Regarding lost-in-the-mail (or stolen enroute) packages:

1. I suspect that LEGALLY and BY CUSTOMARY PRACTICE and COMMON SENSE that if nothing is said or asked about insurance (in both the auction description and the emails), then it is the seller's responsibility for the package to arrive, that the seller needs proof of delivery or insurance to escape liability.

2. But if the item in question is particularly high-priced, it is foolish for the buyer to rely on what I say in (1), above, and try to save some extra insurance charges. That is, if the item is high-priced, the buyer should, as a practical matter, make sure the buyer acknowledges (if he has not already stated it in the auction description) that the price includes insurance. To repeat -- "make assurance double sure," and see to it that it is written someplace, to avoid future arguments and heartache. On high-priced stuff, I even write on my check (in the item space) that it is to be sent insured.

Robt.