Over the past several days, I've had a huge increase in international customers...on both ebay and Amazon Marketplace. A bunch I didn't even realize were Canadian replied to my email telling me they are. They also are mostly happy to pay for Global Priority so packaging is a breeze! Anyone else noticing this trend? [I sell books]
posted on June 7, 2001 03:48:07 PM new
Canada and Western European bidders have been great. I have a problem bidder from Japan right now who is playing dumb about paying. I notice she has 3 negatives for non payment. She retaliates.
I'm going to give her a negative if I don't receive payment by Saturday. I guess I will be receiving my 3rd negative soon.
posted on June 7, 2001 06:47:43 PM new
I just shipped 22 books to the UK (in one box)--2 more in another package, 4 more in a third package and 3 to Japan.
posted on June 7, 2001 09:08:48 PM new
I don't list a huge number of auctions, but I noticed an increase in the past week or so, too. Am waiting on payments from Germany and Australia, and I believe one of my winners tonight is international, also. Wonder why the sudden increase? Or is it just coincidence?
posted on June 7, 2001 10:23:26 PM new
Actual email received today:
my adress is : xxxxxx xxxxxxx, urb. Torre sol avd. de la solidaridad 23-a Alhaurin de la torre, xxxxxxxxxxx, c.p.29130, espaņa.
i will you pay "contrareembolso", i dont say this in english, please translate and say me ok.
For those of you who don't habla, that's COD.
International sales do present some challenges....
posted on June 8, 2001 10:32:46 AM new
I have adopted the policy of not shipping internationally, primarily because of Canadian buyers demanding U.S. postal rates. They lurk until you email the buyer with shipping rates, then demand the same rate to ship to Canada. Now that my auctions say "ships to U.S. only" I STILL get them, apparently deficient in reading skills. I have one now, who after three weeks of emails back and forth, ignored the higher charges for shipping to Canada, sent a money order for LESS than the U.S. charges, now tells me he has a U.S. address, and he'll get back to me in a week or so with the address!!! Good luck!
posted on June 8, 2001 10:41:47 AM new
Hi, downeaster - Nearly all my international sales have been pleasant, including those to Canada.
In my end-of-auction email, BEFORE quoting the U.S. shipping, I state, "If you are outside the U.S., please reply with your complete address and we will calculate the shipping costs."
Then I state, "If you are in the U.S, your total is . . . . "
This sort of heads off the problem you've had, I think.
posted on June 8, 2001 10:52:40 AM new
School vacations and weird weather in Europe might be helping - it's really been hot in some countries and people are staying indoors, I've noticed an increase too.
The weird thing is that I sell a lot of stuff I import from Europe and often get to ship it right back (usually to another country, but I'm waiting for the day where the item just goes back to where it came from ).
posted on June 8, 2001 11:05:24 AM new
I normally don't ship overseas. I had been getting a lot of requests and I decided to give it a try.
Most of my overseas customers have paid very quickly. In the past 2 weeks, I have gotten email after email from people claiming they had not gotten their package. All of them are in Germany. I don't know what is going on. I am not having this problem with other countries. Most of them have demanded and immediate refund.
I have proof that I shipped the items. It is jsut very frustrating. Almost all of the buyers have low or no feedback.
I got negged by a bidder from Germany when I would not ship his order COD? I didn't even know you could do that for overseas shipping.
I have mixed feelings about selling internationally. I like meeting new people. I don't like the problems that arise when dealing with the postal service in differnt countries. It is bad enough here. I don't think I will take anymore international orders. It has been problematic for me.
posted on June 8, 2001 11:37:03 AM new
Yes, I state this in my EOA notices too - "Your total due for US delivery is $x.xx (international bidders - please email me the country I"ll be shipping to so I can provide an adjusted total as necessary).
I have had one buyer just mail the money with "a little extra for the inter'l rates" - ended up about what I would have asked for, but did NOT appreciate his/her guesstimation on shipping..
posted on June 8, 2001 12:41:01 PM new
grumpyebayer:
There have been lots of holidays lately in Europe - the last week-end of May (Thursday and Friday) and Monday one week ago. Mail has been MUCH slower than usual from and to Germany - I noticed that also.
I don't think you can do COD internationally without it costing much more, but I usually insist on insurance for larger amounts and specifically tell them I can't be responsible otherwise. I keep my fingers crossed but so far so good.
Not much point getting a delivery confirmation since these don't work - but do make sure your label is very legible and complete. I met someone who couldn't understand why just putting street line and city and zip code was not enough - they didn't think you had to put the country - of course items never made it!
Generally the postal systems are just as good if not better in Europe and in Japan - but it is an educational process for sellers and buyers - give it another try, I am sure you'll find it will work out better in the long run!
posted on June 8, 2001 01:08:19 PM new
Should I have to add the international rate disclaimer when my auctions state I only ship to U.S.? I thought that should cover it and allow me to assume winning bidders are subject only to U.S. shipping rates. Since I started doing this, I have had more than a dozen (nearly all Canada) go ballistic when I agreed to ship to them but at a higher rate. What to do?
posted on June 8, 2001 01:43:37 PM new
downeaster -
point out that you TOS is US shipping only and their option is to come up with a US address for you to ship to, or pay the additional shipping charge - then block them from bidding on any of your auctions again!!!
I stopped doing international because of the extra work calculating postage and figuring out the forms, but still occassionally get someone who'll ask if I'll do it. Don't mind considering it on an individual basis, but I'm not making it a regular option! mary
posted on June 8, 2001 08:25:46 PM new
I've been pleased with my international customers, with the exception of 1. You might want to place your international shipping terms on your "About Me" page. Shipping global is a definite bonus to the bottom line!
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