So what is the best way to ship/insure across the US?

[Route 66]

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

I wonder if DHL would do you better. I have used them overseas with great results!

DHL doesn't ship domestically anymore, only internationally.

[Frogman4me]

I just shipped my 14060 to a buyer across the US. I used two day, fully insured with signature required through UPS and it cost me $110.00! UPS is a lot more expensive than USPS, I kind of regret using UPS.

[cornerstore]

Originally Posted by psv

USPS Express Overnight works great with values up to $5,000 but what is the best way to insure a $10,000 watch package? Setting up a Parcel Pro account seems rather involved. Fedex doesn't insure watches over $500. USPS Registered Mail takes way too long time and isn't trackable.

What am I missing here?

From the USPS site

Purchase Insurance at any Post Office
• Provides up to $5,000 indemnity coverage for a lost or damaged item.
• For items of greater value requiring additional insurance, try Registered Mail™, which covers up to $25,000. Registered Mail can be used with First-Class Mail® and Priority Mail®.

[drtooth73]

Originally Posted by Frogman4me

I just shipped my 14060 to a buyer across the US. I used two day, fully insured with signature required through UPS and it cost me $110.00! UPS is a lot more expensive than USPS, I kind of regret using UPS.

Parcelpro through UPS is much, much cheaper. If you are going to be sending more watches, invest some time into getting a parcelpro account.

[kenhiraihnl]

FWIW, here's the shipping instructions from my watchmaker:

"We recommend you use Priority Registered U.S. Mail when sending in your watch for repair. You should pack the watch in a box with bubble wrap (Do not send original watch box). The post office will use paper tape to seal the seams and then stamp the seams to show the box has not been tampered with during shipping. On the Registered Mail form, there is a box to check to insure the package, and it can be insured for up to $25,000.

Registered Mail is handled separately from the rest of the mail, and is therefore more secure than plain "Insured" Mail (in fact, everyone who handles a Registered package has to sign for it throughout its transit). Insured Mail uses a blue sticker/form, while Registered uses a red sticker.

Insured Mail is adequate for packages valued at less than $500. There is a price break (at about $500) where Registered Mail is actually cheaper than Insured. Additional insurance for Registered packages is relatively inexpensive, so we generally over-insure packages when we return your watch to you. Generally, a package shipped via Registered U.S. Mail and insured for a few thousand dollars will cost about $18 to ship including insurance costs."

-Ken

[indy78]

You must use the same watch repair in the Pacific Northwest that I intend to use for my next service. This was explained to me and the real benefit seems to be the inexpensive insurance.

[kenhiraihnl]

Originally Posted by indy78

You must use the same watch repair in the Pacific Northwest that I intend to use for my next service. This was explained to me and the real benefit seems to be the inexpensive insurance.

Actually, my watchmaker is in the Northeast -- about as far away from Hawaii as you can get...His final prep, boxing and packaging is impressive...