chum
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posted on September 1, 2000 02:17:01 PM new
I have sold 4 items to Canada within the past 2 weeks, and 3 of the buyers are complaining big time about shipping, and one has threatened a negative feedback. I am fed up with this so I put in my new auctions no more international orders, and canadians must add $2.50 handling fee per order. I hate to do this but 8 out of 10 complain about high shipping which I cannot help, and I would sooner not have them bid at all. The one that threatened negative feedback even asked for my postmaster's phone number which I gave, and he told her the same thing. I just dont need these kinds of headaches anymore.
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capotasto
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posted on September 1, 2000 02:54:21 PM new
Best solution is to put in your EOA notice the link to the international USPS rate finder. Tell them the weight and let them figure it out themselves.
I have Never had an international buyer complain to me about postal rates. You sure hit an unfortunate bunch of buyers.
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mballai
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posted on September 1, 2000 03:42:17 PM new
My international bidders are actually nicer and more considerate than many US bidders. You got a miserly persnickety bunch. Put in your TOS that international bidders should contact you first before bidding for a price quote and that you reserve the right to cancel any international bid who doesn't verify shipping costs.
I'd be curious to know what you sell; certain items attract all the wrong kinds of people IMHO
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lorndav
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posted on September 1, 2000 04:21:58 PM new
International orders are a pain!!
Couldn't agree more!
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radh
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posted on September 1, 2000 04:22:19 PM new
Chum: I'm sorry to hear about this; I've had fantastic Canadian customers.
May I ask something? You are NOT sending the mdse to Canada via UPS, right? You ARE using the US mails?
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argh
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posted on September 1, 2000 04:36:49 PM new
The buyers I've had from Canada have always been wonderful. No deadbeats, polite, quick to send payments, and knew in advance that shipping would be more than in the U.S.
I have not had much luck with other international buyers, but Canadians have been great.
Argh
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toolhound
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posted on September 1, 2000 04:51:45 PM new
I agree they are a pain. I quit shipping out of the USA over a year ago. It was not worth it.
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chum
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posted on September 1, 2000 05:15:13 PM new
I sell mostly gifts and ceramics that I make. They are bulky and a 4lb box to canada is around $15.00 which is alot more for them using their currency. I have put in my description about it, but they seem to ignore it until I send the EOA. I use USPS to ship all my packages. When I sold cards it was a breeze because an envelope to Canada is cheaper. I know its alot for them to pay, but they need to understand I dont set the rates.
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upriver
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posted on September 1, 2000 05:37:44 PM new
LOL!!!
International orders a pain? I sell about 200 items every month & 95% of them are International orders.
Why? I'm in Canada, you're in the U.S.
Rather than whining so much about a few orders & what appear to be pretty minor irritations or problems, why not take a good look at how you do business, and how YOU CAN IMPROVE IT!!
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chum
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posted on September 1, 2000 07:36:43 PM new
upriver,
I whine because I am tired of hearing canadians whining to me. Its like a domino effect. From now on if they bid on my USA only auctions they will pay a $2.50 international handling charge plus actual shipping, or a negative feedback will be left. If they bid without asking they will either pay up or shut up. Yes upriver I am improving my business. Thanks for your comments.
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MAH645
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posted on September 1, 2000 07:48:12 PM new
upriver,
I did take a good look at how I do business,and how I could improve it I now put in all my auctions I do not ship internationally, and I haven't had any problems since.Life is so much easier.
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macandjan
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posted on September 1, 2000 09:18:52 PM new
[ edited by macandjan on Dec 4, 2000 04:49 AM ]
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nowwhat
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posted on September 1, 2000 09:41:01 PM new
I kinda agree. When I went to the Post Office today I took along a Postal Money Order from Canada. Guess what? I was told I could not cash it there. I would have to take it to a Post Office that's located 45 minutes away. What a pain!
I don't really get too many international sales so I may just stop selling outside of the U.S.
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kiheicat
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posted on September 1, 2000 09:51:49 PM new
I just officially opened up to international this morning so I don't have a frame of reference yet... have had a Canadian here and there bid when they weren't supposed to when I was US only so now we'll see...
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cdnbooks
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posted on September 1, 2000 09:53:57 PM new
macandjan
that's "bum, eh"
but very nice try!!
Bill
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reddeer
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posted on September 1, 2000 10:01:49 PM new
Ya, what a boot those friggen Canucks, eh?
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tomwiii
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posted on September 2, 2000 06:39:25 AM new
So far, ALL of my international bidders have been GREAT! Before I opened my auctions to int.bidders, I did some planning & adjusting to my TOS & I feel that AVOIDS problems before they begin:
1) Limit payment options: I offer BidPay Money Orders or International POSTAL Money Orders ONLY! NO EXCEPTIONS allowed! If the bidder feels he cannot live with this -- please don't bid OR HE WILL BE NEGGED!
2) Near the close of the auction, you can pretty much tell if he is foreign by looking at his addy: so prepare by packaging (ya can always slap a Priority sticker on the box later if a domestic sniper wins!) & weighing & going to the USPS Int Rate calculator and saving the info.
3) When the Int bidder wins, send a FOREIGN EOA email & attach the shipping info & let HIM choose! I discourage surface, but as long as he emails me his understanding that it CAN TAKE UP TO 3 MONTHS! hey, it's his peso, right?!
With a little planning, International sales work great & it's FUN!
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