Shipping Outside the USA

anonymous122511 · #1 07-23-2011, 05:07 PM

I cannot understand why a great number of US sellers have a problem with shipping outside the US. Being outside the US it's a real drag when you want something, have the money and the seller won't do business because of a line on a map. I'm only in Canada so it's not too bad for me but for other parts of the world where prices are very high and selection low it's gotta be really frustrating. Seriously folks I've shipped and received goods to and from all over the world and there's little or no difference sending a bass across your country or across the world. If you can ship to Peoria you can ship to Prague.

Some of the excuses I've heard for not shipping outside the US:

"I'll have to do a bunch of extra paperwork."
This is simply not true. You may have to fill out ONE extra very sparse customs declaration that will take all of 30 or 40 seconds. The information on this form will already have been asked for to ship within the country too so it's not like you're giving up anything extra.

"Shipping costs are way higher."
Very true but they will be born by the buyer so whatta you care? Buyers outside the US understand this and are prepared for it. Here's a tip for reducing your work load as a seller: Include your zip code and insist foreign buyers research the shipping costs themselves.

"Canadians are dishonest, I don't sell to Canadians."
Yep, that was one ebay seller's reason for not selling to me even though I had a US shipping address and am actually a US citizen. In retrospect though I actually appreciate that deluded, redneck jerk's honesty. I'd rather hear that than some lame excuse.

The issue of returning the item comes up occasionally and for goods made outside the US the shipper could be liable for duty on the returned goods. Probably a relatively rare occurrence but final sale with no returns solves this.

If it seems like I'm picking on Americans here I can honestly say that in years of doing business on line I've never heard unwillingness to ship to particular locations from anyone but Americans. And a thank you to the many who don't have a problem with it. Bottom line is that if you're willing to ship at all shipping everywhere isn't as much trouble as you might think. You'll really be making someone's day for no extra effort.

Pilgrim · #2 07-23-2011, 05:30 PM

Most US sellers have never shipped out of the country and don't know how much extra work it will - or will not - be. I've done it twice, and both times I asked the buyer for specific advice about how to proceed.

The US is a very big country and it's seldom necessary to ship outside the borders. If the seller thinks they can get a domestic buyer and not have to learn a new shipping process, most people are inclined to avoid the extra work.

pedroims · #3 07-23-2011, 05:32 PM

I dont have any problems shipping overseas, is not a lot of ''paper work'' only one form. I do everything online, sometimes people ask me to take the neck off so I can ship it in a smaller package, when that happens I charge a fee for the the packing because I need to buy more bubble wrap and it is really expensive, other than that is not big deal for me.

Selta · #4 07-23-2011, 06:39 PM

It can be a real hassle, and I've gotten burned or odd requests from international buyers that make me uneasy with the deal (most notably, under declaring the value -

). The paper work isn't bad really... but it is an extra step.

anonymous122511 · #5 07-23-2011, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

It can be a real hassle, and I've gotten burned or odd requests from international buyers that make me uneasy with the deal (most notably, under declaring the value -

). The paper work isn't bad really... but it is an extra step.

You say it can be a real hassle but you don't say how exactly and I am truly curious.

Was getting burned really a matter of international shipping or was dealing with dishonest folks the problem? From Seattle how can you be more protected against a crook in North Dakota than one in Peru?

As far as under-declaring value it's illegal so you don't do it. How hard is it to politely say no?

**jmattbassplaya** · #6 07-23-2011, 06:56 PM

Does it really matter if US citizens don't want to sell abroad?

Selta · #7 07-23-2011, 06:59 PM

Like I said, that's a very common request when dealing with international buyers. I of course decline it, but it's still something I don't have to deal with when keeping it within the USA. When I'm selling a bass, I want it to be as smooth and easy for everyone involved, myself included. I have ample buyers here in the US, so why should I have to sell somewhere else?
Other hassles...
1) Insurance claims. Having had to file numerous insurance claims for a previous line of work on domestic shipments, I found working with someone internationally 10 times more difficult and time consuming.
2) Paper work - yup, it might only be one page more, but hey, that's one page less I need for domestic shipments
3) International trades don't work so well due to high cost and basically no chance of "trade backs"
4) Shipment restrictions. One case, I was shipping a bass to a person in Australia. Well, AU has rules on the size of the boxes they can have shipped in via FedEx/UPS. Ended up having to not send the case, and send the body/neck in separate boxes. Again, much more work for me than just packing up the HSC and having UPS/FedEx pick it up.

