High value items: ISO advice on how to ship & where not to ship to

[bitsofsiliconvalley]

Over the next few weeks I'm going to list some computer components that are substantially more valuable than anything I've sold in the past. My experience goes up to $400 or so; I expect these items to sell in the range of $1000.

I'm looking for advice on selling in this territory, where learning by doing is likely to be costly. I'm open to any sort of advice, but I'm particularly interested in two issues.

One is shipping mode. I'm ruling out First Class Package International, since it can't be tracked or insured. I wonder whether there's any advantage (for me) in Priority Mail Express International, or whether Priority Mail International is just as good.

The other issue is "will not ship" countries. I've never used this option because it seems unfair to exclude bidders on the basis of where they happen to live, but in this case the value at risk is too high. What countries should I exclude?

Tentatively I'm excluding about 70 countries, including everything in Africa except South Africa, and several of the sketchier countries in Asia. I don't have time to research the countries, though, so I'm making decisions by gut feel, which may be grossly inaccurate.

[bitsofsiliconvalley]

eBay has already disabled the edit option, so I'm "replying" to add that I've also excluded the Middle East countries except for Israel and Saudi Arabia.

[arun7500]

Doesn't really matter who you ship to or which delivery service you use, with high end items your only real concern is a SNAD or INR. Either will set you back. You can ship Express to Italy, Brazil or Belgium and still expect 20-40 customs delays guaranteeing an INR (which you'll lose), then again you could ship to the next city over and if you get a SNAD, you'll lose that too. Best is too familiarize yourself with ebay's MBG, and you'll quickly realize that Ebay isn't your friend, if or when you run into these scenarios. It may be a cliche, but holds true to this day, ' Don't sell it on ebay, if you cant afford to lose it. '

[daksgirl4]

I wont ship anything to Italy or Russia.

For anything over $100 I only ship to the to the following countries, minus Russia Italy. Ive never had a good experiance shipping to Italy or Russia. https://pe.usps.com/text/imm/immc2_022.htm

[phcd1]

I wouldn't sell anything internationally unless you can afford to PAY to have it shipped back to you. Most international shipping options are expensive and buyers know this which is why they open a SNAD claim to force you to offer a partial (it's often cheaper, much cheaper then paying return shipping). Also they know you can't issue a return shipping label, so you have to PayPal them that money for the return, which (again) turns into a partial as they never return it. I would sell US only myself and have a "No Returns" policy for maximum protection.

[duchess-at-speakeasy]

I would suggest you limit these sales to the U.S. and Canada. (Actually, I would not sell anything valued at $1000 or more here on eBay, but that's just me.)

International FCPS, the Priority Mail small FRB and the various FRE's are limited to a value of $400 and a weight of 4 lbs. No insurance, but some countries do allow e-DelCon.

International Priority Mail includes full tracking to most countries and automatic indemnity up to $200. Some countries do not allow purchase of additional insurance and others limit the insurance to something well under $1000. On eBay, you need Signature Confirmation for anything over $750 (selling price plus shipping). Priority Mail may not make SC available.

International Priority Express Mail also offers full tracking and up to $200 indemnity. Not sure about additional insurance or Signature Confirmation.

Either way, I suggest you consult the USPS country-specific mailing and Customs requirements for more information.

Bottom line: Subject to mailing and Customs requirements, I might add Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Bermuda, UK and a few countries in Western Europe. Much depends on whether your products function outside the U.S. and are in demand.

~~C~~

[duchess-at-speakeasy]

Scratch the UK -- which does not allow additional insurance.  Also, I think Germany limits declared value to $500, and many other countries limit insurance to $650.

USPS publishes all this information online and it's quick to find. Time or not, you need to research carefully.

~~C~~

[penguins_dont_fly]

FCPI is definitely a no-go due to the value

https://pe.usps.com/text/imm/immc2_022.htm

252.1 Content

Subject to applicable weight and size limits, any article that is otherwise acceptable and not prohibited by the Postal Service or the country of destination may be mailed at the First-Class Package International Service price. The maximum value cannot exceed $400. Items exceeding $400 must be mailed using Global Express Guaranteed service, Priority Mail Express International service, or Priority Mail International service.

