Frustrating

Cursum Perficio

Cursum Perficio

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Not sure if this is the right place to post this...

I often peruse the Knife Exchange here. Sometimes I see something I want to buy...but all to often the seller will not sell outside of the CONUS.

It just happened again. A knife I want and have been looking for is right there. I would pay the asking price, and a bit more to cover international shipping.
But it says 'CONUS Shipping only'.

I know that the owner/seller has the right to decide such things, and I respect that. But it's getting frustrating to me, living in the antipodes as I do.
All of my knives come from overseas, mainly the US, because they have to. They're just not here in NZ for me to buy, and on the very rare occasion they are they are way overpriced.

At times I want to email or PM the seller to ask if they would reconsider selling to me as an buyer overseas, but I'm concerned that may be out of order, given the clear statement 'CONUS Shipping only'.

Would it be considered wrong of me to ask?

Why is this CONUS only thing so prevalent? Paypal works just the same and just as fast for me as for someone in the U.S.

Sorry for griping. I'm a genuine knife person and just feel a bit frustrated with the feeling of being excluded in this way.
 
I think the reason is the unknown. How much will shipping be? What paperwork will I have to fill out? How long will it take to get there and what happens if it gets lost? I prefer to sell in the USA but have shipped to other countries so long as I am not responsible once it leaves the post office. I will take a photo of the shipping box addressed and a photo of the receipt. It would be nice if we had a thread with shipping charges to different countries and paperwork that needs to be filled out.
 
I understand your frustration. I was stationed overseas with the military (by definition in an OCONUS, or other than continental united states, location) and had some sellers who just used the word indiscriminately, and some who would definitely not ship outside the 48 lower states, even to a US address (which my military address was.)

For my sales, I prefer within the United States for the same reasons Colorodo specified - not wanting hassle of the unknown. There are enough stories of stress within the US that the added variable of international shipping becomes a concern.

If I had a knife not garner any attention for a while, or if I received a polite PM from a member with good feedback (and a paid membership preferably) that explained the overseas location, I would be MUCH more willing to consider the shipping. And I do think it is the delivery process rather than the PayPal.

Not a great answer, but I know those are my reasons at least.
 
Fear of the unknown and fear of complications, speaking only for myself.

I am careful to describe a knife very accurately and am diligent in shipping very quickly. I like to hear from whoever is on the other end that they received the knife and are happy and I get antsy when some time goes by and I don't hear anything. I view the entire situation as if I was the buyer and know how i feel and what i expect when I buy here. I expect a lot when I am the buyer. For me, and I only speak for myself, this is a hobby and a passion. I am not a "trader" and certainly not in the knife business so if/when i do not get enjoyment out of it - it's a problem.

There have been reports of problems and issues when dealing beyond CONUS dealing with shipping, customs and the like. Speaking only for myself, I do not want to be bothered. Now, I have sold some things, don;t rem,ember if it was a knife or what, out of the country but insisted that the buyer choose an intermediary (friend, family member, etc.) they the buyer knows who is in the CONUS and ship it to the intermediary.

For me, I cherish my rating, don't want to jeopardize it.
 
I usually put CONUS on my listings, I guess because it just seemed like less chance of hassle. I did get an offer from somebody in russia though, and he offered to pay whatever additional shipping cost there was and also assume any risk of loss or seizure during shipping or at customs, so I sold it to him and everything went fine. I mean, it's definitely a little more work to ship international, but I think in the future, if the buyer is willing to pay extra costs and assume risk, then I'll probably be willing.
 
Fear of getting stuck with the bill. Of something happens and the buyer cries to PayPal the seller gets a screwed every time. International sales are just riskier.
 
I'm not accusing you of this, but I stopped offering overseas shipping because the deal most often fell through when I refused to lie and say it is a "gift" for the buyer to skirt import taxes.
 
Thanks for your replies.
The reasons cited so far I find quite understandable.
I may in future try a polite email or PM to ask, with no hard feelings at all if the answer is no.
I guess it's just part of living where I do. It is what it is.
Thanks people.
 
I have shipped overseas, and it is not a huge problem.

There is more risk in shipping overseas, but I have had very good luck to this point.

Maybe you need a proxy in the states - someone that deals with you already and knows you are good for it, then send the money to that person for the knife and shipping.

I know that some of the long-time members here that are overseas have a proxy address / recipient here that "relays" the knife out to the final destination.

best

mqqn
 
Due to bad experiences I've had shipping overseas I have very strict rules for when I will ship overseas now. These rules include placing 100% of the responsibility and accountability on the buyer's side and I require that they pay for fully insured FedEx or UPS shipping plus a premium for my having to go to the aforementioned postal service's store and fill out forms. I've found that I make it so inconvenient, nobody who inquires actually wants to follow through. So rather than listing my complex terms in sales threads, or misleading potential buyers by saying I'm open to it, I merely state "CONUS only" in my threads.

Now if you PM or email me asking for an exception I will go over my terms with you, I will not be offended. I think it's totally irrational to be upset by a message, it cannot possibly be inconvenient to receive a message. Now, if you start posting in my thread about it, that's another thing. Especially if you post 'I'll take it' then follow up with questions or conditions.
 
Whenever I'm selling a knife here, I always include "CONUS shipping", because all the cool kids put that on their sales posts....but just recently, I had a gent from the UK ask if I'd consider shipping to him. I had Zero international shipping experience, so I of course said, "Sure!", then I asked my lovely wife to figure out how to make it happen....and she did.

