MIkhail
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We all learn from own mistakes. Smart ones among us learn from somebody else's. Here is your chance.
I am not new to selling stuff online, my rating on Ebay currently is 180. But I never sold it here, although I bought things before.
I posted an ad to sell my lens (Jupiter 9) here in classified and got 3 hits right away. naturally I went to the first guy and told the other two- sorry.
Turns out, the guy lives in Australia (other two are US, like myself).
No problem, though. I went to the post office (USPS) and found out how much it will be to ship my package there. Even the cheapest way (as was requested) was quite a bit- around 20 dollars. Not a problem he promptly paid thru the PayPal and parcel went to Australia.
4 weeks later is has not arrived yet. Stupidly I did not buy the insurance or tracking, shipping being expencive as it is. I started calling post office, but they have no way of tracking...
To make the long story short, 5 weeks later I refunded the money to a guy.
But I dont consider this a wasted money. I learned things that I will remember and follow now:
---Do not sell stuff oversees. I know, I know... you go ahead if you want to, but that's it for me.
---Do not use USPS if you can use FedEX.
---Do not send without insurance and tracking.
You can make your own conclusions.
Just thought I'd share.
I am not new to selling stuff online, my rating on Ebay currently is 180. But I never sold it here, although I bought things before.
I posted an ad to sell my lens (Jupiter 9) here in classified and got 3 hits right away. naturally I went to the first guy and told the other two- sorry.
Turns out, the guy lives in Australia (other two are US, like myself).
No problem, though. I went to the post office (USPS) and found out how much it will be to ship my package there. Even the cheapest way (as was requested) was quite a bit- around 20 dollars. Not a problem he promptly paid thru the PayPal and parcel went to Australia.
4 weeks later is has not arrived yet. Stupidly I did not buy the insurance or tracking, shipping being expencive as it is. I started calling post office, but they have no way of tracking...
To make the long story short, 5 weeks later I refunded the money to a guy.
But I dont consider this a wasted money. I learned things that I will remember and follow now:
---Do not sell stuff oversees. I know, I know... you go ahead if you want to, but that's it for me.
---Do not use USPS if you can use FedEX.
---Do not send without insurance and tracking.
You can make your own conclusions.
Just thought I'd share.
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Tzelet
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Sorry for your loss. I live by the same rule, I never ship to the US.
Paul T.
Veteran
The item could just about as easily disappear in the US. Wherever you ship, send it tracked. I would have thought most people who've sold on eBay know this.
There have been delays in shipping to Australia, because of some pre-Christmas security scare, I believe. There's a good chance it will turn up in another week or so.
But do keep shipping overseas. Isolationism never helped anyone.
There have been delays in shipping to Australia, because of some pre-Christmas security scare, I believe. There's a good chance it will turn up in another week or so.
But do keep shipping overseas. Isolationism never helped anyone.
blazeicehockey
Brand New In Box
I agree with previous posters. The OP (although I do appreciate your post.. and that tracking and insurance are always a good bet - the lens I presume was worth quite a few dollars?) assumes that the item was lost after the parcel left the U.S.
Caveat Vendor?
Caveat Vendor?
Paddy C
Unused film collector
There is always a risk in selling something to a complete stranger even if it is within your own country.
I think, of the points your are listing, the only really valid one is the lack of tracking and insurance.
$20 to ship a lens to Australia is not very much. Sometimes I think members here must be some of the cheapest people you could "meet." I'm sure adding tracking and insurance to the shipping cost would not have been an issue.
Couriers can be far more of a pain then your domestic mail service.
I think, of the points your are listing, the only really valid one is the lack of tracking and insurance.
$20 to ship a lens to Australia is not very much. Sometimes I think members here must be some of the cheapest people you could "meet." I'm sure adding tracking and insurance to the shipping cost would not have been an issue.
Couriers can be far more of a pain then your domestic mail service.
MIkhail
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$20 was the cheap option without tracking and insurance. Other options were a lot more expensive.
Guy asked me to ship the cheap way. I was just stupid enough to do so.
but if you are "sure"- good for you.
Shipping the 'expensive' way is no guarantee, either. I sent a $1300 camera to Portugal last June; it was presumed lost. The tracking showed it entering and leaving customs.
It finally arrived 6 months later in mid-December.
It finally arrived 6 months later in mid-December.
back alley
IMAGES
it might still arrive safe and sound.
i had a package from oz to canada take well over 3 months to get here.
i had a package from oz to canada take well over 3 months to get here.
MIkhail
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Quite possibly so. UInfortunatelly I will have no way of knowing when this happen. But, like I said- lessons learned.
jarski
Veteran
when selling, already note in ad that buyers in same continent/country get preference in case several are interested.
yes $20 to another continent really isnt much. I sold M7 to Korea and had to add some of my own money to pay EMS, because I underestimated the cost :bang: it arrived there fine and in time.
yes $20 to another continent really isnt much. I sold M7 to Korea and had to add some of my own money to pay EMS, because I underestimated the cost :bang: it arrived there fine and in time.
mervynyan
Mervyn Yan
If the buyer pays for paypal fee, I will pay the shipping cost with tracking. Insurance an custom fee are optional depends what we agreed. I have a very good experience with USPS, never lost a package.
