Shipping - Who's Resposible for Receipt of Item?

I always make it a point to get insurance on anything I ship. If buyer declines to pay the extra, then it is clearly HIS fault if the package becomes lost.

I always, always, always insure. It's not a Buyer option. For items under $100 insurance is included by the shipper - though for USPS I believe this is an exception.

For a small, low $ item, I may take a chance, but if it's lost I'd probably shrug, and give a refund. At the same time I think it behooves both partys to work together to locate the missing item.

Finally, if you purchased tracking and USPS can show it was signed for, then it's the buyer's word against the Post Office, which in my opinion makes it the buyer's problem, which he/she needs to take up with the post office. This said, I think it's good practice to help the buyer locate the item if it's clear he/she's acting in good faith.

If you have your tracking that showed delivery it's on him, it's on you if you can't prove you sent the item. Insurance wouldn't help if the item was delivered, the post office did their job. You can't be responsible for what happens once an item gets delivered because there are those who try to get another item sent over again. I'm going through a hassle with a guy who waited for six months after I sent an item to tell me he never got it. Tracking is dead as the post office deletes records after six months. You can't check to see if it was delivered and insurance no longer compensates you for sending another item. I sent this guy another replacement even though I did not feel like I was obligated to do so, now he did the same thing and told me he didn't get it again, That's where I told him to take a flying......

Based on the facts outlined in the original post, the seller's responsibility is fulfilled. If one desires absolute certainty of delivery, then a service that requires the signature of the recipient is mandatory.

I once shipped an item via USPS Priority Mail Insured. This service requires the signature of the recipient. The USPS tracking showed the item had been delivered, but the recipient had not received the item. It turned out the apartment manager signed for the item, and held it, but did not notify the renter that the item had arrived. It was against USPS rules that the apartment manager sign for the item. The USPS letter carrier screwed up. What are you going to do? Eventually, after a few harried emails, the recipient discovered the item in the manager's office.

Bottom line is that according to the original post, the sender's responsibility is complete. It's up to the recipient to agree to and pay for insured delivery with signature required. I always insure as part of a sales agreement that if a buyer chooses to use a shipping method that does not requires a signature, then the buyer agrees that my responsibility for the safe delivery ends when I transfer the item to the shipping company.

Actually, according to AudiogoN policy (I know, who cares?), it is still the shipper's responsibility until the buyer accepts the item is as described in the ad.
What's the difference between the shipper's liability if the package is lost or damaged in shipping?

The buyer is supposed to be able to open the box, inspect the item and try it out to make sure it works as stated in the ad. When he accepts it, then the shippers liabilty ends.

I agree with Tvad that signature service should be required. That at least would help track the package after delivery. It's not a perfect system though, as I've known my mailman to sign for my USPS packages.

Maybe the reason I defend the buyer is because this just happened to me for the first time. I've been involved in shipping damage issues before, who hasn't? I've never been part of a missing package before though.

The shipper sent it via UPS Ground. Sent me a tracking number. The tracking number says the package was delivered last Friday. I asked my wife and children, no one has seen this package. There was no signature required, so it was just dropped off. Who knows what happened? Was it stolen off my front porch? Did the driver drop it off at the wrong house? Who knows? All I know is my $2500 item is missing. Is the shipper's responsibility over? How do I know what was in the box? It could be a new scam for all I know, sending out phantom tracking numbers.

Look at it from the buyer's point of view.
The seller can recoup the insurance, the buyer cannot.
The seller could have the buyer's money and the insurance money. The buyer is at the seller's mercy.
Who's got the best chance of being screwed here?

I'll get off my soapbox now. Goodnight Gracie.

John

Let me get this straight. A seller ships an item as agreed with the buyer via a method that does not require a signature. Let's say UPS Ground. The seller uses a delivery confirmation/tracking service to verify the package has been delivered. The buyer says he never received the package. According to the shipping company, their obligation has been fulfilled, since they are not responsible for stolen or non received items once the parcel has been delivered to the shipping address. In this case, the seller cannot collect the insured amount because UPS' obligation has been fulfilled.

Audiogon's policy declares the seller is still responsible even though the seller has no recourse with the shipping company for reimbursement?

Baloney.

Audiogon can declare whatever policy they like. If a seller and buyer agree to terms of a shipping method, then they are obligated no further than the terms of their agreement and the terms of the service the shipping company provides.

This Audiogon policy is a paper tiger. It is unenforceable because it potentially contradicts the terms of commonly used shipping services, and because Audiogon's policy makers have not thoroughly examined the details of their policy, it is unreasonable.

Folks, if you want to guarantee your items are delivered and fully insured against damage loss and theft, then utilize a shipping method that requires the signature of the buyer/addressee (and NOT and agent of the addressee). Period.

John, I'm sorry for your situation and I hope it gets resolved somehow. For the rest of the readers, it should serve as a vivid lesson about what can happen with ship-and-drop delivery methods.