posted on July 17, 2001 02:33:07 PM new
i am starting to wonder if internation sales are worth the trouble. 80% of the time its a headache.
i wanted to see how others feel about it.
posted on July 17, 2001 02:46:30 PM new
I love my international buyers. No more trouble than any others in my opinion. If you get the customs forms and take them home, you can have everything ready before you hit the PO. But, I accept Paypal and most of my Intl have used it. I have been paid immediately, and they have gotten their items within the week (airmail) Of course, if they choose to mail the payment, it does take longer, but not a big deal to me. If anyone doesn't want theirs, send them my way. A sale is a sale!
posted on July 17, 2001 02:50:58 PM new
i know there are a number of sellers here that just love their international buyers. having recently agreed to a few, i'm thinking they'll be my last. no fault of the buyers; they've been lovely. but i ship priority, so i had to go hunt down boxes of the right size, then pack, then take to p.o. to weigh and get postal rate options, then email buyers, then wait for bidpay money orders to arrive (they still haven't), and then i'll have to deal with whatever custom forms are necessary. not worth the extra time and effort for me.
posted on July 17, 2001 02:52:52 PM new
kiawok, you might watch the language. Kids could be here.
As for international -- where can you find rules for what is allowed for export? Some software cannot be shipped outside of USA and Canada and is marked. I'm sure other countries have rules about what can or cannot be shipped to their countries.
Any ideas what percent of ebay users are from outside the USA?
posted on July 17, 2001 02:53:51 PM new
I love my international buyers. They bid early, they bid high, and they make multiple purchases to get the most value for their shipping buck. They are unfailingly polite, respond quickly, and pay fast. The customs form takes 5 seconds to complete. My international sales are completed and out the door before I even hear from most of my American buyers.
I am curious about what kinds of headaches they give you, breinhold.
Gerald
"Oh but it's so hard to live by the rules/I never could and still never do."
posted on July 17, 2001 02:56:52 PM new
I love my international bidders. I've had a lot of Canadian ones lately. Where else would a bidder pay anywhere from $7 - $256 for an LP and then add an additional $14-$20 for shipping and send you a BidPay money order to boot?
posted on July 17, 2001 02:57:24 PM new
The only problems I've had with international was when I got a payment in a foreign currency [my bank had a spazz attack]. Also, it took forever for a payment to reach me from Estonia. Other than that, it's been smooth sailing and a pleasure. I have a wall map where I label every country I've sold to. I just recently got my first South American!
Also, there have been several times when an international customer had a package shipped to someone in the US. I imagine if I said "no international" I would have lost a sale that would have been just as easy to ship as anything I sell to a US customer.
posted on July 17, 2001 02:57:58 PM new
About 20% of my FLD sales were international. Probably around 15% of my overall sales are international.
It does take a bit more time...but, in general, I've found it more than worth it.
I generally offer them options as to shipping & let them decide on what they are willing to pay & how fast they want it. Almost every one has chosen the more expensive, faster method, so they must have the $$$ to spend.
I keep a stack of custom's forms already filled out (great to do while sitting in waiting rooms, waiting at the bus stop..anytime I have a few dead minutes on my hands).
Then it's just fill in the buyer info, put on the value (actual amount paid...none higher, none lower) & off it goes.
Just remember, a large portion of the world's population is beginning to come on line. That's a HUGE market..many with dollars in their pocket to burn. Even if our economy tanks..theirs may be booming, so it's also a hedge against the market going south here.
And things we take for granted, they are THRILLED to have access to and are willing to spend the bucks.
If you sell in a category where the item can be relatively easily packaged & shipped, then I'd say it was certainly worth considering.
