shipping from US

[Kremlar]

I am from the US. It seems the vast majority of people on this board are from Europe. I will be looking to sell a bunch of Amiga items, including some big box Amigas, accelerator boards, etc. and want to be able to make reliable sales to all buyers.

I'd like to protect myself as much as possible during the sale, and I'd like to be able to ensure the safest possible transit to the buyer. Shipping within the US is a lot simpler than shipping overseas for me.

I'm looking for input on the best method of payment and best shipping methods when selling to a buyer potentially located in Europe or elsewhere. What is the quickest and most reliable overseas shipper, with tracking? Any best practices to consider in general?

I'd prefer to use PayPal gift to avoid fees and for best protection for me, but I'm interested in input on that as well.

Any tips to best protect myself during a sale?
Thanks in advance!

 

[nickrb]

I think PayPal goods provides the best seller protection. PayPal gift provides no seller protection. If someone uses PayPal gift with a credit card and then files a chargeback PayPal will not fight it.

Call me crazy but I trust USPS. You can even enter customs details online and take a QR code to USPS where they will print out everything for you. The receiving end postal service can be hit or miss though.

 

[qz3fwd]

Paypal F&F seems to be the norm here to save on fees, and questioning that can result in ugly responses from longtime users here.

 

[nickrb]

That's is true, but those users are being silly. PayPal F&F provides no protection from credit card chargebacks. If I was selling a high value item and shipping it overseas, I'd want PayPal goods and be shipping it with signature required.

 

[davideo]

We suggest that all payments are made with a protected method.

 

[Whisper]

For me, the problem is "with the sellers" and not with the "save on fees". They do not accept "P&P goods". I am convinced that most buyers would "gladly" pay those taxes. Sometimes I have paid like that, and they have refunded my payment. Other times they do not have PayPal. I cancelled my last purchase precisely because of that: he did not accept PayPal.

 

[Watson]

For overseas and local shipping I always use trackable services, even when selling to trusted well established buyers. As for the service, I generally use the best price/service available. In my experience ALL of the better known couriers have had issues, although I avoid Evri (formally known as Hermes). I ship care packages to family in the states every year and always tend to use FedEx because they're pretty quick, the last package I sent got there the very next day!

As for payments, it is better to use a protected service but, I always offer Friends and Family or Goods & Services. When buying, I always send via the Friends option to well established sellers here on Amibay.

Trust your instincts

 

[AmigaPete]

Regarding actual shipment method I would avoid using any couriers as they charge horrendous brokerage fees (I have heard upwards of $100) and ALWAYS collect local taxes. Stick with USPS - the amount to ship may be more than couriers but in the end the total will be much less.

 

[Kremlar]

That's is true, but those users are being silly. PayPal F&F provides no protection from credit card chargebacks. If I was selling a high value item and shipping it overseas, I'd want PayPal goods and be shipping it with signature required.

If I'm understanding this correctly, they don't protect against chargebacks with their seller protection anyway:

What is PayPal Seller Protection? | PayPal US

PayPal's Seller Protection shields sellers from losses related to claims of unauthorized transactions or items not received, providing financial security.

www.paypal.com

• "Item Not Received claims filed by a buyer directly with their card issuer."

 

[nickrb]

If I'm understanding this correctly, they don't protect against chargebacks with their seller protection anyway:

What is PayPal Seller Protection? | PayPal US

PayPal's Seller Protection shields sellers from losses related to claims of unauthorized transactions or items not received, providing financial security.

www.paypal.com

• "Item Not Received claims filed by a buyer directly with their card issuer."

Yes, and that says item not received claims. If you have signature tracking nobody can claim item not received.

 

[Kremlar]

Yes, and that says item not received claims. If you have signature tracking nobody can claim item not received.

Got it. Makes sense.

I think the other reason people might prefer Friends & Family is to avoid paying income taxes on the sale.

Are there other payment options people have good luck using?

 

[YouKnowWho]

@Kremlar - I would say you have plenty of population density on the east cost around you and thus likely Amiga fans in your area who would perhaps drive to pick stuff up from you if the lot is large enough - could be a path worth exploring perhaps. You can maybe offer some type of package deal for the lot that recognizes your time/risk/hustle savings to motivate someone to arrive at your door with good'ol cash.

Between the transaction risks, shipping costs, duties, brokerage, taxes, fuel surcharges - this sure have gotten complicated. I tell you, I look at some of the UK based users on here and think..."They have it good!"

 

[Kremlar]

@Kremlar - I would say you have plenty of population density on the east cost around you and thus likely Amiga fans in your area who would perhaps drive to pick stuff up from you if the lot is large enough - could be a path worth exploring perhaps. You can maybe offer some type of package deal for the lot that recognizes your time/risk/hustle savings to motivate someone to arrive at your door with good'ol cash.

Between the transaction risks, shipping costs, duties, brokerage, taxes, fuel surcharges - this sure have gotten complicated. I tell you, I look at some of the UK based users on here and think..."They have it good!"

Local is definitely preferred and I will definitely attempt that.

 

[SilkWorm]

PirateShip is what I've used to use when shipping from the US to other countries.

 

[Kremlar]

I use PirateShip a lot to get the best rates, saved me a bunch of money for my business and when I ship stuff in the US. Never tried them to ship internationally.