Best courier OR postal service for sending high value items?

[alltoomuchrightnow]

I am experienced with eBay but usually low value items

I am selling some items for my elderly father as auction and with a week still to go (ten day listings), the bids are very high. One item up to £1500 already and one up to £800. Estimated that the higher one could well end up as 2k or more and the other over 1k.
This makes me feel pretty nervous!
I have asked for cash or bank transfer if collect in person… to obviously be paid BEFORE taking the items

I have clearly stated no own couriers
If I am sending (from UK to UK) I need to organise trackable insured post OR courier myself

Any recommendations please for high value items? Is courier or insured post better?

Is it safe to ask for bank transfer if buyer is collecting? Or is cash always best? Trouble is people may not want to draw out that amount of cash? Like if it's 2k or more

You should make absolutely clear that you are offering a choice between post/courier and collect in person. In the case of the former I assume that payment would be made by Paypal.

To answer your questions it might help if you provide some information about the nature of the item. Jewelley? Small sized antiques? Bulky?

I've made it clear that if I sent, it's my courier (or trackable insured post) and they can only use Paypal

If in person, only cash or bank transfer

The items are vintage motorcycle parts (inc v rare collectable speedometers) Basically two listings with a few items in each

One of the lots would be easy enough to send but the other would require a crate

Might be too late now but I would do collection only. Trouble with courier or post is that your buyer might change their mind/ swap parts for return/ possibly claim items were damaged or they might even actually get damaged. With collection - they can look at items and deal is done - maybe both parties sign off items are as described/ paid for in full etc either collection or you deliver yourself if that works for you both.

Otherwise you need to thoroughly check insurance for courier or parcel force to make sure amount is covered and pack so well - double box. Check small print of item that can be compensated - some couriers have a huge list in the small print.

Collection only would be fine but I wouldn't do it for an auction. It could mean losing a large portion of potential bidders giving an undervalued winning bid.

For an auction of a niche item my preference would be a choice between courier and collection with the courier being a bells and whistles Royal Mail service (with me having checked the terms and conditions to make sure there were no weasel words that would limit a claim for the relevant type of item).

I would go with Royal Mail - I've never had a problem with them. They will insure up to £2500.

Royal Mail price finder

Don't use MyHermes!

I don't think my Hermes would insure up to the amount the OP requires anyway. But even if they did,I agree, don't use them!

thanks for all the replies. think RM will be the answer… I keep hearing bad things about myHermes

Nah! MHerpes would just nick it and fake the delivery signature. Bitter experience

If you go via eBay postage you get really good discounts on Parcelforce 48 (or 24)

eBay postage? not heard of that! will google..

I think the official title is 'eBay seller discount centre' but you can just click on "print postage label" after you've sold something and that will bring all the options and prices up.

I think only RMail special delivery would come close to offering level of insurance you need.

I am a licensed SIA "Security Industry Authority Cash & Valuables In Transit" courier with extensive security experience.

I offer a bespoke high value sameday UK courier service for valuable items jewellery expensive watches etc secure collection and delivery.

My security industry qualifications can be viewed independently on the SIA website.

Please feel free to contact me for a quote

highvaluecourieruk.co.uk
www.facebook.com/HighValueCourierUK/