Shipping Risk (1 Viewer)

[Phantom Warrior]

I sometimes have small, expensive K&C items for sale. I have one on ebay - e engineers in a rubber raft called "Crossing the River- WS044

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140543105790&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

I have had 2 bids from International buyers and on cancelling the bids because I don't ship there, it looks like the maximum bids would have been $50 higher than the listing.

The item is small enough (less than 4.4 lbs, smaller than length+width+height of 36") so it can go Small Packet International Air to UK, HK or Oz for about $36. It takes 6 - 10 business days. But the maximum insurance is $100 and there is no tracking number or delivery notification so there is no ebay or Paypal protection.

Would any of you ebay sellers ship a $150 - $200 item that way?

Terry

 

[uksubs]

I sometimes have small, expensive K&C items for sale. I have one on ebay - e engineers in a rubber raft called "Crossing the River- WS044

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140543105790&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

I have had 2 bids from International buyers and on cancelling the bids because I don't ship there, it looks like the maximum bids would have been $50 higher than the listing.

The item is small enough (less than 4.4 lbs, smaller than length+width+height of 36") so it can go Small Packet International Air to UK, HK or Oz for about $36. It takes 6 - 10 business days. But the maximum insurance is $100 and there is no tracking number or delivery notification so there is no ebay or Paypal protection.

Would any of you ebay sellers ship a $150 - $200 item that way?

Terry

Hi Terry Everything on ebay need to be tracked as if there a problem & you got no proof of shipping ebay /paypal will pay out to the buyer every time 100%!

 

[jazzeum]

Terry,

I normally do that. As I said on your other thread, no matter how much protection you take, it's still a crap shoot. Paypal will side with the buyer so you're not really protected one way or the other.

I find allowing international bidders to bid will increase prices. Of course, I hope that a US seller wins as it's just easier to ship because I use UPS, which allows me to track effectively the shipping progress of a package. I find postal tracking in the US to be generally worthless.

Just my two cents and you should do with what you feel comfortable :smile2:

Regards,

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Terry,

I normally do that. As I said on your other thread, no matter how much protection you take, it's still a crap shoot. Paypal will side with the buyer so you're not really protected one way or the other.

I find allowing international bidders to bid will increase prices. Of course, I hope that a US seller wins as it's just easier to ship because I use UPS, which allows me to track effectively the shipping progress of a package. I find postal tracking in the US to be generally worthless.

Just my two cents and you should do with what you feel comfortable :smile2:

Regards,

Even so, it would work only for small items. AFVs would be too large to go by small packet and would cost over $100.

 

[wds0855]

I have found the hassle and problems to great to ship outside continental US. Too many issues with post office, tracking problems, delivery delays, you name it. Just my experience, your mileage may vary.

Walt

 

[ostrein]

I've bought many times in the US and never had any problems with shipping / lost items!
Only once a parcel got lost - but I truly believe that the seller realized that the "buy now" price was much too low. The tracking number he gave me was invalid!!!
He refunded the complete amount before he even gave me this tracking number - after I only asked for shipping details.

Without you guys in the US accepting shipping to Germany I wouldn't have all these nice collection items! On the other hand I would be a rich ($$$) man now !!!


Oliver

 

[Gideon]

I've shipped pricey items via first class as I can still insure them if I think its necessary.

I do feel uncomfortable when I hand over international packages and remain uncomfortable until the buyer leaves a positive comment or lets me know that its arrive safe and secure.

I'll say tho, that with all the crap eBay has been heaping on us sellers coupled with the threatening messages I've been getting from them (like limiting my selling, with holding payments until feed back is left and other selling, limits) that I have been avoiding selling through them.

Selling on eBay just feels hostile to me now. If a package takes a little while to arrive, I find the tone of many buyers has changed as they can do as they please.

One piece of advice I will give you: I ship first class international mostly to buyers I know. Fortunately, most of my buyers on eBay are repeat so we trust each other. However, buyers you are not familiar with who make special requests such as cheaper shipping or other "cost savings measures" who also promise that will "take responsibility" if something goes wrong will not. They will file item not received disputes in a heartbeat. If you have a specific policy you must stand your ground so that you are protected.

An example of this was when I sold a lot of beautiful vintage corgi and dinky boxes. Most of the interested bidders asked if would flatten the boxes for cheaper shipping and I said I would not. That doing so would change the condition of the item meaning that the buyer could file an "item not as described dispute". I know that I lost bids due to standing my ground but I don't need that kind of customer. Too risky.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I've bought many times in the US and never had any problems with shipping / lost items!
Only once a parcel got lost - but I truly believe that the seller realized that the "buy now" price was much too low. The tracking number he gave me was invalid!!!
He refunded the complete amount before he even gave me this tracking number - after I only asked for shipping details.

Without you guys in the US accepting shipping to Germany I wouldn't have all these nice collection items! On the other hand I would be a rich ($$$) man now !!!


Oliver

Good points - but I am in Canada, not the USA. We don't have the same International shipping options. For small parcels there is cheap air with no tracking, no delivery confirmation and a maximum of $100 insurance - but no idea how to claim anything without tracking. AFV sized and weighted packages must go full service Air and cost over $100 to ship - double the US shipping rates.

Terry

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I've shipped pricey items via first class as I can still insure them if I think its necessary.

I do feel uncomfortable when I hand over international packages and remain uncomfortable until the buyer leaves a positive comment or lets me know that its arrive safe and secure.

I'll say tho, that with all the crap eBay has been heaping on us sellers coupled with the threatening messages I've been getting from them (like limiting my selling, with holding payments until feed back is left and other selling, limits) that I have been avoiding selling through them.

Selling on eBay just feels hostile to me now. If a package takes a little while to arrive, I find the tone of many buyers has changed as they can do as they please.

One piece of advice I will give you: I ship first class international mostly to buyers I know. Fortunately, most of my buyers on eBay are repeat so we trust each other. However, buyers you are not familiar with who make special requests such as cheaper shipping or other "cost savings measures" who also promise that will "take responsibility" if something goes wrong will not. They will file item not received disputes in a heartbeat. If you have a specific policy you must stand your ground so that you are protected.

An example of this was when I sold a lot of beautiful vintage corgi and dinky boxes. Most of the interested bidders asked if would flatten the boxes for cheaper shipping and I said I would not. That doing so would change the condition of the item meaning that the buyer could file an "item not as described dispute". I know that I lost bids due to standing my ground but I don't need that kind of customer. Too risky.

Do I ever agree with you about buyers asking for the cheapest shipping being future trouble. No shortcuts from ebay and Paypal rules. I know it reduces the number of bids and probably reduces what the item sells for but I feel better. And I list the item at the price I want. If I get a bid, I achieved what I want. If not, I can relist then or later.

Terry

 

[jazzeum]

Terry, how far are you from the US border. Maybe it would be convenient for you to ship from the US, and save some costs. I know that Alex has posted that he picked up his First Legion in the United States.

 

[ostrein]

I've bought many times in the US ...

Without you guys in the US accepting shipping to Germany I wouldn't have all these nice collection items ...

Sorry Terry - I actually mean all NA (US and Canada).
Actually my favourite Space:1999 model kit suplier lives in Nova Scotia.{sm3}

Oliver

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Terry, how far are you from the US border. Maybe it would be convenient for you to ship from the US, and save some costs. I know that Alex has posted that he picked up his First Legion in the United States.

2 hours from Buffalo, plus the time to go through Customs there and back and the hassle of getting packages through. Not even close to worth it.

Terry