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Act Pi Scene Lebbinty-Seven Of Why Won't That Ebayer Ship Overseas To Me?


OcalaFlGuy

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So this ugly little dilemma reared its head and whizzed all over my shoe today.

 

I went to mail the latest Estie Blue Streaker to its new owner in The Great White North. Eedeeit me had forgotten you Can't even pay extra for insurance or tracking with the lower priced shipping spread the buyer (EBay) paid for. Either of those would have cost almost Double what they've already paid in shipping.

 

So, putting my money and ass where I've mentioned before in all These discussions, it went the cheaper, uninsured way, especially since the buyer and I Hadn't discussed the matter any further. Even though I don't know their nickname, Thank God at least they are a FPNer. That actually makes me feel Some safer.

 

My sphincter will be doing the occasional twitch until I hear from them it has arrived. Also, thankfully, as I just emailed them, both lower and higher priced shipping spreads IMO are just as Unlikely to get lost.

 

However, honestly, me Technically being on the line IF it Does go missing isn't worth the extra hassle. This will likely be The Last pen I sell overseas without the buyer opting for the higher priced shipping spread Unless I personally know the buyer. A Main issue here is that Fleabay Doesn't allow for a "Let me discuss the shipping with the Buyer AFTER the auction ends" shipping option. You Have To Commit to Either the lower or higher priced shipping spread At The Time you make the listing.

 

(FYI, the higher priced shipping spread would have been an additional 1/6 of the sales price of the pen.)

 

So, no, I Probably won't pull the plug altogether on a possible overseas buyer, but I'm probably Not going to cause myself the additional stress of (at least) Technically assuming ALL of the risk of a lost package.

 

Bruce in a Ocala, Fl

Edited by OcalaFlGuy
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I haven't used eBay to sell pens in a while but I do believe you can actually set up multiple shipping options so when you click the 'Shipping and Payments' tab it will display a few different price points for the seller to consider. You can also request the buyers do not pay right away and then discuss alternative options with them and send them a final-fee invoice based on the shipping charge they choose.

 

 

edit: Yea, here it is. Just add some flat-rate offers for the different options you wish to offer and let the buyer choose one of them.

 

http://i.imgur.com/nSPUkZM.png

 

 

Right above the box for Int'l shipping you can do the exact same thing for domestic shipping.

Edited by Tylerjordan
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Tyler, none of that changes the fact that if I don't know and trust the buyer and they select UNinsured international shipping, the item IS lost And they push the issue with EBay as they are likely to do, they get their full refund and I am out the pen.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

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While I don't feel your pain, I feel your pain. Too many variables in there and at the end of the day any package not signed for can be claimed as not received. I tend to have more faith in the locals here and have not been disappointed, but I do occasionally stress a bit. Good luck with your delivery, I'm sure your Karmic Account has you covered!

 

Paul

"Nothing is impossible, even the word says 'I'm Possible!'" Audrey Hepburn

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Yeah Paul, I'd like to think so too.

 

I've actually been one to Advocate in the past that we bidders request from the seller that we be allowed to assume the risk in return for them allowing uninsured shipping.

 

While I've got sufficient Fleabay Buying experience, my Selling experience is actually pretty limited.

 

Today was just an example of me actually Trying On the shoe myself I've recommended others try on themselves.

 

The dang thang seems to pinch my foot a bit ;)

 

(Not to mention, this was one of Those Pens that even the money end aside, you'd Really Hate to see the missing package Gods take a liking to. It's a Beaut.)

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

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I've been lucky to not have any overseas pens disappear. I guess whoever is flying'em is now avoiding the Bermuda pen triangle.

 

I use as large a box as I can, as if the ones that do go missing are in teeny tiny boxes that somehow fall on the ground and can be seen by no one...

@arts_nibs

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Could just make insurance required for overseas purchases. They'll moan and groan but if they don't agree to those terms they don't buy the pen, rather be out a sale than out a pen and money.

