posted on March 28, 2001 12:53:08 PM
I, would like to broaden my horizon and start selling international but don't exactly what steps to take so that's why I am coming to my new found family, you guys and ask previous international sellers to please step up to the plate and inform your fellow EBAYER.
All comments needed.
posted on March 28, 2001 01:10:04 PM
We have found International selling to be quite easy. We ship everthing via international air mail and have experienced next to no problems. We've found the International buyers to be great to work with.
You can quickly calculate the shipping rate on a country-by-counttry basis by going online directly to the United States Post Office website at www.usps.com.
posted on March 28, 2001 01:28:27 PM
1. You need postal scales.
2. Ask for payment via International Postal Money Order (for Canadians) or a check/money order drawn on a bank which has either a US branch or a partnership with a US bank. International Postal Money Orders can be cashed at your local post office for no charge. I use mine to pay for that days shipping.
Cash is nice, but I don't ask for it, I figure if I did, the burden of loss (should it not arrive) would be mine.
3. Economy (surface) letter post also means small packages.
4. Don't lie on customs forms, no matter how nicely your buyer may ask. Explain that your going to prison might create a hardship for your family.
5. Surface shipping can take a looong time, make sure that your buyer is aware that 30 days in transit is not unusual.
6. I give my daughter all the stamps from International payment envelopes. Makes a hit at school when she brings stamps from the U.K. or Portugal.
7. I've never had an International deadbeat bidder, or a bad payment.
posted on March 28, 2001 01:29:31 PM
Really the only extra step is the completion of customs forms to go with your package (a little green sticker they place on the item that shows describes what it is and its value/weight).
I agree, international bidders are generally very reliable, fast payers, and excellent to work with.. I have several regular buyers from the UK and Canada.
posted on March 28, 2001 01:35:07 PM
katiyana is correct about the number of extra steps but the customs forms aren't just the small green forms anymore. Some require a bigger form so be sure & get both when you are at the post office & make sure you know which to use when.
posted on March 28, 2001 01:36:30 PM
I have to agree on the quality of the transactions I've completed with International buyers. They are a super group. I've sold to Iceland, Greece, Cyprus, Lithuania, Turkey, Israel, Austria,Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and many others, and have yet to have a problem. More than I can say about a few American buyers I've had.
posted on March 28, 2001 02:21:26 PM
You can also take many payments through BillPoint, PayPal & Bidpay.
If you are going to accept international money orders, cash, etc., be sure to include a bit more time for the payments to arrive. I give my domestic customers 14 days but my international ones 21 days to pay. Many of them have the payment here before the domestic ones but some do take a bit longer.
Go to the USPS website & check out rules/regs on various shipping types.
Good Luck. I love my international customers. They are the BEST!
posted on March 28, 2001 02:33:06 PM
My packages are all less that 4 lbs and go Global Letter Airmail Post (what used to be called Small Packet) - so I only ever need the little green ones...
Or at least - my PO has always let me get away with using the little green ones.. *smirk*
