Shipping Watches > $5,000

[mps354]

I had a quick question for the forum...ive been doing some research online in general, particularly in watch forums, as I have to ship an expensive item (that is, of greater value than USPS overnight express limit of $5k).

My question is this...if I want to send a watch with a value greater than $10,000 fully insured within the US, is USPS Registered mail the only way to go? I am an individual, so it seems 3rd party insurance providers like ParcelPro will not want to deal with me. Seems like the knock on USPS Registered mail is the slow speed. Im wondering if there is another option --> that is, a speedier delivery but fully insured, or is USPS Registered my only reasonable option...

Thanks

[Laszlo]

Won't FedEx insure with overnight? I don't trust USPS enough for expensive goods.

[btinl]

I only use USPS registered mail for shipping watches. It is slow but it's worth it for added security.

[Wolfgang427]

You can use priority mail registered and it would be quicker then 1st class package registered.

[mps354]

Originally Posted by Laszlo

Won't FedEx insure with overnight? I don't trust USPS enough for expensive goods.

I thought the limit for FedEx was like $500

[Runnin' Rebel]

I'm confused on this insurance. If your watches are already insured wouldn't your insurance pay for any loss if the loss is in transit, like for example, FedEx over night to an independent Rolex watch maker for any kind of service as long as it's tracked and signature is required when it arrives ?

Even if you sell it and FedEx to a buyer too ?

[jw0n]

I'm located in Malaysia, southeast Asia and bought a watch from another member here on TRF. It was shipped via FedEx, but I'm pretty sure there is a limit to how much the watch can be insured. In my case, the watch wasn't insured at full value, because FedEx had a limit to how much could be insured. I believe this is the same case for USPS as well (I used to buy/sell sneakers to the US).

[Amez]

Seems like all high end brand boutiques use FedEx or UPS. Are they just assuming the risk themselves then?

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by Amez

Seems like all high end brand boutiques use FedEx or UPS. Are they just assuming the risk themselves then?

No, most businesses use third party vendors for insurance, same thing for watch makers who ship watches all over the country. The volume of their work/sales and need to ship warrants an insurer that will allow for increased coverage over the norms and discount based volume.

[Lgear080]

You'll need to use a 3rd party insurer

[Laszlo]

Originally Posted by mps354

I thought the limit for FedEx was like $500

I used to dabble in classic cameras and some very rare and never had any issues using FedEx or paying that much in fees for full insurance. Maybe 3rd party is the way to go. I'm not sure... but I would never ship anything expensive with USPS. I've also read USPS nightmare stories of people having lost packages and the claim process is typical red tape government bureaucracy and pure agony. Just my 2 cents. Ship at will.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by Laszlo

I used to dabble in classic cameras and some very rare and never had any issues using FedEx or paying that much in fees for full insurance. Maybe 3rd party is the way to go. I'm not sure... but I would never ship anything expensive with USPS. I've also read USPS nightmare stories of people having lost packages and the claim process is typical red tape government bureaucracy and pure agony. Just my 2 cents. Ship at will.

It sure is. I've dealt with this process, I gave up. You are treated like a con artist.

[stockae92]

Originally Posted by btinl

I only use USPS registered mail for shipping watches. It is slow but it's worth it for added security.

ditto, I think they can insure up to $25k

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by Runnin' Rebel

I'm confused on this insurance. If your watches are already insured wouldn't your insurance pay for any loss if the loss is in transit, like for example, FedEx over night to an independent Rolex watch maker for any kind of service as long as it's tracked and signature is required when it arrives ?

Even if you sell it and FedEx to a buyer too ?

I was sending in a Rolex for repair and called Jewelers Mutual, my insurer, about coverage. They said it would be fully covered for loss.

[mps354]

Originally Posted by Frosty

I was sending in a Rolex for repair and called Jewelers Mutual, my insurer, about coverage. They said it would be fully covered for loss.

my issue is the watch isn't insured, its been sitting in a bank safe instead

[Runnin' Rebel]

Originally Posted by Frosty

I was sending in a Rolex for repair and called Jewelers Mutual, my insurer, about coverage. They said it would be fully covered for loss.

That's what I thought. Use the right shipping protocol and since its insured anyway it should be covered if lost in transit. That's what USAA does for it's members.

[ILOVEIT]

UPS had such an insurance in the past I guess