I need to ship some jewelry. I seldom ship more than one piece, but this time it’s more. They are more expensive jury pieces, so I need to insure them. But I know the Post Office vs. UPS have different policies with regard to insurance for jewelry and art work.
One of the last times I shipped a box full to a gallery, I didn’t want to attract thieves, so I called it “Artwork,” only to be told that they didn’t insure artwork.
Is anyone more up to speed on which is the best approach? I can do either Post Office or UPS. I lean toward UPS, as the Post Office lost a $200 order that was sent to me last fall. (It was vintage, so not replaceable, and the sender insured it for only a nominal value. That’s burned me a bit.)
Thanks for your help!
Replies
Hi Linnea, I always ship flat rate small box priority mail with insurance via the post office. I've never had a problem. I print the postage on my computer and ask for email tracking so I can watch it every step of the way if I want to. I also tell them to notify the recipient of the shipping and to send them the same emails. I've never had to tell them what was in the box except that it wasn't liquid, perishable, or fragile. They have never lost a package (knock on wood).
Thanks, Laurie. The flat rate small box sounds ideal. No problems with putting a high amount on there? They are for jury shots, so it would be more than a dollar loss if they went missing. But it would be some compensation.
Until my order last fall went missing, I never had a problem. And I know it was on this end, as I tracked it all the way to my town. I know my carrier misdelivered it, but can't prove anything.
I always insure the package for the amount of jewelry that I am sending, so if they loose it, they will have to pay the amount. I know the PO had a service where somebody signed for the package every step of the way, can't remember what that was called. The people who signed for it were responsible for the package until they signed it over to the next person...it added a little more accountability, but cost more, too. Express? Can't remember, they changed their line of services recently, so ask at the PO.
Thanks again, Laurie!