From the insurance standpoint, I will tell you how large insurers see it.
Example:
You accept money for goods. You pack the items and take them to work the next day to ship. You make the deposit at lunch, but when you leave after work to ship the item, it has been stolen.
These large insurers view the item as NO LONGER BEING yours, since you were paid for item. The transaction and possession have transpired, ownership has transferred upon acceptance of payment.
I concur, the shipper has the responsibility to file the claim, follow up, and as Sean states, file a release to the buyer since the shipper has NO INTEREST in the unit. By interest, I mean proper authority to make decisions as he/she are no longer the legal owner.
I disagree the buyer has the right or option to choose to follow the claim or demand a refund. If the item has not been packaging properly, then I agree, buyer is 100% responsible. HOWEVER, if packaged properly, or in factory package, I do not feel the buyer should FRONT the money for the refund AND wait for the carrier to make the their decisions.
Unfortunately, in this situation someone has to take the risk, and I, personally, with proper packaging, feel the BUYER is the one to accept the risk. The buyer accepted this risk upon purchase, entering into the possibility of damage during transit. Now, this would be my stance in a 'repair' bill, versus a 'replace' or 'total loss' bill.
As a buyer, you need to be aware of such potential risks of loss, and DEMAND/PAY for security. Proper insurance, proper packaging, and the likes just as the seller should demand such.
I recently sold a Velodyne HGS-18II, FACTORY SEALED. It arrived to its destination, damaged. I did nothing wrong in describing the item, promising proper timeliness of shipping so how can I be held responsible? What if I already owned an HGS-18II that I dropped a Theta Dreadnaught on and cracked one end. Ah, I know, buy one from someone, swap them out upon delivery, demand my refund, and let the poor seller deal with it. THIS HAPPENS!
DO NOT BE A FOOL TO THINK IT DOESN'T.
Someone just purchased a Sony DVP-7700 from me. Unit had some superficial surface scratches on top, nothing major, and came with factory packaging and box. BUYER wanted complete safety, and paid to have the FACTORY box put into a larger box, with added padding/support. Not to mention the size of the box and newly added weight added to the cost of shipping. This is responsiblilty for BOTH parties involved.
As a buyer, I do not like NON FACTORY packaging. RARELY does anyone package properly. It is not cheap, it is not easy, BUT as a buyer AND seller, both need to be aware of the risks of going 'cheap-o'.
Rule of thumb, (does not guarantee safe delivery) buy with factory packaging. If not, BE SURE IT IS DOUBLE BOXED with PLENTY of packaging, foam, and according to the carriers demands.
Dan
Example:
You accept money for goods. You pack the items and take them to work the next day to ship. You make the deposit at lunch, but when you leave after work to ship the item, it has been stolen.
These large insurers view the item as NO LONGER BEING yours, since you were paid for item. The transaction and possession have transpired, ownership has transferred upon acceptance of payment.
I concur, the shipper has the responsibility to file the claim, follow up, and as Sean states, file a release to the buyer since the shipper has NO INTEREST in the unit. By interest, I mean proper authority to make decisions as he/she are no longer the legal owner.
I disagree the buyer has the right or option to choose to follow the claim or demand a refund. If the item has not been packaging properly, then I agree, buyer is 100% responsible. HOWEVER, if packaged properly, or in factory package, I do not feel the buyer should FRONT the money for the refund AND wait for the carrier to make the their decisions.
Unfortunately, in this situation someone has to take the risk, and I, personally, with proper packaging, feel the BUYER is the one to accept the risk. The buyer accepted this risk upon purchase, entering into the possibility of damage during transit. Now, this would be my stance in a 'repair' bill, versus a 'replace' or 'total loss' bill.
As a buyer, you need to be aware of such potential risks of loss, and DEMAND/PAY for security. Proper insurance, proper packaging, and the likes just as the seller should demand such.
I recently sold a Velodyne HGS-18II, FACTORY SEALED. It arrived to its destination, damaged. I did nothing wrong in describing the item, promising proper timeliness of shipping so how can I be held responsible? What if I already owned an HGS-18II that I dropped a Theta Dreadnaught on and cracked one end. Ah, I know, buy one from someone, swap them out upon delivery, demand my refund, and let the poor seller deal with it. THIS HAPPENS!
DO NOT BE A FOOL TO THINK IT DOESN'T.
Someone just purchased a Sony DVP-7700 from me. Unit had some superficial surface scratches on top, nothing major, and came with factory packaging and box. BUYER wanted complete safety, and paid to have the FACTORY box put into a larger box, with added padding/support. Not to mention the size of the box and newly added weight added to the cost of shipping. This is responsiblilty for BOTH parties involved.
As a buyer, I do not like NON FACTORY packaging. RARELY does anyone package properly. It is not cheap, it is not easy, BUT as a buyer AND seller, both need to be aware of the risks of going 'cheap-o'.
Rule of thumb, (does not guarantee safe delivery) buy with factory packaging. If not, BE SURE IT IS DOUBLE BOXED with PLENTY of packaging, foam, and according to the carriers demands.
Dan