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Sending tracked to U.S

Hi,
Got some magazines to list which are actually American (I had them sent over on a subscription) so planning on accepting bids on them from U.S.
What is the easiest, safest, most cost effective way of sending these tracked (for paypal protection) to the U.S. I'm presuming that as they are magazines they would go as printed papers?
Would they go airmail with international signed for on top to get them tracked?
As you can tell I havn't a clue so thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Judith
April £5 a day challenge- £15.05/£150
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Comments

  • cyberbob
    cyberbob Posts: 9,480 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Airsure is your only option for fully tracked
  • Would this give me a tracking number as opposed to just a signature?
    I've got visions of my parcels going missing over the atlantic and not having sufficient cover of proof of posting to claim!
    April £5 a day challenge- £15.05/£150
  • soolin
    soolin Posts: 73,442 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    RM say this about airsure:

    We track all Airsure® items until they leave the UK and then the item is handed over to the destination country's postal service as a priority item. In most circumstances you will also be able to get electronic confirmation of delivery via Track & Trace.

    http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/content1?mediaId=22700571&catId=400034#13300224

    So it isn't actually 100% guaranteed that you will get a signature but it is the best option. It still only has standard inusrance though up to £39 and costs an additiona; £4.50 per item.

    Are these magazines very expensive or valuable as otherwise I'm not sure why you would bother with tracked as charging around £6-£7 postage on a magazine is going to get you no end of problems with buyers who will just assume it is some sort of mistake to charge so much and then cause you silly little irritations later. If you really don't trust the US buyers it might be best to limit yourself to UK only.
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
  • soolin
    soolin Posts: 73,442 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    smartcat04 wrote: »
    Would this give me a tracking number as opposed to just a signature?
    I've got visions of my parcels going missing over the atlantic and not having sufficient cover of proof of posting to claim!

    Sorry, I have rather answered my own question here bu mis reading your post :o

    If you want it as insurance to cover yourself in the event of a RM claim then standard airmail might actually be better. There is anecdotal evidence that using a tracked service can cause problems if it fails to arrive as RM can often show the item left their hands in the UK and was passed on and therefore argue it is nothing to do with them.

    However, you must do whatever you are comfortable with. My business model of not using tracked does not suit everyone.
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
  • Thanks Soolin. The mags aren't expensive its just that as they are an American magazine that isn't available on the shelves over here I thought I might have more look selling them to an american bidder.
    It's not crucial that I have tracking it was just in case one of them didn't turn I could provide tracking details if things got as far as a paypal dispute.
    Airsure soes seem pricy but I suppose you get what you pay for. Wonder if it would be worth taking a chance with normal airmail?
    Thankyou for your advice so far. Usually limit my ebay auctions to UK bidders so pretty clueless on international issues.:confused:
    April £5 a day challenge- £15.05/£150
  • soolin
    soolin Posts: 73,442 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I sell a lot overseas and never bother with tracking, but that works for me as I always think that I would need to lose an awful lot to make it worth while paying all that extra for tracking.

    Incidentally, Australia is a huge market for magazines, I don't know why though.
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
  • Thanks Soolin. You are a font of ebay knowledge.:T
    April £5 a day challenge- £15.05/£150
  • f1re_cr4cker
    f1re_cr4cker Posts: 1,443 Forumite
    if it hasn't been sent tracked as all the buyer has to do is then submit a claim saying it hasn't been received (even when it has) and paypal will screw you! oh and this is happening more and more! I always send ebay stuff tracked Uk or international and if it cant be tracked I dont send it to that country.
  • custardy
    custardy Posts: 38,365 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    soolin wrote: »
    I sell a lot overseas and never bother with tracking, but that works for me as I always think that I would need to lose an awful lot to make it worth while paying all that extra for tracking.

    Incidentally, Australia is a huge market for magazines, I don't know why though.

    when i lived there it was a crap selection of mags for what i was looking for
    best were the UK/USA ones but they were a couple of months behind.
    so i can see there being a market
  • soolin
    soolin Posts: 73,442 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    if it hasn't been sent tracked as all the buyer has to do is then submit a claim saying it hasn't been received (even when it has) and paypal will screw you! oh and this is happening more and more! I always send ebay stuff tracked Uk or international and if it cant be tracked I dont send it to that country.

    The chances of coming across a scammer are quite low so you do need to take a balanced view of the risk. Adding an additional £4.50 to every item is not cost effective unless you believe you are going to lose the vast majority.

    However as I said earlier this is a personal choice and everyone should stick with their comfort level. However I do of course welcome my competitors pricing themselves out of the market by being £4.50 dearer than me, it means I get all the sales!
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
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