posted on March 31, 2004 05:23:03 AM new
I often see listings where the seller says no Alaska or Hawaii. Why? Are they hotbeds of fradulent activity, or is the customs forms?
posted on March 31, 2004 06:29:04 AM new
Custom Forms? Since when are we not part of the USA? It really torks me when someone won't sell to Alaska. It's either ignorance (custom forms) or they are a UPS Ground only shipper. They are usually drop shippers who use UPS Ground. If they use USPS we are just zone 8 for most people unless you are in the Seattle area then it's zone 7.
[ edited by ewora on Mar 31, 2004 06:29 AM ]
posted on March 31, 2004 07:22:00 AM new
I live in NC and have regular (at least two a week) packages bon voyage to Alaska and Hiwaii which is quite a journey from my abode but so is California. I also have no problem with APO ,Puerto Rico or US Virgin Islands(all USA addresses)
BUT I NOT understand when my ad says USA only -CANADA bids!! DO CANADIANS THINK THEY HAVE BEEN ANNEXED???? Actually I do have several regular Canadian customers but they understand shipping cost,customs and declaring value and asked me before they started bidding...now they bid frequently.
posted on March 31, 2004 07:35:43 AM new
Or my favorite: Guam.
Here's my theory for no Alaska/Hawaii:
Transit time is significantly longer to these states. A seller who has a buyer with a bad case of I-gotta-have-it-NOW-itis may decide that in the future it's more trouble than it's worth to sell to the small populations in the 49th and 50th states.
I have had some problems with chronic impatience in buyers in both Puerto Rico and Guam. It can take three weeks or longer for a first class mail piece to get to Guam.
I do not ship APO or FPO because Delivery Confirmation is invalid. I refuse to eat a PayPal chargeback initiated by someone in Kosovo. (Real example.)
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Sir Bedevere: What makes you think she's a witch?
Peasant 3: Well she turned me into a newt.
Sir Bedevere: A newt?
Peasant 3: ...I got better.
posted on March 31, 2004 07:39:47 AM new
I Think,,,you will see that on mostly FIXED rate shipping. They THINK it is going to be MORE,,,,than the fixed rate for the 48.
Nada, Nuthin', Zip.... Have A Beautiful E bay day.
posted on March 31, 2004 07:44:02 AM new
thanks Jack ...yep Guam is USA.
CANADA is NOT. I will sell to any BUT some just do not understand cost,customs,etc.
A pound package to Hiwaii -Priority,delivery confirmation is exactly the same as sending to my next door neighbor.Of course the weight of my items are 99% of the time is much more than a pound but gracious I have never thought of eliminating my fellow Americans.JUST MY HUMBLE OPINION
posted on March 31, 2004 07:45:31 AM new
Amy, I didn't know you're in Alaska.
You probably know this, but I have to tell you that in this part of the lower 48 there are some amazing misconceptions about Alaska. I've been to the Inside Passage twice on cruises, but other people I've talked to think the whole state is igloos, sled dogs and whale meat.
Just last week some guy commented to me that housing must really be cheap in Alaska because after all who would want to live there. I tried to persuade him otherwise (just price real estate in Sitka or Ketchikan...eeek!) but it would have taken an hour or more to correct all his erroneous impressions. He didn't believe me when I told him that the state capitol isn't accessible by highway.
Good heavens, to reproduce our own Silicon Valley house anywhere in Alaska would cost as much or more than it does here.
Well, at least you guys can get decent Internet service for your igloos.
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Peasant 2: Who's that there?
Peasant 1: I don't know... Must be a king.
Peasant 2: Why?
Peasant 1: He hasn't got sh*t all over him.
posted on March 31, 2004 07:45:46 AM new
NO check my auction fixed rates is fixed rates ..it all evens out some you add to the cost,some you gain on the cost - it pays for moi , I sell at least $10OO a month to these areas
[ edited by deur1 on Mar 31, 2004 07:47 AM ]
posted on March 31, 2004 08:04:55 AM new
Most sellers don't want to sell items that will ship media mail to Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico because it takes 4 - 7 weeks to get there by media. I state in my auctions that alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico are the same rates as continental US except for media mail. If buyers in these areas want media rates they will have to wait for the item to arrive, at least 6 weeks before pounding on my door for a refund. On media items I always quote buyers in non-continental states priority rates. Other than this I have no problems at all. I also sell to Canada on a regular basis and have had no problems there either. Guess I'm just lucky!!
posted on March 31, 2004 08:21:22 AM new
Alaska from here is zone 7, so technically it should be faster to there than NY from Oregon. I've never had a problem with Alaska. Hawaii can take longer for ground, and when someone wins something like that from Hawaii, I let them know. More often than not, they are ok, some upgrade to airmail.
I'll pretty much ship anywhere. With the dollar so weak, I definitely have noticed an increase in international sales.
posted on March 31, 2004 08:24:13 AM new
Calif, to Bangor Maine,,,,Same as it is to Hawaii....15 lbs. But! I don't Use the post Office for this Conus shipment. UPS. It's WAAAAAY Cheaper. I just say no Ala, Haw. unless you check First. I have Fixed shipping using UPS rare.
Nada, Nuthin', Zip.... Have A Beautiful E bay day.
posted on March 31, 2004 10:14:02 AM new
The only problem I have with buyers in Alaska or Hawaii is my wife always wants to deliver the item in person. They get a little upset when you quote $700.00 shipping on a $10.00 item
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
posted on March 31, 2004 11:29:17 AM new
I sent myself some books via media mail from Texas this winter and it took about 3 weeks to reach me. I've had media mail that I've sent to the lower 48 take anywhere from 2-4 weeks.
As far as housing except for California and some places on the east coast Anchorage is one of the most expensive places to live. There is no comparison to the house you can buy in Texas for $200,000 and the house you can buy up here for that much. It's at least $200,000 for your run of the mill 3/4 bedroom split level house. I keep telling my sweety that our income would increase 25% just by moving someplace less expensive!
And seeing that it's about 18 degrees outside at the moment with about 30" of snow on the ground and it's the end of March the lower 48 is looking good. (we are having unusually cold weather)
posted on March 31, 2004 01:37:31 PM new
I have shipped to both HI & AK by Prioity Mail & it was no diffeent than shipping to the east coast. I have shipped china to AK by FedEx Ground, the charge was about triple, but it only took 5 days! Oh, BTW, I forgot to fill out the custom forms. I bet I'll get hot water for that. LOL
[ edited by sanmar on Mar 31, 2004 01:39 PM ]
posted on April 1, 2004 07:50:53 PM new
I usually ship to both Hawaii and Alaska. The problem with some items is they are too large or heavy to ship at a reasonable rate where the can ship in the lower 48 without special handling. That is in my case. I do know that there are many that could easily ship the HI and AK and simply are too lazy to do it.
Have A Beautiful E bay day.