I don’t ship anything worth over $300 by USPS anymore - I use UPS - a bit more costly but after the last time USPS wouldn’t pay out on an obvious mishandling, I was fed up with them. Altogether stopped selling items into the Foreign market at about $300-500 in value. Probably going to drop that down to $200. Just last week a large shipment of outsider art landed in Montenegro missing a single piece! The crooks have had it so easy for so long, now they’re getting picky what they steal! I long for the old-school days of mail order in The Big Reel and Movie Collector’s World!
Alan > On Mar 31, 2023, at 3:07 PM, Kirby McDaniel <[email protected]> wrote: > > We are not going to send anything valued at over $200 without insurance. > It's a policy that has worked well for us over the years. > > Kirby McDaniel > movieart.com > >> On Mar 31, 2023, at 4:58 PM, P M <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> Towards the end of my active selling I stopped using the "insurance" offered >> by carriers. I felt like stating a value was just an invitation for sticky >> fingers, although, that said, the only thing I recall ever truly go missing >> was a beat up original French Grand Guignol act poster which I can only >> imagine got tossed as soon as it was opened. Broke my heart to have it >> disappear, lack of monetary value aside as it was almost certainly a 'one >> of' poster. >> >> Peter >> >> On Fri, Mar 31, 2023 at 5:01 AM Tony Calvert <[email protected] >> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>> I recently had an incident with Shipcover through Ebay. I sent a film >>> overseas and insured for $400, it arrived in Switzerland, then stopped. I >>> waited hoping it would arrive, but it did not. I could not figure out the >>> process to file a claim, when I finally called them they said it was 1 day >>> past the time limit. The person was very nice and sent me an email with >>> the information they needed, I sent it back and they put it in my PayPal >>> account that day. Not sure if this service is available outside of Ebay or >>> other outlets, or what the limits are, etc. I was very satisfied with the >>> process and service. Tony >>> >>> On Thu, Mar 30, 2023 at 6:44 PM Moviemem Original Movie Posters >>> <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>> Hi David >>>> >>>> The postal carriers make it very difficult and time consuming for sellers >>>> to even attempt to make a claim on insurance. Australia Post puts the onus >>>> on the receiver to take the package to the Post Office for inspection, >>>> then fill out forms, etc before even considering a claim. It can then take >>>> weeks to process. I have heard that Australia Post requires proof of value >>>> which is pretty difficult to establish with movie posters. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Buyers don’t want to waste their time going this process. They just expect >>>> the seller to provide an immediate refund which is not unreasonable. The >>>> problem then is that the seller cannot make a claim on the insurance >>>> because the buyer hasn’t completed the necessary paperwork, etc. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Thankfully, I have had very few problems with damaged packages but I am >>>> hearing more and more about the issues that sellers have with postal >>>> carriers so it is all very concerning. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Regards >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> John >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> From: MoPo List <[email protected] >>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> On Behalf Of David Kusumoto >>>> Sent: 31 March, 2023 9:23 AM >>>> To: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >>>> Subject: [MOPO] Paying global carriers for "insurance" that's worthless >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Really disturbed by this thread in that what you guys are experiencing >>>> feels like a total scam that has been carried out with impunity by global >>>> carriers for years. If I was a younger man back during my "reporting" >>>> days - I'd be using my old school contacts with desk editors and would be >>>> tearing out the floorboards and dry wall to investigate this nonsense. >>>> This is a legit news story. To learn small retailers like poster sellers >>>> - have been dealing with this crap forever is beyond the pale. Meanwhile, >>>> the lowly "spot consumer" is completely unaware of the dishonest / >>>> misleading practice of "taking money for insurance that's worthless." As >>>> I and others used to say, "Anything in Fine Print is NEVER Good News." >>>> Even Bruce H. used to tout the efficiency of UPS in relation to paying >>>> claims as a large customer - and I noticed this week that he's now >>>> qualifying those earlier recommendations on social media. Almost feels >>>> old USPS registered mail, which is slower - but what people still use to >>>> send $$$ slabbed comic books - must now be the "default" for domestic >>>> items - but is likely still useless for stuff sent overseas when the >>>> hand-off occurs to another carrier. And this is not going to be worth the >>>> trouble for one-sheets valued at $75-$200. