posted on February 12, 2001 08:09:09 AM new
I KNEW there was a reason I chose to accept foreign bidders on 99% of my auctions! My items were getting closer to the auction end with very few bids and it was starting to look like a dismal week. I woke up this morning and a foreign bidder had placed bids on nearly half of my auctions. (I could tell from her feedback that she is not in the US--& her feedback is great.) <breathing a big sigh of relief>
Right after that, a bidder from Japan bid on 9 or 10 of my Yahoo auctions (they were all set up as "First Bid Wins". That bidder also has great feedback.
Am I lucky or what?
Anyway, I just wanted to point out that perhaps outside the US is a better market for some sellers that are feeling the effects of the crappy US economy (gasoline, high heating, layoffs, Christmas bills & taxes coming up seem to be stifling things a bit from what I can gather).
I guess I can go on and list some new stuff this week instead of worrying about all of the higher listing fees on items that are getting no bids...
posted on February 12, 2001 08:20:16 AM new
EXCELLENT! And what a good point about the fact that there ARE others outside the U.S. who really matter! I think that sometimes in this country we forget that there IS life outside the U.S.
posted on February 12, 2001 08:46:22 AM new
This may sound really stupid, but the reason that I don't sell internationally is because I am afraid of selling something that is illegal to ship or send to a certain country? Like I said, this may sound completely stupid, but are there such regulations? Can I ship pretty much anything that is legal to sell in the US to anybody anywhere? OR are there restrictions on things that can be shipped to certain countries?
posted on February 12, 2001 08:53:41 AM new
I have been afraid to send outside of the US also. I really don't know how to go about figuring shipping. I mostly have books and videos. Can anyone help? Point me in a direction? And I have the same question, what are the legalities?
posted on February 12, 2001 08:56:01 AM new
susanfromar, go to usps.com. Then click on the international rate calculator. That is very useful for me. Some countries allow for book rate.
posted on February 12, 2001 09:11:06 AM new
The only thing so far that I did not offer to non-US bidders was my old digital camera. It was a really cheap one, but I did not want to be responsible for return shipping if they were not happy with it. (Plus I have no idea if it would hook up to their computer properly.)
You can always put in your TOS that foreign bidders are responsible for taxes, customs and legality in their own country.
Many things can be shipped Global Priority through the USPS. For most countries, if it fits in the 9X12" envelope, shipping is $9 (the small envelope is usually around $5 I think). The stated delivery time is 3-5 days, but I wouldn't hold my breath on that one.
Also:
I think there's a section for each country at the USPS site that will at least tell you the restrictions about what items cannot be shipped into that country.
susan:
I am not up on the differences in technology & electronics, but I do believe that videos and VCR's run on different formats in some countries. If you specify what format yours are (standard US VHS or whatever) I think you would be okay. Perhaps someone that deals in videos can give you more accurate information.
[ edited by debbielennon on Feb 12, 2001 09:18 AM ]
posted on February 12, 2001 10:08:28 AM new
danilynn: When you go to usps.com to get a quote on int'l shipping, there is a place you can click on after you choose the country you want and it gives you restrictions and what is and is not allowed, forms, etc.
posted on February 12, 2001 10:38:03 AM new
Thanks! I'll check that out. I'm not really worried about the toys or clothes that I sell, but I wasn't sure about video games. That seems to be what I get the most emails about from foreign bidders.
posted on February 12, 2001 10:44:48 AM new
I've always been pleased with the way international bidders do business. Actually, I feel I have made some great friends as well as sales. One even sent me more money than needed for shipping, for my time; I didn't ask for it, he simply wanted to do it. They don't get any better than that for me.
posted on February 12, 2001 10:52:36 AM new
Wow, this is sounding better and better. I changed all my auctions to ship worldwide. Maybe they will be better at paying than the NPB I have had lately!
posted on February 12, 2001 11:22:26 AM new
I love my international bidders, too! I think those that don't accept bids from international bidders are missing out on alot of bids. It isn't really any harder to ship to foreign countries- it only takes a couple minutes to fill out a customs form, and some of my best customers have been my international ones.
posted on February 12, 2001 11:23:08 AM new
Susanfromar--The USPS International Rate Calculator will tell you everything you need to know about postage outside the US: http://ircalc.usps.gov/weight.asp?contents=4
Select the country and enter the weight.
