posted on September 18, 2000 09:40:13 PM
Would like your views on shipping international or not shipping international.
What items not to ship.
And all the rest of it.
posted on September 18, 2000 09:49:27 PM
I ship internationally & have never had any problems. I'd say go for it. The only things I'd hesitate on would be very large or very fragile items.
posted on September 18, 2000 10:03:20 PM
The only country I have ever had any problem shipping to is: Haiti The citizens there know the most corrupt agency is their own postal department. DHL or UPS have agents in country, so it's better, but way expensive.
I'd avoid any third world country as well, but I've shipped world-wide for three+ years, with only one stolen (lost) package, and I don't even insure them, but have been mostly books.
My experience Internationally is highly positive, I'd say go for it.
posted on September 18, 2000 10:44:30 PM
I used to be a bit worried about shipping internationally too, but found that it's really not a big deal.
One thing that helps me is that my items are usually small enough to fit inside either a large or small Global Priority envelope, and those ship for a flat rate. Makes it much easier to quote a shipping price!
If I expect that the shipping will be more expensive, I have a big note in my auctions inviting international bidders to e-mail me before bidding so I can give them a quote on shipping. That seems to help eliminate many surprises.
And on fragile things, I just put a note that "Sorry, international shipping is not available on this item due to its more fragile nature" or something to that effect.
The customs form only takes a half a minute to fill out; no biggie there.
And use U-Pic for your insurance! It's much easier, and much less expensive, than the post office (IF the post office even offers insurance to the country you're shipping to). U-Pic has a few limitations, but most of the time insurance isn't a problem.
posted on September 18, 2000 10:52:22 PM
I ship fragile items overseas and I've never had a problem yet. Two suggestions: Double box and insist on airmail shipping (versus ground). You can usually insure the airmail shipments.
posted on September 18, 2000 11:21:41 PM
I ship overseas all the time, everything from post cards to 25 piece rare china place setting, that one took 2 large very well packaged boxes, but customer even paid to have it sent air mail to England, was something like $110 just for the postage!
Have sent things everywhere, from Falkland Islands to Iceland, never any problems. Payments sometimes take a little longer to come in, a lot of folks out there like to send cash, but once you learn the ins-and-outs of the international customs form, and where the international postage rates are on the post office web-site, it will be a breeze...go for it!
