posted on August 18, 2004 05:05:00 PM new
I would like to know why so many americans will not ship out of their own country. is it because they think it is too hard.? or is it because they dont know how.? are some just plain lazy.?
i am talking about shipping thru your normal postal system. is it usps, or ups. most postal staff are always willing to show you how to do this the first time. from then on it is easy. there is not much extra to do. just fill out a small form or two.
i see some of you complaining about sales being down, and yet some of you will not ship overseas. then you complain your losing sales.
[ edited by agate18 on Aug 18, 2004 05:15 PM ]
posted on August 18, 2004 05:25:20 PM new
Because it is a PITA!
Like when I get an ANZAC who insists on SURFACE SHIPPING, even though my auctions state AIRMAIL ONLY! WHY? Because it takes THREE MONTHS -- and ya tell MrKiwi or Mr Dundee that & they insist & ya ship & 1 WEEK LATER they start P&M'ing about "Where is my item?"
Or the 99% of my Canadian bidders who insist on "GIFT" & marking a $200 scale with a $10 value!
Or the Dutchman who didn't follow ANY of my auctions instructions & THEN negged me 2X because shipping was too much -- I combined for him & lost my shirt on shipping & he says "Danke" with a neg!
Plus PayPal won't offer SELLERS PROTECTION for shipping outside USA...
PLUS, other than EXPRESS MAIL, there ain't no tracking available...
etc, etc, etc...
Only places I enjoy shipping to is the UK & JAPAN because those folks have NEVER P&M'ed TO ME ABOUT ANYTHING!
“Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we! They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.” ~ GWBush White House 8/5/4
posted on August 18, 2004 05:42:04 PM new
I ship overseas and to Canada, and most of the time I have no problems. The problems that have come up, however, were centered around the buyer's unwillingness to pay for the shipping I've designated. What they don't understand, I think. is that we sellers do think through the best and most economical shipping methods Which Won't Bring a Neg FB Because It's So Slow!!!!! Only Canadians has argued about that with me, and only one or two. It is indeed a PITA sometimes.
___________________________________
My right to speak my mind, to have a voice, to be what some have called "opinionated," is a right I deeply and profoundly cherish. And my only hope is that, one day soon, women--who have all earned their right to their opinions--instead of being called opinionated, will be called smart and well-informed, just like men. ~Teresa Heinz Kerry (bless her)
posted on August 18, 2004 05:46:59 PM new
To me, it is no longer worth the hassle.
No matter how clear I state things in my auctions, my international bidders cause problems -- they insist on THEIR way of doing things, even if it is illegal or idiotic~!
I'll be dumping it soon -- I'll miss the Japanese & the Brits, and that's about it
“Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we! They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.” ~ GWBush White House 8/5/4
posted on August 18, 2004 05:59:30 PM new
I dont think it matters where you ship to, aust inc. you will always get whingers. i have been a seller since 1998 on ebay.
if they complain about the shipping price then give them some alternative. in aust we have AIRMAIL. ECONOMY. SEAMAIL. AND ALSO EMS. WHICH IS FASTER.
But there is always the seller who is overcharging their buyers.
an example, recently i wanted to buy a pair of sunglasses from the us. price was ok. but the price of shipping was $24.us. so i checked usps site. airmail was $14.50.us. that is a ripoff. and that is why most people complain.
when i charge for shipping, i only charge what it costs me.
i do tend to ask shipping rates before i bid. and yes sadly a lot of people dont check first. and a lot of people dont read conditions either.
but what i dont see is using all these things as an excuse not to ship overseas.
isn't that cutting off your nose to spite your face.?
posted on August 18, 2004 06:20:58 PM new
You're missing the point -- the nice thing about eBay is that I don't have to tolerate the BS unless I choose to.
I no longer choose to tolerate it because it is NO LONGER WORTH THE HASSLE!
If I have 100 USA bidders, then I might have 1 hassle!
If I have 100 NON-USA bidders, then I end up with 95 hassles.
This is a nice fun little hobby for me, to alleviate pain-insomnia.
The ONLY wankers I end up with, who INSIST on nutso cuckoo contortions are my NON-USA bidders!
Why bother??!!
“Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we! They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.” ~ GWBush White House 8/5/4
posted on August 18, 2004 06:22:46 PM new
My biggest problem with international buyers is that they go straight to PayPal and pay with the US shipping. Even though it is in the auction to e-mail me for shipping. And like Tom I get the ones that complain because they don't get it within a week. Then you have the ones who blame me because it got stuck in customs or they have to pay a huge customs fee.
And let's not forget the ones who go ahead and pay with pounds or euros even after I make it clear I only accept US currency. I have even explained that I live in a small town and the nearest place for me to cash the money order is 6 hours away. And what did they do, they sent a money order in pounds or euro's. I'm ready to give them up too.
Debbie
Be kind. Everyone is fighting their own secret battles.
...Author Unknown
posted on August 18, 2004 06:32:24 PM newbut the price of shipping was $24.us. so i checked usps site. airmail was $14.50.us. that is a ripoff.
This is exacltly why I no longer ship outside the US, Who are you to decide what I charge for shipping?
As Tom has said, not worth the hassle... last sale to Germany and that took several emails to explain to them I would not take paypal and yes my shipping cost was listed in the acution, you bid and won, you pay...
posted on August 18, 2004 06:39:18 PM new
Wow, I thought I was the only one who had problems with the stupid canadians, and found brits and the Japanese great people. Most of my negs have come from shipping problems with internationals.
1. The language barrier. I don;t think they can read well enough to make a deal
2. Canadians, you can have em. Cheap basstards and quick negs.
3. They send you the USA shipping, and expect you to eat the rest. IDIOTS!
4. It cost me $7.00 more in time and materials to ship international over domestic shipping. I have to provide a box, tape, more emails, fill out the paperwork, all for a neg? How stupid? I am NOT for international aid.
5. Laws. According to German and many European laws, swastic sales are illegal even if they are on model kits, which I sell. They can pinch me.
I am not into self loathing, and lazy has nothing to do with it. It is common sense.
posted on August 18, 2004 06:43:43 PM new
oh, and as an add on, even with all my ads stating, I still have morons from other countries bid on my stuff anyway.
posted on August 18, 2004 07:01:45 PM new
By default, all my listings state I will not ship internationally. After reading Lucy's post about the new blocking options, I went directly to Ebay and blocked all bidders outside the U.S. if my auctions state U.S. only. If I get an Email from the U.K., Japan or Australia asking permission to bid, I will let them AFTER I explain my terms for shipping, payment, customs declarations, etc. Occasionally, I will have an item, such as Denby pottery which is popular in the U.K., Canada or Australia, or certain items which command extremely high prices in Japan. In those cases, I will open the auction for international bidding, even to the extent of launching the auction at 2:00 AM so it ends in prime snipe time in Tokyo. However, in the majority of the cases, I agree with Tom. I can find enough headaches locally to keep me busy. I don't have to import them from overseas.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on August 18, 2004 07:41:47 PM new
TWELVEPOLE. SO WHAT YOUR SAYING IS THAT IF THE CUSTOMER WONT PAY YOUR RIPOFF SHIPPING THEN THEY CAN GO WHISTLE. THE PRICE THAT I GAVE OF $14.50. WAS BY AIRMAIL THRU FOR YOUR POSTOFFICE. NOT WHAT I MADE UP.
WITH RIP OFF MERCHANTS CHARGING NEARLY TWICE THE RECOMMENDED PRICE FOR SHIPPING. I AM SURPRISED YOUR STILL IN BUSINESS.
YOU SEEM TO THINK YOU CAN CHARGE WHAT YOU WANT AND YOUR CUSTOMERS SHOULD BE GRATEFUL.
posted on August 18, 2004 07:59:28 PM new
If the shipping cost is listed in the auction, what right would the high bidder have to complain? If the bidders choose not to read the terms of the auction, how can anyone hold the seller responsible?
I gave up shipping internationally long ago. I still accept bids from outside the USA when the bidder contacts me and has a shipping address for me in the states. I'm even thinking of dropping that option for the bidders, as I've received emails from buyers 2 months after sale stating that their "friend" just got around to forwarding the package. There is no shortage of stateside bidders, why put up with the extra aggrivation for a couple of bucks more?
posted on August 18, 2004 08:09:37 PM newI have even explained that I live in a small town and the nearest place for me to cash the money order is 6 hours away
Talk about whinning. Get a bank account where you can mail in the money orders for deposit. Works great and no driving needed unless your mail box is 6 hours away.
