Ebay question... Shipping

[Disneyland_emily]

Okay I am selling my first items on ebay and though its stated I only ship USA I got an email from someone today wanting to ship to Japan. soo for the experts.. Do I agree to that or can I just reply that I ship to the US only? The item still has like 4 days to go so its not a post bought item question...

Any input would be appreciated! -em

 

[pookeybear]

That is totaly up to you, I would ask them what the exact shipping address will be, then check to see what the extra shipping cost will be. If they are willing to pay the extra shipping plus an extra couple of bucks for your time, and you don't have many bids, I would do it. A sale is a sale and if you don't lose any money on it, go for it

 

[bethymae5539]

I've done many ebay transactions, and have shipped worldwide. It's been an interesting experience, included receiving $80.00 cash "American" from Germany via regular snail mail.
The Us Postal Service website is very helpful for figuring international rates, and it usually ends up being about $20.00 extra to ship global priority. The buyer pays the shipping, so it never bothered us to offer worldwide shipping, using USPS only. There is a customs form you have to fill out that is attached to the front of the package. The USPS counter person will help you with that too.
I think we get better prices for some of our auctions because we offer worldwide shipping, just make sure the funds have cleared before you mail anything!
Good luck.

 

[disneychrista]

Simply go into the USPS webiste figure shipping add handling (if you are so inclined) and email them the quote. It is really not much harder to ship internationally then domesic. You do have to fill out a customs form but it is pretty easy, your name and address, buyers name and address, what the item it and the value (whatever the ending bid is).

IMO, as long as I get the money what difference does it make where I send the item.

 

[missmulan]

depends what you are shipping. i do believe that shipping computers or laptops out of the country is against federal laws (???). i cannot confirm this but i've read alot about it in the eBay discussion forums.

 

[Colinsmom]

I don't like shipping outside of the U.S. because it requires me to go stand in line at the post office. I can do all my other shipping from the comfort of my home. But if you are already going to the post office to ship this item once it sells, then I would go ahead - it's really only one extra form to fill out, and usps.com will figure out the shipping rate for you.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

Thanks for the advice- Since I have a close post office its all good- We shall see if it sells

-em

 

[~Kathie]

If it's something small like a pin, it will probably fit in one of the flat fee envelopes for Global Priority. The smallest one is $5.00 to most countries. Next size is $9.00 to most countries.

I have shipped international for years but recently switched to only shipping Global Priority (GP no insurance) or Global Express (GE w/insurance). I use GP on smaller less expensive items and GE on higher priced items. I do however give the bidder the choice to upgrade if they want insurance. I also only accept Paypal for international orders. My bank charges big bucks to cash international money orders and then holds the funds for weeks. Not worth it.

With GP and GE my packages always arrive within a week. When I was shipping Air or Ground, I had a lot of lost and/or damaged packages. I state that right in my auctions that I only sip GP or GE.

The clerks at the PO are very good about helping people fill out the customs forms. It's easy, and like someone else posted, some of my items I know I get better prices on because I ship international.

Good luck.

 

[seashoreCM]

If you have never done international shipping, you ar probably better off rejecting the buyer. Shipping internationally requires additional skills in the form of filling out additional paperwork for customs. An error could result in a substantial handling fee that the buyer has to pay, or non-delivery. You do not want eBay demanding that you refund the buyer's payment or cancelling your account.

I would not accept Paypal or credit card payments from such a buyer. An irregularity (you stated U.S. buyer and shipment only) will have taken place in any event and you want to be absolutely positively sure you cannot be charged back.

If anyone such as an eBay buyer sends you a check that is too large, do not give him any change back. Many scams begin with an oversize bank check (that actually bounces). If the buyer actually asks for change, that is a telltale sign of a scam and you should consider rejecting the buyer, cancelling the transaction, and applying to eBay for a final value fee refund (or offering the item to the second high bidder as a Second Chance).

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[~Kathie]

If you have never done international shipping, you ar probably better off rejecting the buyer. Shipping internationally requires additional skills in the form of filling out additional paperwork for customs. An error could result in a substantial handling fee that the buyer has to pay, or non-delivery. You do not want eBay demanding that you refund the buyer's payment or cancelling your account.

There are only 2 customs forms and depending on package size only ONE is needed. They take 2 seconds to fill out with the buyer and sellers name and address and the contents of the package. There aren't any "additional skills" needed unless a person can't read or write. Ebay encourages international sales and promotes it.

If the "substantial handling fee" refered to above is the VAT TAX that some international bidders have to pay, bidders know if their country charges tax on imports. The VAT taxes have nothing to do with ebay or any seller. It is between the bidder and their country.

The customs form is a federal form and it is illegal to mark items as "gift" instead of "merchandise" when they are sold. This has nothing to do with ebay and ebay will not make a seller refund the buyer or cancel an account because of it.