I recently had an antique vase broken on its travels though Auspost, so I told the buyer to claim it through Auspost as it was insured, to my surprise the buyer contacted me and said that the item was not covered by auspost because it was fragile.. Now when I go to the Auspost website and follow their instructions on fragile packing I find ;
Fragile items (e.g. glass)
- Wrap each item in tissue paper or newspaper
- Put them into an inner container and put the inner container into a corrugated cardboard outer container
- Surround the inner container with cushioning material such as bubble wrap on the top, bottom and all sides to limit movement and protect the item
- Close the outer container with reinforced tape.......
Reading the above on the website is encouraging people to send fragiles(misleading)
After adhering to these terms I get told its not covered and the insurance was werthless and that no fragile items are covered by Auspost. My concern is how many other people are getting the same treatment and how misleading "the website is on fragile items", "how many people are paying for insurance when they will not be covered at all?" This is clearly a scam and comming up to christmas, with alcohol, glass and pottery objects etc.....AUSPOST should state clearly what is covered and what's not covered by insurance etc. I didn't relize how lucky I have been, let alone as well as other sellers, after sending thousands of dollars worth of fragile items over the years, Clearly it has been dumb luck until now. The only clause I have found relating to damage etc is this clause;
- Limitation of liability
- To the maximum extent permitted by law Australia Post excludes completely all liability whatsoever for any loss or damage of any kind (including special, indirect or consequential loss and including loss of business profits) however caused (including negligence) arising out of or in connection with the Services, PostPay, the Website or the use or performance of the Website.
You agree to indemnify Australia Post and its officers, agents and employees ("Indemnified Parties") in respect of any claim, action, damage, loss, liability, cost, charge, expense, outgoing or payment (including legal expenses (on a full indemnity basis) arising from or relating to:
(a) Your use of the Services, PostPay or the Website;
(b) a breach of these Terms of Use by You; or
(c) Your breach of any applicable law.
Not once do I see anything relating to fragile items in this clause and or on the website, the fact that "fragile items are not covered at all" has not been "DIRECTLY" mentioned. This is very concerning and after getting nowhere with auspost, I will chase this matter up with the correct authorities and have mentioned this just for the purpose of other sellers so they dont get ripped off paying for insurance on fragile items when they will not be covered for anyway....SHAME ON YOU AUSTRALIA POST...... as a result of this I will cease trading on ebay with fragiles such as antique pottery,glass,porcelain etc and that makes me sad because it was a fun hobby and I enjoyed finding those cool things for people over the years...
