Shipping Jewelry within the US Insurance

[kathness]

Hi All,


I'm trying to find out the best way to ship my jewellery from one state to another. A friend said to use g4s1.

Has anyone used this before? If not are you able to recommend ways to ship expensive jewellery .

Thanks!

 

[IDtoTX]

I just shipped my ring registered and insured mail to VC through the USPS. I think they only insure up to $25K though so it depends on how much your ring is worth.

My ring only took a few days to get to VC. It was nerve wracking for me but he said that his customers do that all the time.

 

[WillyDiamond]

USPS, Registered, Insured.

 

[kathness]

Thank you! Have you use UPS???

 

[WillyDiamond]

No.
Only trust USPS, Reg, Insured for expensive jewelry.
Registered mail is slow, but it gets there.

 

[SCARLETTE]

I have been told USPS registered mail is the way to go. Can someone confirm that insurance is included in the price (whatever the declared value is) up to 25 k so you don't need to buy extra insurance?

 

[maple2012]

I have only shipped jewelry once and utilized USPS based on others recommendations. Oh gosh are they slow and unresponsive. My package was shipped over a week ago and was suppose to deliver this past Tuesday - and the USPS website is still stating that it is in a sorting facility in Chicago (which is where it was shipped from). I shipped my ring to change the setting and needed the old setting back so I could get a refund prior to the return period ending. I had plenty of time had USPS delivered on time but at this point, I doubt I will get the ring back on time to get a refund on the original setting with another vendor.

If I could go back in time, I would have checked with Jewelers Mutual to insure they would have covered my ring if it was lost while being mailed and then I would have FEDEX overnighted it in a "normal" looking package as to not make it suspicious.

Keep in mind that the United States Post Office is currently extra slow as they let a lot of people go and are having a lot of problems. Just google search "USPS" and "slow deliveries" and a few forums pop up from Ebay shippers stating the same thing.

Good luck!

 

[WillyDiamond]

It's my understanding that FedEx has a loss limit of $500 and does not insure jewelry, that's why so many people utilize USPS. I am talking about individuals, not businesses. I stress the service called "Registered". In order to send registered mail, the package has to be sealed with a paper tape, fiber glass reinforcement is Ok to use. No plastic tape on the outside. You can buy this paper tape that is sealed with water at stores like Staples. When you take it to the post office they stamp all the edges of the package so that it is not tampered with. The reason it is so secure is that it is locked up at each location and the person handling the package has to sign for it, and if it is lost they hold that person who signed responsible. The package moves with Priority Mail, but slower because of the signing and locking up process. Yes, it is a pain to package it up with the paper tape, but once you do it a few times it is easy. And yes, it is slow to get there, but it does get there. I sent a Registered package from the NY area to BGD in Texas and it took 10 days for delivery!

 

[bunnycat]

I have been told USPS registered mail is the way to go. Can someone confirm that insurance is included in the price (whatever the declared value is) up to 25 k so you don't need to buy extra insurance?

It is NOT included in the price but is available and will depend on the price of the item. It's what I would use for sending items over a certain amount here in the US. It will get there, just slowly. I wouldn't pay for the "extra" upcharge for "Priority", it's still going to take the same amount of time to get there and will be wasted money.

If it's over the amount USPS can insure for, or if it's a signficant amount and it's a piece you are sending to a jeweler for repair of something, you might check and see if they have any arrangements (because they are a business) with any shipping company's and can send you a mailing label (which you'll be billed for). I've done that before also. If this is something you are mailing to a person, I'd go with USPS Registered and Insured.

 

[kathness]

USPS seems to be the best option but are abit slow.

is there any third party insurance that ship jewelry via fedex or UPS?

 

[lknvrb4]

I was told by Jewelers Mutual that my ring was covered while it was being shipped. I also found some pdf from them saying that they work with FedEx and to ship that way and don't buy the extra insurance since its covered with them.
I also have sent through USPS as well and have had no problems.

 

[kathness]

Do you have to go through the post office to use USPS?

 

[bunnycat]

Do you have to go through the post office to use USPS?

I think for something special like Registered, you will have to go in (if someone knows any differently I hope they'll say). I did look and you can purchase registered online, but it still has to be presented to a post person. And I am fairly certain there are some limits as to how much insurance you can get online before they'll make you go do it at a PO.

The times I have sent Registered, I have let the post person do everything (put the paper tape on, etc). The address has to be put on over the paper tape. All edges have to be sealed by the tape. So, I let them handle it since they are the ones who know what has to be done.

One other thing I would do sending an expensive item (Registered or not) is tape whatever it is to the inside of the box. I do not make it easy. If someone were to punch a hole in the box to attempt to rattle whatever I have in there out, they'd have to destroy the box to do it.

 

[kathness]

I think we are going ahead with the USPS registered post... I hope it gets there on time and doesn't go missing!! I will let you guys know how I get on.

Thanks!!

 

[bunnycat]

I think we are going ahead with the USPS registered post... I hope it gets there on time and doesn't go missing!! I will let you guys know how I get on.

Thanks!!

Good luck! I think if you pack it up well (tape it to the box) everything should be fine. It's just kind of slow and nerve wracking (especially on a multi $K item) but it does get there. You won't generally see updates for it and I'd expect a week or so to be on the safe side before getting antsy.

 

[WinkHPD]

I think we are going ahead with the USPS registered post... I hope it gets there on time and doesn't go missing!! I will let you guys know how I get on.

Thanks!!

If you have a good relationship with your local jeweler and he is willing to work with you, he may have the insurance to send it for you via Fedex. Most of us carry supplimental insurance for when it needs to get somewhere fast.