The guy was super nice & a pleasure to sell to, so the added headache was mitigated by his attitude for sure, but honestly, it was an added headache; from having to figure out the shipping cost (wife), to filling out the paperwork (wife), to wondering if it would actually make it to him(me)...I was worried about it all the way until I got his email one day saying it had arrived safe & sound & all was good.

So OP, I too feel your pain brother, but if I may be Frank with you (you can be Frank tomorrow night), that's kinda what you get for being a fur-ner....hop onto a boat or a plane & get your ass over here to the sweet sweet US of A, & then you can order all the damn knives your bank account can stand!
 
Haha, well said VanDammet. Except you'd have to be crazy to leave New Zealand, most beautiful place in the world.
 
justsomedude said:
Due to bad experiences I've had shipping overseas I have very strict rules for when I will ship overseas now. These rules include placing 100% of the responsibility and accountability on the buyer's side and I require that they pay for fully insured FedEx or UPS shipping plus a premium for my having to go to the aforementioned postal service's store and fill out forms. I've found that I make it so inconvenient, nobody who inquires actually wants to follow through. So rather than listing my complex terms in sales threads, or misleading potential buyers by saying I'm open to it, I merely state "CONUS only" in my threads.

Now if you PM or email me asking for an exception I will go over my terms with you, I will not be offended. I think it's totally irrational to be upset by a message, it cannot possibly be inconvenient to receive a message. Now, if you start posting in my thread about it, that's another thing. Especially if you post 'I'll take it' then follow up with questions or conditions.
Click to expand...
Why CONUS only? You have something against Alaska and Hawaii? [emoji12]
 
Cursum Perficio said:
Thanks for your replies.
The reasons cited so far I find quite understandable.
I may in future try a polite email or PM to ask, with no hard feelings at all if the answer is no.
I guess it's just part of living where I do. It is what it is.
Thanks people.
Click to expand...

I have put CONUS in my sales before, not always but I have been PM'd about international sales and I was not annoyed. Honestly, if somebody has a consistent presence on the forums I am very likely to do them a favor and throw them the benefit of the doubt especially if they are polite and pleasant. You get more bees with honey! This is an issue I dont think it hurts to ask unlike when somebody says "NO TRADES" and you send them a PM saying "I know you said no trades but would you consider xxxx"
 
Cursum Perficio said:
Would it be considered wrong of me to ask?

Why is this CONUS only thing so prevalent? Paypal works just the same and just as fast for me as for someone in the U.S.
Click to expand...

I get what you are saying. But understand the other side of the coin. Shipping international is a whole different ball game for us in the USA. The risks go up considerably. Insurance is different. Paypal is not the same. Nor is honor. If you pay me for something, the item is my loss until it gets to you. If the item doesn't show up, that comes out of my pocket.

I have recently change my shipping policy. I will ship to certain countries. That said, the shipping and insurance charges will make doing said shipping not fiscally possible for many buyers. I don't want anyone out any property or money, least of which me. Sorry.

Do ask though. If the seller is decent the least he or she can say is no. I've shipped to Canada even though my sale was for the 50 US states only.

BTW the proper place for this thread would be the GB&U and this topic is covered extensively there.
 
craytab said:
I get what you are saying. But understand the other side of the coin. Shipping international is a whole different ball game for us in the USA. The risks go up considerably. Insurance is different. Paypal is not the same. Nor is honor. If you pay me for something, the item is my loss until it gets to you. If the item doesn't show up, that comes out of my pocket.

I have recently change my shipping policy. I will ship to certain countries. That said, the shipping and insurance charges will make doing said shipping not fiscally possible for many buyers. I don't want anyone out any property or money, least of which me. Sorry.

Do ask though. If the seller is decent the least he or she can say is no. I've shipped to Canada even though my sale was for the 50 US states only.
Click to expand...

^ EXACTLY. Sad but true.
 
Cursum Perficio said:
Not sure if this is the right place to post this...

I often peruse the Knife Exchange here. Sometimes I see something I want to buy...but all to often the seller will not sell outside of the CONUS.

It just happened again. A knife I want and have been looking for is right there. I would pay the asking price, and a bit more to cover international shipping.
But it says 'CONUS Shipping only'.

I know that the owner/seller has the right to decide such things, and I respect that. But it's getting frustrating to me, living in the antipodes as I do.
All of my knives come from overseas, mainly the US, because they have to. They're just not here in NZ for me to buy, and on the very rare occasion they are they are way overpriced.

At times I want to email or PM the seller to ask if they would reconsider selling to me as an buyer overseas, but I'm concerned that may be out of order, given the clear statement 'CONUS Shipping only'.

Would it be considered wrong of me to ask?

Why is this CONUS only thing so prevalent? Paypal works just the same and just as fast for me as for someone in the U.S.

Sorry for griping. I'm a genuine knife person and just feel a bit frustrated with the feeling of being excluded in this way.
Click to expand...

Yip its a huge pain in the arse that's for sure, personally I'm not sure what all the fuss is about, stuff gets shipped all around the world everyday, I've shipped plenty of knives to the States, without a hitch


I'm not sure if this has been suggested, if you can get someone in the CONUS that you trust, have the knives from the exchange sent to them. Have them on post it to you,

Kris,
 
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I sold a knife to a guy in NZ before. He must have been completely new to buying anything overseas. He emailed me every day 1-3 times a day for 2 weeks. WHen he did get the knife, he didn't even have the courtesy to say thanks, I got it, everything is cool, nothing. Poor form.:thumbdn:

neffarious said:
Why CONUS only? You have something against Alaska and Hawaii? [emoji12]
Click to expand...

Shhh, some people still don't know about Alaska and Hawaii... (They are states, and the cost to ship there is the same as it is CONUS)
/mind blown
 
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