Best delivery methods?

[thiman32]

Hi guys, Im pretty new to this forum if you havent already guest, and am looking to start trading, but I had one query, what have you guys found to be the best company/method of delivering items, be it hundred pound markers or cheap pods?

I'm a total noob when it comes to this sort of stuff and have never sent a parcel in my life lol, I just dont wanna screw somthing up and have people think I'm scamming em.

I've already sold some stuff, just trying to decide what would be the best method to send em.

thanks in advance

T

 

[balf]

I use Royal Mail seem to get my stuff where it needs to be when it needs to be there...i've had instances of stuff arriving early too. I always send stuff recorded at the minimum

But from what I've seen they can be a pain to deal with if stuff goes missing

 

[Niall W]

Royal mail 1st class recorded for anything i sell so it can be tracked if it 'goes missing'.

Insured if it's "worth over £35"

 

[tiffer]

Recorded delivery 1st or 2nd then you can check it's arrived as some buyers don't inform you.
For the sake of 72p it's cheap piece of mind...I've recently noticed disclaimers going onto sales threads undoubtedly affecting interestrolleyes I'd say steer clear of that cause it's going to get "iffy" sooner or later...

 

[spangley_special]

Recorded delivery 1st or 2nd then you can check it's arrived as some buyers don't inform you.
For the sake of 72p it's cheap piece of mind...I've recently noticed disclaimers going onto sales threads undoubtedly affecting interestrolleyes I'd say steer clear of that cause it's going to get "iffy" sooner or later...

I've been doing it for a while now and so long as the option for an insured method is there i dont see it as an issue.

If it bothers you or you dont know the seller then pay for the insured option, same attitude that i take to personal paypal payments.

Now if they dont give the option for insured delivery and put a disclaimer then I see a major issue.

But end of the day if any one is not absolutely 100% happy to deal with the terms stated by the seller their best bet is to not go through with it.

...oh and tiffer prefers to courier things by hand himself

*edit* And is it always a flat 72p extra for recorded?

 

[tiffer]

I've been doing it for a while now and so long as the option for an insured method is there i dont see it as an issue.

If it bothers you or you dont know the seller then pay for the insured option, same attitude that i take to personal paypal payments.

Now if they dont give the option for insured delivery and put a disclaimer then I see a major issue.

But end of the day if any one is not absolutely 100% happy to deal with the terms stated by the seller their best bet is to not go through with it.

...oh and tiffer prefers to courier things by hand himself

*edit* And is it always a flat 72p extra for recorded?

Ha,ha....I can't help thinking m8 that if we start with disclaimers someone's gonna get stung.
If I buy something the onus is surely on the seller to make sure I get it wether he/she has paid for recorded is not really the buyers issue,it's proof of receipt for the seller.
Also the rules stipulate that the advert must include postage whereas some of the recent posts are circumventing this by allowing choices or options by way of adding "insurance" after the postage costs.
The only realistic options should be means of delivery 1st,2nd,parcel etc,but they can all use a recorded service of some sort.
Personaly I've been put off of one deal by a "disclaimer" which is tantamount to blackmail,I certainly won't consider paying extra after a deal and I will expect my stuff I've paid for,again the despatch method and also any resulting insurance claim rests entirely with the seller unless othewise stipulated by the buyer.
...It's 72p 1st or 2nd class..but I like the drive.....

 

[spangley_special]

I've been put off of one deal by a "disclaimer" which is tantamount to blackmail,I certainly won't consider paying extra after a deal and I will expect my stuff I've paid for,again the despatch method and also any resulting insurance claim rests entirely with the seller unless othewise stipulated by the buyer.
...It's 72p 1st or 2nd class..but I like the drive.....

Right well i cant comment on any other disclaimers but my rules when selling have read as follows

Prices include postage via Royalmail first class standard. If you want an insured shipping method that's fine but will cost extra.
I take no responsibility once it's in the hands of the post office, although i have yet to have issues here. If you are worried, take the insured option.

As no deal is made until both parties 100% agree upon it, I cannot see how my rules can be constrewed as "tantamount to blackmail" although as i've said i cannot comment on the others about the boards.

If the postage method is stated clearly in the first post from the beginning, and the option for an insured method is also made clear then the buyer is choosing to not insure his item. Which i have no problem with, but also refuse to be responsible for.

Now if a buyer was to pay the difference for an insured method be it recorded for cheap items or SD for the more costly. Then i have no issue being responsible for the item right up till buyer eagerly opens it.

*edit*
Thanks to knowing the 72p rule. My personally trading rules will be updated from here on in and should look somthing along the lines of this..

Prices include postage via Royalmail first class standard. If you want an insured shipping method that's fine but will cost extra (just 72p on most items).
I take no responsibility for uninsured items once it's in the hands of the post office, although i have yet to have issues here. If you are worried, take the insured option.

 

[tiffer]

Insurance and recorded being 2 different things here.
As mentioned std postage has insurance cover to £30+(?) so enhanced insurance could be purchased depending on the value.

Recorded on the other hand is a sellers guarantee of delivery so then why should buyers be expected to pay extra for the sellers piece of mind as stipulated by some;my black mail jibe was as read if you opt not to take out the insurance(turned out to mean recorded)then it's not my responsibility (the seller) if you don't get it.
But it is because claims for lost postage come from the sender to start with.
I don't think it's as easy to wash your hands of it if the item does not reach it's destination.
Sellers...72p for piece of mind........ and stop with the disclaimers...
Hand delivery is king.....

 

[onasilverbike]

I hear tiffer prefers hand delivery via the back door

You both have a point here, IIRC when the buyer sends the funds to the seller they enter a contract, it is then the sellers responsibility to fulfil his part of that contract by delivering the goods. Once the goods are in the buyers hands the contract is completed (subject to the goods being of the quality described by the seller) and not once posted!

I will admit to putting items up for sale with an all inclusive price (including std 1st/2nd class postage) with the rider that on payment of the extra fee I will post signed for/special delivery. It makes for a more attractive deal price. I have in the past had to go through the whole claim on std post process - would you believe an ebay seller apparently sent 9 identical items in 9 separate packages and none of them reached me. After a lengthy series of emails between "her dad" and me, the claim was finally put in and eventually settled. Think yourselves lucky you have Lump, Gassy etc to lean on people round here. IMHO ebay and paypal have been about as much use as an ashtray on a motocrosser the few occassions things have gone wrong for me.