nanntique
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posted on September 4, 2002 03:51:42 PM
FIRST OFF, let me say that I have many overseas customers and for the most part love dealing with them.
BUT JUST WHY do some International buyers think that shipping an item overseas should be practically as inexpensive as Domestic shipping??????????
I mostly sell matted prints, which need to be boxed, so they do not get bent during transit, so I ship by Global Priority, and charge a very modest 5 cents for packing & handling, on top of the exact Global Priority fees.
I just got this email from a recent buyer -
"Thanks for your message. I find extremelly high the price for S&H if
compared with the price within US for the same item or with my previous
experiences with similar ones.
I supposse you have chose the fastest and with insurance way. I wonder
whether you may find a cheaper way to send it. I would prefer that."
I just wrote back, and provided the USPS link for the charges, and restated by shipping charges.
Am I missing something, or is it just 'sticking in my craw'???????
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RB
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posted on September 4, 2002 04:03:43 PM
nann ... or with my previous experiences with similar ones
Your buyer is implying that s/he has purchased similar items from US sellers and the mailing costs were lower. If that is true, then perhaps you are charging too much.
I would never trust the USPS rate site, nor would I trust Canada Post's 
Rob
[ edited by RB on Sep 4, 2002 04:04 PM ]
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robertsmithson
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posted on September 4, 2002 05:51:53 PM
Many of the international buyers tend to be tight-fisted.
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bear1949
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posted on September 4, 2002 06:04:55 PM
Ship it on a cargo ship, they might get it 3 or 4 months. And state "Is this
S L O W enough?"
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nanntique
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posted on September 4, 2002 07:17:09 PM
If someone can tell me (other than by Sea, which would be a handling disaster) how to ship a boxed 1 pound article, than measures 11" by 14" by 2", with a transit time of less than 2 weeks, to Europe; for less than $10.00, I would greatly appreciate it. I anxiously await any valid responses........
BOHICA
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Libra63
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posted on September 4, 2002 07:45:31 PM
That S/H sounds reasonable to me. If they bid on an item and knew the shipping charges before they bid (that is if they read them) then why all the complaining. They should have emailed you first before bidding and discussed the S/H charges. Obviously international buyers don't know what we are going through with the new postal rates. They think that is high some of ours are higher.
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sanmar
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posted on September 4, 2002 09:09:34 PM
Many Internationals do not realize that the USPS has raised rates as much as 4X. Unless they want the slow boat to China, it will cost mucho more $$ Why in the world would you charge 5 cents for packing?? This is not even in the reasonable category. Don't charge anything or make it worth your while. I charge $1.50 for box & packing over the actual cost of shippng.
[ edited by sanmar on Sep 4, 2002 09:13 PM ]
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nanntique
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posted on September 4, 2002 11:44:55 PM
The five cents handling charge, makes the total an even dollar amount.
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capotasto
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posted on September 5, 2002 05:12:45 AM
International rates have not changed. (Yet.)
I use air letter post for small packages etc. The 16 oz rate to England or France is $8.70
See the Global Delivery Services booklet publication 51 available from your post office.
Vinny
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pelorus
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posted on September 5, 2002 06:04:02 AM
I have found that almost all foreign buyers are familiar with shipping cost issues, and pay up without complaint. Many are willing to wait the 4-8 weeks for surface shipping. They are so savvy that on occasion they have given me helpful hints on shipping costs. I wonder why your experience is so different. Perhaps it's because I sell mostly books.
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twelvepole
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posted on September 5, 2002 07:36:06 AM
If all you are charging is around $10, I should think the buyer would be happy to see the item get there faster.
That is why I state in my auctions that international shipping is higher...
Ain't Life Grand...
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barparts
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posted on September 5, 2002 08:02:13 PM
Oops. Double post
[ edited by barparts on Sep 5, 2002 08:02 PM ]
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barparts
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posted on September 5, 2002 08:02:20 PM
The only country I am having a problem with that is with Canadian bidders. I would say it is about 30% of the Canadian bidders whine about the shipping cost being higher than USA shipping. I always get the shipping costs in person. What do those Canadians think? I don't know, but I wish they would do as the rest of the world does and accept fair charges.
pb
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bear1949
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posted on September 5, 2002 08:18:44 PM
What gets me is that I state "No nternational Sales". Yet they bid anyway & complain about the shipping fees. If they send me a email asking to bid on an item and tell me where they are, normally I will say yes, but let them know shipping will be higher.
A lot of the gun parts kits I sell requite an export license costing $600.00 a year for international shipping. I will NOT ACCEPT a bid from international bidders on those items, will cancel their bids or if I only find out after the auction closes that they are international, will file a NBP.
Today I received a mail message from a domestic bidder, who after the sale closed, complained that shipping one box of bullets (3.5#)from Texas to Florida did not cost $8.30. I looked up the rate again & replied, you are right it should have been $8.15
Most all deals are completed with no problems, yet there are always the few that insist on complaining.
[ edited by bear1949 on Sep 5, 2002 08:23 PM ]
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nanntique
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posted on September 6, 2002 06:23:05 AM
I also love it when I am asked to put down on the customs form that I'm shipping a 'gift' or to undervalue it. Neither one, of which, I will not do.
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RB
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posted on September 6, 2002 07:23:50 AM
Then why do you "love" it???
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twelvepole
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posted on September 6, 2002 07:31:59 AM
They probably "love it" because it gives them something to laugh about as they do the right thing and fill out the form correctly.
I don't even respond to those emails, just send them their item and fill out the form as it should be done.
Ain't Life Grand...
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RB
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posted on September 6, 2002 08:54:50 AM
Honesty is the best policy.
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