posted on April 18, 2002 10:53:28 AM new
This one is my fault but...
If you do not ship internationally,how do any of you make this 'rule' stick?
I used to ship internationally, but since I just am getting my feet wet with online postage, I put No International shipping IN my auction description. Until I think this online postage is worth it, thats what I'm doing.
Ok, so I get an email, 'Would you please consider shipping to Hong Kong'
I replied... Unfortunally I do not ship internationally, so I cannot accomadate your request' thought , ok, that was it....
Well auction ended, and yeah, he won.. he writes right away, and says, 'I'm the lucky winner, please quote me all rates to Hong Kong' (he gives his whole address) he's British living there.
I replied... I guess you don't read your emails? But thought, ok what the heck, go to the calculator, and put Hong Kong in, and the weight, and then I proceeded to just copy and paste into the email what the calculator came up with....
Well one rate was $6.50, he goes with that... I thought it sounded way too low, but he paid PayPal right then....
I go to the PO, stand in line, and give her the package, custom form, and it comes to $15.65. I went, woaw, is that cheapest to Hong Kong, your website said...... she looked at me, and said, 'hon, I think your looking at LETTER post at that price'
So I fork it over, lost big time..but it was my fault. I can't be looking every five minutes to see if someone is bidding, and if they are int'l. I caved, when he did win it, and I copied and pasted the danged rates, that was my mistake...
So, question is, how do you have any int'l bidders stick to your NO International policy?
On a side note, he has some 50 feedback, all positive, and buys fairly heavy items, so you would think he would know this was too low, still, my mistake....
I do not have anything against shipping to other countries, just at this time, I am not doing it.
Unfortunately, it seems like you may have gotten a poorly trained postal employee (go figure... right?) Letter post does NOT apply to just letters! It can be used for ANY package that has a Maximum length of 24" and a Maximum length, height, depth combined of 36". I'm guessing that your package (probably around 8 ounces or so from your quote cost) most likely would have qualified for this rate. The biggest thing I've learned about shipping internationally is that you have to become a shipping expert. The people at the post-ofice just don't seem to do enough international to know what they're doing. Next time you have a package like that, I would explain to them that it CAN be sent letter-post and insist that they do so. Hope that helps some!
posted on April 18, 2002 11:32:20 AM new
Hello
I ship internationally a lot. I go to USPS web site find the method of shipping, location etc and PRINT it. I have had one row with the USPS in three years. It boiled down to the postmaster would not honor what the USPS Web site said. I called there 800 number and used terms like USPS Fraud etc and the Postmaster got a call and I shipped the item (Books to Europe) He is not my pal but I have had no more problems. I usually ask for about $2.00 extra and do not show the customer the USPS link. That covers packing, and perhaps Pay Pal but that is another issue. The only way I make any money is selling W/W. As a group they are better customers anyway.
posted on April 18, 2002 11:38:25 AM new
Just email him back and say it cost $9.00 more to ship, could he PayPal you that. Trust me, he knew the shipping figure was to good to be true, and will Probably acknowledge it with Payment.
posted on April 18, 2002 11:50:19 AM new
Thank you for the responses.
First, the weight I put in, and it showed when I copied and pasted it, was 1 pound 7 ounces.
As for the letter post, I don't know anymore, if the P.O. was right or what
I just went back there, and Air is $15.65 (that is the lowest for air) for 1 pound 7 oz.
of course it was on the copy paste thing I sent to him, and of course he chose $6.50
I don't know, I would kind of think it would be bad form now to tell him that he owes me the extra, when I 'accepted' his payment?
And I use invoices and I did put $6.50 in the shipping part. My mistake, his gain.
Well I know, I should block him now from bidding, since he will think everything is going to be so inexpensive to ship.
I did mark 'Merchandise' and NOT Gift on the custom form at least but I always do, when I did do International shipping.
posted on April 18, 2002 11:59:29 AM new
"Well I know, I should block him now from bidding, since he will think everything is going to be so inexpensive to ship. "
That would be a mistake. He will know how much the shipping cost you when he gets the package, it is noted right on the package. If he orders from you again, just make sure to get the right postage. If you don't want to try to get the difference on it now, then at least use this experience as a learning thing, rather than a negative experience.
Well... I checked your rate... and it looks like you were right! You could have shipped it via USPS Economy (surface) mail letter-post (assuming it met the dimmension requirements) for $6.50. Dacreson's suggestion is a good one. A print-out from the website could save you some hassle at the post-office. Just goes to show that you can't always rely on the post-office for accurate information!
posted on April 18, 2002 01:15:02 PM new
Yes I will definitly use this as a learning expierence
If I remember right, I guess I was in a little shock she said the measurement did not fit anything for under the price I ended up paying.
Oh I know the PO has been wrong. Sometimes their own scales are off, I KNOW I had a package under one pound (12 oz) , for Priority, I weighed it here, and we've checked and rechecked our scale, well one clerk said it was one ounce over a pound and charged me $3.95. there was no arguing with him. His scale showed it, even though you could even pick it up and the person I was with even commented, 'are you sure you put anything in this?'
How do you argue with their scales if that happens.
I agree a printout is necessary now, and thanks for all the suggestions
posted on April 19, 2002 12:32:30 AM new
In the past I have taken a package that was to be shipped International to the post office along with me when I was mailing other stuff and asked what the rate to 'what ever country it is' would be, and THEN emailed my buyer with those shipping costs plus a a few dollars for my time.
I had to go to the post office anyway and carrying an additional package along for the ride is better than losing money on the shipping.
I also agree that taking a print out along with you to double check what they say is the only way to go.
I have had MANY run in's with my local rural post office and it is sad that I have more knowledge than they do sometimes..
posted on April 19, 2002 06:33:30 AM new
I used to quote regular Airmail for my international customers. My Mom goes to the PO for me (she is retired) and she would ask for cheap airmail and they would give her Letter Post Airmail. I would wind up making a lot of money on the shipping so I quit quoting regular and only quote Letter Airmail. I have never been burned on this. My packages are always pretty small and they have always sent it Letter Airmail.
but I always do, when I did do International shipping.