Polite request for US ebayers

[crazymomof4]

I used to only ship to the US, but last week I listed 15 items and said I would ship worldwide, Global Priority for $8-$10 depending on the item. WOW- I got SO many more bids and emails for buyers- a lot of my items went for much higher than I thought they would. Global Priority supplies are free at your post office (or order them free off usps.com) so its really easy.

After reading this thread (most of it anyway) I would like to begin shipping internationally too. I've only been selling for 3 weeks now so I'm a bit apprehensive about going outside of my "comfort zone".

Do I just put at the bottom of my listing "Will ship internationally using Global Priority" How do I calculate shipping OR how does the buyer calculate shipping?
(I always use the "Calculate Shipping" option for my auctions)

 

[DMRick]

When you set up your auction, there is a place to put where you will ship. I also put in my description, that out of the country needs to email first for shipping costs. (I have costs listed for just UK, CAN, US). I have never had any problems with out of the US buyers..except (sorry) Canada. Because I have some really great customers, who buy often, I hate to stop shipping there, but the few who have given me grief, have really been a pain. I"m sure some of you Canadian sellers have had people from teh US who were a pain.

Oh, you prob don't want to use UPS, because they often have a steep charge to the buyer for filling out custom forms..and that really can be upsetting.

 

[crazymomof4]

I also put in my description, that out of the country needs to email first for shipping costs. (I have costs listed for just UK, CAN, US).

So if I get an email from an out of US bidder can I go to usps.com and find the shipping costs to their country? Do I have to have a "country code" or get a specific region where they live?

 

[seashoreCM]

If you specify you take PayPal but do not include in your item description any restrictions such as no credit card version of the PayPal payment -- then if you reject a buyer's PayPal payment (or any other payment conforming to the item description) that buyer is no longer obligated to buy the item.

But it is up to the buyer to ask about shipping costs before bidding, to avoid nasty surprises or rude awakenings. My experience is that shipments to Canada cost around USD $10. more for insurance compared with the least cost uninsured method.

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

 

[DMRick]

So if I get an email from an out of US bidder can I go to usps.com and find the shipping costs to their country? Do I have to have a "country code" or get a specific region where they live?

It's very very simple..hopefully, this will take you there, so you can practice. I generally mail lighter stuff airmail letter post and the heavier stuff airmail parcel post. I add .50 for my materials (you might have to add more if you have to purchase a box).

 

[Disneyland_emily]

One thing I noticed today is that I sold an item to a person in Japan- she contacted me before bidding and I estimated shipping using the calculator ebay has- When the auction was won I went through the "make invoice" and adjusted the shipping for her and she paid via paypal- Today when I shipped it via Global Priority it charged me the 1 lb rate (the package was 1 lb 5 oz) of 13 instead of the rate the calculator told me of 20 (which was the 2 lb rate- so I guess the calculator just rounds up the highest digit (I choose the 1-2 lb choice)

-em

 

[Ilovestitch]

If you don't mind my asking, what sort of items are you finding do well globally? I sell mostly books and housewares so I'm not sure if these are the right type of items....

Thanks!

Trendy clothes and shoes- Abercrombie, Hollister, Roxy Quiksilver brand stuff. I guess they don't have those stores overseas.

 

[lilsonicfan]

As for customs we have to pay duty on any package valued over $50.

Not to hijack, but this is actually wrong. Duty/fees/GST/PST can be charged on any merchandise valued over $20 Canadian, and on any gift valued over $60 Canadian.

 

[AlexTina]

I ship worldwide and have neve had any problems. As far as I'm concerned Canada is the easiest place to ship to outside of the U.S. and it doesn't cost much more at all. Things seem to get there just as fast also. I would say easily 1/4 of all of my sales go to Canada.

Tina
Ebay: setab28

 

[~Kathie]

I sell a lot of Disney pins and only ship them Global Priority flat rate worldwide. The small flat rate envelope is perfect for 1-4 pins (depending on the size of the pins) and the buyers usually receive the package in 5 days.

I used to ship air mail or surface (ground) mail but many of my packages took forever to arrive and when /if they did arrive the item was damaged. Now I only ship Global Priority (for items without insurance) or Global Express (for items with insurance) and state so in my auctions.

I have never had a problem shipping either method to Canada or anywhere else.

 

[Taja]

My listings include U.S. shipping only, but I include the option for bidders outside the U.S. to contact me with their shipping address for a shipping quote before bidding. I clearly states that all customs fees and charges are the responsibility of the bidder and that the package value will be listed at the closing auction price.

Most of the things I sell are too bulky or heavy for shipment outside the U.S. Although I had one shipment to the UK that cost more than double the closing auction price. And the winning bidder said it was still a good value! It was ladies plus size coordinates (6 pieces), which are difficult to find where she lives. She wanted them for an upcoming DCL/WDW trip!