Books are very easy to mail. You want to look for the "Global Airmail Letter Post" or "Global Economy Letter Post" (Surface). For example, a 2 lb book to Canada would cost $7.00 airmail or $6.00 surface (bookrate).
Letter Post is the new designation for what used to be "Small Packet". It covers all packages and books that weigh up to 4 lbs. After 4 lbs, you have to use Parcel Post.
Letter Post cannot be insured, however, in over 300 packages (mostly books) mailed to me in Canada from the US I have only had one that went missing (and based on the seller I would venture to guess it was because she had not addressed it properly). Parcel Post can be insured.
However, UPIC (Universal Parcel Insurance Coverage at www.u-pic.com) is an excellent alternative to the USPS insurance. They insure to most countries and regard Canada as being "domestic". Their rates are half what the USPS charges for insurance.
The USPS also has M-Bags which are large sacks that is an affordable alternative for items weighing over 11 lbs. You can send 11 lbs of books to Canada for $8.80 Surface. A friend just sent $350 worth of books to Australia (quite heavy) for around $11.
If you have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed you can go to the USPS Postal Explorer (http://pe.usps.gov/default.asp) and click on "International Rates and Fees" for a complete description of all categories with all the requisite rate tables. Alternatively, you should ask your post office for their brochure on the same (re International Rates) which I think is Publication 51.
posted on February 12, 2001 12:28:53 PM new
Thanks for all the help! Special thanks to engels! I copied the info you left here and put it into a document I can refer to later.
posted on February 12, 2001 12:32:39 PM new
engel, is the M-bag for books only? Where do you find an M-bag? The clerks at my post office never heard of them before.
posted on February 12, 2001 01:04:33 PM new
When using the International rate calculator at the USPS site, there are links at the bottom page for Prohibitions, Restrictions, and Observations that will let you know what you can't send.
Just out of curiosity, I checked Germany's prohibition list and found the following items are prohibited.
Perishable infectious biological substances.
Playing cards, except in complete decks properly wrapped.
Pulverized coca beans.
Radioactive materials.
It's certainly a strange assortment of items. Who knew that unwrapped playing card decks and pulverized coca beans could be so dangerous?
posted on February 12, 2001 01:25:49 PM new
mzalez--M-Bags are for printed matter and books (see USPS for definition of printed matter). Most sellers use them for books though....
Consult Publication 51 or in the Postal Explorer (http://pe.usps.gov/default.asp), click on "International Rates and Fees" then "Categories of International Mail"
M-Bags (Direct Sacks of Printed Matter to a Single Addressee)
Direct sacks of printed matter to a single foreign addressee, which are also known as “M-bags,” are subject to the following conditions of mailing:
a. Minimum weight: There is no longer a minimum-weight threshold for M-bag usage. However, customers who tender M-bags that weigh less than 11 pounds are still required to pay the applicable 11-pound postage rate.
b. Maximum weight: 66 pounds (including the tare weight of the sack).
c. Service availability: M-bags can be mailed to all destination countries.
d. Allowable contents: ... All categories of printed matter can be enclosed in an M-bag, etc.
e. Identification: PS Tag 158, M-Bag Addressee Tag, must be completed and
attached to the neck of the sack.
f. Rates: See Tables 7a and 7b.
Airmail rates are determined by country. For example, you can mail up to 11 pounds:
* To Canada for $16.50 with each additional pound at $1.50
* To England for $27.50 with each additional pound at $2.50
* To Australia for $38.50 with each additional pound at $3.50
Surface-Printed Matter. For example, you can mail up to 11 pounds:
* To Canada for $11.55 with each additional pound at $1.05
* To England for $15.95 with each additional pound at $1.45
* To Australia for $16.50 with each additional pound at $1.50
Surface-Books. For example, you can mail up to 11 pounds:
* To Canada for $8.80 with each additional pound at $0.80
* To England for $9.90 with each additional pound at $0.90
* To Australia for $11.00 with each additional pound at $1.00
posted on February 12, 2001 01:28:10 PM newSusanfromar: American videos can't be played on foreign systems because the systems aren't compatible. Same thing for video games. However-some people(like American military stationed outside the US) who live outside the US have TVs and VCRs that ARE able to play any videos. Simply stating that your videos/video games are NTSC(the US system) should tell your buyers whether or not they can use your items on their systems.
