any problems selling/shipping to Hawaii/Alaska and Canada

[scottlmusic]

I am selling a keyboard synthisizer.  Previously i would only ship something like this to the lower 48 states.  But, after a little research thought I would make it avialable to Hawaii/Alaska and Canada.  

I'm located in Florida and the instrument will sell for around $600.  

I have the Global Shipping thingy.  As I under stand it if it goes to Hawaii/Alaska and Canada it will be shipped to Kentucky and then will be shipped from there.  otherwise the lower 48 states is shipping as normal.  I understand either way I can drop this off at a ups store and that's about it.

Any pitfalls doing this, or is this an easy thing to do.

[duchess-at-speakeasy]

You are very mistaken.

The GSP is for international shipments ONLY -- Hawaii and Alaska are NOT INTERNATIONAL. If you wish to send the item via UPS to Hawaii or Alaska, you will need AIR SERVICE, not Ground. Be sure to verify maximum dimensions and weight.

The GSP does handle shipments via Kentucky to Canada but the GSP has size and weight requirements. If the item is too large or heavy, don't bother with the GSP or with any international shipment. You might be able to send the item directly to Canada via UPS Ground, although UPS does charge an extra brokerage fee.

~~C~~

[scottlmusic]

this is a pretty interesting answer so far as i talked to two ebay reps and while they both had different conflicting answers, in general the info i was given was incorrect according to the above post. It sounds like I probably don't want to screw with this. I guess there is a reason why I see so many sellers ship only to the lower 48 states, which is what I plan on doing unless someone explains things that make me want to change.

[gozhven]

I don't think they use the GSP for HI or AK.  I ship to HI often and always have a direct address to ship to.

Here is some very solid advise.

If you ship to Hawaii using the USPS's Parcel Select service, it will literally take about 1.5 to 2 times as long as the delivery estimate.  It is a super super SUPER slow service.

And if you are shipping something like a synthesizer, you should not want it in the hands of ANY delivery service for that length of time.  God only knows what could happen to it.

Use Priority with Signature Confirmation.  It will cost your buyer a fortune but it will be quick and reliable.

So as long as you use that service, it SHOULD be ok.

I once shipped a Les Paul guitar to an APO address (an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf) and  it arrive no problem.

[duchess-at-speakeasy]

Sellers who rely on truck transport (USPS, UPS, FedEx) often do limit sales the the contiguous U.S. because . . . trucks don't swim.

Large, heavy packages often exceed weight and dimensional limits, although freight services are certainly available. Motor freight, air freight and any other air services are expensive.

You do not state the weight and overall size of your item, but if it is the equivalent of a piece of furniture, you options are either limited or expensive. Consider also, local pick-up or personal delivery as possibilities.

~~C~~

[scottlmusic]

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@duchess-at-speakeasy wrote:
Sellers who rely on truck transport (USPS, UPS, FedEx) often do limit sales the the contiguous U.S. because . . . trucks don't swim.

Large, heavy packages often exceed weight and dimensional limits, although freight services are certainly available. Motor freight, air freight and any other air services are expensive.

You do not state the weight and overall size of your item, but if it is the equivalent of a piece of furniture, you options are either limited or expensive. Consider also, local pick-up or personal delivery as possibilities.

~~C~~

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it is 47x17x8 and weighs 22 lbs.  Yes, I know that the longer something is in shipment the greater chance of it being damaged.  I am kind of talking myself out of this at the moment.  As it is I figured freight to AL or HA would be $112 using ups ground to start with 

[partial*eclipse]

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@scottlmusic wrote:

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... it is 47x17x8 and weighs 22 lbs.  ... As it is I figured freight to AL or HA would be $112 using ups ground to start with 

Shipping that package via USPS Priority Mail would cost under $80. Perhaps you should re-check the USPS rate to other locations, too.  For large packages, all of the services have a dimensional weight but USPS divides by a larger factor (194) than UPS or FedEx (166).

47 x 17 x 8 = 6392

6392 / 194 = 32.94

The online price to ship 33 pounds via Priority Mail to Zone 8 is $78.33 (retail is $87.00).  That would include not only Alaska and Hawaii, but also California and other west coast states.

https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm

[sockmonkeydave]

@scottlmusic

Check with the PO, they can run the zip for Pearl Harbor, or AK.

Over sized boxes go by slow boat, not air, ( unless you pay big bucks )

[a_c_green]

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@scottlmusic wrote:
it is 47x17x8 and weighs 22 lbs.   

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Just to be clear, is that the packed box, or the synthesizer itself? If the latter, safe packaging for it is going to be significantly larger and a fair bit heavier.

[partial*eclipse]

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@sockmonkeydave wrote:

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 ... Check with the PO, they can run the zip for Pearl Harbor, or AK....

You can do that yourself online nowadays.

[scottlmusic]

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@a_c_green wrote:

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@scottlmusic wrote:
it is 47x17x8 and weighs 22 lbs.   

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Just to be clear, is that the packed box, or the synthesizer itself? If the latter, safe packaging for it is going to be significantly larger and a fair bit heavier.

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this is for the packed box

[sockmonkeydave]

@partial*eclipse

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@partial*eclipse wrote:

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@sockmonkeydave wrote:

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 ... Check with the PO, they can run the zip for Pearl Harbor, or AK....

You can do that yourself online nowadays.

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Well... yes... you can, but you can also get a clue from the PO

This 5 ft brake line needs a 5 ft long by 8 inch deep by 12 inch wide box.

That is 15 bucks for the box, and 50 bucks to pearl, on a slow boat.

And that is the thing, often things do go on a slow boat.

A SFRB will go on the plane, and your letter to aunt Grace.

But an oversized box, goes by slow boat.

When I started selling, my PO guy was the best.

( he was an ebayer also )

So I would ask what is the max shipping to Cali.

So I set my shipping to the west coast.

never a problem... 

[a*river*runs*through*it]

@scottlmusic

As a new seller you are ripe for the picking on these high priced items you're selling.

You've already had scammers contacting you.

Why not list this locally for pickup only?

[scottlmusic]

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@a*river*runs*through*it wrote:

@scottlmusic

As a new seller you are ripe for the picking on these high priced items you're selling.

You've already had scammers contacting you.

Why not list this locally for pickup only?

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I have it listed locally on craigslist and facebook.  Not much of a local market for what I have here.

Thank you all for your assistance. For the record let me let you know that I have previously sold hundreds of items on ebay, had a store and had them shipped worldwide. Some were high priced items similar to my present offering. I closed that account about 10 years ago and just opened a new account. I did have one buyer claim that when it arrived that it did not work. In working with the shipper etc, I did not lose any money on the deal. I am aware of possible problems selling to customers and am on gaurd at all times. So, I do have some experience in selling on ebay. But, of course I don't claim to know eveything and come here to get added input on my decisions.

[honeysuckle-lane]

@scottlmusic

If you do decide to sell this item, personally I would only ship FedEx. USPS will cost more and UPS is bad about damaging items. I lose an expensive item shipping FedEx once, but everything is a risk. I had purchased insurance, but they refused to honor it.

Being on guard helps nothing. You could list an item as used and for parts only and the buyer could claim something was wrong. At that point you would have to refund in full and pay for a return label and then hope that you get the same item returned. Don't sell anything that you are not willing to lose.  Good luck