posted on September 7, 2000 01:22:17 PM
Bet your copy of "The Ugly American" never had a page turned, eh, Hartprovincialquilts?
Many of the international buyers that I've had have paid quite extraordinary amounts for the items they've bought. Sometimes as much as twice what I might ever have expected from a domestic buyer. Does that make more sense to you?
posted on September 7, 2000 01:45:55 PM
Krs...why are you so worried about another's choice of how to run their business. While I agree your story about your international bidder was a definite day brightener, why did you need to title your thread in a way that seems to be looking for a fight?
What concern is it of yours whether someone sells internationally or not? Why should someone's decision to sell only to U.S. buyers bother you? Why call someone who doesn't sell international names, as you did HCQ? Why the need to put down someone who isn't doing it your way?
The fact that HCQ has decided she will not sell internationally does not make her provincial any more than your selling internationally makes you a cosmopolitan jet setter.
If one person doesn't want to sell internationally, why do you think you have the right to try and bully them into following your lead?
posted on September 7, 2000 02:18:41 PM
We've shipped to more than 40 different countries in the last year. International buyers often pay more and are very understanding about shipping charges. If you aren't selling internationally, you really should think again.
posted on September 7, 2000 04:17:10 PM
Amy, you know better than that. I couldn't care less where she sells. It's her own belligerent and ridiculing positions which have created a fight.
The title brings on a fight? No, the title makes a statement, and one that you agree with. It IS a loss, of income, to refuse international sales, notwithstanding that it is also indicative of a pervasive head in sand posture.
I suspect that many sellers resist international sales because they are unable to continue their practice of haphazardly tossing their items into a priority box and sending them on their way.
Hobbyist who find it offensive to have to expend any more effort than is absolutely necessary to maintain their ability to preserve their standing in sewing circles and 'let's do lunches' as a 'professional'.
posted on September 7, 2000 04:52:34 PMMany of the international buyers that I've had have paid quite extraordinary amounts for the items they've bought. Sometimes as much as twice what I might ever have expected from a domestic buyer. Does that make more sense to you?
Yes it does, krs. But I don't believe that was the point of your starting this thread - which, I believe, wasn't how much $ you made off the deal, but how heartwarming the letter was. (Maybe I'm wrong in inferring that, but check the next several posts - I think they agree with my take.)
I'm curious. What, precisely, did you find "belligerent and ridiculing" about my post here?
Incidentally, I speak three languages, have traveled overseas (including Central America)- and not in tour groups - and lived in the UK for a stretch. A good portion of my childhood was spent in Canada. I have chosen to live in multiethnic neighborhoods my entire life. I don't belong to a sewing circle, nor do I "do" lunches. You are right about "The Ugly American," however - I found it a yawner. My poor provincial 2-dimensional taste runs to Joyce and Durell rather than Lederer.
posted on September 7, 2000 04:58:55 PM
Well, LAWDY! Excuse me. I do believe you ma be the first person I've eva' met who has actually left the borders of our dear home.
It's your posts throughout the current arena of international sales threads more than any here which have brought my response to you.
posted on September 7, 2000 05:00:50 PM
OK, for those of us without extensive international shipping experience (I've completed one international transaction so far), what's the best shipping method for small packages in the under 5 lb. range? My only international transaction to date could go airmail letter rate, but most of my merchandise requires parcel type packaging. What are some of the pitfalls to beware of? Problem geographic areas to avoid dealing with? Addendums to our ever-growing TOS? I'm willing to give it a try.
[ edited by pickersangel on Sep 7, 2000 05:01 PM ]
posted on September 7, 2000 05:21:16 PM
I ship my stuff US Postal Service - I'm selling trading cards, so I have yet to have anything over about 7 oz. I use bubble mailers for the larger items, and normal envelopes with toploaders for smaller shipments.
Have only had 1 problem in international shipping - had a package go to Canada with trading cards in it - and arrived at the buyer's house with a toothbrush....
posted on September 7, 2000 05:24:42 PM
Krs..I think you misunderstand me.
Although for MY business I agree with having the widest customer base as possible and therefore welcome international bidders, I do not agree that that is the best course for everyone.
The statement the title makes is that you feel only your viewpoint is the correct one. And by your statement in response to my post you have made it even more obvious you think that everyone "must" sell internationally. If they don't you say they "have their head in the sand"
My question to you still stands..it wasn't dependant on HCQ's post. Why do you feel you have a right to dictate how others do business? What does it matter to you if they lose income (which you have no way of proving is actual fact)? Why do you put down those who do not sell internationally?
You appear to be trying to bully others into conducting their business as you do...calling them names and questioning their business acumen because are not following your lead.
Again...what does it matter to you if someone doesn't sell internationally? Why do you feel compelled to tell them "it's your loss"?
posted on September 7, 2000 05:35:08 PM
I had thought that I answered that, Amy, no, I know that I did. I do not care that others chose to suffer the loss involved in limiting their sales to domestic customers. I've said that it IS a loss, and I think that that is all I said.
