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Shipping insurance for buyers

Imagemaster
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Shipping insurance for buyers

Does anyone know what retailers insure the gear they ship against loss or damage?

E.g. Don’s Photos in Canada clearly states they are not liable for any costs due to loss or damages during shipping.

Seems to me the retailer should provide insurance and be liable.

May 05, 2024 at 12:59 AM

jcolwell
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Shipping insurance for buyers

In most cases, insurance is for the seller, not for the buyer. If you use PayPal for an item, and it's not as described or it's damaged/lost in shipping, you should be covered. The seller would have been covered by insurance, had it been bought.

May 05, 2024 at 06:09 AM

PB_James
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Shipping insurance for buyers

While shipping carriers offer insurance, most larger retailers choose instead to self-insure, based on how few packages actually go missing or get damaged. As a buyer, your claim is with the seller, not the courier. As such, if the seller does not replace your item, your recourse will be with your bank or the courts.

May 05, 2024 at 10:56 AM

Imagemaster
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Shipping insurance for buyers

PB_James wrote:
While shipping carriers offer insurance, most larger retailers choose instead to self-insure, based on how few packages actually go missing or get damaged. As a buyer, your claim is with the seller, not the courier. As such, if the seller does not replace your item, your recourse will be with your bank or the courts.

And as such, that would be a hassle for the buyer, and it should not be.

From the seller: IMPORTANT: Delivery service is solely the responsibility of the shipping courier. If any issues arise Don's Photo will assist you, however we will not be responsible for courier errors, address errors, mis-delivery, delivery delays or lost / stolen shipments. Your shipment is not insured by Don's Photo Ltd. If you would like to add Courier Insurance please email [email protected] to request a quote

May 05, 2024 at 02:11 PM

PB_James
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Shipping insurance for buyers

Imagemaster wrote:
And as such, that would be a hassle for the buyer, and it should not be.

From the seller:

Plenty of things in life are not as the "SHOULD BE". This is one of them. I'm just describing how it works from someone who's been involved in online retail of high-value electronic goods in the USA for over a decade.

Dan's Photo Ltd. is taking a position that wouldn't hold water in the US courts. The seller contracts with the delivery company to deliver the goods, and as such the seller has the duty of recovering from the delivery provider if goods are not delivered in good form. That paragraph reads like legalese designed to intimidate buyers.

May 31, 2024 at 05:10 PM

mpix345
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Shipping insurance for buyers

I think it's pretty clear that you shouldn't buy from Dan's. I know I wouldn't.

Jun 03, 2024 at 10:09 AM

RoamingScott
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Shipping insurance for buyers

All major carrier packages have a small amount of insurance automatically applied via the level of service. Additional insurance is always an added cost, and most companies do not do that unless requested by the buyer if at all.

This is why you are supposed to inspect your packages at the time of delivery and deny the acceptance if the package is beat up, because that puts it back on the carrier to make right.

Jun 03, 2024 at 12:14 PM

mpix345
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Shipping insurance for buyers

RoamingScott wrote:
All major carrier packages have a small amount of insurance automatically applied via the level of service. Additional insurance is always an added cost, and most companies do not do that unless requested by the buyer if at all.

This is why you are supposed to inspect your packages at the time of delivery and deny the acceptance if the package is beat up, because that puts it back on the carrier to make right.

In the US at least, not sure about Canada or Texas, the seller owns the responsibility of getting you the item you purchased in undamaged condition. If they tell you that insurance is up to you and at your cost you should tell them to pound sand. And while it makes sense to not accept obviously damaged packages, it isn't always that easy or obvious.

Jun 19, 2024 at 07:20 AM

ross attix
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Shipping insurance for buyers

Hypothetical-The seller has gotten paid, yet your goods are either missing or damaged.

They cannot sit back and say “this is between you and the carrier”, plus they would be the ones who opted for the insurance when they paid the carrier, so they are the covered party.

At the least this is poor business policy.

Jun 19, 2024 at 07:32 AM

jcolwell
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Shipping insurance for buyers

ross attix wrote:
Hypothetical-The seller has gotten paid, yet your goods are either missing or damaged.

File a claim with PayPal, which you used to make the purchase. You will get a full refund for the purchase price and original shipping to you. The insurance covers the seller. The seller can get the item back (assuming it was received in damaged condition), if they pay for the return shipping. It's simple. It works.

As buyer, I request delivery confirmation, but I don't care about speedy delivery and tracking. eBay Global Shipping should be avoided at all costs. Well, most alternatives are actually less expensive and faster (e.g. USPS).

Jun 20, 2024 at 05:27 PM

az-dave
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Shipping insurance for buyers

It is not as simple as the seller always takes responsibility.

FOB conditions are defined in the purchase order between the vendor and the client. While FOB status doesn't determine ownership (which is in the bill of sale or separate agreement), it does say which party assumes responsibility for the shipment at different points in the journey.

FOB Origin: The buyer takes responsibility for the goods as soon as they leave the seller's location. The buyer bears the costs and risks associated with transportation from that point forward.

FOB Destination: The seller retains responsibility for the goods until they reach the buyer's destination. The seller bears the costs and risks associated with transportation up to that point.

Don’s photos is following the FOB Origin model.

Jun 20, 2024 at 07:05 PM

jcolwell
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Shipping insurance for buyers

az-dave wrote:
It is not as simple as the seller always takes responsibility.

FOB conditions are defined in the purchase order between the vendor and the client. While FOB status doesn't determine ownership (which is in the bill of sale or separate agreement), it does say which party assumes responsibility for the shipment at different points in the journey.

FOB Origin: The buyer takes responsibility for the goods as soon as they leave the seller's location. The buyer bears the costs and risks associated with transportation from that point forward.

FOB Destination: The seller retains responsibility for the goods until they reach the...Show more →

I don't think that really matters to a PayPal claim.

Jun 21, 2024 at 07:32 AM

snapsy
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Shipping insurance for buyers

IMO, it's the buyer's responsibility to pay for an item and the seller's responsibility to assure that item reaches the buyer safely. To that end shipping insurance is for the seller's benefit, to cover the cost for any damage or loss in the course of fulfilling their responsibility to get the item to the buyer safely.

Jun 21, 2024 at 10:18 AM


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