posted on March 27, 2008 07:52:46 AM new
It's the old rebate game. They're assuming, probably correctly, that a lot of people won't know, don't bother, procrastinate, etc.
They do that with the Merchant Rate fee discounts too.
posted on March 29, 2008 09:37:12 AM new
Plus, read the fine print. Unless you ship it International Express you will have no protection. PayPal requires you to use a shipping method that provides online proof of delivery.
Unless you've had better luck than I've had this year, USPS is no longer showing online delivery updates for Priority or First Class.
And yes, I print all my labels and customs forms online so they have a tracking number that is scanned at the counter. PO acceptance shows online and the occasional transit through exit port is updated but I have not seen a delivery update in months!
posted on March 29, 2008 10:07:38 AM new
I can track my international priority packages.I have done on line tracking for many of my packages including Turkey, UK, Ireland, France and Australia since using international priority.
posted on March 29, 2008 10:18:20 AM new
Well, here's what Ralphie & I have gleaned over the past 3 months of shipping our POSTCARDS (and other vintage goodies) to EUROPE:
(1) FIRST CLASS MAIL INTERNATIONAL:
There is neither official nor unofficial TRACKING with FCMI items. Of the 20 or so we shipped to EUROPE, NOT ONE tracked on the USPS site with the CUSTOMS NUMBER. And, of course, the USPS comes straight out and OFFICIALLY DECLARES that FCMI does NOT rack...
HOWEVER: for the price, FCMI is a real bargain, and, surprisingly SWIFT!
Our best example was a PC mailed from JAX to MANCHESTER via FCMI, and it was delivered in: FOUR DAYS!
(2) PRIORITY MAIL INTERNATIONAL:
Officially the USPS declares that PMI does include TRACKING...But the USPS tracking seems to us to be spotty!
The following example DOES include tracking for one of my packies that rowed a row-boat across the POND! I mailed this on 3/6, and it didn't even get to MIAMI until the 12th!
Considering the $200 value, Ralphie & I were biting our claws the whole time...
Label/Receipt Number: XXXXXX
Detailed Results:
Delivered Abroad, March 27, 2008, 11:48 am, GREAT BRITAIN
Attempted Delivery Abroad, March 22, 2008, 10:46 am, GREAT BRITAIN
Out of Foreign Customs, March 20, 2008, 4:43 pm, GREAT BRITAIN
Into Foreign Customs, March 18, 2008, 2:08 pm, GREAT BRITAIN
Arrived Abroad, March 18, 2008, 1:49 pm, GREAT BRITAIN
International Dispatch, March 12, 2008, 7:39 am, MIAMI
FOR ITEM SHIPPED TO THE UK:
You can obtain much better and more DETAILED results by (once the item has "taken-off') tracking at the ROYAL MAIL'S
The UK kindly gets a SIGNATURE on every PMI item, and will display said SIGNATURE here!
WOW! Great Service from the UK! Too bad not every country did the same!
Another EXAMPLE:
PMI shipped to PARIS FRANCE & delivered in 7 days...But, NO tracking! So, thankfully the buyer was HONEST...
Our conclusion: the USPS is very INCONSISTENT in it's INTERNATIONAL deliveries, regardless of CLASS one uses!
It almost seems that they handle FIRST CLASS MAIL INTERNATIONAL items much better than they handle PRIORITY MAIL INTERNATIONAL items! Who woulda thunk?
posted on March 29, 2008 11:35:58 PM new
Thanks Ralphie for the tip. I used to go to the trouble of searching foreign post sites to see if they had updated tracking on the customs number but no longer have the time or desire.
Swiss Post used to be very good about updating tracking by custom number but even they are iffy now.
My invoice includes delivery estimates for IPM vs IFCM delivery.
"Hi xxx, I have updated your invoice. Please be aware that the USPS no longer provides delivery estimates on international mail. Most International First Class packages arrive in 15 to 25 days. International Priority Mail is usually delivered in 10 to 15 days."
Now when those whiney emails come in I just send them the USPS tracking link showing acceptance at the local counter and a link to the IMM. Must keep them busy because I usually do not hear anything else until they leave feedback <g>
I require insurance on all international now. The extra cost slowed down my international sales but I sleep better.
I purchase the insurance through UPIC via Auctiva.
posted on March 30, 2008 06:51:28 AM new
Is it true powersellers get Paypal protection whether they ship to confirmed address or not?
*
Lets all stop whining !
posted on March 30, 2008 07:12:12 AM new
hwahwa, that's what PayPal says now.I "signed up" and now I am getting payments through Unconfirmed address and when I click on the seller protection link, it tells me to ship to that address using approved methods of shipping and I will be covered.
