How to ship internationally, too much risk?

[cherrystarsparkle77]

Hello,

I have a vintage greeting card that someone in Europe wants to purchase. I believe I can mail it first class international but would then have no proof of delivery. Does anyone have any feedback on the best way to mail a small item to Europe? I have some books I'd like to offer for potential European buyers as well as old greeting cards. Thanks and hope you have a great day ahead! 

[caldreamer]

Personally, I wouldn't do it...because card gets bend or lost in the mail...you will be forced to give customer a refund (including postage).   

[jkstrader12]

I have used E bay international shipping and had no problems shipping to Europe.

[reallynicestamps]

How much did the card cost you originally?
How much are your FVF on the card?
How much will LetterPost shipping (without tracking) cost you?
Now you know the total you could lose if the shipment goes missing.

The amount it sold for is vapourware, until the transaction is complete.

Now if you lost an Item Not Received dispute, would it impact you in your next trip to the grocery?

At your local minimum wage, how much time have you spent thinking about this? (Here in BC the minimum wage is 25c a minute.)

Most of my sales are international (and mostly to the USA).  Because the cost of international shipping is so high (LetterPost for 50 gr is $3.88/ Tracked is $31.55) almost everything I ship goes without tracking.

If you think shipping internationally would be a Good Idea, look into the Global Shipping Program. Your responsibility for delivery ends at the doorstep of the GSP plant in Kentucky and the buyer has paid both international shipping and import fees to the GSP before you are even told to ship. 

[1tuna]

I ship watches to Europe all the time and a 6 ounce package runs me about $13-14

if you send to a country on the edeclcon list you will get very good free tracking when you use ebay to ship

most of the time the ebay EISD cost for shipping is about $11-12 for 6 ounces

France,UK Germany and so forth have excellent tracking that does not cost extra

all I ever use for international shipping is USPS first class printed with ebay shipping

@cherrystarsparkle77 

[dbfolks166mt]

     I sell internationally but utilize the eBay Global Shipping Program/Global Shipping Center out of Kentucky. When a sale is made the GCS sends the invoice to the buyer and adds in the cost of the international let of the shipment from Kentucky to the foreign country. They also handle any customs paperwork if there is any and update the eBay order so you can see the tracking information for the international leg of the shipment. 

     It slows the delivery a little bit having to go through the GSC but I find it well worth it since my responsibility as a seller ends once the package is delivered to the GSC. However it still will not protect you against chargebacks if the buyer files one with their CC Company or bank.