Am I silly to send high value items via first class signed?
So I've been selling for 3 years now and I send most of my items even the ones valued at £350 via RM first class signed. Anything above that I'll obviously send via Special Delivery such as the items worth £1,000+. I've never had a single parcel go missing via the first class SIGNED service. Should I consider using the tracked services or even special delivery for ALL my high value items? I just feel the extra cost will mount up so only use those services for items over £350. Are there other sellers out there who send high-value items via RM first class signed? Is it just a case of carrying the risk given it's small, especially given my track record?
Am I silly to send high value items via first class signed?
So I've been selling for 3 years now and I send most of my items even the ones valued at £350 via RM first class signed. Anything above that I'll obviously send via Special Delivery such as the items worth £1,000+. I've never had a single parcel go missing via the first class SIGNED service. Should I consider using the tracked services or even special delivery for ALL my high value items? I just feel the extra cost will mount up so only use those services for items over £350. Are there other sellers out there who send high-value items via RM first class signed? Is it just a case of carrying the risk given it's small, especially given my track record?
10 replies
Seller_hOZNPw7G8FIjl
No one can tell you what is best for your business, but remember the "compensation" from RM for 1st class signed for is only up to £50 - and that excludes valuables. You could always increase your delivery cost to cover a tracked service?
I don't sell items anywhere near the cost of yours - my highest is sub-£100 and those I send by RM Tracked 48 (I don't charge buyers for delivery)
Seller_MT8rt0A2OpbCx
I would have thought, with high priced items, that the cost of postage is negligible compared to your profit and peace of mind.
Tracked has compensation up to £150. However, I did have an £800 order go missing a while ago and only received the £150 from Royal Mail.
Seller_ZVAz3d5lZuGid
You are running the risk of only getting minimal compensation if anything does go missing - just £50 if sent signed for - a lot to lose (IMO) for such expensive items. You have obviously been very lucky so far !!
Have you looked at couriers ? - I use Yodel, and you can increase the compensation up to the full value if you want to.
Seller_l9DWGFvAaJQ2I
I don't think you can grumble by paying a couple of quid extra for a decent service - also consider it's a much better service for your customers using the tracked system, they get all the details including safe place and redirection included - it will give them more confidence in you.
If you volume is relatively low then just use domestic click and drop. If it's thousands a year then use an online business account and enter the world of being surcharged for absolutely any and every reason RM can think of.
Seller_bzRkeDMMsE3Is
It's not so much that they go missing, I send lots 1st class recorded (signed) and I would say only about 3 quarters are scanned on delivery these days, so it looks as though they haven't been delivered and my orders only average £15 - £20. Over Christmas on checking less than half had been scanned and signed.
Seller_sldKHS9INW6xw
Thank you all for your help. The penny has dropped, you're right a few extra pounds is negligible for high-value items.
Seller_N0kQDKMgwda6y
Be careful about what you are selling if you are thinking of insurance. My only claim to Royal Mail was refused out of hand as it was a second hand book. £100 paid by the 'customer' ( pretty sure it was theft ) but RM refused to pay anything. If it it is not a new item with a verifiable retail price they will not pay a panny anyway
Seller_w2VkRP43C7TdG
I don't think it really matters what delivery method you use, the last few a-z we have received have had postage bought through Amazon tracking says they are delivered but still Amazon have refunded them.
Luckily we don't sell high ticket items but if we did I don't think Id sleep at night.
