posted on December 18, 2003 03:50:09 PM new
I've never shipped anything internationally and my auctions state US only but I had a potential buyer email me about one of my items. He's in Italy and wanted to know if I would sell it to him even though my auction says otherwise.
First, it was nice to receive that email BEFORE he put in a bid. So I looked up shipping rates to Italy on the US postal service and, WOW, its very expensive (even shipping Economy Post). I replied to the guy and told him I would sell the item to him if he was the high bidder (assuming he could pay in US funds) and then quoted the shipping rates I found.
My question is - is there a cheaper/better way to ship items internationally? I'd like to give this guy a better rate if possible.
Also, are there any pitfalls that I need to watch for? Like I said, I have no experience shipping internationally. Thanks for any help!
posted on December 18, 2003 06:19:06 PM new
Yeah, those were the rates I sent him. I was just checking if there was a cheaper rate through some other service but it looks like USPS is the way to go. Thanks.
posted on December 18, 2003 07:35:00 PM new
I sell to Italy all the time with no problrmd. {crossing my fingers} They pay by PayPal but my items are small and ship cheap.
posted on December 18, 2003 07:59:34 PM new
The reason I asked the size, is USPS has a Global Priorty Envelope.
Any thing you can stuff in it, to anywhere for a flat:$9.00.
Used it to send some motorcycle parts to Australia, arrived in 3 days.
posted on December 18, 2003 10:00:15 PM newThe reason I asked the size, is USPS has a Global Priorty Envelope. Any thing you can stuff in it, to anywhere for a flat:$9.00. Used it to send some motorcycle parts to Australia, arrived in 3 days.
posted on December 19, 2003 10:59:32 PM new
Don't worry about the shipping cost. International buyers already know that it will be pricey. Just give him the two options, bump it a little for your trouble and let him decide. If he bids, great. If not, oh well.
