posted on May 26, 2002 11:04:12 PM new
All of those places are great buyers. The only sticky one will be the Canadian bidder, but only because of the Government imposed taxes there. Otherwise, jump in with open arms.
posted on May 27, 2002 10:19:19 AM new
I used to restrict my sales to US only 3 years ago. Then had many requests to ship out of the country. Decided to try it.
Never been happier! Foreign buyers are more polite and they appreciate the extra effort I have to make to ship to their country, and are willing to wait 4-6 weeks to receive items.
I hope there are more sellers who only sell to US because I'll get all their foreign sales.
Payments are 95% bank international money orders drawn on a US bank and 5% Paypal.
Shipping is no different, since I have to go to the post office anyway, or have UPS or an iternational corruier pickup.
There's no extra effort on my part to ship int'l, so I really don't understand the resistance by some sellers.
posted on May 27, 2002 10:57:05 AM new
THIS IS SO FUNNY TO ME. TWO YEARS AGO, DAY ONE ON E BAY. DO YOU WISH TO EXCLUDE FORIEGN BUYERS OR ACCEPT........I PONDERED THAT FOR ABOUT TWO SECONDS,,,WHY WOULD ANY BODY IN THEIR RIGHT MIND EXCLUDE THE ENTIRE WORLD? HAHAHAHHAHAH. THIS IS,,,,,THE WWW. ANYONE WHO THINKS IT IS ANY MORE DIFFICULT TO GO TO THE POST OFFICE AND SHIP SOMETHING TO JAPAN IS STILL USING A TYPEWRITER. .2 CENTS.
posted on May 27, 2002 11:58:21 AM new
I have a number of bidders from the UK bidding on my current auctions too. It's really not surprising when you consider this is a long holiday weekend in the US. It's nice to have the foreign bidders to prop up the ending prices when many American bidders are all at the beach or barbecue.
posted on May 27, 2002 12:36:05 PM new
It's also interesting to note that if UK sellers were to restrict their sales to "non-international" buyers only, they would have a very limited market. I have completed many successful and very enjoyable deals with several different eBay UK members and I hope to do many more As a matter of fact, I can't think of too many civilized countries in the world that I haven't purchased from.
posted on May 29, 2002 10:56:17 AM new
"ANYONE WHO THINKS IT IS ANY MORE DIFFICULT TO GO TO THE POST OFFICE AND SHIP SOMETHING TO JAPAN IS STILL USING A TYPEWRITER"
Ah, but I dont even have to go to the PO to mail most of my US shipments! So does that mean you are using parchment paper and a quill?
Here are some of the reasons why it may not make sense to sell internationally:
1. Language/communication difficulties
2. Payment difficulties
3. Length of shipping time resulting in problems with feedback, legal protections,etc.
4. Must go to PO to mail
5. More time to figure out shipping cost, restrictions, etc
6. Being hassled to lie on customs forms
7. More fraud on credit cards
If you live inthe US, selling "US only" is still a very viable option. Each seller must determine if the extra costs (samples above) are worth the extra bids.
By the way, I sell internationally, not because I think I make more money, I just enjoy the interaction with foreigh countries, etc. The kids enjoy seeing envelopes with funny stamps, etc.
[ edited by captainkirk on May 29, 2002 10:57 AM ]
posted on May 29, 2002 11:25:15 AM new
HHAAHAHAHAHAH, BEEN THERE DONE THAT ON JUST ABOUT 90% OF YOUR REASONS. WHEN I CAN BUY A WIDGET AT THE SWAP MEET FOR $15.00 AND SELL IT TO AN OVERSEAS BUYER FOR $100.00. FACTUAL TODAYS AUCTION,,,,,,,,,I HAVE NOOOOOOO, PROBLEM. GO AHEAD KEEP YOUR BORDERS CLOSED. THAT'S WHY SOME COUNTRIES ARE STILL SITTING IN THE DARK AN FREEZING TO DEATH. .2 CENTS.
posted on May 29, 2002 12:03:38 PM new
"WHEN I CAN BUY A WIDGET AT THE SWAP MEET FOR $15.00 AND SELL IT TO AN OVERSEAS BUYER FOR $100.00. FACTUAL TODAYS AUCTION"
Hey, as I clearly said, if selling internationally works for YOU, then great! Not that one auction result particularly impresses me. And if you could have sold it for $95 to a US buyer and avoided a trip to the post office, and other hassles, I'll gladly let YOU work for $2.50/hour.
"GO AHEAD KEEP YOUR BORDERS CLOSED"
Since the first part was clearly a reply to me, I'll assume this is also. I sell internationally, as again I clearly stated. Not that I make money doing so, its definitely a "fun for me and the kids" deal.
"THAT'S WHY SOME COUNTRIES ARE STILL SITTING IN THE DARK AN FREEZING TO DEATH"
I agree that trade restrictions can reduce income for countries, but I suspect that "minor" things like availability of natural resources and transportation, not to mention winning wars and bombing competitors to pieces, might play a larger factor ultimately in determining national income.
[ edited by captainkirk on May 29, 2002 12:04 PM ]
