Shipping a frame from USA to Thailand
01-31-17, 07:16 PM
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Shipping a frame from USA to Thailand
I have my Merckx Pista frame listed on eBay and had a request from a person in Thailand for a shipping quote. Fed Ex and USPS checks came up with a ball park of $400. I replied to the guy with this number + 10% to cover eBay fee. Also told him I'd look into the eBay global shipping which I've never used before. He has already replied asking for me to send him an offer with the shipping quote + the 10%.
I'm planning on sending him more pictures via eBay message to reduce the risk of a "not as advertised" return. I've specified no returns in the listing. Any other advice or warnings ? Currently I would use FedEx; would the eBay global shipping be better?
I'm planning on sending him more pictures via eBay message to reduce the risk of a "not as advertised" return. I've specified no returns in the listing. Any other advice or warnings ? Currently I would use FedEx; would the eBay global shipping be better?
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N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
01-31-17, 08:31 PM
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On eBay, I use only global shipping.If their country isn't covered, I won't sell.
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Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
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01-31-17, 08:55 PM
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I won't deal with anyone using the "Global Shipping Program". It boils down to I am charged with Taxes and Duty before I receive the goods. Being a Canadian I am usually not charged with any Duty or Taxes for anything under $200. And most of the Time not charged at all. So if in the off chance I did buy something under the GSP, Pitney Bowes and Ebay pockets that Money. Complete Ripoff.
If I Find an item I really have to have and the seller is using the GSP I ask them if they will bow out and they usually do when they find out how GSP actually works.
Sorry just a rant... But Google the GSP and see what kind of comments are made. It's not pretty.
If I Find an item I really have to have and the seller is using the GSP I ask them if they will bow out and they usually do when they find out how GSP actually works.
Sorry just a rant... But Google the GSP and see what kind of comments are made. It's not pretty.
01-31-17, 09:40 PM
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As a long term seller on eBay, this phrasing does ZERO to protect you as a seller. Buyers can and WILL return items whether you accept them or not. and regardless of the number of pictures you supply. I had an item approved for return from eBay in 2016 due to being "not as described". So I called eBay and asked what in particular was "not as described" as none was given, and I was not given the opportunity to respond to the complaint. They had no idea. The item was returned. I relisted it and sold it again and got wonderful positive feedback. Oh yeah, I was out the shipping I paid for the first transaction, BOTH WAYS!
Ebay will jam items back to sellers, and as a seller, you have no recourse other than use an alternative method to sell. I consider returns a cost of doing business on eBay, much like brick and mortar stores budget for shrinkage (shoplifting). Fortunately, returns rates are low, but they do happen. Postage is a real problem (as you can resell the item), but you will never recoup the lost postage costs.
While buyers HATE, HATE, HATE the eBay global shipping program, it is the one way that gives sellers the most protection. I use the global shipping program regularly, but I don't sell bikes or frames on eBay internationally. Too much postage if the deal goes bad. For me, its a hobby, not a business.
Here's ebay's official policy: As the seller, "Your refund to the buyer is the total purchase price plus the original shipping charge. You're also required to pay for the return shipping charges"
As a result of this policy, personally, I do not sell items on eBay where paying the shipping both ways on a return will be painful. When I shipped a frame to New Zealand ($400 in shipping), I sold it outside eBay's system. And of course, the item was not for sale (and had never been for sale) on eBay. eBay will notice a listing suddenly being deleted after a recent contact through their message system. They can and DO ban sellers who try to work around them.
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Please don't confuse ebay "asking" prices with "selling" prices. Many sellers never get their ask price. some are far from it. Value is determined once an item actually SELLS. Its easy enough to check SOLD prices.
Please don't confuse ebay "asking" prices with "selling" prices. Many sellers never get their ask price. some are far from it. Value is determined once an item actually SELLS. Its easy enough to check SOLD prices.
