Delivery Confirmation is a tool, use it.
The Trading Post forum
Posted on July 9, 2013, 9:48 p.m. by Smith_and_Tonic
I know this is part of the trading guidelines but I would like to reiterate this for players doing trade through the mail. Getting delivery confirmation (now called Tracking) is a must for all trades, either big or small. I just got finished dealing with the USPS where they lost the cards I was receiving on the street and the envelope they were in was torn to shreds and the cards were damaged by water.
Now there wasn't anything that would have stopped this but there are ways of protecting the trade in case something does happen. Had there been insurance on the cards, I would have received full value reimbursed to me. If there was tracking on the envelope, then I would have less of a chance of getting money for damages but this does help find where there are problems.
This is just a story to make sure more people (especially first time traders looking for vouches) get tracking on their mail trades. If accidents do happen, then the USPS becomes responsible for the damages and nothing has to be incurred by either the sender or receiver.
It isn't much of a must if you've traded with the person before or are one of the many reputable traders on the site. And if you have any qualms, the other person sends first. I understand why one would want it but it isn't necessarily necessary.
July 9, 2013 10:29 p.m.
ducttapedeckbox says... #4
I agree that delivery confirmation, tracking, and similar forms of insurance can be reassuring and can save some trades, but I don't think it's necessary on trades less than $25 or so.
While my prices for tracking aren't as steep as MurasakiRose's, they can be pretty high despite my location being in the States. I've been told anywhere from $1 to $7.99 for tracking; the former is acceptable, but to pay upwards up eight dollars is ridiculous (ironically, traders just a state or two away have been the most expensive, which I've never been able to have explained to me).
So I can understand why it can be frustrating to receive a damaged trade that doesn't have tracking, but the price makes it very deterring. I think anyone will get tracking for you, but it's something you have to ask for.
July 9, 2013 10:34 p.m.
I think I've just lost a trade to someone with quite enough vouches.
He received my part, that actually never have been a problem really, but I never received his with over a month after shipping. I never expect more than 2 weeks from the States and to be honest it pisses me off, but since I won't ship with confirmation, I don't see why I should ask the same.
Money loss is a thing that can happen, it sucks, but I think you have to deal with it.
July 9, 2013 10:55 p.m.
Smith_and_Tonic says... #6
My reasoning is, even though the person held up their end of the bargain, the post office messed up. At that point, it doesn't matter how much you trust the person sending the cards on their end. If you do get tracking, and the USPS messes up the letter, then they have responsibility for it.
July 10, 2013 6:48 a.m.
I work with the usps on a daily basis and I am 99% sure that if you go into a usps location and actually buy your postage for that envelope there that the receipts all now have tracking numbers and its no extra charge... there's a chance I am misunderstanding their new policy but its a small chance. Ill ask to double check and report back on here :)
July 10, 2013 7:32 a.m.
OK so I just asked and its just the priority mail that has the free tracking with it but sometime in the next couple of months they will be adding $50 insurance on all priority mail with no extra charge. So it seems that anybody requiring tracking and insurance should just request their cards be sent priority :)
July 10, 2013 8:26 a.m.
I partially disagree with this, it really depends on your location and the rates the post office charges. Mine here does give free tracking, but only with the flat rate boxes, and the cost to ship those is something higher than the value of the trades I do.
Consistently paying $5 for tracking on every trade really adds up on small trades, For larger trades however, I agree that it's something that should be used.
July 10, 2013 9:03 a.m.
Schuesseled says... #10
international tracking costs almost as much as flying there ad hand delivering it. no thanks
July 10, 2013 10:21 a.m.
ShadowLand says... #11
I use tracking upon request and absolutely require it on any trade over $20, I have done almost 80 trades on this website and have had envelope mail get lost 3 times with no tracking number, but all the cards were $5 and under, so I just replaced them. Just my 2 cents.
July 10, 2013 10:47 a.m.
I would also suggest padded envelopes and hard plastic cases together, to help protect against damages, I do this for all trades. But tracking is expensive, I already pay 3.45$ per shipment. I don't disagree that tracking is a good idea, but it is still 20.00 for priority mail, 18 if done online to ship from arizona to californa, in the packaging I already use. That's too damn high and usually costs more than some of the trades I've done.
July 10, 2013 10:58 a.m.
actiontech says... #13
I use top-loaders for cards inserted into these bubble mailers from Amazon. First class postage with tracking is under $3, so far to anywhere in the USA, and only $4 to the UK. I always go into the post office to buy my postage. I can't imagine not tracking any trades as it's only $0.90 more than regular first class postage.
agGravity says... #2
I wish it was this easy to get a tracking number. Usually when I ship stuff it's through the States and I'm in Canada, unless someone can tell me how to do so, it's about 15$ to send a small envelope with tracking.
15$ to get a lost in value from the trade is simply not worth it, I'd rather buy from a seller in this case.
July 9, 2013 10:16 p.m.