Ebay question - Ever sell anything and send it overseas?

[SwiftWind]

I notice most people on ebay avoid shipping stuff overseas. I got asked by someone if I'm willing to ship to Taiwan. The package is large and heavy (around 6-7lbs, maybe more?) According to the shipping calculator it would around $45-$50 more not inlcuding insurance.

1. has anyone here shipped overseas?
2. Possible scams to watch out for? (payments only via paypal)
3. If you get paid more than what the auction said (extra for shipping overseas) does ebay take a % out of that too?
4. comments / suggestions?

 

[Pepsi90919]

i did over a month ago and he still hasn't got it, so i refunded the money. i talked to canada post and they said it can take up to 3 months.

 

[MrBond]

Originally posted by: SwiftWind
I notice most people on ebay avoid shipping stuff overseas. I got asked by someone if I'm willing to ship to Taiwan. The package is large and heavy (around 6-7lbs, maybe more?) According to the shipping calculator it would around $45-$50 more not inlcuding insurance.

1. has anyone here shipped overseas?
2. Possible scams to watch out for? (payments only via paypal)
3. If you get paid more than what the auction said (extra for shipping overseas) does ebay take a % out of that too?
4. comments / suggestions?

I wouldn't. To answer your questions:

1)Yes, but it doesn't really count since it was an APO address
2)Possible stolen paypal account - You get paid, send the item, then a couple weeks later paypal takes the money out of your account. If you don't follow their shipping policies to the letter, you're out your money.
3)Ebay's listing fees aren't based on shipping, however Paypal will base their fee on the entire price of the auction
4)If you can't follow Paypal's shipping guidelines to the letter, don't do it.

Paypal requires you ship via a trackable courier (NOT USPS priority with DC) and get a signiture. In addition, you have to ship to a CONFIRMED address.

Personally, there's too much chance of being scammed shipping something overseas. Don't bother with it.

 

[shilala]

I won't ship internationally through ebay.
I won't ship internationally through my business.
I have shipped to someone in Iran (or Iraq, don't remember which) through FS/T, but it took a shytload of persuasion.

 

[AnyMal]

Never have, never will. I'd rather lose a sale then money.

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: shilala
I won't ship internationally through ebay.
I won't ship internationally through my business.
I have shipped to someone in Iran (or Iraq, don't remember which) through FS/T, but it took a shytload of persuasion.

you sold an xbox to saddam?

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: AnyMal
Never have, never will. I'd rather lose a sale then money.

 

[DaWhim]

don't bother, unless you can't find a buyer in US which is very unlikely. don't make troubles to yourself when you don't have it.

 

[trinketsummoner]

I ship overseas and havent had any issues. I only do so if the buyers feedback is over 100, and if in the UK, they have a confirmed address. Ive shipped to Japan, UK, Denmark, Thailand, Spain, Germany and a few more countries, never had 1 issue.

Use common sense and you'll be ok. You can always accept bidpay for overseas too, its a secure way to get payment, ive used it as well as paypal.

 

[shilala]

Originally posted by: sniperruff

Originally posted by: shilala
I won't ship internationally through ebay.
I won't ship internationally through my business.
I have shipped to someone in Iran (or Iraq, don't remember which) through FS/T, but it took a shytload of persuasion.

you sold an xbox to saddam?

No, it was a mouse and I think the guy's name was Apu.

 

[TallBill]

No way I'd send anything even to Canada.

 

[orion23]

If people agree to a money-order, why not?

 

[alkemyst]

I have sold quite a bit overseas, but only through an actual business to an actual business to outside Japan.

There are a lot of variables, and even normal protections the US offers for transactions are often invalid.

As a buyer, your have the most risk I'd say. As a seller, taking western union only gives pretty much 100% protection (if it ever comes though).

A stalling payer overseas is a PITA.

An idiot buyer even more so.

You should be able to ship under 10lbs global priority for less than that. Shipping overseas also has a lot of variables, you need to see what protections you have and don't have. There are a lot of scams that involve packages getting lost...many countries don't have the organization the US shipping companies use.

all in all unless I had a product I couldn't sell comparably here.

 

[MrBond]

Originally posted by: orion23
If people agree to a money-order, why not?