As far as selling to international. Never accept paypal. Tell Canadians to stuff a sock in it as I will not mark any package a gift. Don't even accept e-mails, let alone bids from anyone in Nigeria. Otherwise, accept all international bids with open arms. There money spends the same as our USA counterparts.
posted on August 18, 2004 08:16:27 PM new
The shipping was not a couple of bucks more it was $10.more. the overseas shipping price was not in the auction that i inquired about.
because the shipping is overseas some sellers seem to think that it is their god given right to massively overcharge in shipping costs.
i dont mind a couple of dollars over the price. but $10. is a rediculous overcharge.
considering the packed article will not weigh 8 ozs. and he wanted $24.
i bet you would not pay it either.
i have read many a post on this site regarding ripoff sellers who charge excessive postage. you all complain bitterly. now you are trying to justify them.?
posted on August 18, 2004 08:16:33 PM new
The shipping was not a couple of bucks more it was $10.more. the overseas shipping price was not in the auction that i inquired about.
because the shipping is overseas some sellers seem to think that it is their god given right to massively overcharge in shipping costs.
i dont mind a couple of dollars over the price. but $10. is a rediculous overcharge.
considering the packed article will not weigh 8 ozs. and he wanted $24.
i bet you would not pay it either.
i have read many a post on this site regarding ripoff sellers who charge excessive postage. you all complain bitterly. now you are trying to justify them.?
posted on August 18, 2004 08:16:50 PM new
I ship to anyone as long as they pay me. NO P.P. for out of country sales. Overall I never had much of a problem with out of country sales.
Some of the nicest people I have ever dealt with.
My biggest b@@ch is with the cheap aholes out of Florida. They are now on my "never deal with these morons" again list.
posted on August 18, 2004 08:32:44 PM new
I ship outside the US. I ship only by Express Mail or UPS/Fed EX. I stand firm to my TOS. (no marking items as gift, they are responsible for their customs duties ect..)
I get people who pay the shipping for USA. I will not ship till they pay me the rest.
I print my labels online and have a pick up service that comes everyday to my office. No way am I going to lug 8-10 pound boxes to the post office.
It can be a pain sometimes. Especially when they do not get it fast enough. for some reason French customs holds my packages for a month. (it's framed art).
For the most part my international bidders are no problem.
posted on August 18, 2004 10:09:56 PM new
Did you ask how they would ship the sunglasses?
If the package only weighs 8 ounces, it would cost $7.10 for airmail. If they were insuring it, then the rate goes up to $14.50 plus insurance fee. ($1.75 up-to $50, $2.60 up to $100 etc)
Then if they can't get to the post office, there is a $12.50 pickup fee. Might also be requesting a return receipt for $1.75 more.
Then there is Express mail. (EMS) It is $17 up-to 8 ounces then goes up-to $20.50
Also, Fedex, UPS or DHL might possible ship something that light there for that much but they require a postal code so I couldn't look up the rates. A lot of business don't ship any packages by USPS no matter what.
posted on August 18, 2004 10:30:27 PM new
whatnot. it is plain to see you did not read the posts above. i asked for airmail. nothing else. just airmail . he said no problem thru the postoffice. he wanted $24.
i checked out the price and found it was $14.50.us. not $24. i did not want the other type of services. as i have found that airmail from the usa works well in a very reasonable time. i did not ask for insurance.
i asked all these questions before i bid. and i did not bid.
i cannot stand arrogant sellers who think it is their god given right to overcharge on postage. inmy case almost double. i dont mind a couple of dollars over, thats fine. but not this blatent profiteering like some sellers in the us are doing.
and before you ask. the only shipping price in the auction was for domestic usa.
posted on August 18, 2004 11:45:41 PM new
Funny you should ask why we don't ship internationally.
It was best illustrated yesterday by a non-eBay experience.
(cue the harp music -- video turns wavy as we experience a flashback)
The scene: Starbucks in Lenwood, California.
The protagonist: A tall skinny Middle Eastern man with neither shirt nor shoes on.
As our story begins, a Starbucks barista is patiently explaining to Mr. ME that not only can he not serve him, Mr. ME must leave the store immediately. State law requires patrons to wear both shirt and shoes in food establishments. Restaurants that don't enforce this can be fined.
