Question about Shipping

I always start with an ad on Craigslist, do all my sales in my garage, by appointment for cash only. If I sell online, I use eBay, AudioAsylum Trader or AudioMart with payment through PayPal only, goods & services, NOT Friends & Family (no protection). You can print shipping labels on PayPal and I use USPS Priority Mail for lighter stuff and FedEx Ground or Home Delivery for the big stuff. You can insure your item through PayPal. 

I us FedEx - they tend to be more reliable than others. FedEx always asked how much I want to insure it for. They probably have an upper limit. I;ve never been asked to insure it through a 3rd party. 

If the buyer meets my asking prince I'll pick up shipping. If not, we'll negotiate or they will pay. People are now used to free shipping so be sure to stipulate shipping prices and expectations BEFORE generating an invoice. 

Always ship in the original box if you have it and if it's in good condition. Manufacturers use them to ship units across the country so they should be okay to use again. However, if the box is compromised at all, find a bigger box to use for double packing. Shipping companies are loathe to admit fault and will find every weakness in your packing. If FedEx packs it themselves, then it's on them. 

If it's not super large/heavy or super expensive then FedEx should be fine, insured through FedEx. Are you sure you went to a FedEx Kinko's Office Center (or the equivalent depending on what country you're in) and not a third-party store that is an authorized FedEx shipper?

Otherwise you may need to look at a freight service, and maybe a pallet.

If the integrated amplifier was shipped to you, how did it arrive?

Thanks for this feedback, this helps.

When I talked to Fedex today, they stated that if a product goes missing or damaged, they try to find the same product for sale or something similar and what ever price they come across, that is what they reimburse.

Basically, their way of getting out of providing full value of what was originally stated as the value when shipping.

They recommended to go through a 3rd party for full value insurance.

I have tried Craigslist before and would love to sell through there locally and just receive cash, that would be very ideal but seems like I get a lot scammers through there but I might give it a shot if I get to that point.

Appreciate the feedback.

Jay

If I'm selling electronics online, I take photos, then pack the box before I even write the ad. Usually, I double-box to prevent even unlikely problems.

Having the packing done allows me to get accurate weight and dimensions before I list the unit. I find that makes sales easier, as through Audiogon, e.g., the buyer can choose their freight service and insurance if that information is in the ad. And it lets me ship the unit immediately after I have payment.

When I talked to Fedex today, they stated that if a product goes missing or damaged, they try to find the same product for sale or something similar and what ever price they come across, that is what they reimburse.
 

This is really interesting information. I just wrongfully assumed that if it’s insured up to whatever amount you paid for, you would be reimbursed up to that amount. 

1.  Don't insure your item.  Insurance is way overpriced because of fraud and those who package poorly.  Instead, package it so they can't break it.  Also, if you ever do try to make an insurance claim after hundreds of calls, months of waiting, and man-weeks of your time, you'll realized you earned less than minimum wage collecting.

2.  It will cost you at least twice as much to take it to a shipping store and have them double box it.  Maybe triple.  If you're ok with this they will packiage it securely.

3.  If you package it yoruself in a bombproof package and print your label online, it will be quite affordable.  a 30 lb package generally in the $40 to $60 range, dependding on where you ship it. 

4. The shipper is responsible for delivery to the buyer.  Your contract ends when the buyer recieves it in good condition.  

Jerry

Scammers are easy to deal with on CL, they are so obvious. This is my ad text. Don't use your main email address, use a backup. Don't text or talk on the phone, they can harvest your number. A real buyer will do what you say. Works every time. Only send your address a few hours before the stated meeting time. Always meet on your terms & location.

Please read the ad description. If you see the ad, it is still available.
(Description here)

Not interested offers or trades. Local CASH sale only. No TEXTS or PHONE CALLS, email only.
Please email with a day and time you would like to come buy it for (price here) and I'll send you the address. Thank you.

Careful, double box, smart and required for insurance,

I would buy insurance, doesn’t cost that much. keep in mind, any insurance claim will be by you as you arrange for/pay for the insurance, not the buyer (even though the buyer pays you), and a claim is both confusing and takes time, and will depend on the buyer’s photos of the damaged box as received, unopened, and the damaged goods. Then buyer has shipper pick it up and shipper will asses the damage. It has to be done right to be successful.

If you don’t have confidence, UPS has a ’pack and ship’ service. (check online see which locations offer it).

Call them, give them the size and weight of your item, and a zip code middle distance from you. They will give you an estimate close to the final price.

Then, in your ad, state local pick-up preferred, and that the UPS ’pack and ship’ estimate to ___ zip code.

Then the buyer (not you) makes arrangement with their local UPS, pays for it directly, and UPS is responsible for it, buyer deals with any problem. (you can tell them the UPS closest ’pack and ship’ location to them) You simply drop it off at your UPS in their name, unpacked, walk away.

I have bought two sets of speakers, and had a third item (my mother’s childhood croquet set) using/paying for UPS pack and ship, excellent results.

This is a good way to buy something you really want when the buyer says local pickup only.

byw: local pickup: I offer to meet buyer anywhere up to 1 hour away, thus your area of buyers is essentially a circle of two hours.

When I talked to Fedex today, they stated that if a product goes missing or damaged, they try to find the same product for sale or something similar and what ever price they come across, that is what they reimburse.

@jay73 that could be the case for some items. I’ve provided dollar amount values for insurance purposes to people before who needed reimbursement for a repair/replacement of something old or rare. It can also help if you use the original packaging for shipping.

But not buying insurance is a recipe for disaster. Even if packaged perfectly against damage, things can get lost or stolen.

I always double box the original package and, if the component is fragile, I triple box.  This helps to ensure the package arrives safely and with no damage.  Spending money on packaging is money well spent to ensure the package arrives with no damage.  

I also track my package to ensure it is moving from my location to the buyer.  If I see something strange, I immediately call the shipping company for a status update. Hope this helps.

Thanks for all the feedback guys, appreciate it!

As a manufacturer, there are no safeguards for shipping companies.  Sometimes they are great, other times not so great.  Best is to prepare your packages for shipment to handle an earthquake.  Remember, boxes are really not made to be shipped more that once.  So pack them up for the worst!