Try it for a while. If you don't like it, you don't have to continue doing it (hmmm, wait..that's what my mother said about those damn piano lessons).
posted on July 17, 2001 03:01:59 PM new
first let me thank all of you for helping me rethink this. i have not had any problem with the bidders personalities in fact they all have been very nice. but lately i have had bidders trying to dodge customs and i will not do it.
also shipping is always more once i get to the p.o. than when i check on the usps website.
but you guys have fed me some positive thinking and i needed it. thanks!!
posted on July 17, 2001 03:35:33 PM new
I have had nothing but trouble when shipping international. ONe item I shipped via USPS.
First I figured the shipping costs on the website. Well, when I went to the Post Office the web site had been off like $80.00!!!! So I had go back home and ask the customer to fork over more money. This guy lived in Ukraine. When I went to the Post Office for about the 4th time they told me that I had to write his address in <b>HIS LANGUAGE!!!</b> Hello!! I don't speaker Ukraine nor do I write it. But after 6 trips to the Post Office over a period of a week I finally got the item shipped. And then it was damaged in shipping. Even shipping to Canada has been a pain. So, I do not ship outside the US except for a few occasions.
posted on July 17, 2001 03:42:05 PM new
Hi folks. Just wanted you to know that I will outbid any US buyer on a lot I want. This is not my trading name.
posted on July 17, 2001 06:07:05 PM new
I've been VERY happy with my international buyers. They are mostly in Japan and Austrailia, have had a few in Canada. They bid high, understand postage will be higher (although the stuff I ship is light...nothing over 12 ounces so far). None of them has ever asked me to lie on a customs form. I get paid very quickly - PayPal is especially handy for international deals. Because shipping is higher, they do tend to buy mulitple lots from me. I wish I had more international buyers - it's well worth the half minute it takes to fill out the customs form.
By the way, I have a cheap, crappy kitchen scale on my desk (it weighs in grams and ounces). Works plenty accurately for what I'm doing. I've never had a discrepancy with the USPS's web site rates when I get to the Post Office. I print out a copy of the web site info and take it in...they have never questioned it at the PO.
posted on July 17, 2001 06:14:07 PM new
Just now, I have a Canadian is being difficult. She want curier for $18 item. Does she want federal express? I only sent USPS say in my auction. Can you insure international or Canadian package? I can't get into USPS.com.
Please advice. Thanks.
posted on July 17, 2001 07:17:41 PM new
Our international customers have been wonderful and I fully agree with eventer's comments. It will be the way of the future for many sellers.
Hmmm...... I thought it was an adult discussion board here. Children are hanging out here? Probably learning about monkey porn? Geez!
posted on July 17, 2001 07:18:19 PM new
I have had only two international buyers. Both were the nicest, most courteous people I have ever dealt with. Both were very polite, with quick and clear e-mails, and quick payments. One was in Italy, the other Germany.
posted on July 17, 2001 07:23:24 PM new
I Think International buyers are well worth it They genrally are easier to deal with dont complain about shipping cost and pay Quick with bidpay or credit card some even send cash.
I have sold to Italy, China, Japan, Australia, Holland, south America, canada, and several other countrys..
AS far as packageing I go to staples every fee weeks they run a special on shipping supplys I buy a 6 to 10 of the largest boxes they sell when they are on sale for .30 to .45 each they can be cut down and made into custom size boxes for Shipping .
Also the USPS provides free global priority boxes and evenvelopes.
For Haveing no doubt as to What shipping cost will be I have a postal scale weight when the auction closes I package the Item weight it up and send the EOA.
I print the rate I get from the USPS website for the package the counter people always honor what the online calulator gave me for shipping price. http://www.Dman-N-Company.com
Email [email protected]
posted on July 17, 2001 08:41:25 PM new
thanks for the tip (dman)! i feel better. i think im suffering from a little burn out. i also want to repeat , international buyers have been very nice to me. england has been the best. i think its me. i might need a rest from ebay. the past 12 months blew by and all i can remember is this screen and the post office. time to slow down. anyway thanks again everybody.
kiawok, you might watch the language. Kids could be here.
