Should I agree to send a fragile item to Australia?

lexuslass

Hi

Title says it all really... I am selling an old item of pottery on ebay and have been asked (well begged actually!) if I would send to Australia.

While I don't have a problem sending to Australia (have done plenty of times before with clothes and all has been fine), I am concerned that no matter how well it was packaged and marked fragile etc. that it would arrive there damaged.

I know it could quite easily get damaged in transit sending it within the UK - but with the distance to Australia and having to go through so many different depots, airports etc - the likelihood of it getting thrown or dropped is greater.. if you see what I mean!

Am I just being too cautious? Would you agree to send?

Thanks in advance

bruticus

I'd only send if postal insurance was added

Abu-Dina

I wouldn't send it if I was you. It's not worth the hassle.

What if the buyer claims the item arrived broken in bits and opens a PayPal dispute?! What are you going to do then?

Do you have the time and energy to deal with a potential PayPal dispute?!

Go for Pickup only. You'll save yourself time and money!

HappyMJ

It will go on a direct flight to australia and most of the time it will be in a larger container from when it leaves the royal mails distribution centre. It won't be handled individually again until it reaches the australian post distribution centre.

lexuslass

Thanks for the quick replies...

I have since looked at the buyers feedback - she has purchased a considerable amount of similar items from the UK with no problems (so far!).

I think I will chance it - and make sure it's sent with relevant insurance.

Thanks again!

freddysmith

I have sent several fine bone china items in one package to Australia with no problem. I did use muliple layers of bubble wrap on each item. Also used a box within a box with a 2 inch gap filled with compressed news paper. It arrived safely and have since used this method to other parts of the world.

soolin

I sell glass and routinely ship over 1kg large glass items to Australia with no problem at all.

After all, why does how far it has to travel make any difference to the possibility of damage? If it is packed well enough to go through the post then 30 miles or 300 or 30000 miles shouldn't make a difference.

I only ever use standard airmail as well as Australian buyers do not like tracked services as they are already paying an arm and a leg for their items.

lexuslass

soolin wrote: »

I sell glass and routinely ship over 1kg large glass items to Australia with no problem at all.

After all, why does how far it has to travel make any difference to the possibility of damage? If it is packed well enough to go through the post then 30 miles or 300 or 30000 miles shouldn't make a difference..

thank you....yes you are completely right - I do think I was being over cautious - I sound really awful saying this but it is a very old teapot that was left to me by a late aunt that was a very treasured heirloom that was passed down from her aunt apparently (although I am not sure it is that old!), she always told me was very valuable (it isn't! and it isn't something I would display in my house... it has been in a cupboard for the last 10 years and I would rather it go to someone who collects these items than for me to drag something else out of the cupboard and smash it!)

soolin wrote: »

I only ever use standard airmail as well as Australian buyers do not like tracked services as they are already paying an arm and a leg for their items.

I have already told the buyer today that I wouldn't send in unless it was insured and after weighing it and quoting from royal mail, it is £22... I have it on a £9.99 starting bid and she is willing to pay this..... maybe I am missing something and this teapot is actually worth something!!!

soolin

lexuslass wrote: »

thank you....yes you are completely right - I do think I was being over cautious - I sound really awful saying this but it is a very old teapot that was left to me by a late aunt that was a very treasured heirloom that was passed down from her aunt apparently (although I am not sure it is that old!), she always told me was very valuable (it isn't! and it isn't something I would display in my house... it has been in a cupboard for the last 10 years and I would rather it go to someone who collects these items than for me to drag something else out of the cupboard and smash it!)



I have already told the buyer today that I wouldn't send in unless it was insured and after weighing it and quoting from royal mail, it is £22... I have it on a £9.99 starting bid and she is willing to pay this..... maybe I am missing something and this teapot is actually worth something!!!

I routinely have Australians pay three or four times what any other bidders will pay for old British items. I sspect many of them are buying memories from their time in the UK- I sell a lot of dinner service items etc which might even suggest they are replacing broken items not available in the uK.

theonlywayisup

Airmail small packets insures up to £46, I don't sell pottery, so you may have to confirm with soolin or on the RM website that breakables are covered.

ISF will allow you to increase the insurance, not by default, so you will have to add to it. Although it says it tracks to delivery, it doesn't.