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To Ship Or Not To Ship OVERSEAS
- Thread starter is it sharp? OUCH !
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From the 'foreign' angle: I am in the same boat as the Australian OP. Lots of stuff I wanna buy and people won't sell to me.
The ones that do sell never have problem. USPS lets them track it right to my door. FedEx, same thing. I understand why US sellers are hesitant, but most of the time it really is baseless. Insurance does work, let the buyer pay for it, speaking for myself I am always happy to.
my 2 cts.
The ones that do sell never have problem. USPS lets them track it right to my door. FedEx, same thing. I understand why US sellers are hesitant, but most of the time it really is baseless. Insurance does work, let the buyer pay for it, speaking for myself I am always happy to.
my 2 cts.
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I have shipped a lot overseas, especially, in the past couple of years, and that is a good thing. I have been fortunate to only come across great people, and knock on wood it will stay that way. ITs a little more work, and stress, but usually worth it.
I will say that I would only take western union, or an internation money order from someone that I had never dealt with before due to the fact that paypal only takes care of its buyers. I would only do the deal if I can prove receipt, and finally only after the MO was cashed
I know of a case where the overseas buyer received a Randall knife from someone I knew on the bay. Then claimed they didnt recieve it because they knew they would get a refund from paypal since the seller couldnt prove receipt. They got a free knife.
Not saying you would do this at all, and just trying to help, but being around awhile, having more post, and being a gold+ paying member might also make others here feel more comfortable about shipping to you as well.
best regards
I will say that I would only take western union, or an internation money order from someone that I had never dealt with before due to the fact that paypal only takes care of its buyers. I would only do the deal if I can prove receipt, and finally only after the MO was cashed
I know of a case where the overseas buyer received a Randall knife from someone I knew on the bay. Then claimed they didnt recieve it because they knew they would get a refund from paypal since the seller couldnt prove receipt. They got a free knife.
Not saying you would do this at all, and just trying to help, but being around awhile, having more post, and being a gold+ paying member might also make others here feel more comfortable about shipping to you as well.
best regards
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I am going to be blunt and straight to the point here because I find this issue very frustrating.
The great majority of knives that I have purchased all came from overseas (the US mainly). I have never had any problems to speak of. The worst I can remember is a knife taking longer than it should have from Canada. Incidentally I sell a lot of knives back overseas again no dramas.
Shipping overseas is only marginally more risky than shipping within a country. Either way you still have the same possible issues of dishonest sellers, buyers or shipping companies.
It's not much harder to do with the exception of a tiny bit of extra information required.
Anyone who cannot get their head around shipping across borders needs to look beyond their self imposed boundaries and understand that it happens thousands of times a day every day. It's done by individuals, small companies and large corporations. The world is way bigger than one country.
To those of you who won't ship overseas please understand that the rest of the world has moved on from horse and cart and you should consider joining us.
The great majority of knives that I have purchased all came from overseas (the US mainly). I have never had any problems to speak of. The worst I can remember is a knife taking longer than it should have from Canada. Incidentally I sell a lot of knives back overseas again no dramas.
Shipping overseas is only marginally more risky than shipping within a country. Either way you still have the same possible issues of dishonest sellers, buyers or shipping companies.
It's not much harder to do with the exception of a tiny bit of extra information required.
Anyone who cannot get their head around shipping across borders needs to look beyond their self imposed boundaries and understand that it happens thousands of times a day every day. It's done by individuals, small companies and large corporations. The world is way bigger than one country.
To those of you who won't ship overseas please understand that the rest of the world has moved on from horse and cart and you should consider joining us.
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It depends on the country but generally all packages can be insured depending on the shipping method.
Exactly! the excuse of all the extra paperwork being a hassle and time consuming is BS and cop out.Its pure laziness on the part of the seller,plain and simple.But it is their sale,their rules,and like it or not we have to play by them.
I will and have shipped all over the world on a case by case basis.If you want to sell your item and you live outside the US you dont have much choice.Thankfully there are many great HOGS and the like who will do the same.I always take full responsibility for the item.Occasionally i have missed out on a knife i really wanted,but if they dont want my money that is their choice.Thankfully i know some stand up HOGs who will purchase for me and then forward the package on.
You guys know who you are
:thumbup::thumbup:This is true,paypal dont give a crap about any conditions or agreements there may be between the buyer and seller.If the buyer doesn't receive the item to their door paypal will find in favour of the buyer and refund their money.Even if the package makes it to the country and is held by their customs.
And this has happened to me shipping to the US.
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I used to collect knives (now I'm only a user) and had about fifty knives sent down from the states to Brazil. I never had a problem with USPS. The best way to ship is by using USPS air with insurance. You don't have to insure it for the full amount because of customs problems, but if it's insured it comes through fine. I believe that "Nobody messes with the U.S. Mail" - that's an old Elvis Presley song. I have had a problem with Canadien mail. Maybe workers think they can rip off the Canadian mail and get away with it. This remark in no way should be taken as a critique of Canadian citizens who I find to be an honest bunch. It's just that the U.S. Mail is more reliable, intenationally speaking.
