I hated to do it but...

[southern*sweet*tea]

I just ended international shipping on all my listings. 😞  It makes me sad, but I just don't want to have to deal with extended and screwy delivery times with the current Covid-19 situation.

Please tell me I did the right thing. It feels selfish, but I need to protect my account.

[gracieallen01]

You do what you have to, for you.  The current health situation in other countries varies with the country, just as the delivery system varies with each country.  It can be hard enough getting things done right when everything is going smoothly.  When there is an overseer involved, it isn't a fun time.  Take a break and be kind to yourself - you can always go back to doing so if/when things get better.

I don't have a problem shipping Internationally.  I never have, other than an occasional damage due to the carrier.  However, I don't have anyone but ME to answer to.  Nobody telling me when to ship, how to ship, looking over my shoulder to see if there is a return coming in or anything else.  There is a huge difference between you having control of the function or someone telling you what you have to do and why it is your fault.

[biggymoe]

I would agree with your decision and certainly no reason to feel selfish.  Why have to deal with any undue stress in these uncertain times.

I mostly sell inexpensive trading cards and I don't sell internationally.  The higher shipping charge would would be cost prohibitive for international buyers.  I seriously doubt that it has cost me many sales.  On my more expensive cards, I would be concerned about non delivery, or damage, claims.  Not worth it too me.

On the flip side, I purchased some cards from a seller in Mexico on April 1.  He is near the USA border.  He messaged me that when he took the package to the PO, they told him that it might take two weeks just to get across the border.  Ten days later, the tracking still just shows that he printed a shipping label.  I am not concerned since I have bought from him several times in the past.  If he hadn't told me that, by now, I might be getting a little concerned.

So just sit back, drink a large glass of sweet tea, and wait for this to pass.

[keziak]

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@southern*sweet*tea wrote:

I don't have very many international sales, and the ones I do have mainly go to Australia. It's not like I'm going to be out a ton of money, but it still makes me feel bad not to make my listings available.

::sigh:: I suppose this too shall pass eventually, at least I hope so.  Between Covid-19 and now a tornado outbreak predicted on Sunday, I may just put my store on vacation. When your local meteorologist, who is correct probably 95% of the time, says the words "long track, ground ripping tornadoes" and you live in the heart of the target area...yeah, I seriously may hide my listings Sunday afternoon depending on what the weather looks like.

Man, this sucks. ☹️

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I hope to God you don't get a tornado. 

I agree with the others about not feeling bad about cancelling international orders. You are a business and it's a business decision that is all. 

I still ship internationally, hardly at all, but I removed the option on Amazon. I had two internationals claim non-delivery and there was nothing I could do about it. So I had to refund the price of the book and the shipping and it was too much.

[mcdougle4248]

@southern*sweet*tea 

Stay safe, my thoughts are with you.

[patd3283]

Hope the tornadoes don't materialize but we are right behind you.  Supposed to arrive here late tonight or during early Monday hours.

Stay safe.

[scstool]

I used to sell internationally to many locations. Sales were mainly Australia, Germany, UK, and the USSR. Stopped shipping to USSR after the Olympics mail fiasco. International shipments dramatically declined after the USPS rate increase. After years of refusing to use the Global Shipping Program for fear of angering buyers I caved in and started using GPS on a few items at first and then everything. My logic was I was getting so few international sales it was worth a shot. International sales still trickle in. An added benefit is the the day I am forced into MP was pushed back.

GSP has worked outer better than expected. No problems so far and it is such a relief to just ship to Kentucky like any other package. No fooling around with multiple customs forms and pouches on larger packages. I was happy to let Ebay assume most of the risk. I am considering adding more countries. It is sort of the same sort of stress relief I had when I refused to jump through the hoops to do 1 day shipping for the TRS+ discount. A 2% savings was worth it, 1% was not. Actually after the more relaxed work flow I would say even the 2% was not really worth it.

The day I am forced into MP I may reconsider and go back to regular international shipping.

[magsmg101]

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@southern*sweet*tea wrote:

I just ended international shipping on all my listings. 😞  It makes me sad, but I just don't want to have to deal with extended and screwy delivery times with the current Covid-19 situation.

Please tell me I did the right thing. It feels selfish, but I need to protect my account.

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I shut down International sales about a week ago (with the exception of Canada)

Don’t feel bad about it at all, and if anyone should inquire you can always reconsider on a case by case scenario.

[slippinjimmy]

International represents about 65% of my sales so I'm not giving that up. I've haven't had any reports of "lost" items on the things I sent out during the first two weeks of March and the usual percentage have left feedback. I haven't had any feedback yet for the International orders I've shipped in the past couple of weeks so I don't know yet how many problems there will be.

FYI - I don't use USPS for any International and I don't use tracking either.

[le-5262]

I did the same. 

[chapeau-noir]

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@slippinjimmy wrote:

International represents about 65% of my sales so I'm not giving that up. I've haven't had any reports of "lost" items on the things I sent out during the first two weeks of March and the usual percentage have left feedback. I haven't had any feedback yet for the International orders I've shipped in the past couple of weeks so I don't know yet how many problems there will be.

FYI - I don't use USPS for any International and I don't use tracking either.

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What do you use for international shipping?

[ed8108]

International sales appear more risky now than in the past.

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                       ☠️
IMO really not something for sellers who are highly risk adverse.

[slippinjimmy]

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@chapeau-noir wrote:

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What do you use for international shipping?

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I've used a few different ones, DHL Global Mail years ago, Landmark Global, Ascendia. Global Post.....there are quite a few companies out there that offer international logistics services that are cheaper than USPS.

[moondogblues]

I loved DHL, but then they laid off most of their domestic workers...

[socalboomer50]

I don't know what the percentage of your international sales but I wouldn't feel guilty at all.  I discontinued international sales when eBay changed their policy that sellers had to pay for return shipping on claims.   It's because the shipping was so expensive.  The only international sales I have are through freight forwarders.

[southern*sweet*tea]

It's just a tad depressing. I think Marshall Ramsey sums it up brilliantly: