Amazon/Ebay sales

EmmaNfabric

If you ask for a receipt from the Post Office counter staff and note it with the postcode, if the item is 'lost' you can claim from Royal Mail for up to (I think) £36 plus postage costs. I had a pair of boots I sold go missing in the mail to France, I only had the receipt (and proof of sale) and received a full refund. I have sold loads on Ebay worldwide and in my experience lost post is quite rare, particularly in the UK.

swimsink

For high value items definitely send recorded/special delivery according to the value, however with cheaper items i think it's easier to cut your losses for the perhaps one parcel that may go missing, compared to the extra price you'd pay for send recorded. It isn't the end of the world to have to refund a 99p win once in a blue moon in my eyes and i can't imagine anybody who is going to say such a cheap item hasn;t turned up in order to get their money back!

soolin

For clarification it is worth noting that recorded has no additional protection or insurance over standard 1st or 2nd class. If an item gets lost standard mail (which includes recorded) offers compensation up to £46 and there are some tiems not covered like vouchers, jewellery glass etc.

For items not covered standard mail, or for items over £46 Special delivery is the way to go.

As for ebay, if you offer buyers a choice they will almost always go for the cheapest option on the basis they have full protection anyway with paypal if item gets lost or broken. It sellers, not buyers that need insurance.