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Shipping high dollar collectibles and lessons learned
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Recently, I accepted a credit card payment through a popular on-line payment service provider for another expensive item with approximately $400 in S&H costs. Once the funds appeared in my account, I immediately shipped off the item and did not hear back from the buyer. I left the money in my account for future withdrawal. A couple weeks later after no communication whatsoever I received a dispute claim via email. The article was sitting in a central pickup station after 3 failed delivery attempts (yes, the address was correct and the customer refused to pickup). The funds were reversed and I was back to having a zero balance in my account.
Lesson: Proof of shipment with insurance isn't always enough to counter a dispute and/or recover S&H costs. Buyers can file a dispute up to 45 days after the purchase with their credit card companies for multiple reasons - never received, stolen, damaged or simply because it's no longer wanted. On-line payment service providers will charge associated costs back to the seller. Reconsider using on-line payment services for high ticket items in favor of guaranteed funds - wire transfers, e-payments from customer checking account or cashier's checks. Wait for the funds to clear your bank before shipping to a "Confirmed" address.
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Earlier this year I sold a high dollar item on consignment . I normally accept international sales and didn't think it would create a problem for me this time around. The final hammer price was just over $2000 and the buyer paid quickly via PayPal. I charged my customer $135 for S&H figuring this would easily cover the 35 pound package. I was wrong!
For Germany, the insurance limit is $500 using Priority Mail. And, registered mail is not an option. The post office clerk seems to think Deutschland is a risky destination. I wasn't about to take a chance shipping the expensive item without proper coverage and chose Global Express (USPS partners with FedEx). My cost ended up at $300.25, more than double my estimates.
Lesson: If you're shipping expensive items outside the United States and looking for full coverage be sure to follow these steps: 1) don't quote S&H fees in advance, 2) package the item 2) get estimate from your shipper of choice after they've examined the package in person, and 3) send invoice. It might save you big bucks.
