posted on December 29, 2000 09:28:43 PM new
In my Auction I list the shipping rates for US and then I also list "Non US countries please contact me prior to bidding for rates and payment terms".
If the auction ends and I haven't heard from anyone I send my EOA under the assumption that it was won by a US bidder. In the past month I have had 3 of our "neighbors" never contact me and then send payment even though they never asked how much it would be or what I accept. They have sent payment in different forms (I could handle all of them without fees but it was a hassle and a waste or time for me.) Some wanted air even though what they sent me was only enough for surface. Even though the rates are similiar to Canada for books they are not quite the same. And there is a huge difference after 4 pounds,
How do others handle their EOA/Auction Ad to avoid this? Thanks.
posted on December 30, 2000 04:54:44 AM new
marlene -
For an item with a fixed rate for shipping, like book rate and priority, I give the shipping AND clearly state that the shipping amount is only valid if delivery is to be made to an address with a USA ZIP CODE ... and that if the delivery is to be made anywhere else, the buyer needs to contact me for the correct shipping.
I got ONE payment from a Candian who sent the USA amount. I emailed them and asked which of the cities along the USA/Canda border should I send it to, because they didn't send enough money to get it across the border. They went ballistic and called me a cheapskate and said that it was no more expensive to send to Canada (it wasn't), but they sent the rest of the money.
posted on December 30, 2000 07:35:37 AM new
I do what abacaxi said--the EOA contains the shipping quote for domestic U.S. shipping, and a statement that that's exactly what it is. If the buyer requires shipment outside the U.S., he must contact me with his address for a valid shipping quote. I'm sure this isn't foolproof, and not just due to fools. I'd betcha that not all those erroneous payments you get are "accidental".
posted on December 30, 2000 07:40:59 AM new
In my EOA notices to my winning bidders, I provide the total for US shipping. Down below the payment instructions I've added:
INTERNATIONAL BIDDERS: Please reply with the country I am shipping to, so I can provide adjusted shipping totals.
When I first stated out, I was US only, then US/Canada only, but I was getting ltos of requests from Europe asking if they could bid anyway, and would pay the additional $ for shipping. (There are Pokemon things available here far before they are available in Europe).
Since I"ve opened my auctions up to international bidders, I've had lots of hits, lots of winners, and have yet to have 1 international bidder NOT notify me that they were international prior to sending payment.
posted on December 30, 2000 07:54:50 AM new
In my desription I post the domestic shipping rate or I say that the domestic rate depends on their address (for UPS and book rate items). I also state that for international orders shipping will bedifferent and that I only accept bidpay.com, cash or international money orders. This helps a lot with some confusion on the international buyer's part. We still get an occassional Cnandian buyer who will send US shipping. We check the rates, if we can find one that is comparable or cheaper we send the item. If not we email them requesting the extra shipping funds.
