TOPIC: Mailing materials

I really like that tracking from USPS is free. As a result, when it is marked "delivered", the responsibility falls on the buyer at that point...stops a ton of fraud because of that simple thing.

Jamie Campbell wrote: I really like that tracking from USPS is free. As a result, when it is marked "delivered", the responsibility falls on the buyer at that point...stops a ton of fraud because of that simple thing.

I'm not sure "delivered " is enough without a signature, as Matthew said above in his post. A stolen package was one he refunded.

This is a small community. We try to take care of one another, and if anyone were found to be scamming anyone else....

Matthew Hayward wrote:

Jamie Campbell wrote: ok...but what about the insurance...

if someone sent me a gold nugget....and I paid 135 for it...and it was lost...who covers it? what happens? I was actually thinking that True Adventures could create a revenue source by simply insuring tracked packages on the same day of shipment.

In general? The shipper should cover the insurance. In practice? A lot of people seem to think they can push that onto the buyer for some reason.

My expectation as a customer is that when I pay you to send me X, I will receive X. If X is lost or damaged in the mail, eaten by your dog, teleported to the astral plane, not my problem. You need to get me X, or give me my money back.

Anyway, insurance options:

1. Do it through the USPS: www.usps.com/ship/insurance-extra-services.htm

2. Do it through a third party, integrated with your shipping system: stamps.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/286/c/1/related/1

3. Self insure. USPS insurance is very expensive - especially for cheaper stuff - you'll be paying 2%. So... will more than 1 package in 50 go missing?

Beware - USPS insurance can be a pain to claim if a destroyed package isn't delivered. If they lose it in their system be prepared to put into the "no specific delivery time is guaranteed" runaround for weeks or months.

4. Ship via UPS, FedEx who have robust insurance offerings. Minimum shipping prices with these operators is over $20 so... not great for smaller transactions.

+1

If you want repeat customers you need to cover shipments. If not, do not expect people to trade or participate in your auctions.

Wade Schwendemann wrote:

Jamie Campbell wrote: I really like that tracking from USPS is free. As a result, when it is marked "delivered", the responsibility falls on the buyer at that point...stops a ton of fraud because of that simple thing.

I'm not sure "delivered " is enough without a signature, as Matthew said above in his post. A stolen package was one he refunded.

This is a small community. We try to take care of one another, and if anyone were found to be scamming anyone else....

I am not jumping to the "scamming"...there is a real possibility that "sellers" on this community do not realize the risks they take when doing these virtual transactions. For me personally, I am fine and always do things mitigating risk...

everyone thinks the "community is small" is the right answer until one day someone is missing their $1000 order because they thought the seller insured it...so then the seller is accountable to refund the $1000 UNLESS it is marked delivered...from an attorney:

If the tracking says that the package was delivered and the buyer states that it was not received, you are no longer liable. You should inform the buyer to reach out to the carrier for assistance.

Just bear in mind...if you are making a substantial sell...and you expect that $5 for shipping will do it...its not insured. if it doesn't get "delivered", you AS THE SELLER/SHIPPER/or Auction leader will lose your token(s) and the money...

..and friends and family paypal does not afford protection either.

Be aware...most are NOT.

I definitely was not aware of this.

Wade Schwendemann wrote: I definitely was not aware of this.

Wade we only know each other on here and I have grown to appreciate your insights and considerations. As I re-read my response, ...I did not want to imply any disrespect to the community or to you.

...my real goal is to plan a preservation of the community that doesn't erode due to situational notions due to this virtual nature. I know for example that Matt H knows his responsibilities...I don't want to see people randomly show up and suddenly with that magical 25K gold bar from their treasure draw, sell it, then end up in a really bad position because they didn't know how to guard themselves...because it never "delivered". USPS IS losing packages.

as for the cost of insurance...we didn't buy the tickets into the convention or the travel to get there...so its "a wash" to buy the insurance instead of doing those things...albeit conventions are much more fun than insurance.

In my thousands (over 10,000 probably) orders shipping with USPS I have only had 5 go missing. I believe two were stolen from my outgoing mailbox (I stopped using that a long time ago), one was marked delivered and never found (fortunately I had insurance and it was covered), one was lost in the mail (no insurance), and one I mailed to an old address and we never found it.

For the last one insurance wouldn't have helped obviously, and it sucked because it had about 10 onyx PYPs in it. I had to replace them.

So yes as a seller, and especially as an online retailer who wants to maintain a solid reputation, I'm always on the hook for getting the tokens to the buyer safely. I do suspect that some people who buy/sell/trade on the forums, and also for some of these forum auctions of $8k orders, people don't take this into consideration. It will suck if a few thousand dollars worth of tokens go missing in the mail from somebody's auction.

When I did auctions in the past, I always assumed I was on the hook for anything. I generally sent out confirmation emails.

If there was anything I wasnt willing to replace, I insured it.

The possibility of something going wrong with mailing tokens is why I'm not as motivated to push for trades or sales of anything of significant value of mine even though I have various tokens I don't have particular use for.

Also why I'd never consider running an auction, myself.

My preference is to hand stuff over at Origins (I've determined GC is too busy to have to deal with finding people for TD transactions). Obviously, this is limiting even when Origins does occur.

The experts have indicated a low risk in the grand scheme of things when reasonable precautions are taken, so I hardly discourage someone else from transacting. I just think my inclinations are being a consumer and not a provider due to burden of responsibility.

Anyone use these 6x9 bubble mailers?
www.officedepot.com/a/products/444283/Office-Depot-Brand-Self-Sealing-Bubble/

They seem about right, as long as they are robust enough.

I looked into using the ones that were linked earlier in the thread, but I definitely don't need 100 - and I can pick these up locally and have them in a few days for shipping out auction stuff.

Dergidan wrote: Anyone use these 6x9 bubble mailers?
www.officedepot.com/a/products/444283/Office-Depot-Brand-Self-Sealing-Bubble/

They seem about right, as long as they are robust enough.

I looked into using the ones that were linked earlier in the thread, but I definitely don't need 100 - and I can pick these up locally and have them in a few days for shipping out auction stuff.

I don't trust the paper on the outside...see my rained on box.

UCGOU 4x8 Inch White Poly Bubble Mailers Padded Envelopes Boutique Custom Bags Pack of 50 (Internal Size 4x7")

These are really strong and I tested them. Get them on amazon.

i use them and haven't heard any complaints. i do wrap the tokens in any junk envelope (you know the ones that come with credit card apps and water and electric bills) first and tape them up. that way the tokens aren't sliding around freely. i also tape the flap shut for peace of mind.