Trackable shipping - what's the point?

[Dimitri001]

EDIT: Found my answer! Thanks to the poster below.

I'm looking to buy something off ebay from a seller in the US, I'm in Europe. The guy says he only sells internationally via trackable methods.

I've heard of insured shipping, which allows you to get money back from the post office if your package get lost in the mail, do trackable methods include insurance? I can't imagine that the only benefit of trackable shipping is that you can track your shipment, if that were the case why would this seller insist on it? Is it because if the shipment gets lost then he can't be accused of not having sent the package or what?

 

[Claghorn]

I think it's the only way buyers can get any sort of coverage from eBay.

 

[Dimitri001]

I think it's the only way buyers can get any sort of coverage from eBay.

You mean insurance that I won't get the package but say I didn't get it and then demand my money back?


By the way, how often do packages get lost in international shipping? Should I try talking him into shipping me the cheapest way and just chance it?

 

[Claghorn]

You would still get your money back, but I think he gets some sort of recompense as well. There is a thread called "Buying and Selling on eBay" in Men's Clothes that could fill you in a bit better.

I've never had anything lost internationally, but I don't mind paying for tracking if it's for nicer things. It also helps with the sellers' peace of mind; to many sellers are CONUS only these days.

 

[Saturdays]

Also tracking is a paypal insurance, in a sense, for the seller. In case a buyer tries to claim the good never shipped or what not.