posted on March 28, 2001 03:56:10 AM new
Thanks in advance. I put a belt buckle on Ebay last night (not just any old belt buckle). I state in my auctions "no international buyers", but I received this very nice email this morning:
Dear Seller,
"I've seen your above adv. on eBay and I am very interested in bidding on your buckle.
However I live in Italy and you wrote "I will ship to U.S. only".
I would therefore ask your the permission to bid.
I will assist you with the mail rates from US to Italy and will pay all shipping expenses.
In order to avoid you loosing money by changing an Italian bank check I will pay you by sending you US banknotes inside a letter (at my own risk).
My eBay feedback record is good (you can check it under my nickname "####). T
hank you in advance for your kind reply."
I have never shipped international before. Is it a pain and not worth messing with?
posted on March 28, 2001 04:29:23 AM newnanastuff, Go for it. This bidder seems to be on the ball.
I sell from Australia, and believe me , if I didn't sell international, I wouldn't be in business.
It may seem a little strange initially, but you meet some great customers.
Most "international" buyers are well aware of how much things cost to ship and seem very willing to pay what it takes to win an auction.
Just be wary of Indonesia and the old Eastern Block countries and you will be fine.
posted on March 28, 2001 04:32:39 AM new
I would LOVE to get such a polite request!
I have had all positive expreiences dealing international, just make sure you don't lie on the customs forms (see other threads re: this) It's not really that much harder to ship int'l. Although I've never sent to Italy, I've sent to France, Spain, UK, Canada, and Australia with no problems.
posted on March 28, 2001 04:34:54 AM new
Bob & debray.....thank you! Yes, I think I will go for it. I think I just needed that boost you both provided. My best to you, Janet
posted on March 28, 2001 04:35:41 AM new
I state no sales out of US, but when someone is that nice I have to do it! It's more work, but they really appreciate it. Just make sure you get enough shipping costs. A small article such as yours can be sent small packet which is a lot easier. I would do it. At least they asked!!!!!!
posted on March 28, 2001 04:42:01 AM new
ragstoo..."at least they asked"..yes, I know what you mean. I emailed him and told him to go for it. As a side note, he has the most wonderful Italian name I have ever seen; totally romantic. (now, my hubby of 30+ years does not have to see this hehehe) Thanks all.
(I know that is just silly, but an old lady can dream, can't she?? lol)
[ edited by nanastuff on Mar 28, 2001 04:42 AM ]
posted on March 28, 2001 04:50:48 AM new
Hi,
I've shipped a couple of items to Italy, was paid US$ in cash by certified mail. Very smooth, charming buyers. I have family in several countries in Europe, they all have bank accounts in US$. When I lived there, I remember my grandmother had a passbook with each page different money denominations. And prices there are very hgh by our standards so they don't mind paying what we consider extra for something from "America". I say go for it.
Jay
posted on March 28, 2001 05:25:10 AM new
That is fantastic! That is the kind of International buyer you want.
I ship International under conditions that have resulted in fewer problems. I understand that some sellers have different approaches but I make several things clear.
1. I do not send anything International by "surface" because it's too slow and it seems too many things can go wrong. Air shipping is required. Before I required Air shipping I sent packages by Surface if the buyer requested it but too many packages were showing up crushed, wet, opened, or not showing up at all. I had one lady in Germany leave me negative feedback because it took 6 weeks to get her package by boat.
2. Packages by Air with insurance increases the cost at least $10. For instance, I charge $8 to send one "widget" and about $18 to send it insured. Insurance is optional, but....
3. Packages that are sent without insurance is at the Buyers Risk. I will not refund or replace lost, stolen or damaged items if the buyer does not pay for insurance. And, I do Not refund shipping costs.
4. I make sure the buyer knows that I am not responsible for the actions of Customs and I do Not pay duty.
5. I will Not falsify any customs documents.
I hope this makes sense and doesn't sound to hard on the International buyers. But, I have learned the hard way I must Cover My A**
Not all International buyers are aware of the many risks and do not understand my terms. Consequently, some International buyers do not choose to buy from me and I understand their choice. I have many regular International buyers who understand the costs and potential complications. I would rather keep a few International buyers happy and safe than have a ton of International buyers with problems and at high risk of loss to me and them.
posted on March 28, 2001 05:45:59 AM new
TY, Perry. One nice thing about this is that I checked his feedback and it is wonderful. Words like "best international buyer I have ever had". The auction ends Sunday night, so perhaps on this one I should just ask how he wants it shipped. Just have to wait and see. Thanks again, Janet
posted on March 28, 2001 09:48:51 AM new
I, along with a co-worker are interested in shipping and selling international but don't know how please inform. Hopefully we will get buyers like nanastuff did. Nanastuff, if your auction is over and you have already shipped please express you total time experience.
posted on March 28, 2001 10:40:07 AM newnanastuff I had a winning bidder once from Italy. He bid on and won an auction (one of my first) for an old Western Union Telegraph. This guy was one of the nicest people I ever dealt with.
I made a mistake in the shipping cost, and he sent me another money order after I offered to eat the shipping. He wound up paying over double the amount for shipping as he did for the item.
