Advice is good????

J

jeans05

Registered Guest
Okay here is one.

I am new to Ebay, and I really am trying to decide if I want to ship out of the U.S.A. I know there are a lot of wonderful buyers outside of the U.S.A. I have mailed to items to Spain and it took forever. Had great success, but International shipping is expensive.

Do you think International shipping is a must for Ebay new store sellers? I would appreciate your honest opinions. I am trying to get my feet on the ground, and have left this as a consideration. My worry is just offering fair shipping prices. But, I want to make sure they actually get their items.

Thanks for your thoughts!!!
Denise
favoriteforgottenjeans.com
 
I sell probably 50% internationally, both on eBay as well as my website. I cant imagine giving that up! I would try to do it if you can....

Ang
 
Same here. At least 50% of my sales are international. I ship by airmail 1st class or priority international. I think the international customers expect to pay high shipping rates.
 
Ang,
Do you think International priority is good, or are there better choices to look in to?

Any thoughts on places to do my research would be good. I have thought about it, but even with delivery confirmation and insurance, I have had to hold my breathe.

I have had "already" a customer that didn't pick up their item at the post office, and those type of mailing situations.
:)
 
Yeah, international can be a sticky wicket w/ the customs stuff. I do 1st class on ebay.....the site, especially high ticket pieces go priority. I really have the luxury of winging it on the site and with eBay since most things I sell there are lower price points its working so far to do 1st class.

I agree the international buyers expect to pay the shipping, they're used to it!


Ang
 
I have been selling on eBay for about 8 years, accepting international buyers all the while, and only two things were ever lost in the mail. In addition, one very problematic buyer was using PayPal's chargeback system to claim she hadn't received several items from me, but she is literally the only one to do this to me. I think that mail issues are not significant enough to discount this large segment of our selling potential, and with the dollar weak, the buyers are there.

I don't sell as much as 50% internationally, but I think about 33%--still it is absolutely worth it.
 
Thanks Maggie,
I am still working out the kinks on a return policy as well as trying to figure out International stuff. I am basically paying my dues. Buying all of my items, donating to a ministry what I don't sell. It has been expensive so far, but I think that I came in wanting all the extras (hand written thank you notes, extra packaging supplies to make things look pretty etc.) Okay things probably for higher profit making items. Would love your thoughts about return policies. I am thinking returns are good, but I want to make sure that I safeguard myself. Any thoughts on return policies or what the typical is would be great. I have been looking at several sites to get an idea. I thought I had a great business plan but am learning. I have ten times more appreciation for vintage sellers. It is hard work!!! So much respect for the true vintage seller!!!
Regards
 
I agree with the others; international selling is a big part of my business. The only problem I've ever had was with a dress that was delivered to London, mail person would not leave the package, and the notice slip to pick it up was lost. That dress made 3 trips across the Atlantic, but it finally went to its very happy new owner.

It pays to know the items each country limits; Italy in particular. The USPS site has all that information. Yes, shipping is expensive, but the US$ is doing so poorly that it does not look as bad to those paying in Pounds and Euros.
 
Yes Lizzie as a Londoner I can confirm that our postal service is a pile of pants.
My postman regularly just rips off the signature sticker on letters / parcels and crushes things through the box. If youre really unlucky and are out when he calls he will just leave it lying in the street or poking out of the letterbox ! And this is priority / recorded delivery ! I have also had credit cards delivered several streets away...thank god I have honest neighbours.

Last week a letter came that was addressed to Nigeria...

OK rant over !!
Feel better now Ive got that off my chest !
Sarah
 
And I am not neccessarily deterred from buying from abroad on cost grounds....I just factor in the shipping and then decide if its worth paying that much as a whole...I consider the total of item and shipping to be the actual purchase price and I either think its worth it or not ! All I can advise is that you make it crystal clear where you are based and of how much the costs will be.

Sarah
 
International customers are 50% of my business where I sell. I've taken a very pro international business stance in that I give a 50% discount on the shipping for my international customers. It seems to work quite well. :)
 
Thanks everyone, that helps. I have great success with priority in my home state.
Appreciate your insight.
 
Be flexible in your pricing too. I hate seeing a US seller with a $25 shipping cost on a small jar of face cream!! I have had more problems with US buyers than my international buyers...so I guess it just depends on the situation!
 
Thanks. I try to offer good shipping costs because I rarely charge a handling cost. I sometimes will ask for a little more postage when I want to include insurance. I already put delivery confirmation on everything and don't print my own labels. :) I definitely want to ship International, it is just a matter of finding a good way to secure that they will be receiving them safely & in a timely manner. I only sell on Ebay currently. Many thanks!
 
One thing I would definitely do in all my listings, if you are going to open it up to International, is have a blurb stating you aren't going to fudge customs forms, etc. You'll start getting requests from International buyers pretty soon asking if you can mark the customs ticket as "gift" or as $10 when the item sold for $100 and that is illegal for us. Might save you a headache later on if you make it clear from the get-go that you aren't going to mess around with that stuff :)
 
I've got a bit just like what Lauren said above, briefly on my ebay listings then a bit more on my ME page. That's one of my biggest pet peaves. It's not a gift, you're not my Mama on her birthday!
 
Ha-ha!!! That was really funny.

So, if I use International Priority only, I wont have to specify?

I know it is costly and I have not checked to see if you can get Delivery Confrmation Internationally as well? Any thoughts?

I was going to state roughly, "make sure you can receive International priority mail in your country, we do not pay custom fees, etc. ect."
D
 
Confirmation/Tracking varies from country to country, and even locations within that country. You can always insure if you can't track.

Hollis
 
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