01-31-17, 09:55 PM
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OUT OF LURK on Ebay
As a long term seller on eBay, this phrasing does ZERO to protect you as a seller. Buyers can and WILL return items whether you accept them or not. and regardless of the number of pictures you supply. I had an item approved for return from eBay in 2016 due to being "not as described". So I called eBay and asked what in particular was "not as described" as none was given, and I was not given the opportunity to respond to the complaint. They had no idea. The item was returned. I relisted it and sold it again and got wonderful positive feedback. Oh yeah, I was out the shipping I paid for the first transaction, BOTH WAYS!
Ebay will jam items back to sellers, and as a seller, you have no recourse other than use an alternative method to sell. I consider returns a cost of doing business on eBay, much like brick and mortar stores budget for shrinkage (shoplifting). Fortunately, returns rates are low, but they do happen. Postage is a real problem (as you can resell the item), but you will never recoup the lost postage costs.
While buyers HATE, HATE, HATE the eBay global shipping program, it is the one way that gives sellers the most protection. I use the global shipping program regularly, but I don't sell bikes or frames on eBay internationally. Too much postage if the deal goes bad. For me, its a hobby, not a business.
Here's ebay's official policy: As the seller, "Your refund to the buyer is the total purchase price plus the original shipping charge. You're also required to pay for the return shipping charges"
As a result of this policy, personally, I do not sell items on eBay where paying the shipping both ways on a return will be painful. When I shipped a frame to New Zealand ($400 in shipping), I sold it outside eBay's system. And of course, the item was not for sale (and had never been for sale) on eBay. eBay will notice a listing suddenly being deleted after a recent contact through their message system. They can and DO ban sellers who try to work around them.
As a long term seller on eBay, this phrasing does ZERO to protect you as a seller. Buyers can and WILL return items whether you accept them or not. and regardless of the number of pictures you supply. I had an item approved for return from eBay in 2016 due to being "not as described". So I called eBay and asked what in particular was "not as described" as none was given, and I was not given the opportunity to respond to the complaint. They had no idea. The item was returned. I relisted it and sold it again and got wonderful positive feedback. Oh yeah, I was out the shipping I paid for the first transaction, BOTH WAYS!
Ebay will jam items back to sellers, and as a seller, you have no recourse other than use an alternative method to sell. I consider returns a cost of doing business on eBay, much like brick and mortar stores budget for shrinkage (shoplifting). Fortunately, returns rates are low, but they do happen. Postage is a real problem (as you can resell the item), but you will never recoup the lost postage costs.
While buyers HATE, HATE, HATE the eBay global shipping program, it is the one way that gives sellers the most protection. I use the global shipping program regularly, but I don't sell bikes or frames on eBay internationally. Too much postage if the deal goes bad. For me, its a hobby, not a business.
Here's ebay's official policy: As the seller, "Your refund to the buyer is the total purchase price plus the original shipping charge. You're also required to pay for the return shipping charges"
As a result of this policy, personally, I do not sell items on eBay where paying the shipping both ways on a return will be painful. When I shipped a frame to New Zealand ($400 in shipping), I sold it outside eBay's system. And of course, the item was not for sale (and had never been for sale) on eBay. eBay will notice a listing suddenly being deleted after a recent contact through their message system. They can and DO ban sellers who try to work around them.
How does it give the sellers the most protection? Please explain.
02-01-17, 07:14 PM
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Thrifty Bill
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I am not responsible for claims from the buyer of "I didn't receive it" (sure, I am still responsible for proper packing, item not as described, etc.) Ebay assumes the responsibility for not delivered claims as they take on that duty. Its not unusual for items to get hung up at customs, various delays where buyers can and do file "item not received" claims.
To me, ebay's a hobby, I have no interest in adding any headaches to the process. I would rather get less for my items, or miss out on some sales. I have neither the time nor the interest to become an expert on international shipping.
If I wanted to make money, I would just go back to being an engineer.
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Please don't confuse ebay "asking" prices with "selling" prices. Many sellers never get their ask price. some are far from it. Value is determined once an item actually SELLS. Its easy enough to check SOLD prices.
