is it worth shipping internationally?

[savethe80s]

Hi all - I sell mostly small media type stuff, what I'm wondering is should I spend the time changing all my current listing (over 1000) to offer internationally shipping to the UK & Canada (from U.S.) - or would it be a waste of time due to the small costs of each item?

Basically international shipping would cost much more per itme than the actual items and it just doesn't seem rational to me that anyone would purchase and pay to receive the smalls to another country.

Anyone have any experience with shipping small or low cost items internationally on here?

Thanks in advance for any feedback on this as I'm really not sure which way to go

[CrazyJays]

Hi

I look at it this way.
A buyer will pay the shipping if they really want the item.
1 thing to keep in mind is customs and import tax need to be posted
that the buyer has to pay it if there is any. they need to check with customs
to see what it will cost. If im right taxs is based you the price you sell the item for.
If you do ship out of country make sure you post they have to pay any tax.
If you offer world shipping you can get more sells.

I dont know if you know this.
If you only ship with in the USA only here on ebid
Buyers every where else cant see your items.

I hope i was some help.

[CrazyJays]

LOL

what luck the first auction i just went to after i just posted here.
This is from a USA seller shipping out side the USA.
This is what im talking about. You need to post something like this
in your auction.

Note: International payment methods accepted include Paypal, & Google Check Out & Money Bookers. Any customs fees, or other charges are not included in selling or shipping/handling fees & are buyers responsibility. Please familiarize yourself with your country's shipping regulations prior to bidding. Thank you.

The main thing im talking about is red.

[burgyeb]

Well I'll be.........thanks for the kind mention Jay. Another thing I try to do is not offer prohibited items to a country (based on international postal regulations). I do this by clicking off only countries that can accept the item. The statement is there as added protection, because I may not know, or the buyer may not know.

I just made a recent overseas purchase, so I could test the new integrated Skrill function. Actually if you do not offer international shipping, you limit your sales greatly. It is true, if someone wants the item, they will pay the s/h fee.

[CrazyJays]

Well I'll be.........thanks for the kind mention Jay. Another thing I try to do is not offer prohibited items to a country (based on international postal regulations). I do this by clicking off only countries that can accept the item. The statement is there as added protection, because I may not know, or the buyer may not know.

I just made a recent overseas purchase, so I could test the new integrated Skrill function. Actually if you do not offer international shipping, you limit your sales greatly. It is true, if someone wants the item, they will pay the s/h fee.

This is to funny..
What luck for you too show up on this post
and i got that from your listing..

Thats crazy


What a small world...

[somersethedge]

Hi

I look at it this way.
A buyer will pay the shipping if they really want the item.

I often sell things overseas where the P&P far outweighs the cost of the item... (i have sold a single 10p trade cards where the P&P is £2.00... mind you for that £2.00 they could have bought a lot of cards)

[CrazyJays]

I often sell things overseas where the P&P far outweighs the cost of the item... (i have sold a single 10p trade cards where the P&P is £2.00... mind you for that £2.00 they could have bought a lot of cards)

Yes im with you on that.
I have bought some tabacco card from 1915.
And the shipping was like 3x the cost of all the
cards i bougth from the seller in the UK.

If the buyer wants it they will pay.

Its like carck to a drug adict...

[kreativebargains]

You have nothing to lose by offering overseas options. Maybe you could try it out on a few of your better selling items or just include on new listings. Don't forget to mention discounts, especially with lighter items they can get several more shipped free and you can end up getting a pile of sales.

As for customs, you will have to put a custome label on with the value, but with most countries there is a minimum amount where import duty is paid, usually around £15 or more, so on cheaper items it is not generally payable.

[somersethedge]

Its like carck to a drug adict...

I know what you mean.... the fun is in the chase...

there are a few sets of A&BC gum cards that would cost me £200 - £300 to buy the compleat set in one go so I buy them 1 (well maybe 6) cards at a time as and when I see them and it's more fun that way as well

[suesjools]

You have nothing to lose by offering overseas options. Maybe you could try it out on a few of your better selling items or just include on new listings. Don't forget to mention discounts, especially with lighter items they can get several more shipped free and you can end up getting a pile of sales.

As for customs, you will have to put a custome label on with the value, but with most countries there is a minimum amount where import duty is paid, usually around £15 or more, so on cheaper items it is not generally payable.

Agree 110% with the above. Offering overseas shipping does increase your potential customer base; a good number of my sales have been to overseas customers.

Best wishes for many sales to all,