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In lugnet.general, Alan Demlow writes:
<snip.
> I really don't consider international shipping, at least for smaller packages,
> to be such a huge pain, though. I have a couple of postal scales at home
> ($10-15 for a 16 oz. scale at Staples--WELL worth the investment!!), and it's
> easy enough to find out what something's going to cost by looking it up on the
> USPS web site.
Indeed. As a German-based Lego fan, I cannot comprehend what can possibly so
difficult in packing a box, putting it on a scales and looking up the postage
in a booklet or on the website? Or is there more to this over there?
> The green forms are a pain, yes,
Really? Why?
Contents: Lego toy set(s). value: whatever. gift: yes. signature. done.
> My only real problem with the green forms is that many buyers ask me to fill
> them out essentially dishonestly--to undervalue things, or to call something a
> gift that they're paying cold hardcash for.
What's so wrong about checking the "gift" box? About declaring a lower value,
well, if the consignee accepts the risk of underinsurance, then why not? The
seller has nothing to lose or gain by putting a value which is not the actual
sale price. The customs duties in some countries can make quite a difference.
> I find it frustrating that many governments want a piece of the
> action on a $25 or $50 sale of toys between private collectors, but I also
You're absolutely right.
> think international buyers should either write it off as an unfortunate cost
I disagree - see above.
> picture). Of course, we Americans are ones to talk--we can import $500 (or
> more) worth of Lego without paying a red cent to the customs folks, as
Lucky you... ;-)
> compared to 15% or so on merchandise items valued above DM50 sent to Germany,
Upto a declared value of DM 100 there's no duty.
Upto a declared value of DM 700 you have to pay a duty of 13.5%.
Above DM 700 the duty is 3.5% in addition to VAT of 16%.
> and whatever the costs are in Canada (equally painful, if I recall
> correctly--especially with the automatic CND5 "service charge" or whatever
> they call it just to look at your package).
Indeed, I did not know this, but what a rip-off.
> I'll also point out that US sellers aren't the only ones who won't ship
> internationally. Having bought stuff from ebay.de a number of times, I know
> there are sellers there who only want to ship to Germany. Same problem for
> them as for us--it's not a German-centric view of the universe that makes them
> want to only sell their goods in Germany, but rather their desire not to deal
> with the extra trouble and risk of international transactions. I've found
True, but do consider the language issue. As a buyer you choose yourself to bid
on a US seller's item, whereas the foreign seller wishing to post only
nationally cannot keep a US or whatever buyer from bidding.
> On the flip side, I've usually had very good experiences with international
> buyers--they usually realize it takes a little extra work on my part and put
> in the extra effort to match.
Indeed. I suppose the time issue is really what keeps most sellers from selling
beyond their own borders.
Regards,
Torsten
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: 'Will ship to United States only - Oi!
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| (...) This assumes one has a scale. Making a trip to the Post Office is a pain for some folks. If you go at lunch, or right when they open, or right before they close, the lines are often horrid (30-45 minute waits). (...) While as a Libertarian, I (...) (26 years ago, 29-Jan-01, to lugnet.market.shipping)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: 'Will ship to United States only - Oi!
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| This isn't a reply to Ronan as much as to the thread in general. I've never restricted any of my sales or auctions to the US only, but I can certainly see why one would want to. It does take extra time and effort to sell internationally; receiving (...) (26 years ago, 27-Jan-01, to lugnet.general, lugnet.people)
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