Money orders are easily counterfitted.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

i wouldnt ship overseas unless it has tracking like fedex or ups..and they would have to pay for the cost

 

[MobiusPizza]

I have bought from ebay USA and have them shipped to me.
My Paypal address is confirmed and I am in UK

While it is risky to ship to overseas, I think generally buyers with good ratings would probably be fine.
Global trade is very profitable. Hardware costs in US are 30% cheaper than UK so I don't see why you cannot make at least 20% profit and definitely more if you buy at wholesale prices.

 

[ThisIsMatt]

I've shipped oversees a few times. Once a ~$150 laptop screen to the UK, and another time a $1500 lens to Japan, and some other cheaper items. Both of these buyers had good feedback and the Japanese buyer paid with 2-3 money orders in US funds (since the limit was like $800 each). The lens was a large mirror lens which cost about $100 to ship/insure via USPS...not sure which method - Global Priority maybe.

 

[tyler811]

Yes shipped it regular USPS to China and it made it there in 6 days

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

I used to ship items sold on ebay to overseas buyers all the time. Others have given good advice about following Paypal's seller protection policies. The safest transaction will involve a money order or cashier's check so that you have full possession of the money in advance. Then ship with USPS Golbal Express so that tracking information will be available.

Their are additional risks to be wary of when shipping overseas, but if the right precautions are taken, then your chances for a successful transaction are good enough IMO.

-Gartth

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: tyler811
Yes shipped it regular USPS to China and it made it there in 6 days

What's regular USPS to China?

EMS, Global Priority, etc?

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: SwiftWind
I notice most people on ebay avoid shipping stuff overseas. I got asked by someone if I'm willing to ship to Taiwan. The package is large and heavy (around 6-7lbs, maybe more?) According to the shipping calculator it would around $45-$50 more not inlcuding insurance.

1. has anyone here shipped overseas?
2. Possible scams to watch out for? (payments only via paypal)
3. If you get paid more than what the auction said (extra for shipping overseas) does ebay take a % out of that too?
4. comments / suggestions?

It's possible he's a scammer, but I've shipped things overseas. Some of the highlights would be Malta, Brazil, Australia and one to Switzerland i think.

Either way, after you get paid, pull the money out of your paypal account (put it into your checking). Even if it turns out to be stolen account, paypal can't touch your checking account or creditcard.

 

[eflat]

Originally posted by: SwiftWind
I notice most people on ebay avoid shipping stuff overseas. I got asked by someone if I'm willing to ship to Taiwan. The package is large and heavy (around 6-7lbs, maybe more?) According to the shipping calculator it would around $45-$50 more not inlcuding insurance.

1. has anyone here shipped overseas?
2. Possible scams to watch out for? (payments only via paypal)
3. If you get paid more than what the auction said (extra for shipping overseas) does ebay take a % out of that too?
4. comments / suggestions?

Yes, I have been lately.

For a lot of electronic items you will make an extra 15% easy.

Just know the shipping policies and get something with TRACKING if it is worth anything. Which is expensive. So make sure you know that. And a lot of folks are going to want you to declare it as a gift which is technically illegal. So have a firm policy on whether or not you will do that. A lot of folks do so some bidders take it for granted that you will. But technically it is illegal and if you really tried you might get in trouble.

Although I could not see that happening unless you were shipping A LOT of merchandise overseas.

 

[eflat]

Originally posted by: SwiftWind
I notice most people on ebay avoid shipping stuff overseas. I got asked by someone if I'm willing to ship to Taiwan. The package is large and heavy (around 6-7lbs, maybe more?) According to the shipping calculator it would around $45-$50 more not inlcuding insurance.

1. has anyone here shipped overseas?
2. Possible scams to watch out for? (payments only via paypal)
3. If you get paid more than what the auction said (extra for shipping overseas) does ebay take a % out of that too?
4. comments / suggestions?

Lol at your sig btw.

 

[eflat]

Originally posted by: CitizenDoug

Originally posted by: SwiftWind
I notice most people on ebay avoid shipping stuff overseas. I got asked by someone if I'm willing to ship to Taiwan. The package is large and heavy (around 6-7lbs, maybe more?) According to the shipping calculator it would around $45-$50 more not inlcuding insurance.

1. has anyone here shipped overseas?
2. Possible scams to watch out for? (payments only via paypal)
3. If you get paid more than what the auction said (extra for shipping overseas) does ebay take a % out of that too?
4. comments / suggestions?

Lol at your sig btw.

wow that was my nerdiest sentence ever.