Then you said:
Your profanity offended me and I asked you nicely to stop.
So at this point I just have to ask, are you a kid? If not, and words such as damn offend you, then perhaps it's time to vist the Disney chat boards.
BTW - I wasn't the only person to use that word in this thread, but for some strange reason you seem to have only targeted me for the use of the word?
And just so there's no confusion in the future, I post what I want, where I want, and when I want. If the moderators of this site decide I've stepped over the line, I'm sure they'll let me know.
My advice, use the Ignore feature if you find my language offensive.
The international bidders I have had were also polite and very patient.
One suggestion: I have found going to a search engine and typing in the word "translation" helps. That way I can send English and another language.
For example: I had a buyer from Italy.
In emails, it appeard that he was having trouble with English. I sent and Italian reply (with English, too) and he thanked me for that.
I use Google.com and type in Translation.
Real good site there.
No. I am not a child. But both statements still stand true.
I do, however, still live in a polite society where such profanity is reserved for the most crass members.
Sadly, your gutter talk is becoming commonplace in this world. And while you can say what you want, when you want, if you have decency, dignity, and manners you would refrain from such immature behavior.
posted on July 18, 2001 05:17:24 AM newpeiklk & kiawok
Please refrain from addressing eachother and get back on topic. If either of you find the other's posts offensive and/or distasteful, then I suggest utilising the "ignore" feature.
posted on July 18, 2001 05:59:28 AM new
The "top 10" list of hassles of international sales, as compiled from reading these boards (in no particular order):
1. Language issues
2. Payment type issues (wrong currency, takes longer to get, etc)
3. Not paying after discovering higher shipping costs
4. Higher rate of lost packages
5. Having to travel to PO to mail item
6. Export issues (software, hardware, etc)
7. Missing deadlines for ebay features (feedback, insurance, etc) due to long shipping times
8. Asking to lie on custom forms
9. Custom/duty issues
10. Payment fraud
There is no question that allowing international bidders will raise your income, each buyer has to evaluate this increase (either based on their actual experience or lookng through similar auctions) versus the potential hassles above.
posted on July 18, 2001 06:31:24 AM new
Sorry Michelle, I promise to play nice now.
Captain
I agree with your list, but just wanted to add. In the past few years I've shipped scores of items to Canada, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Japan, Australia, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, England, Ireland, Scotland, and Germany.
Out of all those numerous shipments abroad, I've never once ran into any of the problems in your top 10 list.
I wish I could say the same thing about all my sales to my US customers.
posted on July 18, 2001 07:07:50 AM new
So, do you list US Shipping the auction and then inform an international winner of the shipping costs after the auction?
What "categories" do well internationally?
BTW, even if we disagree on language, I respect your comments about auctions.
I give prices for U.S. and Canada in my auctions; then I say that other international rates will be higher; please e-mail me with the country of destination for a price quote. If the package can be sent small packet, I will put the shipping cost for international in the auction, as that is just one amount (based on weight) for all overseas countries.
For all other types of shipping (express post international, parcel post, etc.), once they e-mail me with their country, I can look up the shipping cost using the parcel calculator; I can also offer them shipping alternatives, with their various costs.
If they do not e-mail me before-hand, I always make a note in my EOA that shipping to overseas destinations is more costly, and that a new invoice will be sent after the address is received. I never put my address for payment in the EOA, or my Paypal e-mail, so that the buyer MUST respond with their address before they can make payment, allowing me to send the revised invoice if necessary.
I learned the strategy above on this board - it ensures that a person cannot just send payment if they have never contacted me. They don't have the info. to send payment until AFTER they have given me their address and what form of payment they will be using. It has been highly effective!
KittyX3 - please don't give up on international sales - I love bidding on good seller's auctions (like yours), and even if I don't win, I often raise the price of the ending bid considerably. It can really make box hunting worthwhile! BTW, please e-mail me at [email protected] if you don't mind - I need to ask you a question.
