Sending parcels insured

[paulf-2007]

I sent an sut to Belgium, tracked it until it got to the international hub, assuming that was in Belgium, it never moved from there and went past the guaranteed last day for delivery. I contacted parcel2go and they started an investigation, this would take weeks. The day after this started the buyer received a card from the courier having been out and missed the delivery. Next day he collected the parcel.
Several weeks later I get an email about making a claim. On the form it says about proof of value. I contacted parcel2go and let them know the parcel was delivered and also to complain about this proof of value. As I see it if I sent a brick in a box and said it was worth a thousand pounds and paid the appropriate insurance I would expect a thousand pounds no question, the couriers job is to deliver the parcel and not lose it. I told them I didn't have proof of value as I had owned the item for some time, they said if it was an eBay sale a screen shot showing the price would be proof. I suppose the only proof I had was a private message to the buyer and a paypal transaction but I don't know how I would be able to show them. Anyhoo I'm rather put off putting money in couriers pockets under these rules.

[karma67]

dont worry mate,if it ever happens again i'll write you a receipt for the said item if its lost.:eyebrows:

[nonuffin]

To me, paying any insurance to a courier is little more than a massive scam. I am contracting that business to take a box or package from point A to point B, for it to arrive on time and in the same condition as it was collected. If they cannot do that then they are in breach of contract, not getting me and many thousands of others stumping up a vast sum of money to cover their inability to perform that one task.

[Macca]

Insurance fraud is widespread and there are organised scams. A carrier that never lost or broke anything would be great but their shipping charges would be unaffordable.

There are also situations where damage to a shipment can occur that is not the carrier's fault. Vehicle accident for example.

[simon g]

Just taking someone's word for the value of a package and paying out all claims without question would just open the flood gates to fraud. It's not unreasonable to ask for proof of value. A screen shot of a pm conversation would perhaps suffice? Or a written statement from the buyer?

Not using couriers seems rather like cutting your nose off to spite your face. How would you have sold this item otherwise? Hand delivered to Belgium :) OK, you can restrict yourself to collection only sales, but you'll seriously restrict your market and potential sale value. Just take a few precautions, document/photo and/or video the entire process and Robert will be your father's brother!

[Len Co]

Both the claims I made were successful but I did provide a lot of evidence of goods value and adequate packing and had to write a strong letter in one case to get things moving. One thing to bear in mind is that some items of hifi and guitars will not be covered or will have special conditions attached so read carefully - they still give you the option of insurance even when you have declared goods that can't be covered!