Your guy sounds pretty ok to me, and from the looks of the letter, it could very well be the same guy. I hope for your sake it is....
posted on March 28, 2001 10:57:15 AM new
nanastuff---give the package a little spritz of your perfume before you send it off. A little fantasy needs a bit of substance
posted on March 28, 2001 02:38:47 PM new
Nanastuff - I hope your polite Italian buyer with the romantic name wins, LOL.
Shipping internationally is only a pain when the buyer doesn't have a clue how much shipping will cost, how to pay for the purchase, etc. This guy sounds like a great international bidder!
I shipped a belt buckle to France (also a very polite customer who paid in cash) and it went off without a hitch. He was pleased, I was pleased, and we exchanged nice feedback. Those international belt buckle buyers must be good ones!
The only extra work for you will be filling out the Customs form, no biggie.
posted on March 28, 2001 03:00:31 PM new
To fill out a custom form is easy. Just put in what the Item Is, and cost. [What they paid for It] Thats it. Best way to ship something that small is small packet air. Enjoy, The world is getting smaller every day.
posted on March 28, 2001 03:45:27 PM new
Yep, like gs4 said, the Customs forms are easy. Just write that it's a belt buckle, what the value is, and check the box that says "merchandise." Stick it on the package and keep the stub with your bidder's address for yourself. Don't inflate the value beyond the final bid price because the amount you put down is the value your buyer will pay import duty on, if Italy charges a duty on things like that.
I mailed mine in a little box -- but a flat rate envelope would work, too, as long as the buckle has enough bubble wrap around it to be adequately protected.
posted on March 28, 2001 06:29:35 PM new
I sell art work to buyers all over the world. Italy, Austria, Germany, Neitherlands, Japan, Australia and even China. So far I have only had shipping problems to Australia with lost items. Here's the problem..... No insurance available so you must be willing to replace your item or refund the purchase price. Depending on what you have this could be an issue. Also there is no shipping confirmation to most countries, that's another issue, as you will never know if they received the package. You really need to be willing to trust, just as they must be willing to do when they send funds. Hopefully you will not have problems as most people are fairly honest but always be prepared to be disappointed also, it's part of doing business. I have also purchased on Ebay from sellers in China. Payed with Bidpay and crossed my fingers. I purchased a bronze horse that came to me nearly six weeks after payment broken in several places. The seller was very generous and replaced the item with a larger bronze and I payed for the shipping. So the sale had a good ending even though I was worried about doing business with a country we don't normally trade with.
posted on March 28, 2001 07:39:56 PM new
I ship internationally several times a month. I've never had a problem. The bidders are polite, bid high, pay promptly with US cash or Billpoint/Paypal, and are generally much easier to deal with than my domestic customers.
posted on April 2, 2001 05:03:30 AM new
Well now; the gentleman in Italy did win the belt buckle. I wanted to share his reply to me last night:
Dear Janet,
If the buckle's weighjt is 4.3 oz., the buckle WITH the bubble envelope will
surely be under 5.00 oz. Therefore cosider this (5.00 oz.) the overall weight .
I attach hereunder my standar information page which you can easily follow
(excuse the formal tone):
================================================
Please send me the buckle in a small size (#00 size) bubble (not padded)
envelope. I realize you might not be familiar with international postage rates
(also your local post office probably): please check the following web page and
follow the instructions below: http://ircalc.usps.gov/
New 2001 International Rate Calculator
From the USPS web site http://ircalc.usps.gov/
please select "Package" than select the country ITALY , weight Pounds: 0, Ounces
5 which includes bubble envelope, than from next page select "Global Airmail
Letter Post " and make sure dimesions of the packet do not exceed Max. length
24", Max. length, height, depth combined 36".
The cost is:
up to 1.00 oz.: $ 0.80
up to 2.00 oz.: $ 1.60
up to 3.00 oz.: $ 2.40
up to 4.00 oz.: $ 3.20
up to 5.00 oz.: $ 4.00 ****
up to 6.00 oz.: $ 4.80
up to 7.00 oz.: $ 5.60
up to 8.00 oz.: $ 6.40
up to 10.00 oz.: $ 7.55
Special additional services (on which I'm not interested):
- Registered $ 7.25
- Recorded Delivery $ 1.90
=================================
So Janet, the postage is $ 4.00.Please let me know if you charge something for
the bubble envelope.
Please advise!
If you ever think to come to Rome, try to chose a middle season time (March to
June or mid September to October) in order to avoid too hot weather, and let me
know in advance: I will take you around and show you the city!
Best regards
I have not checked out those sites yet that he sent me, but is it really only $4.00 to send to Italy? Am I going to regret this decision? (I do like his last paragraph, though) lol
posted on April 2, 2001 05:11:26 AM new
Hi,
He's probably right if he's right on the weight. I had mailed 2 vintage pics, mounted, I added cardboard to each side and zip loc bag, I don't remember the exact weight but it came to $3.00 and change. The key was the letter post or whatever with the specific dimensions.
posted on April 2, 2001 05:46:04 AM new
Yes, he is right with the weight, because I sent him the exact weight of the buckle. I just didn't realize that it would be only $4.00.
posted on April 2, 2001 06:04:29 AM new
can we give this buyer a round of applause? not only does he track down the US postal website and check rates in advance, he also sends them to you AND includes an invitation to give you a tour of the city!!!! I have NEVER gotten any of that from a domestic buyer!