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Sorry to bring up eBay given their horrific sins harassing the Steiners - >>>> but what's it been like for dealers using its so-called all-inclusive >>>> "eBay International Delivery" or "Global Shipping Program" - whereby a >>>> "front of signage" presumption is made that eBay - (sort of like Amazon) - >>>> has taken overseas shipping "in house" - and is now responsible for >>>> point-to-point tracking and "insurance" coverage of all items sold on >>>> their platform? Rather than choosing "your own carrier" - there is now a >>>> voluntary option to let eBay handle overseas deliveries. I tried it a >>>> couple of times and I was surprised at how efficient it was for mid-range >>>> material. I sent some signed Broadway material to a buyer in Germany - >>>> and got real-time updates about progress. It was slower but still. It >>>> looks like eBay negotiated contracted rates with UPS, DHL, FedEx, etc. - >>>> to move those packages - even if those carriers end up sub-contracting to >>>> have Royal Mail or Deutsche Post / DHL, etc. or private people driving >>>> Ubers to deliver items the last few miles to a customer's home or office. >>>> -d. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> From: MoPo List <[email protected] >>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> on behalf of Moviemem Original >>>> Movie Posters <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> >>>> Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2023 1:46 PM >>>> To: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >>>> <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> >>>> Subject: Re: Postal Service handling issues >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Hi Caitlin >>>> >>>> It does seem that they all have that get out clause but leave it to the >>>> sender to read the fine print. However, it doesn’t seem right that they >>>> still accept your money for insurance when it is likely that it won’t be >>>> covered. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> As to the customs charges (GST etc) I have been told that they would not >>>> be refunded in Australia if the package was damaged. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> I think you are right in saying that the only way to be sure of safe >>>> delivery of a high end package is to hand carry it yourself!! >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Regards >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> John >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> From: Caitlin Graham <[email protected] >>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> >>>> Sent: 30 March, 2023 7:09 PM >>>> To: Moviemem Original Movie Posters <[email protected] >>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> >>>> Cc: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >>>> Subject: Re: [MOPO] Postal Service handling issues >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Hi John, >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> I had an expensive poster go missing (I suspect stolen) in Fedex Memphis >>>> warehouse last Christmas when shipping UK-US. I had paid the Fedex >>>> insurance but subsequently discovered, like Helmut says, that their terms >>>> and conditions have a get-out-clause on anything 'unique' which includes >>>> all collectable items and even watches, jewellery, cellphones. So I had to >>>> claim on my own business insurance. All couriers seem to have a similar >>>> get-out clause so I don't even bother insuring shipments with the carrier >>>> any more and rely on my own transit insurance. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Both me and the buyer were devastated as it was such a rare poster. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> If a poster arrived damaged, the buyer would simply need to return it to >>>> you and provide proof of the return export to obtain the import refund. >>>> Obviously that wouldn't work if they held on to the damaged poster - in >>>> which case they are not entitled to an import refund. