posted on May 9, 2001 01:03:00 PM new
After asking many questions and with the encouragement and help that most of you gave us on this board. We are going to make the jump and try some international auctions.
To begin our learning experience we are thinking on selecting the following countries only to start: Canada, Europe, Australia.
This is the draft my partner gave me to review and work from to add into our description for international.
If you guys would not mind will you review it and give us some input.. is it ok ? Forget anything that should be mentioned up front in the auction ?
Open for ANY suggestions that any of you may have. Here is it:
INTERNATIONAL BIDDERS:
Payment Methods: International Postal Money Order in US Funds,or by Bidpay ONLY.
(We do accept paypal, not sure about using
them for international payment or not??)
Shipping: All international packages are shipped with insurance by USPS Airmail Parcel Post. Email us for the rate to your country.
Other International concerns:
We follow all USA Custom laws, please do not ask for exceptions.
posted on May 9, 2001 02:26:15 PM new
I think you have a nice start.
I accept BillPoint & PayPal for international as well & so far, no problems.
You might want to think about USPS Parcel Post. I give my buyers the option of how they want it sent since some of the airmail rates can get pretty high.
Some choose surface knowing it will take longer, others have been known to choose global priority (hey..it's their money!).
posted on May 9, 2001 02:41:36 PM new
Never ship surface. Had one package take 9 months to arrive. Be careful about offering insurance, some types of mail allow only a $44.00 insurance limit. Some countries are offered no insurance. Fill out your customs declarations correctly. Declare the actual sale price. If customs checks (which they sometimes do) its your liability.
Dear Mr. President,There are too many states nowadays, please eliminate three.Abraham Simpson
posted on May 9, 2001 04:42:01 PM new
If I were an international buyer, it wouldn't put me off. It is a bit wordy, but then I don't know what the rest of your TOS is like...
The only thing I have in my TOS about international sales is "International shipping rates vary depending on destination; please email for a quote."
Most just bid and then email me afterwards to get the shipping cost. I offer their choice of methods, with a warning that surface mail is actually sent via sea turtle, and that packages sent that way will not arrive any time in the immediate future.
As for payment -- I accept PayPal and Billpoint for international credit cards, and have never had a problem with either. Canadian usually send me checks or money orders in US funds, which is fine. Europeans usually just send cash.
I sell books, and most of my sales are under $20.00, so insurance has never been an issue.
Customs forms really aren't hard -- it probably takes an additional 30 seconds during packing. I've never had anyone ask me to mark a package as a gift.
I don't think I've EVER had a problem on an international sale. Wish I could say that about my domestic sales... <sigh>
Good luck, and don't let it intimidate you. Most international buyers are really sweet people.
Oh, and one more bit of advice -- pack international packages really, REALLY well. Remember that they'll be encountering at least two postal systems, probably more -- some of which may be even worse than our own. Although that's rather hard to believe.
posted on May 9, 2001 04:54:56 PM new
I live in UK and sell World Wide. I love Paypal and US$ cash. Good luck, I guess you will find your International buyers great folks.
<table border="0">
<tr>
<td><font color="#0000FF"></font> </td>
<td><font color="#0000FF"><strong>Terms and Conditions of
Sale.</strong></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font color="#0000FF"><strong>1.</strong></font></td>
<td><font color="#0000FF"><strong>GB£ and US$ cash
accepted.</strong></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font color="#0000FF"><strong>2.</strong></font></td>
<td><font color="#0000FF"><strong>International buyers
can use PayPal.</strong></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font color="#0000FF"><strong>3.</strong></font></td>
<td><font color="#0000FF"><strong>UK buyers can use
Nochex.</strong></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font color="#0000FF"><strong>4.</strong></font></td>
<td><font color="#0000FF"><strong>Cheques drawn in
Sterling on UK banks accepted.</strong></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font color="#0000FF"><strong>5.</strong></font></td>
<td><font color="#0000FF"><strong>US$ cheques or MO, but
please add $8 to cover UK bank charges.</strong></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font color="#0000FF"><strong>6.</strong></font></td>
<td><font color="#0000FF"><strong>Shipping is $1 to
Europe and $3 World Wide by Air Mail.</strong></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font color="#0000FF"><strong>7.</strong></font></td>
<td><font color="#0000FF"><strong>Combine silver lots and
pay only one shipping.</strong></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font color="#0000FF"><strong>8.</strong></font></td>
<td><font color="#0000FF"><strong>Please do not bid if
you are not happy with these Terms. Thanks.</strong></font></td>
</tr>
</table>
</center></div>
</body>
</html>
posted on May 9, 2001 07:17:19 PM new
Countries: add Japan, good buyers!
Payment: so far so good, but add: cash (registered mail advised)
Shipping: PP very costly, I offer "airmail only, no insurance (buyer's risk)". The light stuff goes by air letter rate. Doesn't slow them down, I guess because it's cheaper than air PP with insurance.
posted on May 9, 2001 09:48:26 PM new
You might also consider avoiding the entire Middle East (except Israel), and Africa. Certain countries in those areas are subject to export restrictions by the USA, but Israel is often not. Credit card fraud is more common outside of North America, and their is little recourse available. Most of Europe should be ok, as should Japan and AUS./N.Z. The rest of Asia, Middle East, and Africa should be cash/money order, and shipping should be at buyers risk. You might consider looking into Fedex delivery as they can ship to like 180 countries, but I do not know costs. I think that while it is still in Fedex's hands they insure it...
"In pioneer days they used oxenfor heavy pulling, and when one ox couldn't budge a log, they didn't try to grow a larger ox. We shouldn't be trying for bigger computers, but for more systems of computers." - Grace Hopper
posted on May 10, 2001 07:47:26 AM new
I sell internationally and have had no major problems besides no pay. Singapore. The countries I have shipped to with no problems include Canada, Norway, Spain, Italy, France and Mexico. My TOS are brief and bidders usually contact me and we work out the detail s because different countries have different rules. You can look up rates and restrictions at USPS.com.
posted on May 10, 2001 12:04:58 PM new
Surface mail to Canada should be no problem for small packets. They can not be insured by USPS. I usually ask for it at my risk if the value is low for my winnings. If you send this way, make sure the buyer accepts the risk of loss or damage.
When I ship small packets, I usally accept the risk for the buyer. I've only had to replace one item so far (below $10, destination USA). If the value is too high for my blood, then I insist on parcel post to be able to insure it.
When shipping outside the US and Canada, I do strongly recommend airmail to all my buyers. So far they've all accepted airmail when told I would not expect arrival for months if they choose surface mail.
I've shipped to USA, Canada, France, Great Britain, Germany, Austria, Italy, Hong Kong, Japan and Australia with no problem
