posted on October 23, 2000 04:18:39 PM
I have tried to work with the international sellers that ignore my - NO International SAles- USA Only.......the buyers are great,, it's me... I have lost money on every sale... I weigh, I look it up online , send email of international shipping cost,all
have sent the amount - no qualms.. when I get to the post office it's always higher!! I lost $6.00 shipping a box to Japan today because the rate Online told me was not on his rate-- he said! Said 1-800 and Online have been wrong before! $6.00 wrong! OK.... I don't want to deal with this anymore... how do I find out if an international is my high bidder before my auction is closed and what do I do? Ask them to withdraw, that I state USA Only? I've tried to be nice and accept these sales.. hasn't worked for me!! If we could leave the "people" from the PO out of it,, but alas , we can not..... any advice on how to spot a buyer before hand and best way to handle with tact.....Info is appreciated......
Thanks raggedyluver
posted on October 23, 2000 04:29:02 PM
Raggedy....you said it yourself...It's you, not them. International buyers are for the most part great, notwithstanding our northern brethren. I suggest that you learn shipping costs better. Until you do, overcompensate. Have them send a little extra.
posted on October 23, 2000 04:29:27 PM
The best bet if you have an international buyer is to ask them. They have probably bought something before and can give you a ball park figure. That's what I did with mine and it was right on the money. Since you say no international buyers then I would think that you could cancell their bids. But what I have started to do is write in my TOS "International buyers please email me before you bid". That way if they win you will have plenty of time to find out the shipping charges. Good Luck
posted on October 23, 2000 04:38:13 PM
You have to be carefull when you look up international rate for shipping I have made this mistake several times for some reason they give you a rate for ground shipping which is not posible for most international shipping.
Next time you look up a shipping rate print out the rate you get and take it to the PO with you .
The way I calulate these rates is I up the weight of my package buy two or three ounces as well usually I come out within .10 of the actual shipping always take the quote for airmail as well .
posted on October 23, 2000 05:14:32 PM
Yes, pointy, but, again I did state- No international sales,, that should stand and I don't understand why they bid if someone states in their description -USA only. I personal have met some great international buyers, but, point in hand... I can be faulted for under pricing on shipping cost,
but not for putting down international buyers! That I did not do! Just wanted to end it before it began for those that do not read entire page of auction!
raggedy
posted on October 23, 2000 05:24:53 PM
This is a drag for you. I allow international sales, but I always make them wait for me to pack the item as it is going to be shipped, then go to the PO physically, and get a commitment on the shipping rate(s).
I realize this may not be feasible for sellers with tons of items each week, or people who live in a city (lines, rude clerks, etc.).
Sometimes it takes a couple of days to get them the exact info, but the upside is that, to date (knock on wood), I've never been stiffed by an international buyer.
posted on October 23, 2000 06:36:38 PM
Personaly I love the International buyers. I took a bath on some shipping too. Now I look up the rate online and then add a little to it. No one seems to mind and I don't get killed on shipping costs.
posted on October 23, 2000 06:49:45 PM
Raggedy, I HEAR ya...We have one *@#($* person at the post office who WILL NOT listen when I correct her CONSTANT mistakes about International rates, I have shown her printouts and complained and supposedly they have "talked" to her but it is a small place and a small PO and what else can I do?? I don't want Int buyers for the same reason as you. I have generally found them to be good buyers (although I have had a couple deadbeats, one from England, one from Germany) but it doesn't make up for the extra hassle. Someone else can have them! LOL!
posted on October 23, 2000 06:56:39 PMraggedyluver:"I weigh, I look it up online , send email of international shipping cost, all have sent the amount - no qualms.. when I get to the post office it's always higher!! "
You forgot one thing on your list...call the P.O.
I don't accept international orders either, but I still get them. I instruct the buyer to give me their exact address (not just the country), and then I weigh the item, and call the P.O. I haven't had one prob. yet. Since there are so few of them, it's not a hassle to call. You'll save yourself a lot of time and money.
posted on October 23, 2000 07:01:28 PM
If you are always estimating UNDER the actual amount, thry this:
1. Check your scales for accuracy. In postage, a fraction of an ounce can cost you $$.
2. Pack, weigh, then get the shipping quote
3. Round UP on weight.
4. Take the results form the USPS calcualtor to the post office with you, because often they use a different rate because they do not understand international rates.
Thanks raggedyluver