OT: eBay and insurance

[David]

Duly note that all I was saying is the buyer is served by insurance not just the seller. Because buyers have been out the money due to them asking the item not be insured, where they would have been refunded if they asked for insurance.

[CampWest]

Sales tax is tacked on to transactions, automatically and legally.

I totally agree, though your example is a little over-complicated. The buyer pays for shipping. Insurance is part of shipping costs. So Buyer pays for shipping.

That said, if a seller doesn't offer insurance or fails to purchase it, the burden of retribution is on the seller. So it protects the seller, but is the responsibility of the buyer to pay for, unless the seller offers free insurance.

Insurance is for the seller only and it's there to protect them and make sure they are covered. I don't get how so many sellers pass the blame on to the buyer saying they're not responsible if insurance isn't purchased.

The seller is the one that buys the insurance on the item and files the claim should something go wrong during shipment. The seller is responsible for delivering the product or a refund and this refund would come from the post office.

Totally disagree that its only the seller. My one lost item as a seller... The buyer filed the claim, the USPS delivered payment and I had zero involvement.

When a buyer pays with a money order, Insurance may be the only way for the BUYER to reclaim any losses.

Bottom line, in my opinion, if its un-insured, that is the seller's issue. If it is insured it is more than fair to ask the buyer to pay that as part of the shipping costs. Its up to each seller to decide if they want to take on the risk (self-insure), or require it be paid as part of the shipping costs.

[MarinersFan34]

Well, good for you, good for the buyer and good for the USPS since it was not always that easy to get the claim resolved.

I guess I'm more of the thought of making sure what I send gets there in 1 piece or as intended and not just say, you didn't purchase insurance deal with it and thanks for the free money.

Leaving insurance up to the buyer is just stupid as most will NOT buy it. Technicaly you're right though, it's not all the seller but why even bother with that headache when you can spend a few bucks and be covered. Oh, I know.. I know.. there is no headache because they didn't get insurance, case closed To each their own I guess..

[maccamania]

Mariners,
I agree with you, I always just include the ins in with shipping, most buyers wont buy it and Ebays policy is if not received or item not as described, you can file a cliam in 60 days and that will on the seller, so just protect yourself.