Italy! help plz!

bihandley

Hi, my boyfriend is in the process of setting up an ebay buisness, but he is at the moment a private seller and trying to get his selling feedback up. We have both heard of the problems that come from posting to Italy, and someone from italy has just purchased one of his items. (Since the whole point of him selling at the moment is for positive feedback we dont want anything to go wrong). Ive already told him to be extra careful and get a proper stamped proof of postage. Any more hints and tips to safeguard against problems would be really handy.
Thanks

frivolous_fay

If it's a valuable item, don't just get proof of postage, get proper tracking. (if it's available... I'm not au fait with international postage)

if it's a phone, don't send it at all - it won't be insured.

And I recommend he amends his setting to block Italian buyers - this is a recently added option.

Smart_But_Casual

Italy is fine as long as you send it ISF as they are anal about anything "official".

bihandley

Thanks, what is ISF though? He usualy just pays and prints postage through paypal.

windym_2

bihandley wrote: »

Thanks, what is ISF though? He usualy just pays and prints postage through paypal.

ISF is International Signed For. Printing the postage at home via Paypal is not enough, you need to send it via ISF. Use the RM website to see how much this will cost and then go to the Post Office to send the parcel.

Royalmail.co.uk then Personal Customers> Sending Mail Overseas> Scroll down to RM ISF. You will see this is the cost of airmail plus £3.70.

itsnotfair_2

Never had any problems with Italy in 10 years.

bihandley

Thanks guys, definatley will do that.

soolin

bihandley wrote: »

Thanks, what is ISF though? He usualy just pays and prints postage through paypal.

Even if items are sent untracked or in the UK paypal postage gives no protection against loss as far as an RM claim goes. Even after printing out the postage your OH would need to take all the packages to a Post office or delivery office together with a proof of postage receipt and get that receipt stamped officially. Without proof of postage RM will not pay out for loss.

I do print postage online sometimes (hardly ever through paypal though as I can't use 2nd class with that system) and for cheaper items I will just bung them in the post, but I am aware that if buyer claims non delivery I pay for the loss entirely out of my own pocket and have no recourse against RM.

kevinyork

About 5% of our Sales are to Europe with about 90% of European late receipt or non receipt queries originating from Italy. Most items seem to turn up but for some reason packages can take 3 to 4 weeks.

We are so pleased that under the recent changes implemented we can now exclude Italy specifically from the countries we will ship to. If you look at the eBay forums it does seem many sellers have similar problems with Italy.

martindow

Agree with Kevin. My experience is that items get to Italy eventually. Italians are well aware of the slowness of their postal system so can be patient. Really you have no choice but to send it as you had not restricted posting to Italy. Refusing to send is likely to provoke a neg.

OP you don't mention the value of the item. If it is of low value (under 39 pounds) International Signed For is expensive and offers no more protection than a (free) CoP.