posted on January 3, 2001 12:11:29 PM new
What is the accepted procedure for finding out I have bidder from Canada ( after I noted USA only in my auction)? The postage is more and insurance is much much more....... am I able to say "excuse me, but......... I have had this happen twice. Am I able to refuse the sale? Since the bidder didn't follow the agreement of the auction?
posted on January 3, 2001 12:15:00 PM new
I dont think the shipping cost is really that much more in Canada.
I sent a large box for Christmas to a friend in Canada that had about 35 video tapes in it. To send it "surface" or regular mail was going to be $21.00 but to send it Air Mail it was $26.00 That was only a $5 difference for a huge, heavy box.
I dont have an answer to your question, someone else will I'm sure But I just wanted to point out that in my experience Canada is a lot cheaper to mail "out of the US" than overseas, Australia, England, etc.
posted on January 3, 2001 12:18:07 PM new
Maybe put in your description notice that "if you're from Canada, postage & ins. will be double", or "Canadians pay a $00.00 handling fee on all purchases". Even though you don't ship to Canada, Canadians will bid anyways, so might as well spell it out for them right from the start.
P.S. I'm in Canada, so none of the above would apply to me!!
posted on January 3, 2001 12:20:38 PM new
There is not much you can do this happens to me all the time. The only response you can give them (since I post my shipping costs in my auctions and they will want the same) is tell them since your auctions say US only that the only way you can keep the postage the same for the item is to send it surface which can take at least 3 weeks to get it to them. The surface rate for small things say 1-5 pounds for me has been about the same rate as priority in the states. I wish people would read that you don't ship outside the US but they don't and since they are your high bidder and able to leave feedback there is not much you can do.
posted on January 3, 2001 12:23:54 PM new
They really should have e-mailed you about it first.I think sometimes people just do not read that small print until it is to late.I would just tell them that the cost will be more and that is that.Also mention that you do not sell across the border but you will make an exception this time.I think they will pay whatever the shipping is if they really want the item.One other thing I would suggest put a note in your item description as well that you only sell to U.S. buyers.I always look but I am sure some people never even see that little bit eBay puts there,very small print.
--------------------------------- If I had money I'd be rich!
--------------------------------- My Bit
posted on January 3, 2001 12:27:29 PM new
Mark in your auctions that you do ship internatinally. BUT, in the very first line of your auction description, in BOLD, BLINKING RED LETTERING "S&H for outside United States is $10,000 American Cash"....
I need just 100 more international bidders and I'm a millionaire!!!!"
posted on January 3, 2001 12:28:04 PM new
You can refuse the sale on the grounds that the bidder didn't conform to you TOS. However, this does leave you open to negative feedback (however unjustified). I'd get the appropriate rate quote (assuming that we're talking about something that can be mailed), including insurance (which adds GREATLY to shipping things to Canada, since the cheapest shipping method can't be insured). If you're lucky, maybe they'll decide they don't want to complete the transaction and the two of you can agree to mutually cancel it. OTOH, they may want the item badly enough to pay the insurance.
posted on January 3, 2001 12:28:37 PM new
Make some money and charge them double shipping, if they want it and explain why...maybe from then on they will catch the hint.
Ain't Life Grand...
posted on January 3, 2001 12:54:57 PM new
You don't have a problem - you have an opportunity!!!! I LOVE my international bidders! Your ebay auctions probably already say "US only", so it must be assumed that shipping estimates/costs are for "within the US". So, you aren't held to those costs. If an international bidder/winner slips through, and you don't catch it till after you've sent your confirmation email with shipping info, simply send another email saying that you will modify the shipping costs for their non-US location. You don't have to ship until you've received the full payment with revised shipping costs. And to get shipping costs? Get their postal code and city, province, country. Go to www.iship.com, and click on "Price It". Pick what carriers you like to deal with and you'll get an accurate estimate to then present to them. They are obligated to continue with this ebay transaction since they ARE high bidder. And, all of the international customers I have KNOW that shipping costs will be revised once I get postal information from them. They are WONDERFUL customers, who often bid on items that US customers passed on, because they don't have access to our stores, etc. They know quality!!! So, again, this isn't a problem - this is an opportunity! Good luck, Kathleen (sweetfulfillment)
posted on January 3, 2001 03:42:24 PM new
I have had very few problems with my International bidders, Canadians make up the lions share.
Then there's the rare occasion when the book is large enough to make shipping, even by slow camel, close to $15.00. The deal still goes through, but they're not happy.
posted on January 3, 2001 08:25:35 PM new
As a Canuck EH I have a format whereby I ask if OK to bid, I state that I pay via Chasse Manhattan in US$ and ask for shipping via USPS ONLY
99% of 'US bids only' sellors reply 'SURE'
Now I often go to USPS postal site to see costs so I know that the differance is slight, however I accept a LITTLE addon to regular tarrifs as I want the goods.
My hat is off to all you nice sellers that appreciate our Canadian bids.
As someone pointed out: Often we are your only buyer on an auction.
PLEASE Ship to us USPS (not UPS). UPS hammers us with a fee that totals about $37.00 on a little $9.00 purchase. (happened to me).
The post office system allows DUTY FREE all items $20. or less and over that amt only charge us a collection fee of $5.00(plus duty), but that's fair and we expect to pay it.
posted on January 3, 2001 08:35:59 PM new
Wow, keep up the good work o xenophobes! I sell over 20% of my items internationally. If more sellers weren't so lazy then it would cut into my markets!!
I have had less problems with INT sales than any other country. They understand that it costs more for shipping and are more patient.
I think it's more about sellers relying on Priority mail picking up their packages at the door so they don't have to face sunlight.
Heh heh
As a bidder I keep a USPS box office, and US checking account from a US account and sometimes I still get some grief from US sellers!! Mind boggling..
posted on January 5, 2001 12:13:48 PM new
I want to thank you all for your input....... I have really learned alot and will go foward now. I did not mean to upset anyone at all( perhaps I should have just said international). This is such a great place-- get much better answers and quicker I might add than from ebay themselves! I have another coming you guys way.
But I just wanted to point out that in my experience Canada is a lot cheaper to mail "out of the US" than overseas, Australia, England, etc.