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Best Way to Ship & Insure Small, High Value items?

This is not a post about how best to pack & ship big, heavy amps & speakers & such (lot of great posts on A'gon on that subject). Rather, my question is which shipper is most reliable, & likely to pay an insurance claim, on a high value item, say.......$2,000 to $5,000 (or more). i.e.; how best to ship a relatively small but valuable item that can easily be shipped by air, & the weight & shipping cost is not an issue, & you're not as much worried about shipping damage as it possibly getting lost? I'm guessing, insured USPS priority or express mail? Thanks in advance for any feedback!
steveaudio
mknowles16
101 posts
 
USPS without question. I have made two claims in six years, and had no problem with either.

They do not seem to have a strategy designed to cause you to quit pursuing a claim as UPS evidently does.

I may be wrong, but I believe I have read that the Hope Diamond was once transported via the U.S. Post Office before it became the USPS. Just a factoid.
hgeifman
2,305 posts
 
United States Registered Mail is the best way to ship high value items. It provides protection and security for valuables or important mail. It also provides evidence of mailing and optional proof of delivery. Registered Mail is the most secure service offered by the United States Postal Service. Registered Mail is separated and does not travel enroute with First Class Mail because of the high degree of security. This extra security can delay mail by 24 to 48 hours over other First Class delivery objectives. Registered Mail must be taken by the mailer to a post office for acceptance.
philefreak
423 posts
 
Are you talking about lite items? If so, then US Postal ain't bad.
bigjoe's avatar
bigjoe
693 posts
 
this guy is talkin about "what if an item gets lost".

if you are unfortunate enough to get an item lost with the post office your really in for it!ive been there.

when your item dosent arrive & you call them for an update here is their response(its in the system)& when you call back weeks later to check the response is the same.

ive had nothing but bad luck with the postal system in my state,they sure dont get employees who go on killing sprees because they hire the cream of the crop.

if your stuff gets lost be prepared for THE BIGGEST NIGHTMARE OF YOUR LIFE!
fatparrot
1,314 posts
 
As Hgeifman said, USPS Registered insured is the best way to send light parcels with a high value. I have shipped valuable numismatic coins and jewelry using this method. All of the box's edges are brown taped and USPS stamped over the tape and box interface, so no one can open and reseal the box, without leaving clear evidence of tampering. EVERYONE who handles the parcel must sign on and off for it. The delivery log may have several signatures. In addition, the parcel is kept under lock during storage at the various stops throughout it's journey.
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