Which postage for low value items

[FrayedHem]

I've got a few things that will be in the £5-10 price range - large letter - small package in size. I usually send things signed for but wonder if it will make the overall cost unappealing.

Will I leave myself open to not received if I send as standard 2nd class?

Always get it recorded no matter what it is. eBay is horrendous these days for claims of non-arrival so even at low value items, you'd lose your item, the money for it, the postage costs and I think, your eBay fees?

If the item is of fairly low value, I always use just standard, non-trackable post. Over the years I have sold dozens of things on Ebay, and so far I have never had an item not received claim. Maybe I've been very lucky so far. My view is that even if you do get the odd false claim, it's worth it in order to keep the costs on trades down and encourage sales. Personally, I've been put off buying low-value items when the postage costs are high, and I don't like the bother of having to be in to sign for things.

Thanks

I suppose if the buyer ends up being a chancer they'd find other reasons even with signed for. The inconvenience of signed for had crossed my mind especially with the things that would fit through a letterbox.

I'm leaning towards signed for for packages but standard for large letter.

If the item is worth under £20 there is no need to send small parcels Signed for.

As long as you get a proof of postage there will be a reference number on it,
You can enter this online and it will give you a proof of delivery.
This is sufficient to win a not received case (as long as it has been delivered).

PS this service is only available with parcels, not large letters.

Thank you, I had no idea that was possible for packages.
I'll have to think what is best to do for the large letter items - it's single DVDs and I've a load of brio train tracks I was going to divide up.

Most people don’t, but it’s been available now for about a year!

If it’s a low value item I wouldn’t bother sending large letters Signed for. They’re still insured up to £20, and it doesn’t sound like the items you’re selling will be worth much.

Yes buyers can still claim non reciept and you will have to refund but you can claim it back from Royal Mail, and scammers tend to go for higher value items than used DVDs and bits of toy train track.

The latter is my personal opinion though. If you don’t mind spending the extra £1 for each order for peace of mind that’s entirely up to you. But also bare in mind if you’re passing this cost onto the buyer, it may put them off ordering.

PS if you aren’t going to use the Signed for service for the large letters then make sure you get a proof of postage. This won’t help if a buyer says they haven’t received it BUT you will need it to claim compensation from Royal Mail.

That's really helpful, thank you. I've previously only used EBay for £20+ but this stuff is more about selling volumes so I want to keep p&p low.

If you have a couple of track pieces that split I’ll buy some off you - DS has tons of straight and curved bits but no bits that split the tracknout into two!

I always send 2nd class signed for, regardless of value, as I charge for the postage, rather than include it in the price. I'd always rather know the item was tracked and there will be no messing around with "undelivered" items, which is a PITA. If people don't want to pay the postage, then they don't have to bid for the item.

I'd always rather know the item was tracked and there will be no messing around with "undelivered" items

Signed for isn’t tracked, as such.

Even if you don’t pay for it you still get a proof of delivery which is all you need to win a dispute.

The only thing extra signed for provides is a signature, but as above that’s not required to win a dispute. (Plus it insures you up to £50 instead of £20)

If your item is worth less than £20 signed for is really a waste of money, should it be yours, or the buyers.

I sell low value items and tend to send everything second class small parcel rate.

I've started a couple of listings with 2nd class standard so I'll see how it goes. It does seem my starting bid is high compared to other similar on there, but I really don't see the point of selling at under £5?

@SaltySeaDog I'll be getting the tracks down on Monday and I'll PM you.

In my experience (having posted 1000s of items) , I use the cheapest post (currently £2.95 on average, for a standard parcel) . Signed For in my experience doesn't offer protection..it just means it got a signature, buyer's neighbour could have signed and stole it. It's not trackable as such and I've give up in the past trying to chase up the money for 'lost' signed for parcels.
I send by parcelforce or Reg Post usually if item is over £50

We never pay for tracked and signed for for low value items. Overall not worth it as the total added cost far outweighs the refunds we have to do for the odd one that goes missing (usually very few since royal mail have introduced the number that you can check to see if a parcel has gone missing). If you send by Hermes then you get automatic tracking & cheaper unless small enough to send as a letter rather than a parcel..

I have had a 2 large letters not delivered correctly and not received by buyer. One of them I had a receipt from the post office, but this is not trackable, as reference number on a Royal Mail small package are. Last time I went to post something it would have fitted in a large letter, but I said to the post office lady that no I wanted it small package and explained why and she said someone else had said the same thing. the lack of traceability leaves you open to claims. I therefore always now sell with £2.95 postage for a small package.

lovingmatleave a Large letter “signed for”, is cheaper than a small parcel not signed for.