have happened and i can't prove it. the costs add up with ebay taking a piece and auction watch taking a piece. i'm very frustrated..
HELP!!
[ edited by box344 on Nov 15, 2001 05:22 AM ]
[ edited by box344 on Nov 15, 2001 05:24 AM ]
posted on November 15, 2001 05:29:29 AM new
Many people disagree, but I use Delivery Confirmation on all packages. When I send the "item is shipped" notification I include the tracking number. Once a person notified me that they had not received their package, I checked and saw that package had been delivered to their Post Office, e-mailed them and "Oh my, their husband had picked up the package and not said anything". Truth or not, the DC helped.
Right now I have a package lost; one that was sent to Washington DC on 10-22; the buyer checked the tracking number and at least knows I mailed it.
If the items you send out are fragile, I would mandate insurance along with the DC. If the items is really broken proof has to be given to the Post Office before any money will be refunded.
The expense for DC is not that much and I include it in my shipping costs. Good luck with whatever decision you make, but it wouldn't hurt to try this for a while and see if it works for you.
posted on November 15, 2001 06:23:52 AM new
I've been using the free DC from the USPS and it's working well - 10 for 10 so far with all within the 2-3 day delivery times. Big advantage is the $0.40 savings and the ability to just drop off the package and not wait in line at the PO. Disadvantage is that it is slightly cumbersome. DC only shows arrival at the recipients PO, not the delivery address. Try-
posted on November 15, 2001 03:32:46 PM new
I use both insurance and delivery confirmation to protect myself and the merchandise. However, delivery confirmation is suppose to show the progress of your item through the mail system (various points) only one package in about 60 DC's have done that. I ask at my local post office and they said they are suppose to be scanned at every stop point but the Post Office isn't doing this.
I shipped 4 packages Tuesday 3 show no tracking number in system per USPS and the 4th well it's suppose to be on it's way back to me as undelivable as addressed. I know this last statement is off topic but I'm just a little frustrated on this Tuesday shipment and needed to vent.
posted on November 15, 2001 04:01:12 PM new
I make it mandatory for buyers to pay for insurance. If the package is lost or damaged they get there money back and you have no hassel. If your package gets lost or damaged with tracking you or the buyer get nothing.
posted on November 15, 2001 07:49:50 PM new
If you pack well and do not sell fragile items, I think insurance is a waste of money. I sell videos and cds for the most part, use Priority Mail supplies, lots of bubble wrap and peanuts, and the free e-Delivery Confirmation.
As someone pointed out, it is only scanned on delivery, though all my shipments appear on a manifest with the service I use. I have only had one or two impatient customers. Most are quite content to get my shipping email detailing the day shipped and when to expect it.
I only use insurance for sales over $50, and even then only for the cost of the item which I can easily replace. I offer insurance through checkout, but it is strictly optional.
As I have posted in this forum many times before, I use Delivery Confirmation to prevent fraud. Any customer who says a package has not arrived usually finds it within 24 hours of my sending the DC number with a suggestion to check the local po. It is simply amazing.
posted on November 15, 2001 10:37:24 PM new
I use the Delivery Confirmation that is free when you type your label off the internet. Then if the package requires insurance I ask for it from the buyer. I don't tell the buyer that I have a tracker on it until they either get the package or tell me they didn't get the package. If they say they didn't get it I have proof that they did. I know that might be a sneaky way to do things but in this day and age with the problems I have had with buyers you have to think of new ways to outsmart them.
