I have decided to do some shipping to Canada, mostly because I have had 3 requests in the last week for people who wanted to bid on my USA only auctions.
I have shipped a few times in the past when asked, and have had no problems.
I have set up my TOS to include payments with PayPal (no CC payments) and Bidpay only. Regarding the customs forms, I have stated that buyer responsible for all charges imposed by their country, and that I will mark all forms "merchandise" with actual eBay end price.
Well with that covered, I have a couple of questions?
I don't want to offer insurance on International auctions. I really pack well, and with customs opening boxes etc., whose to say how stuff ends up. If I were to offer insurance, how exactly does that work with the USPS?
I think I would also like to be able to accept International Money Orders, but I am leary if only for the fact that I don't know how that all works.
If I accept them, does it cost me money to take them? I have a Credit Union and will probably be checking that with them anyway. Also, are they "Just like Cash" as one lady in Canada told me, that her bank told her? Do they need clearing time? Anything else you can tell me regarding that would be good. Just trying to have all info before I say, "Yes, will accept them".
Another thing, but this is regarding the "Pink" International Money Orders offered by the PO. Can Canadian buyers, buy these up there? If they can, do they just get them at their PO? Can I go to my PO and cash them?
Sorry so long, and I'm sure I will have another question, but that is good for now.
posted on September 18, 2003 03:19:25 PM new
As for International Money Orders: The Post Office will cash them at no charge. This IMHO is the safest way to get payment, BidPay is #2. Can never get a chargeback with theese 2. It is hard to insure anything going out of USA & costs an arm & a leg.
posted on September 18, 2003 03:31:16 PM new
Times have changed,
our kids are getting worse
They won't obey their parents they just want to fart and curse
Should we blame the government? Or blame society?
Or should we blame the images on TV?
No, blame Canada, blame Canada
With all their beedy little eyes have packed thier heads so full of lies,
blame Canada, blame Canada,
we need to form a full assault its Canadas fault
Don't blame me for my son Stan he saw the darn cartoon and now hes of to join the Klan
And my boy Eric once had my picture on his shelf but now when I see him he tells me to BEEP myself
Well? Blame Canada, blame Canada, it seems that everythings gone wrong since Canada came along,
posted on September 18, 2003 03:33:45 PM new
There are some weird rules with insurance, I believe the package needs to weigh a pound before it can be insured. I would emphasize that payment must be made in US funds. I once got a money order in Canadian funds. There was no way I was going to cash that, it would have been expensive to have my bank convert, plus the Canadian dollar is not nearly what the US dollar is. That person never responded to any emails, and I ended up doing a FVF - I did NOT send them back the money order though, I eventually tore it up and threw it away. Figure I wasn't going to do them any favors since they did not really pay me.
The two biggest problems I have had with Canadians (and I sell a LOT to Canada, and overall I am satisfied with selling there) is that some want you to lie on the customs form (which I will not do) and some take issue with shipping. The costs are similar to US, but not as cheap.
Tomwiii - So Paypal is no good and I should go with BidPay and International Money Orders. (I thought by going NO CC with PayPal then that was OK, but guess not)
Sanmar - Are you saying that I can cash ANY International Money order at the PO or just the "Pink" ones?
I do have listed that the payments need to be in US Dollars.
And I plan on sticking with the "Merchandise" and eBay amount on my Customs Forms. (this is the biggest reason why I didn't do international) but I figure with all the info in the listing there is no need for them to even ask now (But...I'm sure it will happen)
As for insurance, it will NOT be a part of my shipping north. I just can't be responsible for customs opening boxes and then hoping they pack it well, ya right!
posted on September 18, 2003 04:12:51 PM new
You do know that U-Pic insurance covers shipping to Canada at the same rate it does for US shipments - $.60 per $100 of value. Shipping to other countries is $1.40 per $100 - and cannot be shipped to a list of obvious countries where nothing is safe...<smile>
We just started using U-Pic and we're pretty happy with it. Send them a list of what we ship and want insured once a week and pay them monthly....