If you can point out where I've said that anyone MUST sell internationally, without it being only a matter of your interpretation of what I've said, I'll acknowledge that I said it, and then perhaps defend it, or not. Until then I'm going to have to treat it as only a possible inference in error on your part, and politely ignore it, as a gentleman should do.
posted on September 7, 2000 05:54:36 PM
Krs...since you have no way to back up the statement that it is a loss, the statement becomes a bully's stance...a way to try to force someone into doing it your way.
Show me the statistics..show me the studies that prove a person who isn't selling internationally is losing anything.
You are making an assumption when you issue a blanket statement like "it's your loss". You do not know what another business person's business goals are..you don't KNOW if international sales would improve their chances of meeting their goals. You are assuming that because it works for you it HAS to work for everyone.
I do accept international sales, but, as far as I can see, this has not increased the amount I get on an item. The items I have sold overseas have sold for just what I expected them to, the international bidder DID NOT bid way more than a U.S. bidder would have.
Your repeating of your premise that those who aren't selling international are losing sales does not address my question of WHY are you saying this. What is your motivation to point out to others that they are losing sales? If you could care less what they do, why keep pointing it out to them? Is it to prove how superior you are? Is it to stoke your own ego? Is it to try to persuade them to follow your lead? What is your motivation?
posted on September 7, 2000 06:14:26 PM
I've stated before that I won't sell internationally anymore (because of postal delays in me receiving payment & the customer receiving their order, BOTH cases the customer thinks are MY fault), but I'm going to change my stance. I will ship internationally, if it's something easy to package that has little chance of breakage. So, I'm giving it a try again, crossing my fingers....
The letter you got, krs, reminds me of my first international sale with the kindest man from Poland. I had no idea it was an international sale, thought I would never get my money, then 1 month later I receive an envelope with 3 American dollars in it, nothing else, but I noticed the return address was from "Robert" and I know the ID that won an auction but never paid had Robert in it. I emailed the person, and it was the beginning of a great correspondence that lasted a few months! Very nice person & very appreciative!
posted on September 7, 2000 06:42:41 PM
How can I say this gently? I come here to learn and share ideas. In this post I wanted Email notification for any further facts I might learn about International Selling..... Now I can't get AW to turn it 'off' and have received 11 (and counting) Emails that seem to be a continuing argument between two parties and no help to me. Perhaps any two parties who disagree on a subject would like to use personal Email and let the rest of us continue to learn and share. Thank you for listening to Grandmother (not my name anywhere on the Internet). Dana71
Goingslow
Edited to correct old-fashioned use of ll's
instead of 11's. (old typewriter habit)
[ edited by dana71 on Sep 7, 2000 06:48 PM ]
posted on September 7, 2000 07:43:22 PM
You should step away from your assumptions of my motivations, Amy, and think this through a little bit, setting aside briefly your well known penchant for arguing incessantly on points that you make up from whole cloth.
Step back to my original intent of the thread before I was accused of having made critisisms of the practices of others, if you can. I would think you would welcome the chance to reduce the possibilty of a mispelling by doing that.
My intent, in case somehow it was presented so obliquely in your view that you couldn't see it past your nose WAS to show by the demonstration of the fact of the customer letter that there is a great opportunity for very rewarding experiences in international sales. It is a loss to miss such things in life, for they are few, and far between. Perhaps you can remember one if you have not succeeded in tainting that pleasure in suspicion of why you liked it, or why it was available to you.
It is hart whatchamacallit and you who have made the perversion that this has become, and I now request that the moderator lock this thread out of respect to the grandma above.
posted on September 7, 2000 08:15:03 PM
International buyers pay big bucks and if you don't sell to them you lose out. I have sold to Japan, Downunder, United Kingdom, some African nation forget the name now and China and France. United Kingdom the guy bought a zippo ligher, original and detailed from the Vietnam War for $236+. The lady in France bought 50 skeins of DMC floss and paid me $56+ about 20 for shipping. Sold some McD toys to a minister in England, a couple books and such.
posted on September 8, 2000 04:22:58 AM
I do check off that I will ship to Canada, but I don't put in my auctions that I sell international, but I have sold to Germany, England, Switzerland, Australia and someone in Iceland who paid $17.00 airmail for three little magazines. I thought she would back out when I gave her the price but she never questioned it and I had the money in 3 days. All of my international buyers seem to send cash. I think I'm more nervous than they are. I would like to sell more internationally but reading these boards there seems to be trouble with some countries, such as Russia and other eastern European Countries. I wish you could check off more countries, like you can Canada, instead of just Europe. Or maybe a check off which includes only the countries that BillPoint will accept payments from. I don't take BillPoint, but I figure if they won't accept payments from some countries maybe I should avoid them.
