eBay international shipping question

toyz4geo

Hi all,
I have a question about USPS International shipping. Since paypoal seems to be holding funds these days, is there any way to prove a package was delivered, say, to Singapore. I would probably be using Intl First Class and I know about the customs form that needs to be filled out, but what about any way to track it? I have an eBay inquiry pending form Singapore, from someone with 0.0 feedback and only 3 transactions since 2007(I know....run Forest, run....kinda my gut feeling) but thought I would ask anyway.
Maybe I need to rethink Intl shipping.
Any advice would be appreciated.
George

AUandAG

Some on these boards do ship overseas with few if any problems. I myself have been burned
both times I tried. Once to Austria and once to Ireland. I no longer ship overseas.

bob

LindeDad

If you haven't shipped then don't with that type of customer your better off not selling than selling IMO.
As for tracking your going to have to upgrade your class of shipping to get tracking check USPS.com.

airplanenut

The only way you'll know it's delivered is Priority Mail (not a flat rate envelope or the small flat rate boxes--the rest should provide online updates) or Express Mail. For countries I trust, I usually use 1st Class up to $400 and accept the risk that someone might be dishonest. When I don't trust the country, I only go Registered or Express to keep the buyers and post offices honest.

That said, I've never had a shipping problem to Singapore. I do a ton of international shipping and can't afford not to. If it's truly a one-off for you and won't make much difference in the final price, it might be easier to tell such a buyer that you don't ship internationally to save you the hassle.

paladin

I recently sent a $700 shipment to Buenos Aires via USPS Express Mail - and it took 2 weeks to be delivered! Apparently it was hung up in Customs. During this time, all USPS would say is that it was "en route". Eventually, they told me the date and time of delivery but could not verify the address to which it was delivered or even to whom. They indicated that since they do not have branch offices in foreign countries, they cannot verify who received it. I was told that only UPS or FedEx can do that. Luckily my buyer was honest and all was fine. But he could have just as easily have said he never received it and I would have had no proof to the contrary. In the future, I will use only UPS or FedEx for international shipments that have significant monetary value.

Cougar1978

Is there an easy to opt out of the new ebay international shipping thrust on us. I don't want anything to do with international shipping, its hidden costs, problems, and hassles. My first experience is a hassle with a $21 item the buyer seems to think has shipping excessive shipping costs (I have free shipping). This must be something due to the "international service center." It is tough enough to make money on ebay without this surprise crap.