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What do you base this pearl of wisdom on???
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Well I live in the UK and have encountered the CONUS only issue but I have friends in the US who will take delivery and forward parcels on. For those shipping from the US you should know that you can get a tracking number for Airmail and that this can be used to cover delivery to the door of anyone in the UK. The co-operation of computer info between the USPO and our Royal Mail is excellent. If you come onto the Royal Mail website and tap in your US tracking number it will show you the new number allocated in the UK and whether delivery has been taken or alternatively where the knife is in the system. Ditto simply checking the American number on your USPO web site.
When I come to sell a knife I usually have to take a hit on the duty paid etc over here but still offer to cover the postage to the US and send it with a tracking number and fully insured so there is no risk to the buyer until they accept delivery. I don't know why you guys in the US don't do the same. Only the sender can deal with the insurance....saying that once you post it it is the buyers risk is unfair on the buyer as he cannot claim if the knife is lost....then the matter would end up with the buyer losing out or trying to claim through paypal. But if you use the tracking postal option you will know if it was delivered....or alternatively...lost...so the stitch up thing cannot happen.
I have also taken knives or even bought them for guys in Czechoslovakia etc who cannot get a delivery for the CONUS reason and done the same thing there. I actually prefer the buyer to have Paypal as it avoids their worries of having to pay first and not getting a knife. The fees aspect and duty is the only hassle....but accepting a loss on the knives if you want to move them on via fees and duty etc is just something you have to live with....
The only issue I ever have had is sending stuff to the States for Spa work etc and then coming back to me our Customs can want to charge you duty all over again....I have managed to work it out but it does take time....my problem though and nothing for the seller or customiser to worry about.
On the Canada post thing....it is very expensive to get a fast service....and if you agree a normal one with the seller you need a lot of patience on the wait....6 weeks once for me....but the knives do come eventually.
All told the overseas thing is not an issue or should'nt be...buyers or sellers overseas just need to suck up the extra cost if they want to trade with the US as you need to be as competitive as the next guy....whether buyer or seller....but I do agree that you need to keep an eye out for guys who regularly get into arguements in the GB&U section...that sort of grief you can do without.
When I come to sell a knife I usually have to take a hit on the duty paid etc over here but still offer to cover the postage to the US and send it with a tracking number and fully insured so there is no risk to the buyer until they accept delivery. I don't know why you guys in the US don't do the same. Only the sender can deal with the insurance....saying that once you post it it is the buyers risk is unfair on the buyer as he cannot claim if the knife is lost....then the matter would end up with the buyer losing out or trying to claim through paypal. But if you use the tracking postal option you will know if it was delivered....or alternatively...lost...so the stitch up thing cannot happen.
I have also taken knives or even bought them for guys in Czechoslovakia etc who cannot get a delivery for the CONUS reason and done the same thing there. I actually prefer the buyer to have Paypal as it avoids their worries of having to pay first and not getting a knife. The fees aspect and duty is the only hassle....but accepting a loss on the knives if you want to move them on via fees and duty etc is just something you have to live with....
The only issue I ever have had is sending stuff to the States for Spa work etc and then coming back to me our Customs can want to charge you duty all over again....I have managed to work it out but it does take time....my problem though and nothing for the seller or customiser to worry about.
On the Canada post thing....it is very expensive to get a fast service....and if you agree a normal one with the seller you need a lot of patience on the wait....6 weeks once for me....but the knives do come eventually.
All told the overseas thing is not an issue or should'nt be...buyers or sellers overseas just need to suck up the extra cost if they want to trade with the US as you need to be as competitive as the next guy....whether buyer or seller....but I do agree that you need to keep an eye out for guys who regularly get into arguements in the GB&U section...that sort of grief you can do without.
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Selling on ebay and accepting paypal for international purchases. Paypal is an invitation to fraud, and with overseas shipping its almost impossible to prove delivery to satisfy them. I only sell now overseas if I know the person. Sorry for the honest overseas buyers, but I can get the $ I want here in the US without all the trouble.
Bigfattyt
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My one and only attempt to sell foreign, was not even overseas. It was to a gent in Canada. Asked if I would sell to Canada. He had great feed back, and paypal'ed me instantly. He actually paid a few dollars more to cover international shipping etc. even though I did not ask him to. Once I had the payment and was ready to ship, he wanted me to miss state the value of the knife on the form by about $150 less than it was worth. I was not willing to do that. I don't care if people do it millions of times, and nothing ever happens. I tend to think that doing that might open me up for criminal prosecution or tax evasion or something (just list expensive problem here.......), and I will be the one schmo who gets busted for it.
In his defense, he canceled the deal, and offered to let me keep some of the money for the inconvenience of re-listing it. I gave it all back, and re listed the knife. No problem.
Now I just state in my for sale thread that I can't misstate the value on customs forms.
No biggie.
In his defense, he canceled the deal, and offered to let me keep some of the money for the inconvenience of re-listing it. I gave it all back, and re listed the knife. No problem.
