USA customers buying from ebay UK - shipping costs?

Hi all,

I started posting my ebay UK listings here and have had queries about setting shipping costs to avoid the international shipping program.

As a UK user, I don't see what shipping costs are displayed in other territories. I assume it's a big price - one person quoted $20 for a single CD. Do others have a set way around this.

Personally I like the reassurance of tracking or signature on delivery, so the most economical rates won't cover this, and I can't personally cover shipping costs that are more than I receive for the item.

Any experiences to share either as customers or vendors?

 

Clem,

You've basically hit the nail on the head as to why I have very little sales anymore. The cost of tracked shipping from Canada to anywhere, yes including Canada, is prohibitive. It's just not worth it unless the CD is over the $40 price point for a vast majority of potential customers. Everyone wants the so-called protection, but no one wants to pay for it.

 

You can see what eBay is charging your buyers. Go to your auction listing, select shipping and then change the country to whatever country you want to see the rates for.

I checked one of your auction. To buy that Fresh Cream CD I need to pay £17.35 through the GSP option that you activated (plus £5 in taxes). To the US it's £20.37

RM rates would be cheaper, few pounds or so, assuming you are sending it as a small parcel with tracking and insurance. If you can pass this off as a large letter it would be a lot cheaper.

Ultimately, there would be some savings but it's not going to make a huge impact. It's not like the RM cost would be half of the GSP. Unless it can be sent as a large letter.

There really isn't much you can do about it outside of sending items without tracking.

 

Unless it's an unusual or double CD pack, I would ask for it to be taken apart and sent without the jewel case, so just the artwork and disc, as a letter.
But yeah. I am not a fan of ebay's shipping program.
DD

 

Thanks for that, I hadn't realised. Yes I have looked at RM options, and there's not a lot of saving to be had.

A large letter is 1" thick so I could wrap a Japanese mini lp quite well and meet that requirement.