Why does everyone in the Exchange, only ship CONUS?

Can I say thanks to all who continue to sell to us "internationals" :)

I do understand why people choose not to and I am fine with that.

I have had many a sad moment seeing an older busse that I like that I can't have cause its CONUS but for the most part, I have been fortunate with the sellers I have contacted.
 
As to the fee... I just sent some $$s to a friend in the US (all of a couple of hours ago) it was $200US sent it as a "gift" as it is money I owed HIM for receiving and on shipping some gear that was CONUS only sales ;) . I paid the fee, it was a few cents over $8US so as a percentage that is about 4% ... what are your paypal fees on a sale ?? 3.5% ?? Tell me where the "theft" is here please...??? I see how it can be a breach of their policy but theft ????

My advice to the great majority of sellers here today is DO NOT ship folding knives to Australia. I hate to say that but the issues is just so screwed up now it is ridiculous. As a rule SINGLE EDGED FIXED BLADE KNIVES THAT DO NOT HAVE KNUCKLE DUSTER GRIPS will be 100% fines... I have a box of 8 such knives on the way to me right now (they are with customs for duty payment now) and three more to leave Busse in a couple of weeks plus one of the exchange today.... ;)
 
Oh... and no need for something sent here to be called a "camping tool" as bloody big knife is just fine as well. Each and every package that enters here in the post/fedex/UPS etc is x-rayed so anything but KNIFE (I generally request "Fixed Blade Knife") is just kidding yourself. As for value, to here if the declared value is under $1K Aussie (including shipping) there are NO additional charges/fees/duty etc payable. Over $1K and it is 50/50 they will want the extra $$s. Most knives I buy are under $1K so so I more than happy with the ACTUAL cost of the knife being reflected and so should every other Australian.

Most folks get one or two chances with Customs here over folders, import one that fails the test they will give you the option of sending it back, maybe this will happen twice... by three times you will most certainly be looking at a prosecution and/or a search warrant on your home.
 
Any knife I'd ever sell wouldn't have much chance of getting past Australian customs, being I very rarely sell fixed blades. Probably not much better getting into some other countries as well. Then you add in a few others that have lousy postal service (no tracking or insurance) and maybe even pilfering, it's just not worth it. So, that's not my fault.

Another thing eBay even allows sellers to block sales to any countries they choose to. So, that right there shows there is a valid reason and concern with shipping overseas, or eBay wouldn't have this feature. (as money graping as they are)
 
Robert Carter said:
Ill ship any where you may be. Cost of shipping may be a little extra but its no biggie for me. Fed ex is the most reliable so far when shipping outside the con us. So far for me any way, no hiccups yet.
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Be careful!
If you have an account with FedEx and ship to a residential address in Canada (I don't know about other countries) they will let the recipient opt to not pay the duties/fees/taxes, then FedEx will bill you for them. In my case it cost me about 40% of the declared value.

If you contact FedEx and start trying to get real answers about "what if" questions when shipping out of the country you might think twice about it. I sure did.
 
Jill,

I am not saying that a seller should not be able to sell to where and who they wish, not at all as this is a fundamental of a marketplace such as this. All I am disputing/clarifying is some erroneous information that keeps on circling about shipping blades to Australia. In fact, I spent about 30mins on the phone with Aus Customs yesterday about of box of Scrapyard 1311s of mine(ours) they are holding at the moment. I have to say the three people I dealt with were 110% professional, friendly and helpful. The only reason the knives are held is because the declared value (actual as I always request) is over $1K they have to calculate the duty owing for me to pay. I should have them monday now.

Andy
 
Well... what does CONUS mean? I´m really curious; sorry for the stupid question.

However

I´ve already made many trades to the US and even one to NZ. I had never ever any problem when a package got lost/stolen/confescated. When the bucks were over the free-sum of value I had to pay the customs and fees. No problem til now. All in all - over the last few years I´ve already made more than 50 (!!!) trades and none of the package got lost/stolen/confescated.
I pay the bucks for taxes with pleasure - I need to pay it, so I pay it.

Just for the record: All of these packages were shipped without insurance and with standart USPS. No special FedEx, UPS or whatever.

When I hear all the horrible stories about lost packages etc etc - I didn´t make any bad experience with shipping overseas and outside Germany/Europe.

Just my .02 Cent
 
I've got no problem shipping international, and i always put that it's a collectible blade on the customs form. If it's Xrayed, they'll see what it is anyways.
 
I am very upfront in my descriptions. I know a few customs agents and worked for UPS in the customs inspection area. Full name, phone and any other pertinent contact info helps. The description needs to be detailed. "Fixed Blade Camp Knife - 6 inch", "Fixed Blade Camp Machete", "Fixed Blade Art Knife", "Reproduction Tribal Stylized Knife with deer anter handle", "Reproduction Japanese Short Sword", "Traditional Friction Folding Knife", "Fixed Blade Art Dagger", etc...

I was called once with regard to a blade that I made for a hunter. It had a handle design that either accepted a traditional skinning blade or an Ulu. My mistake was making both blades able to fit in either of the handle holes(top and side). It got to the States just fine, but when the customer sent it back for a clean and sharpen, Canadian Border Customs were concerned that it could be configured as a "push dagger". They were very polite with me on the phone and after I explained the use and told them I would change the design so the "push dagger" was not an option, they let it slide. Their final comment was that they were appreciative of me providing full contact information.(which I always encourage customers to include with refurbish returns). Needless to say I haven't changed the design... I just made sure to let the client know to send the blade only, next time.:thumbup:
 
Railsplitter said:
Hi, Andi. Not a stupid question at all. CONUS = Continental United States
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Thanks Rick, for the kind replie... This was one thing I always wanted to know but never found a plattform to ask :o

Does this exclude Hawaii also? And what about Alaska...?
 
Humppa said:
Thanks Rick, for the kind replie... This was one thing I always wanted to know but never found a plattform to ask :o

Does this exclude Hawaii also? And what about Alaska...?
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I suppose that would be up to the seller. I recently realized that there are other territories that USPS will ship to for no extra cost or risk because they are considered U.S. territories. Can't remember what they are but Guam is one of them. I started using "Will ship to U.S. territories only" in my for sale threads instead of using CONUS like I used to.

So yes, for me that includes Hawaii and Alaska.
 
CONUS was a US military term originally. A lot of people think it sounds more official. Less confusing and more correct would be to say US sales only, and more polite might be outside the US, contact me.
 
Rick Marchand said:
You should read the Paypal USER AGREEMENT before you continue your argument.
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THIS^^


Also, asking for Fees in addition to the Selling Price goes against the User Agreement.

Math is simple for most of us. Include your Fees in your price. You can offer a discount for a Money Order, etc.


I've received hundreds of knives over the years from the US. Most were shipped via First Class. It's FAR faster than Priority Mail.

Only one went missing. I don't believe it was ever sent by the Seller. Our Postal System in Canada is damned reliable.

When I ship to the States, the shipping label is a half-sheet of paper that I print online. No duplicate/triplicate this and that. Blame USPS for that waste of time; it's their antiquated system that needs changing.

If you can print my address correctly, I can receive a knife for $4 to $5 shipper's cost from anywhere in the Lower 48 in a week's time.
 
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