All in all, it's just much less stressful and easier for me to stick to the US, where I have always had someone buy what I wanted at a price everyone was happy with. Why open myself up to other headache?

Pilgrim · #8 07-23-2011, 07:18 PM

^ An illustration of my earlier point.

anonymous122511 · #9 07-23-2011, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

Like I said, that's a very common request when dealing with international buyers. I of course decline it, but it's still something I don't have to deal with when keeping it within the USA. When I'm selling a bass, I want it to be as smooth and easy for everyone involved, myself included. I have ample buyers here in the US, so why should I have to sell somewhere else?

You make it sound like saying "NO" is a major deal when it simply is not. If it really is a big deal to you I don't think it's unfair to say you're pretty thin skinned.

Quote:

Other hassles...

1) Insurance claims. Having had to file numerous insurance claims for a previous line of work on domestic shipments, I found working with someone internationally 10 times more difficult and time consuming.

Your old job aside have you ever had to file an insurance claim selling a bass or accessory? I've shipped hundreds of items and only had one. It was with UPS and I didn't have to do a thing...the buyer dealt with it.

Quote:

2) Paper work - yup, it might only be one page more, but hey, that's one page less I need for domestic shipments

It's extremely....er, interesting that a minute to fill out an extra form actually makes that big a difference to you. Wow...

Quote:

3) International trades don't work so well due to high cost and basically no chance of "trade backs"

I never said anything about trades. I wouldn't do a trade either for exactly the reason you cite.

Quote:

4) Shipment restrictions. One case, I was shipping a bass to a person in Australia. Well, AU has rules on the size of the boxes they can have shipped in via FedEx/UPS. Ended up having to not send the case, and send the body/neck in separate boxes. Again, much more work for me than just packing up the HSC and having UPS/FedEx pick it up.

I took a neck off to ship to Atlanta, Georgia to save shipping costs for someone. Maybe added a whole 10 minutes to the overall process.

But I'll give you that one in a case where there are shipping restrictions. If you're correct (and I'm not convinced you are) then Australia is an isolated case. I admit I've never shipped anything bass sized there so I don't really know about that country. I have shipped basses to Europe and South America in their cases with no issues though.

Again, shipping arrangements (including restrictions) can be palmed off on the buyer. I've done it myself and had it done to me. You give the buyer your zip code and let him make the arrangements. Simple.

Quote:

All in all, it's just much less stressful and easier for me to stick to the US, where I have always had someone buy what I wanted at a price everyone was happy with. Why open myself up to other headache?

Those "headaches" are 99% psychosomatic. You and others like you are operating on unfounded fears of what might happen rather than on what is likely.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Does it really matter if US citizens don't want to sell abroad?

It sure matters when you're outside the US and buying used from the states is the only way you can get certain things for a price you can afford. For some things it's the only way to get them at any price.

tom once dead · #10 07-23-2011, 08:27 PM

I remember one time when I asked a well known US bass store if they would ship to Australia. They said yes and that they can under-declair the value of the item for me if I would need to pay import taxes.

GizmoTheOne · #11 07-23-2011, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff arddun

I cannot understand why a great number of US sellers have a problem with shipping outside the US. Being outside the US it's a real drag when you want something, have the money and the seller won't do business because of a line on a map. I'm only in Canada so it's not too bad for me but for other parts of the world where prices are very high and selection low it's gotta be really frustrating. Seriously folks I've shipped and received goods to and from all over the world and there's little or no difference sending a bass across your country or across the world. If you can ship to Peoria you can ship to Prague.

Some of the excuses I've heard for not shipping outside the US:

"I'll have to do a bunch of extra paperwork."
This is simply not true. You may have to fill out ONE extra very sparse customs declaration that will take all of 30 or 40 seconds. The information on this form will already have been asked for to ship within the country too so it's not like you're giving up anything extra.