_goodtimez
Well-known
I think it all depends on the item price. I sell and buy to and from overseas with no problem.
When I sell cheap stuff like a J9 > no insurance. That would kill the initial low price of course.
Now if I sell items with prices above 100 the best is to know in advance and ask the buyer what kind of shipping he wants to pay for.
Same strategy for when I buy. I'm not going to pay 50 on shipping when the item price is 30, unless I made a super good deal compared to the market value of the item.
When I sell cheap stuff like a J9 > no insurance. That would kill the initial low price of course.
Now if I sell items with prices above 100 the best is to know in advance and ask the buyer what kind of shipping he wants to pay for.
Same strategy for when I buy. I'm not going to pay 50 on shipping when the item price is 30, unless I made a super good deal compared to the market value of the item.
Nigel Meaby
Well-known
A number of points here that don't really add up
Firstly if the buyer asked for the cheapest shipping method without insurance then surely it's at his own risk and not your's? "Guy asked me to ship the cheap way"
Secondly as other's have said it still could show up as economy shipping can be very slow. (I once sold a lens to an Eastern European country from the UK and it took more than one month to get there) But you say "Quite possibly so. UInfortunatelly I will have no way of knowing when this happen." Surely if the buyer does receive it he/she will let you know? If it's another member of this forum then you have channels of communication?
Firstly if the buyer asked for the cheapest shipping method without insurance then surely it's at his own risk and not your's? "Guy asked me to ship the cheap way"
Secondly as other's have said it still could show up as economy shipping can be very slow. (I once sold a lens to an Eastern European country from the UK and it took more than one month to get there) But you say "Quite possibly so. UInfortunatelly I will have no way of knowing when this happen." Surely if the buyer does receive it he/she will let you know? If it's another member of this forum then you have channels of communication?
Paddy C
Unused film collector
I'm "sure" in as much as it would not be unreasonable depending on the object sold. Canada Post has rather cheap insurance up to $1,000.
As others have mentioned, you don't want to pay more for shipping than the item is worth but I can't see the point of making a big deal of a sub-$100 item. If the buyer wants the cheapest option, no insurance, etc. than it should be made clear that it is all at his risk.
Look, I feel for you because shipping can be a hassle and a risk, but you've got to protect yourself and if a buyer isn't OK with that, or isn't willing to assume risk, then you need to hold out for another buyer.
Hope the lens shows up at some point and you can collect your money.
Paddy C
Unused film collector
I should add that the last item I sold was a Contax G 21mm biogon. I believe I sold it for something like $700. Shipping and insurance to Thailand using Canada Post Express post was something like $40. No big deal. Lens got there in under two weeks.
I was as covered as I was going to get with that shipment unless the buyer wanted to pay FedEx $150.
I was as covered as I was going to get with that shipment unless the buyer wanted to pay FedEx $150.
Beemermark
Veteran
I've shipped a lot over seas (from the US). USPS is the cheapest and easiest. Haven't lost anything yet. Have lost / damaged goods a lot shipping interstate, whether by UPS, USPS or FedEx. They all break or lose stuff.
Shipping cost and customs is the buyer's problem. I'll ship anywhere as long as the buyer pays for shipping, packaging and insurance (with USPS tracking is usually included with insurance). With USPS rules it's up to the buyer to file a claim. I'll assist but the buyer gets his refund from USPS. I never, ever refund money for "so-called" lost or damaged goods. That's up to the buyer to prove to the shipper at his end.
Shipping cost and customs is the buyer's problem. I'll ship anywhere as long as the buyer pays for shipping, packaging and insurance (with USPS tracking is usually included with insurance). With USPS rules it's up to the buyer to file a claim. I'll assist but the buyer gets his refund from USPS. I never, ever refund money for "so-called" lost or damaged goods. That's up to the buyer to prove to the shipper at his end.
chris00nj
Young Luddite
The only way to adding tracking to an international shipment via USPS is to upgrade shipment to "Express Mail International" which will cost the buyer $40-$50.
That may be no problem if it is a MP that is being sold, but if it is a J-8, that is $50, it changes the economics of the purchase.
Of course, it's the seller who is on the hook.
tbarker13
shooter of stuff
Not always. It is important for every seller who takes Paypal payments to understand that it is the seller's responsibility to prove an item was delivered. If the item is worth up to $250, that proof can be simple delivery confirmation. If it is worth more, the seller must be able to produce a signature confirmation that can be viewed online. Otherwise, the seller will lose in a dispute - and be forced to refund all of the money.
It's one of the reasons it can difficult (price-wise) when you start shipping things across borders. U.S. First Class mail, for example, does not offer delivery confirmation. You have to use the more expensive Priority International service (with some restrictions). And if you go FedEx, that's even more expensive.
If you are selling, protect yourself.
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Beemermark
Veteran
tbarker13, you misunderstood me. I meant costs for shipping and customs is the buyers responsibility. Note I said you need delivery confirmation, which is usually automatic with USPS and insurance.
N
Nikon Bob
Guest
Yea, I sent a package to OZ the cheapest way possible, surface mail, from Canada and it took over 3 months to get there. I am starting to think this is normal. You want fast, then you pay for it and you get insurance and tracking too.
Bob