Wayne
Trying to Make a Difference - One Satisfied Customer at a Time....
posted on September 18, 2003 08:52:54 PM new
I've sold everything internationally for two years now; I offer PayPal, BidPay, or International M.O. (But some actually send US cash!!)
Almost every international buyer so far has used PayPal and I've never experienced the Dreaded Chargeback. Not to say I won't, someday, but I wanted to reassure you about this. (Granted, I don't well high-end items, either.) And I've had only one international buyer (in London) just disappear from the face of Ebay after becoming my winning bidder. Only one.
___________________________________
posted on September 19, 2003 12:35:40 AM new
lifeizgood: I can't answer that. I know that USPS has an agreement with several nations for reciprocity. You would have to ask USPS what countries are included. I know that Canadais for sure.
posted on September 19, 2003 02:58:25 AM new
Good Morning lifeizgood
I live in Canada and bank in the USA and can give you little info which may help
Post office International Money orders is the way to go you can cash at the Post office no fee.
I also bank at First City Bank in MI and they will cash also no charge - but every bank is different. Actually my bank will cash any money order no charge as long as it is in USA dollars I have received a few from Bahamas and Cayman Island no problem and no fee
As far as customs goes
Based on my experience of the Customs it is not so much the $$ amount as the description
for example I purchased a star trek collector plate the descriptions was star trek collector plate I paid 30 in duty
they could have just as easily just put plate or dish neither is a lie and I will bet dimes to donuts the inspector was a star trek fan and put more value on it ....
another time I purchased a toy blender for my granddaughter they wrote portable blender yish there was another 26 in duty they could have put just blender or toy blender but hey portable that is worth more more duty
it didn't matter I had only paid less then 10.00 for each item
it is not so much the $$$ amount (unless it is very high priced) but the description and the inspector of the package.
Anyways now I have a box at UPS in MI and have my items sent there drive over pick them up declare them and NO DUTY!! Each person in the car is allowed to bring home 100 per day and more if you get a nice officer
[ edited by sarniaflower on Sep 19, 2003 02:59 AM ]
posted on September 19, 2003 06:55:59 AM new
Thanks everyone for the info.
sarniaflower very helpful. I will "KISS" every box (Keep It Simple Stupid).
Here is what I will try. If it doesn't work the way I want, then I will change accordingly.
Payments accepted: BidPay, International Money Orders, and PayPal (I don't do CC), I have never (knock on wood) had a PayPal problem and if something comes up, then that will be it on that option.
I will ship the via whats best for the items (under 4 lbs. when possible, will be the letter post) I think that is what it was called. Other than that, it will be Parcel Post.
Insurance I am still up in the air about, but I am leaning towards offering none.
You guys have been really helpful, I have learned alot from this board, even when I don't ask.
posted on September 19, 2003 07:27:45 AM new
parcel post could take forever,as it is transported by truck.
global priority mail using their standard envelopes can be a bargain,depending on weight,type.
dont worry about customs not doing a good job putting the package back together after they open it,they are usually good at re-packing.
-sig file -------The thrill is gone!!
posted on September 19, 2003 09:13:18 AM new
The other thing to know is Global Priority is insured up to $100.00. This works for lightweight stuff that can fit into the envelopes where the cost factor in shipping weight is much different that Air Post cost.
Only other way to insure is send Registered, but that can double the shipping costs.
posted on September 19, 2003 09:19:58 AM new
i dont think global priority mail includes insurance of 100.
express mail is 250 included but is a lot more expensive.
first class small packet also does not offer insurance.
may be someone can confirm/dispute this
-sig file -------The thrill is gone!!
posted on September 19, 2003 01:39:55 PM new
Global priority does NOT include any insurance and you can Not buy any from USPS either.
Global express has insurance included for the first $100 and is $1 for each additional $100 of value. Express mail also has tracking to most countries.
posted on September 19, 2003 02:16:26 PM new
global express used to have 500 dollars insurance included,then 250 included,since when did it become 100??
-sig file -------The thrill is gone!!