"Shipping costs are way higher."
Very true but they will be born by the buyer so whatta you care? Buyers outside the US understand this and are prepared for it. Here's a tip for reducing your work load as a seller: Include your zip code and insist foreign buyers research the shipping costs themselves.

"Canadians are dishonest, I don't sell to Canadians."
Yep, that was one ebay seller's reason for not selling to me even though I had a US shipping address and am actually a US citizen. In retrospect though I actually appreciate that deluded, redneck jerk's honesty. I'd rather hear that than some lame excuse.

The issue of returning the item comes up occasionally and for goods made outside the US the shipper could be liable for duty on the returned goods. Probably a relatively rare occurrence but final sale with no returns solves this.

If it seems like I'm picking on Americans here I can honestly say that in years of doing business on line I've never heard unwillingness to ship to particular locations from anyone but Americans. And a thank you to the many who don't have a problem with it. Bottom line is that if you're willing to ship at all shipping everywhere isn't as much trouble as you might think. You'll really be making someone's day for no extra effort.

Great rant. I agree with everything in there. I especially lol'd at "Canadians are dishonest".

Downunderwonder · #12 07-23-2011, 09:11 PM

US mail will send a whole Fender in hard case to NZ, probably Aussie too.

When I buy a pedal off the classifieds I usually send a PM with the US mail info, and offer to top up the postage if it's more than the estimate.

Just because seller offers "CONUS shipping included" doesn't mean you can't pay the difference to get it mailed to Uzebekestan.

Downunderwonder · #13 07-23-2011, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom once dead

I remember one time when I asked a well known US bass store if they would ship to Australia. They said yes and that they can under-declair the value of the item for me if I would need to pay import taxes.

Not worth the risk of some knowledgeable customs inspector seeing what you're up to and seizing it!

anonymous122511 · #14 07-25-2011, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downunderwonder

Not worth the risk of some knowledgeable customs inspector seeing what you're up to and seizing it!

The potential gain doesn't offset the potential loss. Besides that the truth is the easiest story to keep straight.

bunnykeeper · #15 07-25-2011, 01:46 AM

I don't get it, either. Ebay sellers apparently don't realize that it's costing them money not to be willing to ship internationally.

As a seller, if you prevent a potential buyer from bidding, you may very well end up getting a lot less for your item, even if the int'l bidder doesn't win.

What really cracks me up are hockey goalies in the US who refuse to ship to Canada. US buyers love that, because they know they'll probably get a great deal, because half of their bidding competition has been excluded.

Simo98 · #16 07-25-2011, 02:03 AM

If you are talking retailers, that is likely due to shipping restrictions placed on them by the manufacturer/distributor to protect international markets.

If it wasn't the case, we would probably be lucky to have a single instrument store in all of Australia.

::::BASSIST:::: · #17 07-25-2011, 02:27 AM

I wont ship to certain countries because I'd be concerned about mail fraud. Its not the fault of the buyer if some dude along the way decided to steal the item being shipped, but its a headache I'd rather avoid.

As to the OP's statement, I generally agree, but I guess that's one of the advantages of living in the US. You can be a bit more choosy about who you sell to because you have a bigger market of buyers while us 'foreigners' just have to live with it. Personally, I prefer to try to sell on CL first. Its the most painless method IME.

L-A · #18 07-25-2011, 05:44 AM

I guess it's a USA thing.

anonymous122511 · #19 07-25-2011, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simo98

If you are talking retailers, that is likely due to shipping restrictions placed on them by the manufacturer/distributor to protect international markets.

I was more talking about private sellers. I've never had a retailer decline to do business outside the US. I've actually had a couple of US retailers whose Paypal wasn't setup for non-US transactions change it to accept international payments just so they could more easily do business with me.

SLaPiNFuNK · #20 07-26-2011, 04:31 AM

Some people just don't want to do what they don't understand...

It is a learning process... YEARS ago I managed an online store in the auto parts industry shipping over 100 orders a day, many international... I was "Burned" twice, and that was before I learned that FedEX releases packages before duties are paid... and if the customer decides not to pay the duties, they get charged to the shippers account...

Solution... don't ship via FedEX anymore.

For the "Seller," just don't ship via FedEX and if you do all your stuff correctly there shouldn't be problems.