posted on April 26, 2002 09:38:27 AM new
I am about to file my first Insurance claim at the Post Office, for a $300 baseball card that was sent on Mar. 25th and hasn't been received yet. The bidder has threatened me with all sorts of stuff, going to the Police, eBay safe harbor, etc ~ if I don't send him a MO by Mon.....so he's not being all that helpful. I am NOT going to send him a refund, as that is the whole reason we bought insurance in the first place. I think he doesn't really believe I sent the package in the first place. Whatever.
Just wondering if some of you insurance claim guru's out there, can give me tips on what kind of attitude to expect, what documents I should have, how long the wait usually is to get the money, etc. Anything would be helpful! Thanks, Sherah
posted on April 26, 2002 10:06:38 AM new
I've never had a problem with filing, and I have done two recently. They just took it, gave me a photocopy. They have a way of determining if the item has been delivered apparently, I knew they could track delivery confirmation, but the postal clerk told me that they could track insurance packages as well. I would not pay your customer either in this case, you don't have to worry about things as long as you file the claim (you do have to wait 30 days)
posted on April 26, 2002 12:47:29 PM new
Go to the post office with your blue insurance form and ask them to look up the delivery. (You cannot do this yourself on the web like you can with a delivery confirmation number.) They will be able to tell you when and where the package was delivered and show you the signature of the person who received it. They will print you out a copy of this that you can mail to your customer.
Mail him a copy of everything (blue insurance form, DC form if you have one, claim form, etc.). This will let him know you're not stringing him along but are really working the issue. Right now he's in the dark, is probably a bit nervous, and might not believe you're doing anything. I assume you don't know one another.
I'm going through this right now, and even asked about it on this board a few days ago. In my case it said the package was delivered (it wasn't) but offered no signature. Someone here suggested I file for a trace but the PO supervisor said there was no such thing(???).
Your immediate problem is to keep your customer happy (and at bay). The issue with the post office will work itself out.
[ edited by artnouveau on Apr 26, 2002 01:02 PM ]
posted on April 26, 2002 04:13:15 PM new
Print a copy of the completed auction and bring it along with the insurance receipt you have to the Post Office. The form requires information from your Post Office and your information. You mail that form to the buyer (I think you keep the insurance receipt) he takes it to the Post Office with his payment information and completes the claim. That's the way it's worked for me.
dendude
[ edited by vvalhalla on Apr 26, 2002 04:14 PM ]
posted on April 26, 2002 06:00:19 PM new
You can input the number from your insurance form into the D/C space online and you will get info on whether or not it was delivered or even scanned.
Good luck with your claim.
You are probably finished with the P.O. already, so let us know how it went.
Can't remember if the insurance # works after $50.00 or $100.00 - no need to buy both D/C and insurance but of course they don't bother to tell you that.
Best
[ edited by bestattic on Apr 26, 2002 06:02 PM ]
posted on April 26, 2002 06:30:27 PM new
bestattic,
the last time i input the blue insurance number in the dc slot online,it does not recognise the number.
have you tried it your self??
posted on April 27, 2002 12:17:48 AM new
Yes, the higher insurance amount did allow me to track the package just like regular d/c. The last time I tried it was around Christmas as I don't insure very often.
posted on April 27, 2002 08:25:46 AM new
It is very easy to file an insurance claim. When you go to your PO, bring along your copy of the insurance receipt, ebay EOA notice,(that proves what the buyer paid for the item). They usually have a person incharge of that only. They will make a copy of your insurance receipt and be sure that they give you back the original. They filled out my paper work for me, but if they don't it is simple. Then they, usually, send this form to your buyer where is has some questions to answer, and also attaches a copy of his form of payment. He sends it back to where it came from and then they start the process of trying to find your item. This takes approximately 6 weeks. If they don't find it your buyer will receive his money back plus postage and cost of insurance. It's a long process but in your case worth it. Don't refund his money because if he is telling the truth the USPS will return the money to him. Remember keep your original copies. Good Luck.
posted on April 27, 2002 08:39:34 PM new
For all insurance claims, they will send the money to the person/company that was to receive the package. Do not send a refund to this person as he will end up getting paid twice for it and you will be out. Also, usually the insurance claim is started by the person receiving the package, but you can let the PO tell you the best way to do that.
Good luck
posted on April 27, 2002 09:21:18 PM new
caffeitalia-The person that has the original insurance stub has to start the claim. Please don't send your insurance stub to your buyer. If you have to send anything make a copy and send the buyer the copy. Keep the original
posted on April 28, 2002 12:26:06 AM newYou can input the number from your insurance form into the D/C space online and you will get info on whether or not it was delivered or even scanned.
Not true. When you type the number from the blue insurance receipt into the USPS Track & Confirm web page it says, "Tracking service has not been purchased for this item." It appears that only a DC number will work. I called the USPS on this and they confirmed that you cannot track delivery yourself, on the web, with only an insurance number.
...no need to buy both D/C and insurance but of course they don't bother to tell you that.
True, unless you or your customer want to be able to track a package yourselves using the web. BTW, you don't have to purchase the DC. The USPS web site offers them for free at:
http://shiplabel.usps.com/cgi-bin/api/shipping_label.cgi?
