Thread: vendors do you require insurance to be paid by buyers?

After a flurry of veils have disappeared into the black hole of shipping non-destination I've come to the conclusion it may be best to start requiring insurance , or at the very least, tracking on packages worth over a certain dollar amount. I have always sent a replacement or refunded, I've never ever ripped anyone off and always give them the benefit of the doubt but we'll probably both rest easier if the extra few bucks can be paid for insurance on packages.

This presents a problem for international orders since first class packages cannot be insured. Or unless they've changed the shipping prices again. It's expensive to ship a package overseas as it is and I hate to hike the charges up by using priority mail but..

Feedback? Ideas?

I think mandatory insurance is always the best option.

Another option for international shipping is to tell customers that if they don't want to pay for insured global express/priority, that you will purchase a certificate of mailing (costs a buck or two) and are then not responsible for lost packages. The certificate of mailing proves you mailed a package to their address.

I ship via UPS or Priority Mail. It is more expensive, but you have the ability to track the package. If it's important that the package make it by a certain date I always use UPS since they will guarantee deliver by X date. For smaller purchases I will go ahead and just use regular mail, but I would never send a costume via regular parcel post.

It's definitely a balancing act- will you lose more money replacing lost items or loosing potential business due to increased shipping?

Personally, I've had so many problems with shipping lately (with ALL of them- USPS is *awful* right now, but UPS, FedEx & DHL are even worse!) I'm ready to require it. I *will not* ship anything first class anymore- priority either insured or certified or not at all, and honestly I'm rather annoyed with the few wholesalers who refuse to add insurance right now (dealing with the potential loss of $1500 worth of goods shipped from Germany 2 months ago right now- seriously not impressed with DHL international!) It's going to eat into margins since we have a free shipping policy, but since that is a competitive edge we can't do without right now, it's just going to have to be. Frustrating that it's gotten to this point- you'd think a little competition would inspire better service, but no one is standing out right now. At least not for good reasons.

(BTW- my retail business has nothing to do with belly dance in any way!)

FYI you can ship a small package (under 13 oz) first class and still get delivery confirmation w/ tracking number and insurance. I ship my silk veils this way and it is cheaper than priority and only a few days slower. I haven't had any problems with the US mail ever (knock on wood), business or personal.