bregmanl
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posted on July 4, 2007 03:10:06 PM new
The new increase of USPS Rates is starting to hurt busines overseas. If it weighs over 7 lbs. you can not ship by boat, only by air. The rates are very high by air, and these customers are crying about the charges. Between Ebay and USPS and all the hard work I have done, I'am getting customers that are getting on my nerves about shipping charges. It's Time to go back and sell at the markets. Ebay is going down the tubes. What do you think?
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amber
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posted on July 4, 2007 03:41:59 PM new
I think that a lot of people don't realize that packages no longer go by ship. That would cost even more and take a long time. Airmail gets first place on the baggage space reserved for mail, surface mail has to wait until there is room on regular air flights, so at busy times of year, like Christmas, surface mail can be much slower.
I feel sorry for the increases in mail prices in the US. I live in Canada, and the high mail costs are ruining my business.
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TheFamilyBiz
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posted on July 4, 2007 04:41:36 PM new
Just a bit of clarity for those unfamiliar with the change that occurred on 5/15/07:
There is no more "surface" mail for international shipments from the USA. There are generally 3 designations (exluding the M-Bag stuff) and they are:
First Class International
Global Priority
Express
There is no more international parcel post, so nothing going by ship.
Wayne
Never explain -- Your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway.
~ Elbert Hubbard
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roadsmith
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posted on July 4, 2007 05:02:17 PM new
I've had a few buyers of 6 - 8# items nearly faint at the cost of shipping. One buyer e-mailed to ask if her 8.5# package (breakable item) could go some other way than priority. I told her about the rates changes and that I wouldn't dare ship something breakable via parcel post! She said okay and has paid.
But I think as this happens to more and more people, they're going to think twice about buying heavier items on eBay. In the long run, it'll either hurt business -- or buyers will slowly get accustomed to the increased cost of shipping.
_____________________
There is more to life than increasing its speed. --Mahatma Gandhi
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leads
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posted on July 4, 2007 05:06:23 PM new
the international rates doubled to Europe on global priority packages it is now $24.00
on 4lbs and less we used to ship for around $12.00. The postal clerk told my husband to start shipping airmail surface at about $15.00.
Has anyone tried this shipping option with success? We rarely ever had a problem with global priority even though it was more expensive before than air mail before.
We sell in collectible's so they are still buying if they want the item but it has slowed the global business considerably.
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hwahwa
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posted on July 4, 2007 05:07:20 PM new
But the greenback is sinking,so they are getting a break there!
I have customers from as far as NZ and Tasmania,they paid without a blink!
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Lets all stop whining !
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TheFamilyBiz
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posted on July 4, 2007 06:44:04 PM new
Roadsmith,
Have you checked the USPS.com site for international shipping since May 14? There is NO parcel post anymore. Anything that's over 4# has to go Priority or Express. Up to 4# it can also be shipped First Class International. Just so you know, 4# to Germany is just $29.60! Ugh! Priority is just $2.40 more at $32.00.
We're going to have to be careful on selecting items that are close to 4#. It's going to have to be a higher-priced item, so that it's not an issue...
Wayne
Never explain -- Your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway.
~ Elbert Hubbard
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blueyes29
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posted on July 4, 2007 09:56:07 PM new
I've noticed a BIG difference in international sales. I generally have one to two international buyers...haven't had one now for several weeks. Maybe what I'm selling just doesn't appeal to them but I do think the dramatic increase in shipping plays into it.
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merrie
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posted on July 5, 2007 06:19:52 AM new
The one positive I have found is the priority flat rate box. It accomodates many things and if it fits into these boxes it can weigh up to 20 pounds for a flat rate. $37 worldwide, I think it is $25 for Canada and Mexico. A good deal if the item is compact but heavy. I also like the ocnvenient of using the POs priority boxes for international shipping. Much more convenient.
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hwahwa
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posted on July 5, 2007 09:00:10 AM new
They are still buying,if shipping is a concern,then sell them smaller items which cost less to ship.
First class airmail is still cheap,4 oz to Aussieland is just $3.70.
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Lets all stop whining !
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bjboswell
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posted on July 5, 2007 09:34:54 AM new
Has anyone used UPS since ebay live when they announced "lower" ebay seller rates?
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hwahwa
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posted on July 5, 2007 10:07:32 AM new
You mean UPS intl like Fed Exp intl??
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Lets all stop whining !
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gasolineguys
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posted on July 5, 2007 01:23:05 PM new
I shipped a 11# package to OH. it was 40.00 priority, that was only 9.00 less than the item. so a 49.00 item cost him 40.00 to get
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etexbill
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posted on July 5, 2007 03:03:01 PM new
Gee, I'm glad I'm trying to sell only postcards. So easy to pack and ship with cardboard and plastic envelopes and for little cost.
Course, they aren't selling too well either.
I came back to eBay after an absence of a couple of years selling only to find that fees are up again and shipping is more expensive again.
Think I may be moseying off again after my items are through. 20 items with no bids. Scores more lookers than previous, but no bids.
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on July 5, 2007 04:48:18 PM new
etexbill,
First of all, thanks for using your eBay ID here. I looked at your auctions and I think I can tell you what the problem is.
The auctions themselves are fine. The rub is that you came back after three years and put up only a handful of auctions. You have no repeat buyer group following you. Today's successful eBay seller needs to have a core of committed buyers. If you look at the biggie sellers, you'll see that they have customers who return again and again.
20 auctions is not enough to provide a fair trial. I would put up 200 to 400. I would make darned sure I was using the best keywords in my titles. And I would make the auction text more folksy. People read descriptions, and the longer they're reading, the more likely they are to bid.
Hope this helps.
fLufF
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etexbill
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posted on July 5, 2007 08:44:22 PM new
Thanks for the advice fluff. I appreciate it. I have 20 more ready to put on but was going to wait till the week-end. Maybe I should put them on now. I have a total of over 500 lookers which is way more than before so I am pleased with that but no bids. I was going to get back into ebay in a small way to test the waters, but you are right maybe 20 is way too small.
Also I used to be a lot more folksy in my ads with the full descriptions of what was on the back of the postcards and all. But that didn't seem to help much and took lots of time which I don't seem to have anymore. I just turned 73 and it seems if I sit at the computer for awhile, I need a crane to get me up again. LOL. But I will try you advice.
[ edited by etexbill on Jul 5, 2007 08:54 PM ]
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