posted on April 11, 2001 09:57:29 AM new
Hello, fellow ebayers. Can anyone tell me which method of International shipping offers the best balance of speed and low cost? The items that I ship tend to weigh about 6 to 12 ounces on average, and are the size of a typical magazine. I'm looking to start shipping to international bidders, so right now I know very little on the subject.
posted on April 11, 2001 10:05:25 AM new
I'm back. I've just checked out the USPS website for ideas, but of course there's no substitute for having "been there" as many ebay sellers have been. I could still use some tips from the sellers that ship internationally. Is "Global Airmail Letter Post" my best bet? Or perhaps I should just charge a flat $10 postage, handling, and insurance fee to international bidders? Which option is best?
posted on April 11, 2001 11:10:02 AM new
A few days ago I sent a magazine to Switzerland via Global Economy Letter Post(Surface) and it cost $4.45. Its a slow boat, 4-6 weeks, but your international buyers probably know this already. I would suggest quoting the cheapest rate and let the buyer ask for the more expensive options. Also, keep in mind that Letter Post is not insurable.
posted on April 11, 2001 11:29:10 AM new
Blackjack
Shipping internationally varies depending weight and country.
For example, Canada and Mexico should be handle seperately as they have their own rate structure.
Regarding the rest of the world, a 6 oz mag should be just regular airmail. The maximum charge is 80 cents per oz so it should around $5.
For the heavier magazines, you want to see if they fit in the flat rate envelopes. You failed to indicate size of magazine. There are two flat rate envelopes, one small and one large. Assumming large, than you would be looking at $9 for the global priority. If magazine can fit the small envelope, than $5.
If more than the $9 to send the magazine, than you probably want surface. In which case, if shipping by surface is more than $11, you want to send it M-Bag, which is a flat rate for up to 11 lbs.
Finally, if you require any special services such as insured/register, you need to revisit all this over again as these services are not available for all types of mailing and for all countries.
I personally think that charging $10/flat rate will probably deter most foreign bidders.
posted on April 11, 2001 12:44:28 PM new
i know the answer to this! I sell cards and photographs of movie stars, and get lots of business from europe and overseas.
I send these items via AIR MAIL. The USPS used to have (prior to January 1, 2001) a service for overseas called SMALL PACKET. Although the small packet rate no longer exists, I always tell the clerk that I want the equivalent of small packet which I believe is air mail.
Cost is usually $5. - $8. (never more than that unless there are a lot of photographs inside). My customers usually receive the items in 4 or 5 days! (I mail on saturday, they usually have it by Wednesday!).
These do not go insured... that would be VERY expensive. I suppose if I sold an item that was worth a few hundred dollars, I would investigate the cost and ask the buyer to pay for insurance. But mostly, my stuff to Europe and overseas is worth $12. - $50., and so far nothing has gotten misplaced. AND if i were to send this package via FEDEX it would cost me $30-35! USPS is great!
posted on April 11, 2001 01:22:31 PM new
Global Airmail Letter Post (4-7 days)is the replacement for small packet air and is the cheapest way to go quickly.
Global Economy Letter Post (4-6 weeks) is what surface mail is called now and is the cheapest way period.
I've noticed (at my post office) that if you include the Global part when asking for these rates they think you are asking for priority as their computer evidently doesn't include the Global part in the descriptions.
posted on April 11, 2001 01:26:10 PM new
Hi again. So far, some great advice from everyone. Thank you. It looks like I'll have to somehow say in my auction text that I'll insure items shipped to US addresses only.
Because up til now I've always done "USA only auctions", I've always required bidders to pay for insurance, and I built the insurance cost into the flat rate I've always charged. But now, dealing with international bidders will complicate this. Any suggestions on how I tell
bidders on my auction page that US bidders will be required to purchase insurance, but int'l will not? Won't that cause a mutiny??
I'd just like to start shipping to foreign bidders without devoting too much time to each foreign deal, since my items usually only end up selling in the $5-$10 range.
I've required US bidders to buy insurance thus far, because with the type of items I sell (comic related), I used to get plenty of phony "I didn't get my package" ploys.
posted on April 11, 2001 01:52:33 PM new
Many sellers use U-PIC as an insurer -- they
insure international packages (and they consider Canada domestic).
Their "domestic" rates are lower than the USPS and their claims process (when needed) is supposed to be very good.
posted on April 13, 2001 05:00:57 AM new
Regarding u-pic insurance, in my paperwork that I received when I signed up with u-pic, only the USA and Canada are ever mentioned for coverage. No word yet from their sales staff for this info, so at this point I'm still undecided on how to state my terms of sale in my auctions if I decide to include foreign bidders.
posted on April 13, 2001 05:08:02 AM new
I've shipped magazines, CD's and small stuffed animals using the Global Priority. They have 2 sizes of flat rate envelopes. You can stuff up to 4 pounds of whatever into them. I just sent a small to Japan for $5.00. I think the large is $9 or $10.00.
posted on April 13, 2001 06:08:34 AM newAny suggestions on how I tell bidders on my auction page that US bidders will be required to purchase insurance, but int'l will not? Won't that cause a mutiny??
Use the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Simply state a total charge for "shipping/handling" or "shipping/insurance" in your auctions, one for "domestic" and one for "international".
Many sellers do this. As in:
Shipping within the U.S. is $4.00, Shipping outside the U.S. is $6.00. Make it simple (though that won't stop some bidders from getting confused but you can only make things idiot proof to a certain level of idiot).
