posted on October 21, 2001 07:15:41 PM new
I have had several international buyers lately just paypal or billpoint me for an auction without emailing first to get a shipping quote. They just send shipping $$ that is quoted in the auction for US buyers. This is kind of a new developement. I have had it happen in the past but it was rare. Most international buyers including Canadians have the sense to get a quote first. I state in the auction that international shipping is higher.
I just had one tonight from Canada. Postage quoted in the auction is $4.00 (this is a $4.50 item - magazines). Shipping to Canada is going to be $18.95 air mail or $16.50 surface. I think she is going to be shocked and want to back out of the deal.
Anyway, I need some suggestions on wording for my auctions that state the very real need for these international buyers to get a shipping quote before they beam the money. What works for you?
posted on October 21, 2001 07:31:06 PM new
I've seen this brought up before and it isn't going to be pretty....
In any case, it is up to the individual seller as to wether or not to take bids from international bidders. For me, it depends on the item I'm selling and if I'm in the mood to take international bids. Sometimes yes, sometimes no.
So, in my auctions if I do not want to deal with international bidders, I usually state an OUTRAGEOUS shipping charge for international bidders. For example, in my TOS I'll state something like shipping will be $10.00 for shipping anywhere in the continental US. Also, my auction states no international bidders but if you insist, the shipping and handling charge for bidders outside of the continental US is $150.00 if you don't contact me to get a shipping quote first.
I realize that my method might seem a little extreme, but I haven't had one single time where an international bidder has failed to contact me after reading that in my auction. And if they didn't? You can bet I would send them an end of auction email that included the jacked up shipping charge. If nothing else, it would teach them to pay more attention to the auction TOS.
posted on October 21, 2001 07:35:41 PM new
As a whole, I love my international buyers. These past few weeks when sales have been pretty slow here in US, I have had a lot of buyers from other countries. They have saved my a$$. But there have been a few..... it just causes major headaches is all and I would like to find a way to cut down on the buyer that do this.
posted on October 21, 2001 08:41:24 PM new
Well, I have, in the past, been an International Seller and sold all over the world. But, I just this last weeks stopped this as I have have too many Internationals, do what ever they please. They are not reading the TOS, they are paying what they want and any way they want. I really use to love doing business with them, but I have been stung for the last time and yes, I have filed NPB and FVC, but why spend the time when my items are low end, personal items.
Someone else is welcomed to them, I will stick with the USA. Yep, I know, still have problems, but at least it isn't really long, long distance...
posted on October 21, 2001 08:51:58 PM new
I put '$X.XX for US bidders, actual for int'l.. int'l wins shipped via small packet airmail but will ship via surface at your request'. My thinking is hopefully, it makes them think and realize it ain't what it costs for US!
posted on October 21, 2001 09:15:27 PM new
Just had the same thing happen tonight.. Auction states $2.50 US shipping, $3.00 for Canada, they win auction 13 days ago, no contact since, I sent a no payment email, and still no contact. Tonight I get paid by paypal and see for the first time they are from Canada, and of course they add $2.50 for shipping. What would be my point of saying you need to paypal me $0.50 more when paypal will just take $0.32 of it anyway? CAN'T PEOPLE READ ANYMORE.
posted on October 21, 2001 09:18:40 PM new
I have a few ideas:
1. Check your settings at Billpoint and PayPal to see if you can require a buyer to request an invoice before they can pay you.
2. In your auctions, make sure that the shipping charge you list is for U.S. only. For example, use something like this:
Shipping:
$3.95 to the U.S.A. via Priority Mail.
Bidders outside the U.S., please e-mail me for shipping amount.
3. Your End of Auction e-mail should contain similar language to clarify that bidders outside the U.S. need to contact you for a shipping amount.
4. If despite your best efforts, an international bidder pays you only the amount for U.S. shipping, you can write:
"Thank you for your payment. Please provide me with the address in the U.S.A. where you would like this shipped. Or, if you want this shipped to your country, please remit $XXX for the additional shipping and handling charges."
If my auction description and end of auction e-mail were clear, I would add the Billpoint or PayPal fees for the second payment to my handling charge. Let the buyer pay for his/her oversight or deliberate attempt to shortchange me.
posted on October 21, 2001 09:22:09 PM new
I bet my buyer just freaks when she finds out that there is a $14.00 difference in shipping. I have had it happen recently from bidders in Ireland, Germany, and the UK.
Maybe if I make the letters big and bold in my TOS it will help?
posted on October 21, 2001 09:25:55 PM newmypostingid
I have done those things except for the paypal and billpoint options - it got to be so much of a hassle to accept/deny payments but this is an even bigger hassle so I suppose I should change it - I will go do that right now!!!!
posted on October 21, 2001 09:49:53 PM new
Rainbowman---why are you not using Global Priority Envelopes for magazines??? Or are they too big to fit in them??
posted on October 21, 2001 10:00:40 PM new
You should be using Global priority mail if mags will fit. If not, you should be using M-Bag for surface mail.
posted on October 22, 2001 04:21:37 AM newZazzie They are too big for the global priority envelopes.
commentary What is M-Bag? If it is something I sould know about that I am missing......I have a bunch of magazines listed right now that ought to do well and if there is a better/cheaper way to send them - I am all ears.
posted on October 22, 2001 06:07:34 AM new)Shipping to Canada is going to be $18.95 air mail or $16.50 surface. I think ...
