Experience with shipping internationally from the US? (ebay)

[EmperorIng]

I've been wanting to ask this for a while, but didn't really see an appropriate topic i could ask this in.

So I am -at this moment- selling on my ebay account a JPN copy of Outrun for the Sega Saturn, and a US copy of Shinobi Legions.

I received a message from someone asking me what my shipping options to S. America, specifically Uruguay, were. Now I had not even considered shipping international as an option when I started selling my Saturn games (soon to be listed - Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Daytone CCE, Virtua Racing, and Bug! - unless one of these games tickles your fancy, of course!), and am unfamiliar with the whole process.

So I ask a forum where trading and selling is much more common: What is your preferred method?

If I agreed to international, I would go first-class with USPS, but I don't know how I could track the package for security reasons (and not get cheated out of my money). Anyone have any pointers? Or should I just tell the guy "sorry, no dice"?

[Dave_K.]

The only USPS tracking I'm aware of is via EMS Priority, which is typically $45+ (depends on actual location and weight) and includes insurance of up to $100 (you can purchase more for a couple more bucks). I wouldn't sell anything on eBay to international address without EMS Tracking, otherwise you can get screwed by eBay if the buyer claims never received it. I think this is what happened to Ed Oscuro recently.

[Friendly]

With $45 USD postage you might as well not offer international shipping, because no international buyer is going to bid (unless we are talking about items that are worth several hundred or thousand).
Japanese sellers usually charge between $4 and $8 USD for international shipping of CD/DVD-case sized video games.

[rancor]

Japanese sellers usually charge between $4 and $8 USD for international shipping of CD/DVD-case sized video games.

That's for uninsured, non-tracked, 2-week minimum delivery time, and if it gets lost in the mail, tough-shit SAL class. Not sure I would take a chance like that with anything sent to S. America, Africa, or France.

EMS shipping starts at $12 an can quickly go to the stratosphere. I just sent a CPS2 mobo + game to Canada yesterday for about $100.

[neorichieb1971]

When listing the auctions don't tick the box that says "worldwide". Only tick the regions you want to sell in.

Europe, Australia and Canada are probably regions you would consider. South America is a bit dodgy and Africa is a definite no no.

Actually Europe is dodgy too because Italy is in there and they have no tracking apparently. So put in the auction nobody from Italy can bid

On the shipping options. Put that if your international then TNT, UPS, FEDEX, Courier is the only options you'll permit. If they want to bid and pay the price, then they can. More than likely you'll get a US bidder anyway. Don't let anyone bid that has less than 100% positive feedback.

[shmuppyLove]

EMS shipping starts at $12 an can quickly go to the stratosphere. I just sent a CPS2 mobo + game to Canada yesterday for about $100.

Well CPS2 stuff is massive, I'm not surprised it was that much.

This is the main reason I don't have a CPS2 yet ... I will have to find one locally because they are way too expensive to ship, even just from the US.

[CMoon]

Yeah, I think I'm done doing international shipping. Is this a recent change with USPS?

[gundamalpha]

Haven't had any problem getting stuffs shipped from the US using first class or global priority mail so far, out of around 20 or so times.

[moh]

EMS shipping starts at $12 an can quickly go to the stratosphere. I just sent a CPS2 mobo + game to Canada yesterday for about $100.

Well CPS2 stuff is massive, I'm not surprised it was that much.

This is the main reason I don't have a CPS2 yet ... I will have to find one locally because they are way too expensive to ship, even just from the US.

i know! god dammit!

[Damocles]

A standard jewel case shouldn't run more than $15-20 even with registering/whatever they're calling it nowadays (which is included in some prices if using the online service). Tracking is, obviously, much more expensive and will probably double the cost. That being said, you don't need full tracking if you just want to cover your ass.

[EmperorIng]

Well, say I want to cover my ass? Something like buyer signature or something?

I already responded to the guy in question apologizing and saying I don't offer international shipping (at this time), but it would be good to know for the future.

I mean, I have never had a problem ordering stuff from japanese sellers on ebay for the many many imports I own.

[Dave_K.]

Well, say I want to cover my ass? Something like buyer signature or something?

Just make sure there is a tracking number, and its entered into the transaction, and you should be protected from buyers making claims through eBay or PayPal.

I mean, I have never had a problem ordering stuff from japanese sellers on ebay for the many many imports I own.

Its the seller taking the risk, not the buyer. They can choose to increase their sales by using cheaper shipping methods without tracking, but at a risk of some % claims.

[Dave_K.]

BTW: eBay is looking to make shipping international much easier, for at least its US users to start.

http://www.ecommercebytes.com/cab/abn/y12/m08/i23/s02

If an international user buys the item, you ship it to an eBay location in the US, and they will then take care of shipping it internationally with tracking, customs, etc. to the buyer. Doesn't help on buyer cost for international shipping, but it relives sellers from the hassle, and becomes just like a domestic shipment to them.

[GaijinPunch]

EMS shipping starts at $12 an can quickly go to the stratosphere. I just sent a CPS2 mobo + game to Canada yesterday for about $100.

Can I borrow your time machine? 1200 yen is unfortunately no longer $12.

[rancor]

Jeezus, you're right. Ok - EMS shipping starts at $15. I really need to get that through my head. The wife told me that this morning the dollar bottomed out at 76 yen too.

[ED-057]

I sent a One-Chip-MSX to Brazil last year via EMS and it was around $40. Not cheap but does include tracking.