Now I just state in my for sale thread that I can't misstate the value on customs forms.
No biggie.
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man, why such harshness
People will do what they want for diff reasons, best just to roll with it IMO. The tone sure doesn't help the matter.
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Sorry but IMO we will never join the rest of the world, we'd have to give up too many of our freedoms! (I'd rather spill blood first) Chit there was even a "Hog" on here who lived in France and claimed he was a police officer that ripped a few people off I even dealt with him a few times because he had some history but obviously got lucky.
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It seems that the only real issue remaining unresolved in all of the above is the extra time it takes to fill out an International postage form, and fair enough, if the seller doesn't want to do it so be it. No sweat.
Delivery Confirmation (seller's protection), Insurance and Tracking is available with UPS and USPS I believe and done by ticking the associated box and declare the insured value.
Tracking is as simple as the Customs Declaration Number but limited and UPS does free home pick up I believe(??).
Extra cost is covered by the buyer and generally is not assumed by us Internationals as the resposability of the seller anyway.
As to time it takes,a week ago I agreed to a purchase (01.09am), confirmed and postage quoted by seller (02.00am), paid via PP (02.16am), was shipped same day and confirmed in post at 04.33pm. All of that on the 08-12-09 and with tracking and insurance.
Expecting delivery this week some times.
I have to admitt that this was my fastest International transaction. From commit to actual postage it usually takes a couple of days and an expected 6 - 10 days for delivery.
Busse postage is generally faster, had one within 4 days and others within 6.
As to being stung via the PP Buyers Protection, well I had to use a claim twice, not on BF sales but eBay, one American the other French of origin.
Both were not as described goods claims, one blatantly sold fake knives as the real ones. Both required for the goods to be returned to it's origin before payment was refunded and in both cases I lost on the deal via PP charges and currency exchange rates.
So what everybody is afraid of is happening both ways!
The world these days is global whether we like it or not and boundaries really are more a novelty then real (as to trade I am referring to).
Cheers
Delivery Confirmation (seller's protection), Insurance and Tracking is available with UPS and USPS I believe and done by ticking the associated box and declare the insured value.
Tracking is as simple as the Customs Declaration Number but limited and UPS does free home pick up I believe(??).
Extra cost is covered by the buyer and generally is not assumed by us Internationals as the resposability of the seller anyway.
As to time it takes,a week ago I agreed to a purchase (01.09am), confirmed and postage quoted by seller (02.00am), paid via PP (02.16am), was shipped same day and confirmed in post at 04.33pm. All of that on the 08-12-09 and with tracking and insurance.
Expecting delivery this week some times.
I have to admitt that this was my fastest International transaction. From commit to actual postage it usually takes a couple of days and an expected 6 - 10 days for delivery.
Busse postage is generally faster, had one within 4 days and others within 6.
As to being stung via the PP Buyers Protection, well I had to use a claim twice, not on BF sales but eBay, one American the other French of origin.
Both were not as described goods claims, one blatantly sold fake knives as the real ones. Both required for the goods to be returned to it's origin before payment was refunded and in both cases I lost on the deal via PP charges and currency exchange rates.
So what everybody is afraid of is happening both ways!
The world these days is global whether we like it or not and boundaries really are more a novelty then real (as to trade I am referring to).
Cheers
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LMT66
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Good point but when the Busse Archives show a knives original price at $197 and it sells for $900 .... the USPS can raise a stink and only pay you the $197. They may also want a reciept. Paypal receipt may show $900 but a Busse receipt at $197 will raise eyebrows. Someone could be out a great deal of cash and another out a nice blade and GBU threads start. Then it gets ugly.
The less a box is handled, the greater chance of successful shipping. Things happen when Customs inspectors open boxes. They might not take the time the seller took to insure it's packed safe and secure so that theft would take more than just a quick slice on the end of the box.
Just saying
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man, why such harshness
Ken
I do roll with it (not much choice really), but I have an extremely low tolerance for stupid and obsolete excuses.
Can you imagine what your country or for that matter the rest of the world would be like if we all decided that it's too hard to deal with someone outside of what ever border you happen to be in??.....
It would be like the dark ages.
Fortunately there are enough people out there willing to go the extra few inches it takes to send a package overseas
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WOW
I can't believe I just read this, you don't think you are part of the rest of the world.......
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This is treading dangerously close to becoming a political discussion, and will get ugly.
Let's cut the BS, people.
Like it or not, the seller's terms are his/her terms. There are always ways to get what you want. Being an active, solid member of the community certainly helps, and it should be understood by all that if you want to be considered honest/trustworthy, you've got to demonstrate some character.
For any foreign HOGS in good standing who need help, count me as someone who would be willing ship your way.
Jason
Let's cut the BS, people.
Like it or not, the seller's terms are his/her terms. There are always ways to get what you want. Being an active, solid member of the community certainly helps, and it should be understood by all that if you want to be considered honest/trustworthy, you've got to demonstrate some character.
For any foreign HOGS in good standing who need help, count me as someone who would be willing ship your way.
Jason
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