Grant- The last time I looked at the BAX web site, they had a residential surcharge, so it seems that they must now pick up and deliver to homes. In that case it was a substantial additional charge, but in the past I have received a 42" plasma, a 32" CRT TV(!!) and speakers w/o any damage via BAX. With respect to USPS, there are weight limits and also a low value limit for insurance on international shipments ($600, IIRC). One higher cost alternative is to have the UPS store or Kinko's do the packing. I would double check, but since they are owned by the shipping co, they should not be able to claim inadequate packing. They ARE more expensive on the base shipping charge AND charge quite a bit for packing. Its really a cost-benefit analysis.
As far as problems with the transaction end, I have been burned once on condition (7/10 rated sub arrived fully functional but with 3 chipped coats of paint, dinged corners, and stained cloth) and once on a purchase ("seller" skipped with my $). I have had one outgoing shipment damaged (USPS paid claim after 6 months) and one incoming (UPS approved claim based on 3/16" shipping bolt badly deformed, showing package had been dropped from great height). I have had a pair of monoblocks arrive intact even tho they were both packed with one layer of bubble-wrap, in a single box, with only peanuts around them!!! I watched the UPS guy tumble a SOTA TT end over end down the ramp, and it was fine. I worked in high school as a shipping clerk, and I was trained as a scientist. I understand the physics and mechanics of shipping, so I am pretty darn careful packer. I've probably had 175-200 transactions, so my experience is better than yours.
In terms of payment methods, I agree, as a buyer I want to use pp if its a small item and/or time critical. As a seller I want a wire transfer or USPS m.o. OTOH, if the seller has lots of good feedback, I don't have a problem with a personal or cashier's check. I am most cautious, of course, with overseas transactions (sorry folks) due to higher fraud potential and possibility of misunderstandings, but I have bought from Australia, Hong Kong, France, England, and Hungary, and have shipped to Singapore, Australia, Italy, Spain and Canada, w/o any problems.
The system ain't perfect, but it sure beats getting 10 cents on the dollar in trade like the old days!!!
As far as problems with the transaction end, I have been burned once on condition (7/10 rated sub arrived fully functional but with 3 chipped coats of paint, dinged corners, and stained cloth) and once on a purchase ("seller" skipped with my $). I have had one outgoing shipment damaged (USPS paid claim after 6 months) and one incoming (UPS approved claim based on 3/16" shipping bolt badly deformed, showing package had been dropped from great height). I have had a pair of monoblocks arrive intact even tho they were both packed with one layer of bubble-wrap, in a single box, with only peanuts around them!!! I watched the UPS guy tumble a SOTA TT end over end down the ramp, and it was fine. I worked in high school as a shipping clerk, and I was trained as a scientist. I understand the physics and mechanics of shipping, so I am pretty darn careful packer. I've probably had 175-200 transactions, so my experience is better than yours.
In terms of payment methods, I agree, as a buyer I want to use pp if its a small item and/or time critical. As a seller I want a wire transfer or USPS m.o. OTOH, if the seller has lots of good feedback, I don't have a problem with a personal or cashier's check. I am most cautious, of course, with overseas transactions (sorry folks) due to higher fraud potential and possibility of misunderstandings, but I have bought from Australia, Hong Kong, France, England, and Hungary, and have shipped to Singapore, Australia, Italy, Spain and Canada, w/o any problems.
The system ain't perfect, but it sure beats getting 10 cents on the dollar in trade like the old days!!!