On the above linked page is the current eDELCON list .... to start, I would exclude any country not on the list and then some of them that are on the list*, based on Customs Delays, insurance allowances and availability of Signature Confirmation.

*Customs Delay Issues *

Brazil

Cyprus

Greece

Italy

Mexico

Russia

Spain

Turkey

GXG (Global Express Guaranteed) is a very expensive service, but with items of that value, you might want to look into it.

Good luck

[bitsofsiliconvalley]

Penguins: can you tell me where the "customs delay issues" list originated? I've had "lost in transit" issues with several countries, none of which were on that list. I can't tell where the delays occurred, but unless there was outright theft, customs is the only plausible place. It seems to me that this list may be useful, but is far from complete.

I do appreciate the fact that you addressed the question I asked, rather than some similar question that interests you more. International sales account for perhaps 1/3 of my sales by volume, and half by value; refusing to sell to international buyers would amount to leaving half the money that's offered to me on the table. And in my experience, international buyers present fewer problems than domestic ones, although the problems that occur are more difficult to resolve.

[lja440]

 I do not sell anything that is over around $500.

I don't sell any of the high scam items such as cell phones at all.

This has been my stand since eBay stopped having real feedback for buyers.

Best rule of thumb.

First it can not be construed as prohibited to any country I ship to in any way shape or form. ALWAYS CHECK. Second I never ship anything internationally that I can't eat the cost of. 

Yes this does limit what I sell internationally, But my categories are usually Books, Records, Pottery and Glass, and Clothing so not really too much of a problem except for bar ware and some media content issues.

[bitsofsiliconvalley]

So, if you have an item that's worth more than $500, what do you do with it?

It's probably a moot question, because given the categories you sell in, you don't have such items. I currently sell only computer components; I do have such items; thus, my original question.

[penguins_dont_fly]

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@bitsofsiliconvalley wrote:

Penguins: can you tell me where the "customs delay issues" list originated? I've had "lost in transit" issues with several countries, none of which were on that list. I can't tell where the delays occurred, but unless there was outright theft, customs is the only plausible place. It seems to me that this list may be useful, but is far from complete.

It is definitely far from complete ... I was only excluding those countries that are on the eDELCON list, but have known issues...

Those countries are the ones that I have had personal experience with customs delays. 

I do appreciate the fact that you addressed the question I asked, rather than some similar question that interests you more. International sales account for perhaps 1/3 of my sales by volume, and half by value; refusing to sell to international buyers would amount to leaving half the money that's offered to me on the table. And in my experience, international buyers present fewer problems than domestic ones, although the problems that occur are more difficult to resolve.

I agree ... I have never had a major issue with any of my international buyers. My "problems" are usually in Texas and Michigan LOL.

I am not saying that you should exclude international buyers from your regular listings ... just narrow the market for these high-dollar items....in the beginning, at least. Get a feel for where the buyers of this product are coming from ... And you can feel out anyone who is excluded and may ask about shipping. You can always add a buyer to your exclusion list, if you want to ... on a case by case basis.

@bitsofsiliconvalley

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[lja440]

This is a posting ID, I buy on it sometimes buy rarely use it to sell.  For that I have other ID's

When I have high value items I sell locally, and take cash.  I used to ship things like Horse saddles and I took returns if they didn't work well with either the horse or rider, but as that now means a $50+ return S/H that I have to cover. It's just easier for me.

[fave_looks]

Russia - very bad post system, custom delays, additional charges, etc.

Also, russian buyers tend to leave negatives, INR, NAD

[bitsofsiliconvalley]

FWIW, my experience with Russian buyers has been generally good so far. They've been pretty good customers, but they generally stick to my medium priced items. I was surprised by how many buy from me -- probably about 10% of my sales volume.