Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Daniel S. on May 16, 2019 at 5:54am

I like your thought process, Joe!  This reminds me of your inquiry on the use of TPA’s.  It seems to address relevant considerations in the interest of developing sound business practices. You also present the issues with a practical, unbiased perspective that is respectful of the many different opinions.

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Permalink Reply by Joe W. on May 16, 2019 at 6:15am

Thanks, Daniel. As a very small seller I am looking to offer the best service at the lowest possible price that still protects both parties.

The best way to find a solution is to ask those who have experience in these matters. 

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Permalink Reply by just some dude on May 16, 2019 at 9:21am

I offer the Global Shipping Program and buyer beware, I suppose?

If someone wants to buy an item and pay those fees, so be it. I do not take them into acct. when I price my items.

Does that prevent sales? Perhaps.

But I only buy things I like in the first place, so if an item I am offering goes unsold, I still win, lol!!

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Permalink Reply by Joe W. on May 16, 2019 at 9:27am

Yes, Dude, I get where you are coming from. I just buy autographs I enjoy owning as well. But, if I do offer something for sale I like to be as fair as possible. Selling helps me build a better collection!

I will also add I do advise that I do not apply an "import fees" to my shipping cost so there may be addition charges upon delivery. I cannot stop what laws govern each individual country.

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Permalink Reply by marc e on May 17, 2019 at 2:55pm

You cant . I only sell on Ebay from global shipping and dont care if they wont buy. To easy to be ripped off overseas. If it's an off Ebay sale I still send by regesterd mail that's the only way except if u overnight that PayPal will except tracking  . I dont care to many people on the United states buy or I give to auction house to sell let them deal with international bidders. And regesterd mail isn't cheap and on top of that PayPal takes more money out from a sale when they do the exchange rate so we get screwed. 

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Permalink Reply by Joe W. on May 16, 2019 at 9:18am

Thanks to everyone's input so far. I was using eBay's Global Shipping and now am changing my shipping policy there because I believe the high cost has virtually killed my online sales there. I don't place the entire blame on eBay as many countries have raised their fees dramatically over the past few years.

I am trying to come up with a middle of the road price which protects both myself and my buyers. Not an easy task. There are also other fees when selling on eBay which must be considered as well.

Of course, members here should never buy my items off eBay because I can give a much better price when eBay is not involved. If you see something of mine you like just contact me here.

I might add that I am so fortunate to live in the US which does not add these fees on top of shipping(so far anyway). Does make buying from International sellers so much easier on my wallet!

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Permalink Reply by marc e on May 17, 2019 at 2:58pm

You will change back once u get ripped off .

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Permalink Reply by carl cripps on May 20, 2019 at 11:27pm

really.....what do you think ebay is doing to you if not ripping u off continually.....i have bought  many items  and have been nailed with this global shipping because u either want the item or u dont.    I do not even go near ebay anymore because of how many use this  method.  i also know for a fact that most sellers dont even know  about the  high charges ebay  and pitney bowes is charging to ship their items and they are shocked when told ......The night mares i have experienced  when i was fool enough to pay these hiway robbers would fill a  book....many times photos would come with  exacto knife slashes across centre of photo as they were opened and repacked by careless workers...also how is pitney bowes involed in this as they also get a nice cut of funds....however i think the most sickening aspect to this ripoff is if I bought 5 items from same seller you cannot combine shipping......ebay will not let sale go through until total shipping for 5 different items has been paid in the neighbourhood of 120.00.....as they say, once stung twice shy.....anyway i guess it is up to each individual to do what they have to...i know what i had to do....bye bye ebay......

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Permalink Reply by Gratefulphish on May 16, 2019 at 10:30am

I have been a pretty active ebay seller for the last six months in particular, and have now had two international bidders refuse to pay once they got the bill for the ebay global shipping program.  I had not realized how much they were charging, along with the customs duties, so now I am just eliminating any international bidders.  If someone really wants one of my items, they will contact me, and we can work something out, but I am tired of non-payers.

As for protecting the shipments, you can't have it both ways.  Either it gets declared and insured at full value, or you will be limited on a claim by the amount of the stated value.  The only other way around this is an outside insurance policy, which will cover actual value without the USPS dilemma.

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Permalink Reply by rob kunne on May 16, 2019 at 10:39am

when i buy on ebay usa i mostly pay high shipping costs and when i'am Lucky the item comes without import costs but when it does the total costs are as high than when the seller uses the global shipping program. but how higher the costs of the item the more you have to pay is the part i don't like.

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Permalink Reply by Joe W. on May 16, 2019 at 10:47am

Rob, I have a question. I can see where you calculate the shipping and related costs into your purchase decisions. How many items being offered at near actual value do you purchase? It would seem that you would have to limit yourself to items well below their value in order to cover the other costs.

Years ago, nearly 40% of my sales were international. The has dwindled down to practically nothing in the last couple of years(I'm talking about eBay sales). Obviously, the higher import fees along with shipping fees has is the culprit.

On the flip side, I purchase more from international sellers than ever before. Why? Because the US does not add those extra taxes(I mean import fees).

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Permalink Reply by rob kunne on May 16, 2019 at 11:48am

don't know what you can do with mine answer but when i really want something i don't care how much i have to pay on shipping costs but for items i usely would buy just to have it in mine collection i wil pass and let it go. i'am happy with ''autograph world'' because they have low shipping costs and great packaging and i never have to pay import. and toppix have free shipping when you order is more than 100 us dollar. so ebay sellers with high shipping -import- global shipping  costs wil see their customers go to other sites...hope you understand what i'am trying to say.

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