 

I haven't yet had an issue with overseas, but I been lucky and I haven't shipped enough overseas to hit a statistical probability of it happening yet.

 

I think the worst that happen was shipping a tiny little camera from the early 1900s to Australia, and there was even a paypal claim involved, turns out a month after that claim the package finally arrived, appears that customs had it, but by that point the order had already been refunded.

 

Usually when I ship overseas, all the items go into their own zip-loc baggie with a full To: From: Label inside, with each of the parts wrapped and labeled individually stating what each item is (ie: Brand, Model, Fountain Pen, Brand, Model, Pen Ink, etc, Brand Model, ink collector, so forth).

 

That way if the box ever breaks open, or it is ever opened by customs, it's already clearly labeled and organized and the pens are in a PVC pipe that can be easily slipped back in for protection. Also if the box does break open the whole thing is contained within a zip loc freezer bag with the full address and information provided.

 

For example, the way I packed the inner content of one of my PIF's to Australia.

 

fpn_1409306679__aus_ship.jpg

Edited by KBeezie
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I am Now tending to agree with the Overseas insured or not at all idea.

 

Yes, I've said before Loudly that say $15 shipping on a $75 pen noted in a Fleabay listing is off putting to me.

 

However, it's Still at least Slightly Less off putting than NO Overseas Sale At All I guess. :rolleyes:

 

It also hasn't been noted that When a seller does an Overseas sale on Fleabay, in doing so he "signs up" for PayPal putting a Much longer hold on those funds than with a domestic transaction.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

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Canada-US is usually ok. Takes a week to ten days from Florida in my experience. I've had countless parcels come and never had a problem.

 

The only time I've had a pen vanish in the post was one going from me to about 20 miles away, domestic. Shoulda drove it there.

Edited by wastelanded
"I was cut off from the world. There was no one to confuse or torment me, and I was forced to become original." - Franz Joseph Haydn 1732 - 1809
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I am Now tending to agree with the Overseas insured or not at all idea.

 

Yes, I've said before Loudly that say $15 shipping on a $75 pen noted in a Fleabay listing is off putting to me.

 

However, it's Still at least Slightly Less off putting than NO Overseas Sale At All I guess. :rolleyes:

 

It also hasn't been noted that When a seller does an Overseas sale on Fleabay, in doing so he "signs up" for PayPal putting a Much longer hold on those funds than with a domestic transaction.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

 

Besides if a problem does occur, and it's insured it tends to look better far as paypal goes.

 

There are sellers who won't sell at all overseas, and then there are buyers who will pay the extra for shipping to get a pen from a reputable seller. If the buyers didn't read all the terms that's on them.

 

I personally would rather have all overseas packages insured on eBay.

 

It's a bit of red flag for me if a buyer has to sign up for paypal just for your sale, as if they're making a first time bidding, and then not want things like insurance and such (because it means if something did happen or they claim didn't arrive, they'd just get money back from you, rather than being told to utilize the insurance on their part).

 

PS: Biggest reason having to just then sign up for Paypal being a red flag for me, is because on eBay short of expensive escrow services, that's the only payment eBay allows, if they been on eBay a while they should already have a paypal. (granted there are always first timers, but first timers if legit can deal with the caution of insurance and other safeguards).

Edited by KBeezie
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I've had some...interesting experiences shipping outside US borders, so I'm inclined to just not do it any more. Your bravery is commendable. Though I do think Canada is a bit more reliable than other places. I've had some issues even to Europe.

 

That being said, I've also not done enough of it that I'm comfortable with what the options are and what protections (for everyone) might exist.

"Expect a most agreeable letter, for not being overburdened with subject (having nothing at all to say), I shall have no check to my genius from beginning to end." --Jane Austen

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qVJOiluU9_4/THp4iGeCcpI/AAAAAAAAA2A/xh2FRE0B8p0/s320/InkDropLogoFPN3.jpg

My blog: Does This Pen Make Me Look Fat? Twitter: @penfatness Instagram: sheilamcl Pinterest: SheilaM

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