chum
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posted on September 1, 2000 02:17:01 PM
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
[ 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
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
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
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
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
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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