Please don't confuse ebay "asking" prices with "selling" prices. Many sellers never get their ask price. some are far from it. Value is determined once an item actually SELLS. Its easy enough to check SOLD prices.
Last edited by wrk101; 02-01-17 at 07:38 PM.
02-02-17, 06:36 AM
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I had an experience with a buyer in China recently, claiming "did not received" after nearly two months since shipping the part. Unfortunately, the only way to get seller's protection was to go-though Ebay or Paypal to ship the part, but the only means offered was first class shipping which there is no shipping confirmation or shipping insurance offed by Ebay or Paypal. I decided to go with Ebay even with the first class shipping because of "Sellers protection offered", bad decision
After the buyer in China contacted me through Ebay's email, and I contacted Ebay's seller's support, I was told "not to worry the buyer is over 30 day Buyers Protection", but Paypay has a 180 day buyers protection when paying through Paypal, eek! Well needless to say I lost the dispute through Paypal and the part and shipping were a lost. But, I did pay for the postage with my Paypal account, which I'm going to submit a "Buyers Protection" when using Paypal, because of the information provide by both Ebay and Paypal were not accurate for shipping to the destination!
After the buyer in China contacted me through Ebay's email, and I contacted Ebay's seller's support, I was told "not to worry the buyer is over 30 day Buyers Protection", but Paypay has a 180 day buyers protection when paying through Paypal, eek! Well needless to say I lost the dispute through Paypal and the part and shipping were a lost. But, I did pay for the postage with my Paypal account, which I'm going to submit a "Buyers Protection" when using Paypal, because of the information provide by both Ebay and Paypal were not accurate for shipping to the destination!
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02-02-17, 08:34 AM
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There's an easy work around for this.... A shipping broker
I've used www.myus.com on many occasions to ship overseas. I had a buyer in Australia who encouraged me to look into it.
Step 1. Buyer creates 'myus' account and gets assigned a shipping address in the U.S. Sarasota, FL I believe.
Step 2. Seller sends package to 'myus' location in Sarasota, FL
Step 3. 'Myus' sends package to buyer
A big benefit of this is once the package safely reaches 'myus' in Sarasota your off the hook in regards to eBay feedback and returns.
'myUs' shipping to Thailand for a frameset is $125 plus shipping from the sellers location to Sarasota.
so...
Myus membership: $0 for one package one time
Shipping to Sarasota: $35
Shipping from Sarasota to Thailand: $125 via FedEx
Total: $160-ish
I've used www.myus.com on many occasions to ship overseas. I had a buyer in Australia who encouraged me to look into it.
Step 1. Buyer creates 'myus' account and gets assigned a shipping address in the U.S. Sarasota, FL I believe.
Step 2. Seller sends package to 'myus' location in Sarasota, FL
Step 3. 'Myus' sends package to buyer
A big benefit of this is once the package safely reaches 'myus' in Sarasota your off the hook in regards to eBay feedback and returns.
'myUs' shipping to Thailand for a frameset is $125 plus shipping from the sellers location to Sarasota.
so...
Myus membership: $0 for one package one time
Shipping to Sarasota: $35
Shipping from Sarasota to Thailand: $125 via FedEx
Total: $160-ish
02-02-17, 09:15 AM
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Thanks all. Jim I'll look into the Myus shipping. I've investigated the eBay Global shipping, pointed and clicked at all the right stuff to add it to my listing but still can't seem to get it to provide a shipping estimate and it's not clear if the buyer pays me the shipping total or just the shipping to Kentucky.
If I go through with this, I'm currently leaning towards Bikeflights as it seems they will do a certain amount of hand holding in the process; customs forms, etc. Buyer did not seem to flinch at an astronomical shipping cost.
If I go through with this, I'm currently leaning towards Bikeflights as it seems they will do a certain amount of hand holding in the process; customs forms, etc. Buyer did not seem to flinch at an astronomical shipping cost.
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N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
