Advice on shipping

[Decision_Decisions]

I am looking to send a stone to a vendor frequently mentioned on PS. They have quoted me $70 to use their UPS or FedEx account with up to $10,000 in insurance. I would probably only insure for about $5,000-$6,000. If I go with USPS and max out the insurance for priority mail at $5K, it looks like it will cost about $73 just for the insurance, plus either a flat rate box or whatever it costs for my own box. So that doesn't seem like the best option.

I've been reading through old threads and have seen that many people recommend registered mail. Are the insurance rates for registered mail the same for priority? I'm not finding much info online regarding registered mail. Does anyone have an idea of what it would cost to go the registered route with $5K-$6K in insurance? What does registered mail include? Do I have to add on signature and tracking? Do I have to buy a box from the PO or use my own box? I know there is special tape too, do I buy that at the PO?

If the price difference will be minimal I may just go with the vendor's label instead of potentially waiting weeks for registered mail. Can anyone share their experiences?

 

[Decision_Decisions]

Also, I've spoken with other vendors about this stone and have been quoted $35-40 to ship it with their labels, so $70 seems high.

 

[whitewave]

The fedex label is the easiest as long as you follow their directions on how to box it and drop off at an actual fed ex location and get a receipt. (Not a place that takes fed ex like office max or the like)...

 

[flyingpig]

Go with the vendor's option.
We have seen this go wrong a few times because they wanted to save 30~50 bucks.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

I literally just sent a ring to
David Klass, I used his label and it was $30 for shipping through UPS 2 day with full insurance. Yours would be more expensive since you need more insurance but I would get a label from the vendor. Just my 2c.

 

[sledge]

Echo the others. Use the vendor's label. Much easier. Also, if there is a mishap it avoids the "it's their fault" game.

 

[Fabtwinsmom]

Not on the shipping label specifically but please use a box and package your stone securely inside so people can’t guess what’s inside just to be extra safe.

 

[Kim N]

I would always use the vendor's label if it's available.

But to answer your questions about Registered Mail, the insurance rates for Registered Mail are lower than the rates for regular insurance with Priority Mail, and the coverage limit is $50,000. The Registered Mail insurance rate for $5K-$6K is $26, but that doesn't include the cost of the postage itself (first class, priority, etc.). That rate includes signature and tracking. You use your own box, but they provide you with special tape at the post office.

 

[adlgel]

I just shipped an item from the east coast to David Klass in LA using USPS registered mail. I dropped it off at the post office on a Thursday and it was delivered to David the following Wednesday. So I don't think you will be waiting weeks for registered mail to be delivered. Registered mail should cost less than the $70 the vendor will charge as I paid less than $50 to ship my item and it had more than $10k of coverage.

However, if you have the option of using a shipping label provided by the vendor that is certainly the most convenient. You need to decide whether it's really worth it to ship via registered mail to save what could be $30-40.

I echo what others have said about how to package it. Box within a box, include a piece of paper with all of your contact information inside the box and nothing indicating jewelry on the outer label.

 

[Decision_Decisions]

Thanks to all, looks like a vendor's label is the way to go!