posted on February 12, 2001 02:56:49 PM new
I have a video player that can play both systems - however playing NTSC feels like you're watching a movie in cinemascope! I can live with that though if it is a video I can't get anywhere in PAL format.
posted on February 12, 2001 03:50:50 PM new
As a foreign buyer I have often bookmarked things and then gone back to see they were available only to U.S. buyers - too bad...
There was a stewardess uniform I really wanted that I bid $300.00 on and after I realized the seller was very specific about selling ONLY to U.S. bidders (he re-stated it at the bottom of his listing) I had to go back and cancel my bid. The uniform sold for $120.00... SO there you go...
We sell internationally, and probably about 5 - 10% of all our sales are to countries like Japan, Germany, Denmark, England, Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Norway etc. The only one that was a hassle for me to sell to was Russia - too many laws about what could and couldn't go into their country. International buyers are aware that shipping will be high (I have never had an international seller complain of shipping prices, only Americans and fellow Canadians...)
And I have only ever had 1 international buyer not pay....
posted on February 12, 2001 03:56:04 PM new
I agree with fonthill.
I have seen a lot of items that I want where sellers make it very clear that they will not ship outside the US. I put a watch on these and most end WAY below what I would have been willing to pay...
posted on February 12, 2001 04:35:30 PM new
Oh! it is so nice to see foreign bidders appreciated, rather than maligned.
I live in the UK, and on the whole have found sellers ok about shipping to the UK, if asked nicely before bidding. Those that reiterate "NO INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING", I just back out of... (muttering to myself, and hoping they have lousy bids, but respecting their decision). I also have to look for those who accept Paypal or Billpoint, as otherwise it makes the hassle-factor and cost too much.
Now.. for the legalities... and compatibilities...
Videos that are NTSC can frequently be played on VCRs in the UK. It is important that you state that they are NTSC, and perhaps emphasise it with "American format" - so that it may make those of a non-technological mind think twice.
Gameboy cartridges are interchangeable, as far as I can tell.
Playstation games are region coded, but there are cartridges that you can get to make your Playstations play US games. I don't know about PS2s.
For content... the UK customs takes a dim view of porn and gore movies. An acquaintance of mine had a Lovecraft video seized because it wasn't rated for this country. But porn IS sold here (despite what Ebay thinks...), and you can import porn for personal use (but not more than a single copy of any title). I believe the best way to cover the seller's interest if they are selling anything they think MAY contravene local law, is to say something like "This may contravene local law, and it is up to the bidder to determine legality." If you list in the adult listings, bidders outside of the US or Canada can't see them anyway.
I think it would be a good idea to insure everything as well, so that you can't get chargebacks for non-delivery (either by the post office theft or customs seizure).
I also have posted hints for customs/duty - and how to make sure you don't pay more than you have to. Even when things areaddressed to more than one person to minimise liability, the P.O. b****rds still try it on... I just gone done for £50+ in duty on a playstation 2, but am challenging it. If I didn't know, they would have just ripped me off!
posted on February 12, 2001 10:50:51 PM new
I agree...I love selling to other countries. I have repeat customers in Japan, The Netherlands and Canada. I used to hate quoting shipping prices because it seemed so high, I was afraid they'd be mad, but none of them ever bat an eye.
posted on February 13, 2001 12:04:39 AM new
From what I've found, international bidders tend to bid higher and on more items (multiple wins) than U.S. bidders do (generally speaking, of course).
I had some items to go quite a bit higher than I expected, and when I mentioned it to the bidder (a repeat customer), she told me that these particular items were MUCH more expensive in her country, even adding in the shipping cost. It was less expensive for her to buy them off the auction!
I sent her some extra goodies (kinda felt bad about the prices going so high!). She was tickled pink!
. That bidder also has great feedback.
