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eBay Sellers---N America only or Overseas Also?
spy88
Posts: 764 ✭✭
Just wondering from those of you using eBay.
Do you find it beneficial (bidding/financial) to list your coins in other countries besides N America or is it more hassle then it's worth?
Do you find it beneficial (bidding/financial) to list your coins in other countries besides N America or is it more hassle then it's worth?
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i used to and did pretty well overall
stopped after things started going downhill
ebay now has international shipping center or something, thinking about getting back in
.
<< <i>.
i used to and did pretty well overall
stopped after things started going downhill
ebay now has international shipping center or something, thinking about getting back in
. >>
eBay international shipping excludes coins. I'm in the too much hassle crowd as the post office is ten miles away and being that the free shipping don't pay for my gas.
<< <i>eBay international shipping excludes coins. >>
Are you sure about this? Where does eBay proclaim this?
I've got tons of Europe, Asia, S. America, Africa countries coin sets that will be going up soon. Figured to increase the potential realized price(s) but if I can't sell/send them overseas, I think it will hurt me.
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Don
<< <i>
<< <i>eBay international shipping excludes coins. >>
Are you sure about this? Where does eBay proclaim this?
I've got tons of Europe, Asia, S. America, Africa countries coin sets that will be going up soon. Figured to increase the potential realized price(s) but if I can't sell/send them overseas, I think it will hurt me.
Yes coins bullion and several other items are in the excluded list of the new eBay shipping center. The same one they have been hyping about with lower fees as a incentive.
You can ship them overseas just with all the hassle of customs forms and trips to the post office and the fact that shipping to most places is not insurable.
<< <i>Do you find it beneficial (bidding/financial) to list your coins in other countries besides N America or is it more hassle then it's worth? >>
I used to sell internationally, but not anymore. Since eBay decided to use PayPal to force sellers to use expensive/impractical shipping methods or risk international buyers using those policies against them, it's not worth the hassle.
Most secure way to ship overseas is often Priority Mail Flat Rate envelope (includes tracking #) however most will not want to pay this fee.
Even when I say "no international shipping" there will still be some overseas bidders who manage to win your auction. Then I have had to explain, that I did not offer international bidding and cancel the sale. Very frustrating overall. Only worth doing if you absolutely must in order to move product.
Amat Colligendo Focum
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<< <i>
<< <i>eBay international shipping excludes coins. >>
Are you sure about this? Where does eBay proclaim this? >>
In the terms of the program. Pretty clear.
I have no bans on countries where I ship, but depending on the country, I only ship Registered or Express and don't offer First Class (such countries include Italy, Germany, Russia, China, and the whole of South America). It's true that most problems I have involve international buyers, but I have so much business from them, it's still worth the hassle. A lot of people overseas have money to spend, and the more sellers that won't ship to them, the more money that comes my way. There are some weeks where more than half my sales are overseas, and the vast majority go without a hitch. The most recent USPS rate hike really shot up international postage, but I haven't heard much complaining from buyers, nor has it seemed to affect my sales.
<< <i>So now I restrict to lower 48 only, no PO, APO, FPO box. Probably over reacting, but it's worked for me and who needs the hassle? >>
No kidding you're overreacting. The USPS is a fine way to ship (certainly the most economical for small coin orders) and there's no reason to not ship to AK/HI (they're in the US, too) and PO Boxes are probably more secure than any street address. APO/FPO may take a bit longer and add the hassle of a customs form, but if you have such an address, you're serving the US, so I don't think it's too much to ask me to spend 30 seconds on paperwork. For the USPS, I can think of two losses I've had in maybe the last 8 or 9 years; one the package was slit open and one it ripped (the latter I don't blame on the USPS). I rarely get packages from UPS, and just recently had a delivered one never show up at my door. My USPS track record is by far the best of the 3 main shipping companies.
On the subject of PO boxes, they are the best delivery address when a signature is required. PO requires actual addressee to sign for shipment and required photo ID. Residential address allows anyone at the address to sign unless item is being delivered "certified mail."
"Money does not care about speeches on morality. Capital asks whether the rules will remain the same tomorrow. With inflation, people assume price is the problem, and propose regulation—but price is simply the message." - Martin Armstrong
<< <i>I have no bans on countries where I ship, but depending on the country, I only ship Registered or Express and don't offer First Class (such countries include Italy, Germany, Russia, China, and the whole of South America). >>
Do you sell many $10 to $20 items?
<< <i>On the subject of PO boxes, they are the best delivery address when a signature is required. PO requires actual addressee to sign for shipment and required photo ID. >>
Maybe some POs do, but not all of them.
<< <i>
<< <i>I have no bans on countries where I ship, but depending on the country, I only ship Registered or Express and don't offer First Class (such countries include Italy, Germany, Russia, China, and the whole of South America). >>
Do you sell many $10 to $20 items? >>
Not a ton of cheap items, but not zero. International shipments can go from $5 or $10 to about $10k.
<< <i>
<< <i>Do you sell many $10 to $20 items? >>
Not a ton of cheap items, but not zero. International shipments can go from $5 or $10 to about $10k. >>
How do your $5 or $10 buyers typically respond to having to pay for registered or express shipping if they live in the countries where you don't allow first class shipping?
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>Do you sell many $10 to $20 items? >>
Not a ton of cheap items, but not zero. International shipments can go from $5 or $10 to about $10k. >>
How do your $5 or $10 buyers typically respond to having to pay for registered or express shipping if they live in the countries where you don't allow first class shipping? >>
It depends. Most of the cheap packages don't go to those countries, but when they do, if the buyer has good enough feedback, I'll usually take the risk (and for that small amount of money, I'd rather not wait in line at the PO just to send one Registered package). In the end, it usually works out for me--certainly enough so that it's worth continuing. That said, I have buyers who complain about the Express fees for a $1500 package, so what am I supposed to do? I usually just point them to the actual cost and the fact that the costs are clearly stated in the listing.
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Mark's 7TF Set
<< <i>I will be pretty pissed if I am held responsible when the tracking shows it was shipped. >>
Get yourself prepared then. PayPal requires proof of delivery. You just lost at PayPal Roulette, International Edition.
<< <i>I do North America only. Overseas not worth the hassle or risk. >>
Likewise
In addition, I exclude Canada & Mexico - not worth the hassle.
I only include those areas that are covered by the USPS (50 states plus Territories - Postal rates & offered services are the same there
<< <i>First class registered to outside US is now about $25, it used to be about $18. >>
A 1 oz. first class package sent outside the US is now $6.55, it used to be about a buck and change.
<< <i>Do you find it beneficial (bidding/financial) to list your coins in other countries besides N America or is it more hassle then it's worth? >>
YES!
I find it CRUCIAL!
But then, I'm a seller of primarily non-US coins, so I would, wouldn't I.
I cherrypicked this Danish coin from a bulk bag. Had less than a quarter invested in it. Maybe only ten cents.
It sold for $217.50.
As expected, it went home to Denmark.
How much do you reckon it would have sold for if I'd opted to ship to North America only? Half as much? Maybe. If I was lucky.
Of course, if one is a seller of US coins only, it makes less difference.
Still, you never know... there ARE collectors of US coins in other countries.
So in my experience, it's worth the small additional hassle (customs forms and such) to ship worldwide. But that's your call, of course.
PS- I should also add that I sell mostly inexpensive world coins. I'm not so sure I'd want the ulcers of shipping expensive rarities overseas.
Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.
<< <i>YES!
I find it CRUCIAL!
But then, I'm a seller of primarily non-US coins, so I would, wouldn't I. >>
If you list auctions, it might be crucial. For fixed price listings? Not so much.