Actually, the law is to place the risk of loss on the seller unless the parties agree otherwise. The agreement for buyer to pay insurance or risk the loss themselves is somewhat akin to an F.O.B. place of shipment contract. Risk of loss shifts when the package is placed with the carrier, in this case the post office.

Still, I agree with you. It doesn't seem right to shift the burden to the buyer who has no control over the condition of the chip before it arrives.

Michael Siskin