Increase in international buyers on eBay

GoldenEyeNumismatics

I don't often sell things to overseas buyers on eBay. While I do ship internationally, I simply don't get that many buyers for my listings outside the US and Canada. On average, I'd say that 1 in every 30 sold items goes to Europe, Asia or South America.

My past seven eBay sales, to six respective buyers, have all been in Europe or Asia. This is extremely, extremely unusual for me. Has eBay increased visibility of American listings to foreign countries, or is this just a fluke?

lasvegasteddy

too risky for me selling to oversea's buyers

LanceNewmanOCC

.
my first guess would be the heavy marketing of TPGs internationally

pcgs, ngc and possibly several others have numerous offices around the world

shocked me when i saw how many there are

there are some other reasons i believe as well, but could venture to be too political or viewed as narrow-minded
.

airplanenut

I have a huge amount of business overseas. Granted a lot of what I sell is foreign, but even still, a fair amount of US material goes out of the country, as well, and that number has picked up recently. As especially has many people with new-found wealth, and they're spending. There are certainly risks in sending abroad (I find more risk is due to eBay/PayPal policy than just delays/losses in shipping), but it's a necessary evil at least for me due to the volume that goes out. If I were selling just US material, I'm not sure it would be worth it.

JohnMaben

That's a fluke. However, the potential for international sales can't be ignored on eBay. Word of caution: IT IS A REAL PITA. We got 25 negs from one buyer in Japan and 9 from one buyer in Singapore. All customs or lost or slow delivery issues. It took two months to get the Japan issue resolved and we are still working on the other. You need a degree in international trade to understand the complexities.

John

LanceNewmanOCC

.
john and airplane sum it up quite nicely!
.

Cougar1978

no thanks dont ship overseas due to insurance rules

NewParadigm

I have had the same experience. I clearly state "Ships to US only" but they squeeze through. Its allows fun trying to get back your FVF fees when the buyer is angry that you wont ship. Ebay needs a better filter system.

airplanenut

<< <i>I have had the same experience. I clearly state "Ships to US only" but they squeeze through. Its allows fun trying to get back your FVF fees when the buyer is angry that you wont ship. Ebay needs a better filter system. >>

Have you tried automatically blocking bidders in locations where you don't ship?

ebaytrader

<< <i>

<< <i>I have had the same experience. I clearly state "Ships to US only" but they squeeze through. Its allows fun trying to get back your FVF fees when the buyer is angry that you wont ship. Ebay needs a better filter system. >>

Have you tried automatically blocking bidders in locations where you don't ship? >>




You have to remember to block payments thru PP, too. Lotsa ferners register a US address to bid and then pay with a foreign PP address.

jt88

I wonder how some of your guys meet eBay tracking requirement for international sale if you don't ask for registered mail. I sold some notes recently, I stated all international sales have to be mailed with registered mail but some of the buyers still want first class mail.

bigjpst

<< <i>I wonder how some of your guys meet eBay tracking requirement for international sale if you don't ask for registered mail. I sold some notes recently, I stated all international sales have to be mailed with registered mail but some of the buyers still want first class mail. >>


If you purchase your postage from ebay, it uploads a tracking number on International packages which seems to satisfy the Top Rated Seller Requirement, even though the # can't be tracked. I used to offer International shipping on all my auctions, but I recently had a buyer from Switzerland with a CA. Address hit the buy-it-now on a $400 coin and after a week of not paying asked to back out of the sale. I have started only offering International sales for lower priced items, like under $100. That way if there is a problem, I'm not out that much.

mikeyg

Now as primarily a buyer,I also run from a coin offered from overseas.Its a pita to see something you really want and at a good price but ships from slovenia or germany or even london.I just dont the headaches that I read about with duties and postage systems so far away.I have bought from sellers in canada,but usually cheaper stuff..$35-$50.

jt88

<< <i>

<< <i>I wonder how some of your guys meet eBay tracking requirement for international sale if you don't ask for registered mail. I sold some notes recently, I stated all international sales have to be mailed with registered mail but some of the buyers still want first class mail. >>


If you purchase your postage from ebay, it uploads a tracking number on International packages which seems to satisfy the Top Rated Seller Requirement, even though the # can't be tracked. I used to offer International shipping on all my auctions, but I recently had a buyer from Switzerland with a CA. Address hit the buy-it-now on a $400 coin and after a week of not paying asked to back out of the sale. I have started only offering International sales for lower priced items, like under $100. That way if there is a problem, I'm not out that much. >>



Thanks. For high price item I will ask for registered and express mail with insurance. High price item is not a problem for the buyer since those buyers tend to be having money. It is only a problem for low price item.

jt88

I just fund this from ebay.

"If you ship with USPS First Class Mail International, your shipment won't qualify for Seller Protection because the required proof of shipment and/or delivery is not available and cannot be verified fo r this service"