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Posting basses outside the US

C

Cuzzie

Supporting Member
Jan 1, 2016
2,497
3,198
48
#1
Dear TBers,

I am interested being the the U.K. Why so many people selling basses refuse to ship outside the US?
To my mind you would package a guitar exactly the same whether it's transatlantic or domestic, the only difference is the cost of postage, which is not actually hugely different compared some quotes I have seen for ground delivery, and as ever the buyer tends to pay for delivery.
Also the import tax does not affect the seller, so I still do not fully understand.

This is not a 'having a go rant' I am just interested as it closes down potential buyers.
 
#2
Could be a few reasons. Fear of getting burned probably the main one :laugh:. Chance of damaged goods arriving is another, instead of just dealing with USPS for the insurance claim it's dealing with USPS who are in turn dealing with Royal Mail or ParcelFarce. Then there's USPS itself, took me 6 attempts to get a quote via the website. I've also heard from folks saying the Post Office clerks told them "It's to big", "Can't give you insurance", "Sorry no tracking".
Course all of that is bunk,they just missed ticking a box but with the bigger audience in the US is it worth the hassle ?

The CITES reg is another issue folks understandably would prefer not to deal with.

I'm in Scotland so appreciate your frustration.
 
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#5
The best bet is to arrange your own shipping. Maybe with a Packaging company in the area you are buying in.
I see a huge opportunity for a Broker to get involved in these situations.
The Ebay Global shipping was a great advent but IDK if it's still around. Plus Ebay sux these days with the enormous amount of fees.
 
#6
Most buyers balk at shipping costs or want the item sent as a gift to avoid taxes.

Many USPS employees are not proficient at large international packages making the process longer and more grueling than need be.

Services like insurance and tracking are limited.

And most importantly, most buyers balk at shipping costs.
 
#7
I suspect that most people selling basses have never heard of an irrevocable letter of credit. Such an instrument protects both a seller and a buyer from getting taken advantage of or being cheated. Letters of credit can be arranged at most banks for a very nominal fee.

P.S. Cuzzie, Mrs. 12BitSlab and I will be visiting the UK in May. We are very much looking forward to it!
 
#9
I suppose you can look forward to the same difficulties between Europe and the UK one brexit takes effect. I wonder if you'll have the same difficulties between Scotland an the remaining UK when Scotland leaves? (kind of half joke and half not, not trying to troll). Curious situation when you think how Scotts hated to be ruled by England in the first place.
 
#13
I get the run around everyone I go to the post office to ship anything outside of the USA. The customs forms are a pain they tell me it's to big. Or that there is no way to insure it. Our postmen at the windows don't want to help you or answer any questions because they don't want to deal it. So that's why I only ship to the lower 48 states. Last time I tried to ship to Alaska or Hawaii it was a total nightmare.
 
#16
Speaking of Fleabay's "Global Shipping Program" (per FunkHead post #5)..... it's great for small items. However, I'm still licking my wounds from sending a Bass to France. Fleabay took care of getting it over there, fine-n-dandy. I just had to ship it to Kentucky, where their global shipping center is located. However, the purchaser received it, decided it was "not as described" (although I did not agree at all-it was a properly performing bass) and started a case. I said he could return it, but the shipping would be on me(as determined by Fleabay). By the time I paid for shipping BACK here, it would be more than what I sold it for (including original shipping to KY). I ended up refunding the original purchase AND original shipping and he kept the bass. Lost money, time and sleep over this. NEVER AGAIN....... at least with the dreaded Fleabay. I'll stick to the safety of CONUS and an occasional AK/HI shipment, thank you.
 
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#17
shawshank72 said:
It's all BS, I've shipped all over the world and you know how much it took more to send it?
60 seconds of me filling out a form and another 60 seconds for the clerk to input it into a computer.
In this day and age if you make someone do an extra 5 seconds of work it's deemed
"Too much aggravation "
Click to expand...
Which clerk? What location?

I ship from home to save money. I drop the package off at any of three locations that are five minutes away. Anytime I involve a clerk the price doubles.

How much time does one need to spend figuring out the process you find to be so easy?
 
#18
covermego said:
Speaking of Fleabay's "Global Shipping Program" (per FunkHead post #5)..... it's great for small items. However, I'm still licking my wounds from sending a Bass to France. Fleabay took care of getting it over there, fine-n-dandy. I just had to ship it to Kentucky, where their global shipping center is located. However, the purchaser received it, decided it was "not as described" (although I did not agree at all-it was a properly performing bass) and started a case. I said he could return it, but the shipping would be on me(as determined by Fleabay). By the time I paid for shipping BACK here, it would be more than what I sold it for (including original shipping to KY). I ended up refunding the original purchase AND original shipping and he kept the bass. Lost money, time and sleep over this. NEVER AGAIN....... at least with the dreaded Fleabay. I'll stick to the safety of CONUS and an occasional AK/HI shipment, thank you.
Click to expand...
I understand exactly! The seller always loses when the buyer decides to pull shenanigans. Somehow Buyers remorse can turn into "Item not as Described".
 
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#19
@12BitSlab good man!!!!

Give me a nudge and let me know where you will be visiting, if I can recommend anything or be any help I'll try.

I am so sorry to hear tales of woe with shipping but completely understand with what you guys are saying about the process and of course you have a huge market.
To be fair it probably saves me money as my GAS can only build this side of the Atlantic!
 
#20
covermego said:
Speaking of Fleabay's "Global Shipping Program" (per FunkHead post #5)..... it's great for small items. However, I'm still licking my wounds from sending a Bass to France. Fleabay took care of getting it over there, fine-n-dandy. I just had to ship it to Kentucky, where their global shipping center is located. However, the purchaser received it, decided it was "not as described" (although I did not agree at all-it was a properly performing bass) and started a case. I said he could return it, but the shipping would be on me(as determined by Fleabay). By the time I paid for shipping BACK here, it would be more than what I sold it for (including original shipping to KY). I ended up refunding the original purchase AND original shipping and he kept the bass. Lost money, time and sleep over this. NEVER AGAIN....... at least with the dreaded Fleabay. I'll stick to the safety of CONUS and an occasional AK/HI shipment, thank you.
Click to expand...
When problems arise, it's the seller who loses.
 
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