Wink

 

[kathness]

Thanks Wink!

I think we are going ahead with the USPS registered post... I hope it gets there on time and doesn't go missing!! I will let you guys know how I get on.

Thanks!!

If you have a good relationship with your local jeweler and he is willing to work with you, he may have the insurance to send it for you via Fedex. Most of us carry supplimental insurance for when it needs to get somewhere fast.

Wink

I may do that next time!

 

[kathness]

Yup USPS is definitely slow at updating their register status!!

It's expected to be delivered today but the status still says...

Dispatched to Sort Facility
June 4, 2013, 5:58 pm

Acceptance
June 4, 2013, 11:24 am


ekk!!!

 

[maple2012]

Did your package make it?

Mine finally arrived at the jeweler! A week late but it finally made it.

 

[kathness]

It hasn't arrived yet!!!! . It was meant to arrive yesterday!

Glad that yours have arrived!!!!

 

[kathness]

ekk reading loads of bad reviews about USPS... im worried now ...

 

[diamondseeker2006]

There is absolutely nothing to worry about! It is the safest shipping method. The projected delivery date is meaningless and they do not update tracking until the item is delivered. I would start being concerned or at least irritated after two weeks. But I think all of mine have arrived in about 7 days or less. What date did you send it?

Oh, I see it was sent June 4th! WAY too early to expect it to be delivered! You probably did it priority which is irrelevant for registered and that is why it said the 6th. But registered is different from priority and takes longer because it is soooo much safer with signatures required by everyone who touches the package. So I wouldn't even be remotely concerned for another week at the earliest. It is slow, safe, and will get there.

 

[bunnycat]

There is absolutely nothing to worry about! It is the safest shipping method. The projected delivery date is meaningless and they do not update tracking until the item is delivered. I would start being concerned or at least irritated after two weeks. But I think all of mine have arrived in about 7 days or less. What date did you send it?

Oh, I see it was sent June 4th! WAY too early to expect it to be delivered! You probably did it priority which is irrelevant for registered and that is why it said the 6th. But registered is different from priority and takes longer because it is soooo much safer with signatures required by everyone who touches the package. So I wouldn't even be remotely concerned for another week at the earliest. It is slow, safe, and will get there.

Yes- I think I mentioned choosing Priority will not get it there any faster. I did that one time and it still took 10 days. It's rare for Registered to get anywhere in under 7 days....I've only had that happen once.

 

[bunnycat]

ekk reading loads of bad reviews about USPS... im worried now ...

Registered WILL get there, but it really will take some time as I mentioned earlier in the thread....

 

[kathness]

thanks ladies!

i did call the local USPS and apparently they *tried* to deliver it yesterday we have a 24hr door man in our apartment :S

The USPS lady said that they will "re-deliver" the item today... shrugs...

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Well, if it gets delivered in 3 days, that will be some kind of a record! The distance must have been a very short one!

 

[kenny]

I have been told USPS registered mail is the way to go. Can someone confirm that insurance is included in the price (whatever the declared value is) up to 25 k so you don't need to buy extra insurance?

I just shipped something USPS Registered and I wrote the value where it belongs on the form.
I specifically asked whether insurance is included in the price of Registered mail and they said yes.

I also like to pay a bit more for the return receipt requested.
That means the person signing for it must also sign a little green postcard that gets mailed back to me.

BTW, the clerk may ask whether you want it sent priority or express.
Say NO.
You can pay more but you don't get more.
That's a scam since Registered does not move any faster.
I've complained about this scam but to no avail.

This time the clerk smiled knowingly and gave me a glance, as if to say, "You and I know it's a scam but most customer's don't."


BTW, for the record I first tried to send it via FedEx because their tracking is so good (every time I tried using it USPS Registered tracking has been a totally worthless joke ).
FedEx said for items like jewelry, diamonds, watches and art the insurance limit is $1,000.

 

[denverappraiser]

USPS’s speed is peculiar. My office is about half a mile from the main USPS shipping hub for a 5 state region so you would think it would be fast here and sometimes it is but I recently had a package to downtown Denver (on the order of 5 miles away) take 4 days while one to Carlsbad CA sent the same day arrived in 2. Shipping FROM rural sorts of location tends to slow things down quite a bit and anything involving NYC adds days.

 

[kathness]

Thanks DS, Kenny,DP,

So the local post didn't come to our door steps, the lady i spoke to on the phone definitely wasn't telling me the truth. The wait continues...

 

[oldminer]

USPS Registered Mail is the safest way to go for people outside the jewelry trade who have valuable jewelry or unset gemstones to ship. You must declare the "value" and pay the fee for this value although no amount over $25,000 is covered by insurance. The USPS charges a handling fee above the $25K but does not pay more if there is a loss. You can buy higher coverage from UPS, like $50K or possibly now $75K, for mounted jewelry or precious metal, but not any coverage for unset stones...Can't tell you why, but that is their rule. Also, worth considering is you can send up to $5,000 value via USPS Express Mail. I don't think anyone touched on that.

Grandpa Wink has been up late with the new baby and gave you some advice that might create a big problem. If a jeweler tells you to give him your item so he can ship it using his insurance, you will find that there is no insurance in case of a loss. While it is a nice thought to help someone out, such services are not covered by insurers. Policies forbid free or paid assistance like that. However, getting the recipient, who is in the jewelry business and is actually doing business with you, to send you a label is done all the time and then UPS or FedEx is a great and fast alternative to USPS. We use G4S1 and Parcel-Pro for FedEx or UPS insured shipping, but members of the public are not the clients of such after market insurers. They sell coverage to professional bulk users such as jewelers where there is good control of how items are packed and shipped.