posted on November 15, 2000 02:47:48 PM
I put in my auctions that I only ship to the US. This is only for my convenience, not because I have anything against Canadians.
I had an auction close and the high bidder is in Canada. Ok, I'll try to figure out how to ship these to her. this is going to be a package about 12" square and weighing 4 pounds. What's the best and cheapest way to get these to her?
I looked at the USPS info and am still a bit confused. What is a small packet? Any other thoughts on the best way to do this without the shipping being exorbitant?
posted on November 15, 2000 03:05:26 PM
My suggestion is to sell it to your underbidder if they're still interested and forget about sending this "widget" to Canada.
Simply email Canadian buyer and say sorry-won't ship to Canada. Mail system US/Canada stinks-Australia/US might be worse. You don't want to learn all the permutations of why your package hasn't arrived.
posted on November 15, 2000 03:12:02 PM
Best I can tell, it just does fall under the size limits for small packet air. The package can be no more than 36 inches height, width, and length combined. If it is 12 inches square it's dead on.
The rate I get for small packet air on 4 pounds to Canada is $9.28 not including any insurance, with an average delivery time of 4 to 7 days. Small packet surface is $6.86, but takes 4 to 6 WEEKS.
By the way, I have had a similar sutuations before with Canadian bidders on a U.S. only auction. All I did was tell them that they had to pay the appropriate postage costs plus their bid amount and so far all have agreed to. Most seem to understand that it costs more to ship out of the country and are willing to pay for it. They seem to feel guilty when you remind them that it was listed as U.S. only, but it's usually an honest mistake on their part.
Also, I do not advise claiming the shipment as a "gift" on the customs form, nor do I advise undervaluing the item.
posted on November 15, 2000 03:16:13 PM
Hi UpInTheHills
I ran a 4 pound package through the international rate calculator.
I usually ship small packets. I let my bidder choose whether they want the faster option of Small Packets Airmail, or the slow, less expensive Small Packets Surface.
Most of my Canadian customers select Small Packets Air.
In the case of a 4-pound package, the postage is $9.28 and the estimated delivery time is 4-7 days.
Small Packets Surface is $6.86 with an estimated delivery time of 4-6 weeks.
You'll need to attach a customs form, which is no big deal to fill out. You list your name/address, your customer's name/address and the value of the package.
That's it. It's really simple. I actually like shipping internationally. I have customers from South Korea to Norway, Scotland to Brazil, Canada to Australia. It's nice to e-mail chit chat with people all over the world.
posted on November 15, 2000 03:18:00 PM
Surface Post, on average, takes 2-3 weeks max. It depends on where you & the high bidder live. 2 weeks is average for anything going Surface.
BTW - What's the max for Small packet in the US? Up here it's 1 KG [2.2 pounds] for items going to the USA.
posted on November 15, 2000 03:21:35 PM
If you live in the U.S., never tell your customer that you expect a package to take 4 to 7 days to reach them (no matter what the U.S. post office may tell you!). The in-transit time can vary widely depending on location (theirs vis-a-vis yours). The package may also be held up in customs.
It usually takes an ordinary LETTER from the U.S. at least 7 to 10 days to reach me at my location here in Canada (and letters aren't held up by customs).
posted on November 15, 2000 03:31:05 PM
Stockticker is correct.
Service varies widely and "your mileage may be different". Customs on either side of the US/Canadian border can screw up any timetable. I've sold stuff to perhaps 10 different countries over a 3 year period and without a doubt the 2 most painful mailing experiences were Australia and Canada.
posted on November 15, 2000 04:42:55 PM
One thing I am always weary about would have to be international buyers. Now I don't want to decline their business, because I would only be hurting myself.
The only problem I have with them would be that they really mess up my "pattern" of running auctions and managing post-auction activities. Another worry would be the non-standard shipping costs between international buyers, so sometimes my international flat rate shipping charge is a little to much or not enough. I never send back money or request more money if my flatrate charge was off.
My current international product will be sent to England via USPS Global Priority in a "small" envelope for 5 dollars. 0_o
first time poster here though I've lurked for months. Learned a lot and laughed along with you at some of the antics of the trolls.
Recently went through a Canada to US postal experience - thought it would be my first non-delivery in over 200 sales. Item was sent surface small packet and was'nt received after 6 weeks. The buyer and I were straight with each other and did'nt mess around. Though item was uninsured, my EOA at the time did'nt offer insurance.
As it was a US$40 item, it was a bit of a bite to eat, but I told the buyer if they did'nt have their item after 7 weeks I would refund the buyer half their winning bid, plus on future purchases give 25% off to the remainder of their original winning bid. Also, though the buyer would pay postage, I would pay insurance on the future purchases in question. The buyer gladly accepted my offer but did say they would rather have the item as they liked it very much.
So, the 7 week point arrives and I do mail the refund m/o. You can guess what happened next. Yes...the very next day the elated buyer emails that they received their item and it's a great item. They said a sticker was attached to the parcel advising that the transport truck carrying the parcel had been in a highway accident and apologized for any delay.
Needless to say, the buyer mailed back the amount of my refund and finally gave me their glowing pos. feedback. And I'm still batting a "1000" with the post office though now I've changed my EOA to offer insured and uninsured postage costs.
I've also shipped to England, Australia, Japan and Germany without a problem.
posted on November 15, 2000 09:21:08 PM
Thanks Bill.
A few months back I asked a Canada Post rep why they refused to raise the max weight for Small Packet from Canada to the USA. I was told the amount was set by the USPS.
