posted on June 25, 2009 12:35:10 PM new
Any suggestions for companies that would provide shipping insurance for antiques/collectibles? My understanding is that the major shippers won't cover these items.
posted on June 25, 2009 12:54:24 PM new
I *think* upic will if you have a real ongoing major account with them and not just an kind of fly by night ebay thing. You might want to call and speak with a sales rep and not the hojo that answers the phone.
posted on June 25, 2009 01:47:19 PM new
How about USPS? They used to be really good about covering stuff but that could have changed .
I know that UPS and FedEx won't cover you unless you have an appraisal and you do - kind of? I assume you are talking about your wonderful lamp.
You may want to take it to a pack & ship store, have them pack it for you and get the owner to give you a statement that it will be covered for the estimated value should something happen.
posted on June 26, 2009 04:18:40 PM new
How much money are we talking about?
UPIC and DSI will insure antiques and collectibles,but not Tv sets.
*
Economic Reform act of Chairman Obama of the socialist States of America :
10 ounces of meat per month,half a yard of cotton per year per adult.
Hellilujah!
posted on June 26, 2009 04:40:30 PM new
USPS Registered Mail! We mailed a large, expensive viewer and registered was the best option we found. It can be insured up to $25,000. The hardest part of the transaction was finding paper tape that was not pressure seal. We ended up buying a HUGH roll of reenforced paper tape at Staples. I have enough to send Registered packages for the rest of my life! All the edges of the package have to be sealed with wet activated tape. My memory is that they stamp all the edges so tape can not be removed. The viewer got there fine.
The irony is that the buyer worked for the post office and we had to convince him that this was the best option. I called all the shipping companies and was told that they would not cover an antique for the value that we needed. -----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
posted on June 26, 2009 04:44:15 PM new
oh I happened to think later....
USPS - registered mail. That's what my jeweler uses.
"When you’re sending valuable or irreplaceable items through the mail, protect them with Registered Mail™.
Items you send with Registered Mail are placed under tight security from the point of mailing to the point of delivery, and insured up to $25,000 against loss or damage. And you can verify the date and time of delivery and the delivery attempts online.
You can use Registered Mail with:
First-Class Mail® - Letters, envelopes, and small packages weighing 13 ounces or less.
Priority Mail® - Cost effective delivery in 2-3 days to most locations.
You can combine Registered Mail with the following Extra Services:
Delivery Confirmation™ – Provides date and time of delivery or attempted delivery.
Signature Confirmation™ – Provides date and time of delivery or attempted delivery, the name of the person who signed for the item, plus signature proof of delivery upon request.
Return Receipt - Provides a green postcard with the recipient’s actual signature by mail or a proof of delivery letter arriving as a PDF attachment that includes an image of the recipient’s signature by e-mail.
Restricted Delivery - Confirms that only a specified person (or authorized agent) will receive a piece of mail. Only available with Certified Mail, Insured Mail over $200, or Registered Mail."
When I send my jewelery to her I send it USPS Express registered as she says it is the safest as it is tracked every point along the way. That is how the GIA ships hers to her.
posted on June 26, 2009 04:45:52 PM new
LOL great minds ...........
my PO provided my tape for me but my packages are not very big.
Don't do Priority.
Go for the little extra and do Express and get the paper tape and let them do the stamping like photo says. They do stamp every seam so there is no way anybody can get into it.
posted on July 3, 2009 08:55:21 AM new
Hi there. Thanks for the USPS info. I didn't think they would cover it, but I see there are options.
I thought about taking to a packing store, but to be honest, they charge so much to pack something that I am fully capable of packing much better. Too bad I can't charge myself for packing it. lol.
I will go to the post office and see. Today I am going to also send some photos of two or three other items that my girlfriend and I have collected over the years and see what the auction house says. I hate to think everything I buy for ourselves is worth thousands of dollars and it just sits on a shelf in our living room.... but hey, it beats not being worth something.
posted on July 3, 2009 06:33:15 PM new
All these outfits whether it is USPS,U-PIC or DSI will gladly take your premium,but when it comes to paying claims,I mean high dollar claims,they will all try to wriggle out of it,esp USPS,what is that excuse they use-The outside box is not damaged!
*
Economic Reform act of Chairman Obama of the socialist States of America :
10 ounces of meat per month,half a yard of cotton per year per adult.
Hellilujah!
posted on July 4, 2009 02:35:51 PM new
shagmidmod - I took a set of sterling flatware (96 pieces) to my local UPS store and the owner counted, packed it and signed a letter stating the amount packed and the condition. He charged me $13 or $14 to pack it (including the box) and I then took it to USPS to ship. I felt that was a very reasonable price and gave me some documentation that I wouldn't have had otherwise.
posted on July 4, 2009 03:29:50 PM new
Hwahwa, I have never had a problem with an USPS insurance claim. UPS on the other hand..... -----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
posted on July 5, 2009 06:48:00 PM new
UPS is a major pain... I won a claim, but only after sending it to arbitration.
I have about 15 photos of it from different angles, with the lamp on, etc. Plus I have an attorney who wouldn't hesitate to write a letter regarding a claim. Lastly, there is always the Secretary of State that can step in.
My sister was in a car accident. The other person at fault. Her insurance tried to low ball her on the car. Since she didn't have an attorney, I suggested she file a complaint with the State Attorney in Florida. Within a week, the insurance called her and settled at what she felt was fair. Insurance companies do not like it when government sticks their nose in. I have also found BBB works well if the company is a member.
posted on July 6, 2009 09:12:27 AM new
I think I have recounted my UPS saga here a while back. The irony is that the package was packed by a UPS store and bent in order to shove it behind our storm door in the rain by the UPS driver. Now how is that not the fault of UPS?
They tried to tell me that they only pay to buy a new item and since it was a collectible it was not covered. I DID not accept that and called UPS customer service, my local UPS center, the UPS store in Florida, and I expect a few others I have forgotten. They finally paid but now I am hesitant to send anything with them. -----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
