[meteorite-list] Dealers, Sellers: Please INSURE your shipments

[Gary Fujihara]

Aloha listees,

I want to thank everyone who responded to my email.  Many good points  
were brought to my attention, so I thought I would condense them into  
a sort of Reader's Digest version here:

* Many points of origin and destination offer no insurance for shipped  
items.  Unless you self-insure by some third-party underwriter ...  
seems like a hassle though.  (FWIW, the country of origin of my  
shipment allowed insurance)

* Some dealers or sellers understate the value of their shipments to  
reduce the tax burden on the buyer for international transactions.   
But it is always as a dual agreement between the buyer and seller  
before this is done.

* A high value declared on a shipment can slow down the delivery and  
invite theft.

* A very good option for overseas shipments for very valuable  
specimens are the courier services.  A good option for very, very  
expensive shipments is to deliver in person (anyone for a trip to  
Hawaii?  ;-)

* Never declare that you are shipping meteorites or even minerals - it  
makes it too tempting to steal.  A better strategy may be to declare  
"Geological specimen for research", which is accurate but less  
attractive to thieves.

* Use Paypal or a major credit card for transactions.  Most have buyer  
protection plans that can cover your loss (I don't know if I qualify,  
but I have inquired).

* Purchases made on eBay or paid through Paypal are protected in the  
same manner (I don't know if I qualify but I have inquired - keep in  
mind that you can't double-dip from both eBay and Paypal).

* Always ship registered mail because the mail has to be signed for  
each time it changes hands.  No insurance is needed because it cannot  
get lost.  (well my package didn't get lost - it made it right to  
me ... empty).

* For those of you who were wondering: No, I wasn't buying illegal  
meteorites from Argentina - no Campos or Berduc.

* Keep all receipts, you need tangible evidence of the cost that you  
paid (which could be problematic if you, the seller is also the finder  
of the stones).

* On larger orders, the seller should recommend insurance to the  
buyer, who may elect not to do so at his/her own risk.  But give the  
buyer the choice, make him an active participant in the shipment.

* There are inherent risks in doing business on the internet - caveat  
emptor!

The current status of my lost shipment of meteorites from Argentina is  
that I filed a Dispute with Paypal, which I escalated to a Claim.  At  
this point, Paypal has contacted the seller for information regarding  
the shipment tracking information, after which it will review the  
transaction and make a determination.  Fingers crossed.  Mahalo nui  
loa (thank you very much) for everyone's responses and offers of  
sympathy.  Sympathy is okay, but my rocks would be better, and since I  
will probably never see them in my collection, then the money I paid  
to procure them would be a reasonable outcome that I can accept.

I hope this thread, and the information contained therein are of use  
to both sellers and buyers.  The best of luck to everyone in all of  
your transactions and rock on!

gary


On Jun 1, 2009, at 12:59 PM, Gary Fujihara wrote:

> Aloha,
>
> I have been the victim of theft after discovering that over $1600  
> worth of meteorites were missing from a shipment I received from  
> Argentina.  I had noticed the package felt light, but discovered  
> that the US postal service is not responsible for thefts of the  
> contents of international mailed items that are not insured.  This  
> shipment was not insured and so I will in all likelihood take the  
> full brunt of this loss.
>
> Thievery by customs officials, foreign and domestic postal workers  
> and other individuals or organized groups inside and outside the US  
> is a possibility!  I believe most packages arrive at their  
> destinations with their contents intact, but feel it is negligent  
> and at the very least unconscionable not to insure shipments at or  
> above the full value of the contents.  I know it costs more to do  
> so, but please consider insurance especially for foreign shipments.   
> Mailing specimen cards and paperwork separately from the meteorites  
> can also prevent thieves from knowing what those "Mineral Samples"  
> are.
>
> Is it fair for me, the buyer to take the loss alone for this theft?   
> I personally don't think so, unless I was given a choice and elected  
> not to insure.  I would hope that the seller (an IMCA member who, to  
> his credit is working with me) would have a sudden rush of  
> conscience and compensate, or share the loss with me, since his act  
> of omission provides me with little if any recourse.  What are my  
> rights, and what can I do?  Do other dealers insure their  
> shipments?  What is SOP?
>
> Gary Fujihara
> AstroDay Institute
> 105 Puhili Place, Hilo, HI 96720
> (808) 640-9161, fujmon at mac.com
> http://astroday.net
>
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Gary Fujihara
AstroDay Institute
105 Puhili Place, Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 640-9161, fujmon at mac.com
http://astroday.net