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> There is definitely a big risk - I just avoid slipping into the USPS at >>>> all costs. I think if there was something extremely valuable and >>>> irreplaceable I would hand carry it myself! >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Best, >>>> >>>> Caitlin >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On Thu, 30 Mar 2023 at 09:30, Moviemem Original Movie Posters >>>> <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>> >>>> Hi Helmut >>>> >>>> I paid around $400.00 for insurance but I do agree that I might have >>>> wasted my money. I also get a lot of packages delivered from the US and UK >>>> and always have to pay the customs charges before the package even arrives >>>> in the country. I would say that there would be little to no chance of >>>> getting the customs charges refunded if the package arrived damaged. >>>> >>>> Bottom line is that there is a huge risk in sending high end posters >>>> internationally. It doesn’t matter how much you try to anticipate issues, >>>> sellers will always be at the mercy of the postal services. >>>> >>>> Regards >>>> >>>> John >>>> >>>> -----Original Message----- >>>> >>>> From: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> <[email protected] >>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> >>>> >>>> Sent: 30 March, 2023 6:06 PM >>>> >>>> To: Moviemem Original Movie Posters <[email protected] >>>> <mailto:[email protected]>>; [email protected] >>>> <mailto:[email protected]> >>>> Subject: Aw: [MOPO] Postal Service handling issues >>>> >>>> John, >>>> >>>> when shipping from Germany, there is no way to insure any collectibles >>>> beyond a value of €500 with any of the carriers. UPS in the US used to >>>> insure collectibles, but I don‘t know if they still do. For all I know, >>>> the Postal Services around the world do not. Chances are that you wasted >>>> the money on the insurance, as they would have never paid out anyway. In >>>> fact, if the value is over €500, you won‘t even get that amount, they >>>> simply pay nothing. UPS Germany makes this pretty clear in their Terms of >>>> Service. They also explicitly state out that they are under no obligation >>>> to tell you about this when they take your insurance money. >>>> >>>> All you could do is to get your own insurance policy, which is very costly. >>>> >>>> There are no custom duties on posters, only Import-VAT. As a business >>>> seller, it is easily refundable for me. For private buyers, I guess they >>>> have to prove that a shipment was returned and then file for a refund with >>>> customs. I never heard of anybody actually doing that. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Helmut >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> > Gesendet: Donnerstag, den 30.03.2023 um 01:09 Uhr >>>> >>>> > Von: "Moviemem Original Movie Posters" <[email protected] >>>> > <mailto:[email protected]>> >>>> >>>> > An: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >>>> > Betreff: [MOPO] Postal Service handling issues >>>> >>>> > >>>> >>>> > Hi to you all >>>> >>>> > There have been lots of comments on Social Media about an increase in >>>> > damaged packages, no matter how well they are packed. >>>> >>>> > >>>> >>>> > I recently sold some high end posters to a collector in Europe. >>>> > Thankfully it all went very smoothly. >>>> >>>> > >>>> >>>> > However, much as I tried to anticipate any potential issues there was >>>> > always some risk involved: >>>> >>>> > >>>> >>>> > 1. The package was fully insured but there is some fine print about >>>> > what is and what is not covered. >>>> >>>> > 2. The buyer paid with Paypal. If the package was damaged in transit >>>> > and the buyer had to be refunded, Paypal do not refund their fee which >>>> > was significant. >>>> >>>> > 3. The buyer had to pay customs charges BEFORE the package even >>>> > landed in the country. >>>> >>>> > 4. If the package arrived damaged, the buyer would quite rightly >>>> > expect customs charges to be refunded but how would that work? I would >>>> > imagine that there would be a lot of red tape in getting a refund. >>>> >>>> > 5. I think some buyers would expect the seller to cover all costs >>>> > immediately in the event of damage. >>>> >>>> > >>>> >>>> > Fortunately, I didn't have any problems but just curious as to whether >>>> > everyone here takes into consideration all of the risks that are >>>> > involved in International Shipping of high end items. >>>> >>>> > >>>> >>>> > Regards >>>> >>>> > John >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> To unsubscribe from the MoPo-L list, click the following link: >>>> https://listserv.american.edu/scripts/wa-american.exe?SUBED1=MoPo-L&A=1 >>>> >>>> >>>> To unsubscribe from the MoPo-L list, click the following link: >>>> https://listserv.american.edu/scripts/wa-american.exe?SUBED1=MoPo-L&A=1 >>>> >>> >>> To unsubscribe from the MoPo-L list, click the following link: >>> https://listserv.american.edu/scripts/wa-american.exe?SUBED1=MoPo-L&A=1 >>> >> >> To unsubscribe from the MoPo-L list, click the following link: >> https://listserv.american.edu/scripts/wa-american.exe?SUBED1=MoPo-L&A=1 >> > > > To unsubscribe from the MoPo-L list, click the following link: > https://listserv.american.edu/scripts/wa-american.exe?SUBED1=MoPo-L&A=1 > Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: [email protected] In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.
