Power Sellers Unite

resale · Joined: 10 Aug 2008 Posts: 241

I am considering opening my items to international sales. However, there are new USPS policies that no longer provide tracking. The only methods for shipping internationally that provide tracking now are Express and Registered mail. Both of these are expensive however this is the avenue I will take if I chose to expand my territory.

What method do you use?

Also, I'm afraid that international buyers will ding me on shipping charges because they are so high - what do you think? If this is still a potential issue then I won't open my listings to countries outside the US.

elliemay · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 1255

I used to sell international. For me most of the time it was okay. Although it was a pain dealing with the customs forms and having to stand in line for those packages. However, the biggest loss of money for me was from a customer in Germany. It's a long story but I lost $300 worth of product. I did manage to get her naru'd from ebay but I was still out the $300.

After that I said goodbye to international sales. I will never do it again.

I have a friend that sells on ebay and she still sells international. The only negatives she has are from international buyers. Some of them don't understand it takes extra time for shipping. Maybe the star dings don't count but those big red negatives are not good for business.

Ebay calls me all the time asking me to sell international. All I can say is never again. I don't need the headaches.

elpereles · Joined: 15 Dec 2006 Posts: 1398 Location: Puerto Rico

Hello, resale!

I sell International. For my eBay is the only place I found sometimes more International sales than domestic.

In my case I sell collectibles (non-sport trading cards). Contrary to you the higher value of one my items is $35 and maybe near 80% less of $10. So I use 1rst Class Mail and offer International Priority for some combine others.

Believe me don't get fear. Just be prepare. In my case I needed to buy some boxes to send International.

As a seller. The buyers are the same. They are good and bad like the domestic. Last month I have one from UK, he paid the S&H even when it was near 5 times the price of the item. For selling International my advise is always show to the buyers the S&H cost. If you know it show it. I always use the calculator in eBay so if somebody put his/her country he/she will know the cost. In this way the buyers can't appear telling to people that you stole their $$$ or some rare story.

In June, I have an International buyer after he wins some of my auctions he disappears for days. Near the 7 day he appears saying that the S&H was high. I reply him back, told him in eBay sellers pays fees you know it you aren't a rookie. I was ready to send him to the non-payer process until I found that now eBay accepts "cancels" of the sales. A great tool for "shill bidders". :roll:

I will not paid fees to eBay for an item unless the buyers lost everything in a natural disaster like an Hurricane. Years ago I have a buyer from Louisiana when I hear about the hurricane I know the reason what she don't paid. Weeks later she send my an e-mail, but I told everything was fine and I understand your situation.

In my case the items can be divided by their quantity. For example I took a single card weight it and always use the heaviest one. Then I weight the shipping supplies. Then I packaged everything and weight it in total. I write all the notes, tables, and info in a Word document. Everything I need to update now is only the USPS fees. The only moment I use actual shipping cost + handling fee is for combine shipping.

Also if you use 1rst Class Mail International remember is different from the 1rst Class Mail Domestic. For International you have up to 4lbs because after it is Priority. For example for domestic my S&H for items up to 2lbs is $10 and for Canada is between $10 to $11.

As a buyer. If you don't know it. USPS domestic service is 48 continental states, Alaska, Hawaii, and the US Territories. Personally I didn't like some sellers in eBay aren't clear about the "Domestic" shipping. And something is a shame see TRS or Powersellers that they don't know how to use the calculator or just check USPS.com for info. :wink:

Jerryb · Joined: 15 Mar 2009 Posts: 418

I do about 50% international sales. Drs do not really count except in the country you live in so shipping if fair should be ok as far as dsr are concerned.

A thought.. try insurance with a proof of mailing slip not tracking #.. inkfrog is cheap right now (1/2 what the others charge?) but be aware the claims process is a pain in the behind but for international they have good prices. their no insure list is basically fair in my opinion. the place they don't ship to are obvious.. Russia and baltic areas, middle east, mexico and S Amer and africa mostly.. places most would not ship to anyways.

towergem · Joined: 23 Jul 2010 Posts: 33

i am selling ties to buyers worldwide on ebay now

bluestreaksi · Joined: 15 Apr 2010 Posts: 301

They made in China?

Jerryb · Joined: 15 Mar 2009 Posts: 418

I forgot to mention that if you sell a lot to Europe it might be a good idea to offer moneybookers on your auctions. The Europeans are certainly gravitating toward them.

After you get an account and set it up for ebay usage,You have to go to bulk edit, pick "individual edit" and a page of say 200 items will pop up. scroll down and check moneybookers off on each payment options for each listing. Ebay could of course set it up so it could be done in 30 seconds instead of 2 hours per thousand listings. A real pill to do it but it was a thrill for me to see another option especially after i removed the preferred logo next to PP. :-)

If you speak more than one language - English be sure to note it in your listings as Europeans usually speak a few.

quicksrt · Joined: 26 Oct 2009 Posts: 397

resale wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")I am considering opening my items to international sales. However, there are new USPS policies that no longer provide tracking. The only methods for shipping internationally that provide tracking now are Express and Registered mail. Both of these are expensive however this is the avenue I will take if I chose to expand my territory.

Registered Mail has never offered tracking that is acceptable to paypal when a claim is filed against you.

USPS has never offered ONLINE tracking for international packages.

So I don't know anyhting about these changes you speak of.

However, I do sent 80% or my ebay orders outside of the USA. My items are hot in Germany, France and Japan. I simply Register all items over about $60 unless buyer says it is fine, no worry. It seems scamers hate signing and showing ID when picking up Registered mail, and are less likely to try and scam you once you Register. It is very safe regardless.

UPS for itmes when in doubt, then you can check online for tracking.

thegolfingdolphin · Joined: 13 Jan 2009 Posts: 617

does anyone have a well written disclaimer for customs duties that may be charged to the buyer. Someone here a few months ago provided a very well written disclaimer that you can use in your policies that states this?

elliemay · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 1255

thegolfingdolphin wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")does anyone have a well written disclaimer for customs duties that may be charged to the buyer. Someone here a few months ago provided a very well written disclaimer that you can use in your policies that states this?

This is a common one used:

Orders that are shipped to countries outside of the U.S. may be subject to import taxes, customs duties and fees levied by the destination country ("Import Fees"). The recipient of an international shipment may be subject to such Import Fees, which are levied once a shipment reaches your country. Additional charges for customs clearance must be borne by the recipient; we have no control over these charges and cannot predict what they may be. Customs policies vary widely from country to country; you should contact your local customs office for further information. When customs clearance procedures are required, it can cause delays beyond our original delivery estimates.

thegolfingdolphin · Joined: 13 Jan 2009 Posts: 617

Thanks Ellie

otter5555 · Joined: 07 Mar 2010 Posts: 73

about 50% of my sales are international on ebay and my on website.
i have learned through hard experience that buyers from certain countries tend to be VERY troublesome and not worth the trouble.

i block buyers from:

greece
italy

year round.

EVERY problem i have ever had came from buyers from greece and italy.

they tend not to read the item descriptions at all

they will neg you without so much as an email

i am also blocking the middle east for the time being. no problem with the buyer, just shipping.

shipping ( i use usps only) has been unreliable for the last few months
several lost packages recently.

some buyers are not worth the trouble
you cannot make them happy
otter