06-16-2017 10:59 AM
I don't know how active this group is and this is a first time posting here for me even though I have sold on ebay for years now.
I am curious to know how other dealers are handling international sales since ths postal rates have sky rocketed with regards to bubble mailers. As you know, tracking numbers are required or you'll lose a 'lost item' case and thus potentially end up giving a card away if you don't send in a mailer with tracking. I use bubble mailers. Unfortunately what used to cost as little as $1.65 to Canada or $3. in other countries, now ranges from $9-13.
On request, I have shipped SOME cards in just old greeting cards through First Class mail so the costs drops to around $4 or less. But only on lower priced cards I'm not worried about.
Still, I know my international sales have died due to automatic shipping calculations.
IS their a way to set up an alternative shipping for less on certain items? I have really avoided listing a lot of foreign cards because of this.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions,
Tonia North
North Star Antiques
06-20-2017 03:51 AM
I've had the same experience where a card that didn't sell at auction sold when switched to BIN. I think there could be numerous reasons for example, the auction didn't last long enough for the right buyer to see it and some people don't like to wait for auctions to end, they want to purchase an item right away.
Also, your point about changing categories is a very good one. I've done it myself with good results. I wish I had more time to go over every listing.
I also agree about scanning the backs. I don't think it's that much extra work and the backs can hold a lot of interest both for postcard collectors and philatelic buyers. I sell both postcards and postal history, it pays to learn a little about postmarks and auxiliary markings
07-05-2017 06:01 AM
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07-05-2017 06:21 AM
07-06-2017 08:02 AM
07-06-2017 04:00 PM
If you can answer, what is your international failure rate, roughly?
When I sold off a bunch of duplicates and extras last year, the one item I sent overseas apparently went astray. I felt bad but the buyer contacted me 8 months later.
I did use commemoratives on the envelope and I can't help but think that may indicate to some parasites in the shipping stream (shippers, customs, post, etc) that it might be worth a peak.
07-06-2017 04:34 PM
07-06-2017 05:21 PM
I can't remember ever losing a postcard going overseas - thankfully. The handful of problems I had over the years were with US addresses and even that number was miniscule.
Like you with the person who told you 8 months after the fact they had not received their postcard, I did have one overseas customer claim that he did not receive a bunch of beer coasters I had sent him 6 months earlier. (Postcards and beer coasters are my 2 biggest sales categories on eBay.) He never contacted me and went straight to eBay to claim non-delivery. He caused me to be put on hold with both eBay and PayPal. I immediately refunded everything to him, said nothing to him and blocked him from being able to buy any more from me. For a short while I even blocked his country from buying from me because I was so upset. (I have since unblocked that country and gotten some really great customers from there.) I had supplied him for over a year and always left glowing feedback for him. I do not trust those who wait 6 to 8 months to claim non-receipt especially as Visa and Mastercard allows buyers in some countries up to 6 months to cancel previous purchases. With him being the only overseas customer who burnt me this way in over 11 years here on eBay I have not changed my habit of dealing worldwide and consequently have a number of regular customers in a number of countries and a number of them are very aggressive bidders who regularly bring my selling prices up. Overall I am really happy with my overseas sales.
07-07-2017 07:32 AM
I have been using that size rigid envelope for a few years now and all the International sales go with the International stamp. I can get up to 4 postcards in the envelope using the same stamp. Have not had one not make it, or needing extra postage.
I also have noticed that sometimes when my auction item doesn't sell, I switch it to BIN for a higher price and lo and behold it sells! Go figure.
Have had a great month (June) when I had two postcards sell for over $100 and 5 for over $20. Sell about 220 cards a month. With that in mind, have a hard time listing cards for BIN when the chance that I get more money with auction is there. About 90% of my sales are from auction.
Also, how long to keep BIN on for...GTC or 30 days.
07-27-2017 01:00 PM
Hello everyone, decided to visit this forum for the first time in a long while. I'm glad to see that it is still active. This shipping and handling thing seems to come up a lot and so many sellers have a different approach.
Here are a couple of my thoughts on what I have read so far. I list everything first as a 7 day auction, starting at $2.50 with free shipping. I always like to let the potential buyer set the price they are willing to pay. I'm sure that many cards have under-sold (and many of have sold for much more than I would have thought) but I like to offer great deals to my customers, many of them return. Everyone likes to feel as though they got a bargain! Since I am also a shopper, I look for "free" shipping, anyone hear of A*az*n prime? I think the free shipping often makes a difference. If the auction item does not sell, I will re-list as a BIN, usually two months later. I let to keep things fresh. I do not re-list as a GTC since I like to maintain control over my listins and I do not like my customers to see the same items over and over. When I re-list as a BIN, i price it lower and I offer $1 buck shipping. This covers my cost and a little extra. I send the postcard in a very stiff thank you greeting card and I have had no problems, though there is no tracking info. A first class stamp is fine, I look for cool ones from the USPS web site. Currently I am using Star Trek stamps. I don't use the rigid mailers as often, only for sales of $15 or more. Always too much confusion at the post office with the mailers, letter or package, etc. Gotta go go now, just wanted to add a few cents worth to the conversation.
08-07-2017 06:26 AM
Thanks for your comment. I am a larger volume seller and as such I have ebay 'standards' I have to maintain. One of those standards is I am required to ship with a tracking number.
So here are a few other things I've learned. I CAN'T use a tracking number label (costs $2.61) in a flat envelope. It can only be in a thick envelope. I had a Post Office employee come to my store and work with me on this. So the flat smaller firm mailers mentioned above, can't be used unless you make them thicker! BUT, they work great for International. A little more firm mailer, but I can use the international stamp for $1.20 on them. International is a little different since you can't track those outside of the US. Since I JUST started doing this I don't have enough feedback on their 'success' during mailing and 'lost' items at this point. But I can see sales are picking up now that I have lowered my international shipping rates with these mailers.