I think you need to find a new postal clerk!
Numerous times I have been quoted these ridiculous rates from US sellers, and when I have asked them to check the rates again, they have always come back and told me "oops, postal clerk screwed up". There is no way it can possibly cost this much to mail a magazine or even a dozen magazines. If it did, the magazine subscription companies would rapidly be out of business.
posted on October 22, 2001 06:22:52 AM new
"I just had one tonight from Canada. Postage quoted in the auction is $4.00 (this is a $4.50 item - magazines). Shipping to Canada is going to be $18.95 air mail or $16.50 surface. I think she is going to be shocked and want to back out of the deal. "
That must be one heavy magazine!!!! No way one mag would cost that much!
posted on October 22, 2001 07:03:03 AM newRB I got the quote from the website. There are several magazines and they weigh over 7 lbs - they can't go air letter post they have to go parcel. Check it for yourself. I would love it if I made a mistake because I think it's ridiculous!
Just checked again and that is the right quote. Letter post is not even offered.
[ edited by rainbowman11 on Oct 22, 2001 07:04 AM ]
posted on October 22, 2001 07:11:13 AM new
i just shipped via ups to canada, 5 video tapes and 4 beanie babies, from texas to toronto, price was $11.50..................now how can mags cost more than that , are you shippping a complete library or just trying to make some cash off the shipping???? global priority is even cheaper
posted on October 22, 2001 07:16:04 AM new
I have said they can't go global priority. There are too many - I have been at this awhile, guys. I know what I am doing and no the shipping price I quoted is actual shipping.
The whole point of the thread was to get ideas on how I can cut down on the amount of international who pay first then find out shipping is a lot higher. It just creates unneeded headaches and work, IMO.
posted on October 22, 2001 07:23:39 AM new
Paper weighs a bit more than plastic and bean bags I think.
Rainbowman, thanks for this thread - I had forgotten to change my Ppal preferences back last time I accepted a Canadian payment. My level of comfort for cc payments is US and Canada. For all others, I request International MO's.
posted on October 22, 2001 08:04:39 AM new
I quote a large fixed price for international shipping ($10.00 for a 4 ounce widget) and then look up the actual if an international person wins the bidding. It is usually very close to $10.00 anyway.
posted on October 22, 2001 08:09:50 AM newI got the quote from the website
There's your problem ... according to my US tape trading friends, the USPS web site is notorious for over estimating rates.
There are several magazines and they weigh over 7 lbs - they can't go air letter post they have to go parcel
On Friday, I received a package of 24 video tapes (reviewer tapes in the plastic sleeves) shipped from California via USPS air mail. Total cost on the metered stamp was $15.10 and the package weighed quite a bit more than 7 pounds (Yes, I still know what a "pound" is!).
Check again, keeping in mind that your Post Office General was on teevee this morning talking about ways they were going to have to find to cover the additional costs they are incurring due to the 'A' threat.
The rate you quoted is possible, I guess, but you certainly cannot blame your international buyer for experiencing a wave of shock when you gave it to him. Heck, I just received 11 oversized sci-fi mags (SFX)from the UK and it didn't cost that much in postage
posted on October 22, 2001 10:02:51 AM new
M-BAG INFORMATION
Up to 11 lbs can go in Surface M-Bag to Canada for $11.55/ Air M-Bag up to 11 lbs is $16.50---$1.50 for each additional pound up to 66 lbs. This is the rate for Advertising Matter, Promotional Items, Catalogues and Directories.
Magazines may qualify for the lower rate that is for 'Books, Sheet Music and Publisher's Periodicals and that would be $8.80 for up to 11 lbs to Canada and 0.80¢ for each additional pound thereafter up to 66 lbs.
Learn something new everyday---even if you have been at this for a long time
Ask your post office---they should have the bags and the address tags that you need to use to get this rate.
posted on October 22, 2001 10:06:59 AM new
---sorry--but how to get the International Buyers to realize that the cost will be be much more???? BIG BOLD STATEMENT at the bottom of the auction description
posted on October 22, 2001 10:22:17 AM new
"There's your problem ... according to my US tape trading friends, the USPS web site is notorious for over estimating rates. "
Actually, I've found the web site to be incredibly accurate. The rates are the rates, its a pretty simple table lookup (weight by mailtype by country/rate group) I even went to the raw rate tables and checked that the rate calculator was functioning correctly in this case. I suppose there could be the occasional mistake in the tables, but so far I haven't seen any.
What I HAVE found is for postal clerks to not try very hard to find the cheapest rates when you show up at the actual post office. Its best to have the printout from the web site to "remind" them as necessary.
[ edited by captainkirk on Oct 22, 2001 10:25 AM ]
posted on October 22, 2001 10:24:31 AM new
Thanks, Zazzie, for the info. I will check it out - I had never heard of M-Bag and darned if you are not right - you do learn something new every day.
captainkirk I, too, have found the website to be very accurate on shipping quotes internationally. It has never given me a wrong quote yet. Glad to know I am not crazy. (In this regard, anyway)
[ edited by rainbowman11 on Oct 22, 2001 10:28 AM ]
