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Seller is responsible to get item to you, intact. yes? or no?

Is the seller responsible for packing and shipping? or not? Should the seller insist on a safe form of shipping? (and if the seller does insist, can he make the buyer pay for air, or 2-day?) or can the buyer say ship cheap (even though the seller eats the shipping fail?) ((And DOES the buyer eat the broken equipment cost?))                  
Who should be worried about insurance... the buyer? or the seller? Since it it is lost or broken, the buyer can get his/her money back. (usually)  
My 'take' is that the person AT RISK for loss is the SELLER. And the SELLER should certainly be needing the insurance. (Notice the seller is the person who has to collect insurance, NOT the buyer)... So IMO the Seller should be including the cost of insurance IN THE ASKING PRICE. Since the seller is the one 'needing' the insurance.                   
The other side is why should the buyer PAY for insurance when the seller is the one being protected by insurance?            
I have asked this before long ago, and the main answer seems to be FURY on the part of (mainly) sellers claiming they have no part in any shipping fail, that they say it is 100% on the buyer. (to which I just laugh)Where I would say the shipping packing, and burden of surety is 100% on the seller/person shipping.So what's your thoughts on it today...(like I said, I asked this years ago, and got a LOT of flack for even claiming the seller is the bad guy, and is responsible 100% of the time for the insurance and proper packing and insurance against loss.) So I thought it was a pertinent question. and wonder what all you folks think, today?

elizabeth
lazarus_long
9 posts
 
As a seller I perssonally take responsibility for packaging items properly to survive shipping. All electronics are double boxed. Unit is first wrapped in bubble wrap. The first box will have a layer of 1.5" upholstery foam on the bottom. The bubble wrapped unit is placed in the box. Then more foam is fitted all the way around and on top of the unit. Any remaining voids will be filled with packing paper. I like for the second box to have at least 2" of room all the way around the first. Enough for a layer of 1.5" foam all around, and some packing paper to fill any gaps.. This is good for units up to around 50 lbs. I would increase the padding as units get heavier. Heavy duty cardboard is used for boxes! I have never had an issue with shipping damage with this method. 
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68pete
586 posts
 
Establishing good communication between the buyer and seller very important. If they do not want to talk to you  about the product and what they fill is necessary on shipping, insurance and who pays what. What the responsibility of buyer or seller is before transaction is complete. DO NOT BUY OR SELL
jimmydd's avatar
jimmydd
24 posts
 
In my opinion, the seller needs to do his/her own packaging as they "should" know what is required for proper protection. I would NEVER use UPS to ship anything of value. If UPS knows something is damaged, they will drop it off and leave as quickly as possible...unless a signature is required. I had them damage a vintage Marantz receiver and left the package and left the building within seconds. FedEx is the best.
However, anyone is capable of damaging a product...even if properly packaged. The seller/shipper is the one who needs to initiate the claim.  

Never, ever have someone ship a turntable with using the original packaging.  I've had someone ship a turntable with the platter still on the turntable.  When I received the shipment, the turntable looked like someone beat it with a heavy chain. The seller claimed he knew how to properly package a turntable...!!!! 

limomangus's avatar
limomangus
26 posts
 
I worked for the old post office years ago and loaded trucks and I have seen how stereo equipment was handled ,first hand.Not in the way it should be.Depending on the weight of said package.I also worked for UPS in the claims dept and before that i worked in a electric parts supplier....So i know a little.Since I retired I have bought alot of stereo equipment new and used .From ebay and dealers...I must say I find the dealers do pack a hell of a lot better that many sellers on ebay.I find if it wraped good and double box  usally there is no problem.Plus PayPal helps alot with damaged packages...i myself have had a number of turntables come damaged...If they dont have orginal packaging its a gamble on wether or not you receive it in good conditions....
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