At first Mr. ME pretends he doesn't understand English. Then he drops the pretense and starts to argue with the counter person. More baristas and the manager arrive, all of whom explain ever-so-patiently that Mr. ME must leave at once, though he is welcome to come back once he dons a shirt and some footwear. Mr. ME continues to argue and accuses the Starbucks personnel of calling the police (which I think they were actually about 60 seconds away from doing). He shouts that it's not a crime to order coffee. One barista asks Mr. ME to please be careful on his way out the door as a glass bottle had been dropped earlier. He finally stalks out.
How is this similar to selling internationally?
Mr. ME made six other legitimate customers wait an extra 10 minutes to order their own coffees, all because he's a self-centered twit who understands the law but chooses not to follow it.
This has been my experience with international bidders (primarily Canadian) precisely. They know the rules, they just think they don't apply to their own precious selves.
posted on August 18, 2004 11:49:05 PM new
The biggest whingers in the world when it comes to postage cost are americans.
i have a lot of great customers in the us and the rest of the world. but there is a percentage of american bidders who are a real pain in the butt. I then remember a saying my old granmother used to use .
"treat people the way you want them to treat you."
i feel sorry for you people who have no patience, or tolerance. may you get what you deserve.
posted on August 19, 2004 12:19:38 AM new
I will sell to buyers overseas if they email first and ask. I feel if they bother to ask they probably will bid.
I know this sounds like stereotyping and I'm sure others have had different problems but I find the Japanese to be extremely polite, they ask first, bid and bid high, pay promptly, and never complain about shipping (but I never gouge on shipping).
I find the French arrogant and rude, bid without asking and expect me to learn French since they bought something from me. They pay if and when THEY feel like it. I do think there are probably nice French buyers somewhere.
Greeks are friendly and prompt.
The one Dutch person tried to tell me what shipping would be and then didn't pay.
Canadian and Australian sellers and buyers have always been friendly,prompt, and honest.
But I could apply all of the above to my many American customers as well......we're all really pretty much the same.
posted on August 19, 2004 12:38:10 AM new
iareateacher. it would seem that you have double standards. you defend those arrogant sellers who rip off their customers .
let me spell it out for you. i cannot stand thieving sellers who rip off their customers where ever they be. they give all sellers a bad name, and the sooner they are stopped and kicked off ebay and other sites the better. any seller who makes a profit from shipping is nothing but a thieving lowlife. which one are you.?
to defend them means you are one of them.
that is my real beef. it is unfortunate that the ones who have tried to rip me off are arrogant americans.
if they stopped trying rip off customers in the shipping costs , then i would not have a beef.
fortuanately most americans that i deal with are good people.
posted on August 19, 2004 03:40:14 AM new
I'm a European seller and have never had any problems with my buyers as regards postage. The reason is I give a breakdown of postage costs in my ad: International, European and UK. Easy to read and understand, no follow up e-mails enquiring about postage. I have a small postage chart taped to my monitor so can see at a glance how much it will be. Requires no extra effort on my part! I also appreciate it when sellers give a breakdown of postage costs in their auctions as it saves me having to e-mail. I have seen some pretty ridiculous prices for shipping cds & dvds but at least I know so I don't bid. Many times I can get a small parcel to the U.S. quicker than it can get there from within the U.S.!
posted on August 19, 2004 03:44:13 AM new
agate 18
You must be from another socialist country. I am in business to make a PROFIT. It is NOT a dirty word. I am in business to make the biggest profit I can. I am going to allow people who make me the most money bid, and the problem people are not welcome. Why? They cost me money instead of making money. I already have 300 million possible customers in the USA for my product, why go for the world??
Now you failed to address the $7.00 cost more to ship internationally than domestic. If I was wanting to "rip people off", I would continue to charge the big shipping inflation of international bidding. Instead, we choose to skim the surface of the best bidders "by selection", and to helll with everyone else. We only sell to the USA to avoid all the problems and costs with international shipping.
It is a sound business decision, maximizing profit, minimizing costs. It is called capitolism! But you go boy, sell to anyone you want, collect all the negs you choose, lose money on the shipping and HANDLING. You choice. No wonder your country outlawed guns!
