International Selling

mimi1234

So I had 2 items for sale, 1 as a buy it now and 1 as an auction.

1 was won and 1 was purchased both by buyers in USA. The listing clearly said "contact seller for prices for shipping".

One naturally assumed I was going to send international airmail for the £2 UK 2nd class charge I had for postage. The buy it now one messaged me and I told her international airmail would be £5. She agreed, purchased the item and now wants me to cancel it because it she is only willing to pay £2 for shipping. I am sure she can cancel it herself by opening a cancel item case on eBay.

Am I missing something or are American buyers not really that clever? Sorry, I know it is a bit of a sweeping statement but 2 in 2 days and it's right wound me up!

Also, should I bother posting to America? Anyone else had any problems or not? I have had sales in the past there and people are lovely and can read English.

soolin

mimi1234 wrote: »

So I had 2 items for sale, 1 as a buy it now and 1 as an auction.

1 was won and 1 was purchased both by buyers in USA. The listing clearly said "contact seller for prices for shipping".

One naturally assumed I was going to send international airmail for the £2 UK 2nd class charge I had for postage. The buy it now one messaged me and I told her international airmail would be £5. She agreed, purchased the item and now wants me to cancel it because it she is only willing to pay £2 for shipping. I am sure she can cancel it herself by opening a cancel item case on eBay.

Am I missing something or are American buyers not really that clever? Sorry, I know it is a bit of a sweeping statement but 2 in 2 days and it's right wound me up!

Also, should I bother posting to America? Anyone else had any problems or not? I have had sales in the past there and people are lovely and can read English.

Firstly buyers can't cancel the transaction once auction is over, only the seller can and you will have to risk a mutual if you wish to do so.

Secondly if you allow international buyers then it really really is a good idea to list with the postage options as this stops this straight away. When they buy and go through checkout the postage for their country automatically shows. There are only 3 world zones for Royal Mail so it is really very easy to list correctly.

Lastly, if you go down the mutual route buyers retain the ability to leave you feedback

uncle-buck_2

Agree with soolin, whilst listing, check the postage costs to europe and 'rest of world', enter the costs, and bobs your uncle, ebay will pick up where they are when invoicing them and automatically charge them the right postage.

OR, just block the rest of the world from buying from you by setting your preferences... I've been selling on ebay for years and have only ever had problems with eastern european buyers...and yes, some americans do think that £2 is more than enough postage and some don't even know where britain is on a map...They don't realise that there is life beyond their own borders...:shocked:

buggritt

Why would any American buyer have a clue about shipping costs from here?
How do you expect to sell internationally unless you state the cost?
Does it make any sense to respond to multiple potential buyers regarding those costs, or put it once on the listing?
Seems many sellers aren't too clever either.

[Deleted User]

buggritt wrote: »

Why would any American buyer have a clue about shipping costs from here?
How do you expect to sell internationally unless you state the cost?
Does it make any sense to respond to multiple potential buyers regarding those costs, or put it once on the listing?
Seems many sellers aren't too clever either.

Ive noticed this happen as well
Even if I block a listing and no international shipping still somehow an international bidder can bid and expect to pay FREE shipping for something when clearly it cost like £3-£4

buggritt

Then you aren't listing correctly. Read up.

mimi1234

buggritt wrote: »

Why would any American buyer have a clue about shipping costs from here? How do you expect to sell internationally unless you state the cost? Does it make any sense to respond to multiple potential buyers regarding those costs, or put it once on the listing? Seems many sellers aren't too clever either.

I think any buyer would have a clue about shipping costs from anywhere. Have you heard of that thing called Google? You should try it sometime! If I were to buy something from Japan and and not know about shipping costs from there, I would not bother!

I clearly say I will post to Europe and this is the cost. I then click the next bit and say I will send to Australia / USA and it clearly says "buyers contact for costs". If that is not self evident, I don't know what is!

I don't care whether it makes sense to you about responding to multiple buyers from abroad or not. I do not have a problem with it, so not sure what you are barking on about! :eek::eek::eek:

Soolin and Uncle Buck, thanks for your replies. Quick question. How can I put the costs for Europe and USA/Australia separately? I have the European countries and the postage for there. When I click "offer additional service", nothing ever happens. The prices for Europe and USA are quite different, so to charge European buyers the same as Americans would be a rip off.

buggritt

Then keep doing what you are doing. And take the risk of negative feedback. If you can't see a problem in having a potential customer do all the legwork then you're heading for trouble. But it's your account.
I would, however, guard against condemning 400 million people as not very clever when you've had a problem with a lazy listing.

soolin

mimi1234 wrote: »

I think any buyer would have a clue about shipping costs from anywhere. Have you heard of that thing called Google? You should try it sometime! If I were to buy something from Japan and and not know about shipping costs from there, I would not bother!

I clearly say I will post to Europe and this is the cost. I then click the next bit and say I will send to Australia / USA and it clearly says "buyers contact for costs". If that is not self evident, I don't know what is!

I don't care whether it makes sense to you about responding to multiple buyers from abroad or not. I do not have a problem with it, so not sure what you are barking on about! :eek::eek::eek:

Soolin and Uncle Buck, thanks for your replies. Quick question. How can I put the costs for Europe and USA/Australia separately? I have the European countries and the postage for there. When I click "offer additional service", nothing ever happens. The prices for Europe and USA are quite different, so to charge European buyers the same as Americans would be a rip off.

You need to offer additional services, the bit to click should be on all the selling formats and on turbo lister. In April this year RM introduced a two tier 'rest of the world' postage which means there are three you now need to list, Europe, some of the rest of the world and the rest of the rest of the world- it is as clear as mud but if you are not sure use the dearer 'rest of the world' price and refund if it is cheaper.

It will then work exactly as it does for your European buyers, they see the postage that relates to their country and if they don't wish to pay it they either back off from bidding or face an NPB.