Ebay Question...International Shipping??

[Mickeys.friend]

I am hoping someone with experience can help me out...
I have been an ebay buyer for 5 months and now I would like to start selling a few things. I really only wanted to ship within the US...Canada maybe. I just don't want to deal with international shipping, but it's been pointed out to me that offering it would probably increase my sales/bids....
So, is there an "easy" way to come up with one flat international shipping rate, so I don't have to figure it out each time? Any help appreciated!!
Liz

 

[JB2K]

I am hoping someone with experience can help me out...
I have been an ebay buyer for 5 months and now I would like to start selling a few things. I really only wanted to ship within the US...Canada maybe. I just don't want to deal with international shipping, but it's been pointed out to me that offering it would probably increase my sales/bids....
So, is there an "easy" way to come up with one flat international shipping rate, so I don't have to figure it out each time? Any help appreciated!!
Liz

Not really -- each country is going to be different.

However, I would recommend shipping via USPS International Priority Mail which is economical and fast.

Also a tip for would-be sellers -- don't sell electronics or DVDs on the international market, as what works in the U.S./Canada doesn't work, everywhere else...

 

[Mickeys.friend]

Thanks JB2K...I am going to the USPS website to check out the costs for each Country....
I do not plan to sell any electronics, etc., but that is a very good point....
LIZ

 

[Darcy03231]

I ship internationally using USPS priority mail and found its very easy. When I make my listing I just put in the dimensions of the box and the approximate weight and it calculates it for me. I've only ended up selling a few items internationally, but, depending on the item, you can do really well.

 

[nunzia]

Yep..as OP said, no easy way. I do weigh and go to USPS site before I give winners the shipping charge..guessing really stuck me a few times. I also charge a little more, mainly because very often the shipping cost is more than what I get for the item and I get charged paypal fees on the shipping. I do quite alot of overseas shipping. I also warn prospective buyers that it can be quite costly and have, a few times, let buyers back out after they saw how high it was.

 

[Mickeys.friend]

These are good tips...thanks. I am going to sell some vintage clothing that may appeal to international bidders...so I am just trying to get prepared. I am going to use whatever international large envelope necessary for shipping, so no need to measure boces unless I get a winner of multiple listings and need a box...
LIZ

 

[connorsmom911]

Living in Canada, I appreciate those sellers who are willing to ship here, and frankly, I don't really get the shippers who won't. It's not that much of an additional step to fill out the itty bitty customs form, is it? I expect the shipping to be a bit more expensive, and I realize that any duty and taxes are my responsibility, but that's on my end anyway, not on the shipper's end. I don't mind auctions that ask me to verify the shipping to Canada before bidding either...that way both the seller and me know ahead of time the total cost of transaction!

Also, for any future reference, shipping via USPS is far better for us up here receiving it than say UPS or other shipping companies. Canada post will usually just levy a $5 fee plus any applicable taxes and duty, whereas UPS will literally kill us with brokerage fees if it's coming from the US.

Incidently, when I was a seller, it was REALLY cheap for me to ship to the US compared to down the road from me in Canada...I still can't figure that one out!!

 

[becky1960]

Keep in mind that there is not tracking on most International shipping. If they say they did not receive then you are at a lost thru Paypal. Its happened to a few people..

 

[Mickeys.friend]

Keep in mind that there is not tracking on most International shipping. If they say they did not receive then you are at a lost thru Paypal. Its happened to a few people..

This is one of my fears...I do have paypal, but so far only used it to pay for auctions....I have read several paypal horror stories here involving sellers...The above situation would NOT make me happy, and I suspect it's the main reason many sellers do not ship internationally...
LIZ

 

[pilesoflaundry]

I don't ship outside the US because of no tracking and because it can take forever to/from even just canada. Ebay is full of scammers now and it's just one more way I can protect myself a little bit. I bought/sold to/from canada a few times and it just took too dang long.

I would never guess or do a flat rate on international, it varies a lot and can be very expensive.

 

[mom2faith]

This is one of my fears...I do have paypal, but so far only used it to pay for auctions....I have read several paypal horror stories here involving sellers...The above situation would NOT make me happy, and I suspect it's the main reason many sellers do not ship internationally...
LIZ

USPS Priority International offers tracking number to Canada. Just warn your buyers that sometimes it is not updated right away. (I live in Canada and often have my item before the website says it has cleared customs).

Good Luck!!

Amy